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MLS Expansion News and Rumors
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See what's being said about expansion EXPANSION UPDATE!!! In addition to Seattle and Philadelphia, set to begin play in 2009 and 2010 respectively, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the league will expand by 2 more teams bringing the total to 18 by 2011. Check the rumor mills on MLS Expansion at Big Soccer. |
 10/02/2007 - Letter from Dana Gagnon of Phoenix Soccer Development Dear MLS Phoenix Rising Members, I wanted to take a moment to update you on PHX Soccer Development's efforts to bring MLS to Phoenix. As I'm sure you are aware, the process of getting an expansion team is often long and always complex. I am pleased with our organization's progress. We continue to receive support from many influential individuals both local and in the world of soccer as a whole. Over the summer we were able to solidify a number of key relationships all adding momentum to our cause. We continually have discussions with municipalities throughout the valley regarding a stadium that is proper for an MLS team. We have signed a letter of intent with a secondary tenant that will bring 30 dates to the stadium a year. We are also now looking at a team in the new WUSA as the new league has announced it will begin play in 2009. We've signed a working agreement with a highly experienced and successful real estate developer to handle the development around the stadium. As I'm sure you know, the development opportunities are key to attracting investors and if done right, can add a great atmosphere outside the stadium. Most importantly, we have established a relationship with a group that has significant access to capital. We are confident that we will soon have an investor group that MLS will not only approve, but very much covet. I would like to also thank all of the members of MLSPR, especially the board and the members who have committed so much time and energy in making MLSPR relevant. Thanks to you and all your efforts, when speaking to key individuals, I am able to tout the strong support here in Phoenix for MLS. It was great to see the section of gold at the Chivas/DC match. I remain confident in Phoenix's chances of having an MLS team in the near future. We are working hard on not only bringing a team here, but doing it the right way; building an organization we can all be proud of. Respectfully Yours, Dana Gagnon President, PHX Soccer Development |
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June 20, 2007 - Expansion stretching player pool? Bill Urban, a contributor at USSoccerPlayers.com explores the talent pool as MLS plans will have it expanding from 10 to 18 teams in the space of 8 years. Read about it here. |
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March 28, 2008 - MLS talent drain is a cause for concern Andrew Hush, a soccer researcher for ESPN International, writes about the double edged sword of MLS higher world profile. As foreign leagues are discovering and signing players from MLS, what is happening to the overall talent level and depth? Read about it here. |
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Atlanta Expansion MLS interested in Atlanta; Blank on board for talks by Tim Tucker : Atlanta Journal-Constitution - June 20, 2008 |
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Las Vegas Expansion Las Vegas still in running for MLS expansion by Rob Meich - Las Vegas Th - July 24, 2008 Local group upbeat after mingling with pro soccer league's elite by Rob Meich - Las Vegas Sun - June 27, 2007 MLS in Vegas sets soccer fans abuzz online by Rob Meich - Las Vegas Sun - June 20, 2007 Soccer goal: Play big, play pro in Vegas by Rob Meich - Las Vegas Sun - May 9, 2007 |
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Miami Expansion Miami Deadline Passes : WVHolligan - June 1, 2008 |
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Milwaukee Expansion Milwaukee's dream looks to be dead by Mike H - My Soccer Blog - November 14, 2007 |
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Montreal Expansion Montreal making the right moves by Gerry Dobson - SportsNet.ca - January 09, 2008 New Canadian teams on MLS horizon by Steven Sandor - SLAM! Sports - August 8, 2007 |
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Portland Oregon Expansion Plans afoot at PGE Park, In grand scheme, Beavers get Lents stadium, Timbers go MLS by Kerry Eggers - The Portland Tribune - June 26, 2008 Major League Vision: Owner of Beavers, Timbers seeks MLS team for Portland by Nick Daschel - The Columbian - June 17, 2008 MLS sets second expansion-study Portland visit by Boaz Herzog - The Oregonian - October 17, 2007 |
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St. Louis Expansion Jeff Cooper: MLS in St. Louis is 'close' by Tom Timmermann at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. - May 22, 2008 Jeff Cooper not giving up on MLS in St. Louis by Steve Horrell at the The Edwardsville Intelligencer. - February 22, 2008 Jeff Cooper has done everything MLS as asked. Now, he and his group must play a waiting game by Pete Hayes at the TheTelegraph.com. - January 25, 2008 Youth soccer groups to consolidate with proposed MLS franchise by Elizabeth Donald at the Belleville News Democrat. - September 28, 2007 Collinsville begins site annexation for new soccer stadium : St. Louis Business Journal. - September 11, 2007 Public to See St Louis plan : My Soccer Blog - August 27, 2007 |
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Vancouver Expansion Jeff Mallett, an icon of the Internet technology boom that lit up stock markets from the mid-to-late 1990s, was introduced as being a member of the group supporting the Whitecaps' MLS bid. by Jim Jamieson - Canwest News Service - July 29, 2008 Vancouver Whitecaps FC are expected to announce today that they are applying for a Major League Soccer franchise and that basketball superstar Steve Nash will be a partner in the bid. by Jeff Hodson - MetroNews.ca - July 25, 2008 Steve Nash confirmed he has been involved in talks with MLS commissioner Don Garber, Vancouver Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot and former Yahoo! president Jeff Mallett. by Mark Masters - National Post - June 16, 2008 MLS eyes Vancouver for possible expansion by Jim Jamieson - CanWest News Service - August 8, 2007 |
