MLS looks to expand to a 20th team but what city will be awarded the 20th team? A number of cities have their bids in and the committee is working with those cities and sorting out to find which one will be the best fit. The courting process is a difficult one and the MLS needs to make the right decision they need make the right one. The need to pick a team that will last and will flourish with a strong fan base.
The MLS can not afford to make the wrong decision and pick a team that will end up folding. Those days are long gone. The team needs to have strong finical backing to afford players of a high quality. Also the city as to be soccer friendly, a city that will attract a fan base. Teams like Sounders, Union, Timbers, and Whitecaps have risen the bar and empty seats will be a big step backwards. A soccer specific stadium is a must, the horrors of having football markings of a soccer pitch is all but eradicated from the MLS and lets keep it that way.
Lets take a look at some prospective cities and evaluate the chances of that organization succeeding. It is also important to look at the marketability of that team and the markets it will serve.
New York Cosmos aka NY2: The absolute favorites to be the next expansion team as the MLS wants to tap into New York market. Everyone expect that NY2 will be the next team as long as they can have a soccer specific stadium in NY. The Cosmos are a team with a star studded past dating back to the old NSL days in the 70’s. In recent years they have formed again with a star studded management staff to get them back to the big time and in MLS. Stars such as the great Pele, Cobi Jones and Manchester United Star Eric Cantona.
Positives: A second chance for Soccer in NY to be a big hit and for some international figures such as Cantona contribute. Plus an actual team in NY will be more attractive then a team in New Jersey. The marketability of a team in NY has endless limits and could be a gold mine not to mention they potentially have an established brand in the Cosmos name.
Negatives: Will another team in the east be too much? With teams in NJ (NY) New England, DC, and Philly may just be an overload. Although in theory a team in NY should be more successful team then a team in NJ nothing is a guarantee. A final negative is their enough room in NY for a sufficient stadium? Where would it be?
Orlando/ Miami: I come from the stand point that soccer and Florida are an awful combination. Remember the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion are the only teams in league history to fold. Although the league has progressed and has made great strides and is a stable league now is giving Florida a good idea? Orlando’s minor league team had a great showing beating and out playing several MLS teams in the preseason.
Positives: A new team in a new region could be refreshing and I can see several supporters groups making trips down to Florida in the off season. Orlando and Miami are fairly diverse and a soccer team would appeal to the high population of Latino’s. Both cities have room for building a stadium.
Negatives: Orlando and Miami will attract several aging big name stars. The MLS is trying to lose the retirement league stigma and adding more aging names will set the league back. And Like most Florida sports one can expect that their will be a dead crowd. An empty stadium with a number of old out of shape players is the last thing MLS needs.
Carolina: May not be the most attractive name thrown in the mix but the strengthen behind this team is growing. MLS plans to meet with fans and owners of Carolina Railhawks in early April to scout the area. The fan base maybe suspect but it will be interesting to see how the MLS grows in Carolina. The Railhawks have solid support for a lower level team. A stadium would have to be built in either Raleigh, Greensboro, or Charleston. With the right investors Carolina could be a solid 20th team. The MLS would also finally bridge the gap to the south.
Detroit
Atlanta
Puerto Rico
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