Possible MLS Canadian Expansion?
MLS fans had better brush up on their French. They also might want to learn a few bars of “O Canada” for good measure.
That’s because Montreal and Vancouver look certain to be candidates for the next two expansion teams added to the league, with a formal announcement coming around the MLS Cup this November.
Currently their are 14 teams in MLS with Seattle and Philadelphia on the way. MLS has stated that they wish to have 18 teams by 2012 but as expansion fees get higher I’m sure that by 2016 the MLS will top off at 20 teams.
The four cities that should be awarded an MLS franchise.
17. Montreal - New soccer stadium, great city, with Toronto being a success the MLS will look to expand further into Canada and Montreal makes a logical choice. The strong Canadian dollar coupled with future rivalries with the likes of Toronto, New York and New England, all three cities close enough to traveling support to watch a game makes Montreal a logical choice.
18. Vancouver - A perfect choice to compliment the new Seattle franchise. Toronto before being awarded an MLS franchise has failed to support a soccer team since the Toronto Blizzard days in the NASL, Vancouver has always been able to maintain a strong local fan base for the Whitecaps.
19. St Louis - Strong history with the game as the 1950 U.S World Cup squad was mostly made up of players from St Louis. The NASL was started by a St Louis resident. Fast forward to modern days St Louis is a hot bed for soccer plus it would strengthen the mid west region of MLS.
20. Portland - College Sports aside they is only one game in town with the Trailblazers who has always had strong local support in good times and bad. Key theme with most of the expansion choices adding Portland will create a strong northwest base with Seattle and hopefully Vancouver.
Teams that should never get an MLS team.
1. Las Vegas - How many teams have to fold before the message is sent. a) Vegas is a shift work town. It’s isn’t a 9-5 job environment thus many people are either sleeping or working when the games start. Plus playing in the summer is bad enough in most cities. Playing in the heat of Las Vegas would almost be too much.
2. Any Florida city - They had their chance and failed with Miami and Tampa Bay folding. College/NFL aside people just don’t support pro teams when they not winning. Miami heat can’t draw fans when they not winning and the Florida Marlins have one of the worst attendance in Major League Baseball.
3. Ottawa - Government town with no real history with the game. That being the case many of the local residents come from other parts of the country thus making it tough for the team to build a relationship with the citizens.