MLS Expansion? - Page 2

Michael Hopcroft · 07-25-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq76

"Timbers Army"?

Yep. An organized, unofficial and unsanctioned group of rabid fans who buy a couple of seating sections at PGE Park en masse and then spend the entire match singing, chanting, drumming, and generally raising one heck of a noise. They're sort of like those European fans you hear singing during matches there. Timbers games are a heck of an excuse to party for the Army. They also have an unwholsome tendency to direct mockery at the fans at center section who are concentrating on the match and the people in the luxury suites.

rudel.dietrich · 07-25-2008, 07:57 PM

San Diego
San Antonio
Upper NY

Miami seems like it should be a hot spot for a team but it continuly draws the least fans of an USL team

What is it about South Florida and how they treat their sports clubs?

Carplos · 07-25-2008, 08:21 PM

Because it's South Florida and there far better things to do than sit around in a stadium watching other people play and have fun?

Also, the stadia/arenas/etc aren't always in the best locations.

Bobbuttons · 07-25-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carplos

LOLOL.

Apparently you need to watch more SPL matches.

Long_Long_Name · 07-26-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hopcroft

I've been watching the MLS All-Star Game (not a whole lot else to do at the moment) and they just finisehd the halftime interview with the commissioner. He said that MLS wants to expand by two additional clubs (to 18) by 2011. Putting aside the question of the talent pool and whether its growth will match the new clubs, the question now is which markets should get clubs. These are some of the markets mentioned by the commissioner:

Montreal
Vancouver B.C.
St. Louis
Portland
New York (a second team to join the Red Bulls)

Is MLS going to be viable enough to support 18 teams? At its peak the old NASL had 24 clubs, and the sheer numbers are one of the things blamed for that league's downfall in the 70s and 80s.

Would it make more sense to move some teams rather than expanding? Are there any lame ducks in MLS?

Michael Hopcroft · 07-28-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long_Long_Name

Would it make more sense to move some teams rather than expanding? Are there any lame ducks in MLS?

If there are, I don't know about them. the LA area seems able to support its two teams (the Galaxy and Chivas USA), small market clubs like Real Salt Lake and Columbus are competitive, and new expansion clubs in Toronto and San Jose seem to be drawing decently.

Of course, America is unique among soccer-playing nations in its lack of a promotion-relegation system. This has the advantage of keeping MLS franchises stable in the face of an uncertain game -- a bad injury won't send the club down to the minors. It has the disadvantage that clubs in the minor league (the USL) have no hope of joining the big time with a special season.

Raderick · 07-28-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hopcroft

If there are, I don't know about them. the LA area seems able to support its two teams (the Galaxy and Chivas USA), small market clubs like Real Salt Lake and Columbus are competitive, and new expansion clubs in Toronto and San Jose seem to be drawing decently.

Of course, America is unique among soccer-playing nations in its lack of a promotion-relegation system. This has the advantage of keeping MLS franchises stable in the face of an uncertain game -- a bad injury won't send the club down to the minors. It has the disadvantage that clubs in the minor league (the USL) have no hope of joining the big time with a special season.

There is a provision that allows any USL team to move up to MLS if they meet certain guidelines.

Jeremy Weimer · 07-29-2008, 12:11 AM

I'm not going to lie, I'd love to see an MLS expansion team placed in the Twin Cities but I honestly don't think it would garner enough interest to make it a viable choice. Which really sucks because I want to go to more soccer games and I would much prefer going to an MLS match over a Minnesota Thunder match that has no where near the talent, but it's never going to happen. The Thunder barely draw anyone as it is.

MorseMoose · 07-29-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Weimer

I'm not going to lie, I'd love to see an MLS expansion team placed in the Twin Cities but I honestly don't think it would garner enough interest to make it a viable choice. Which really sucks because I want to go to more soccer games and I would much prefer going to an MLS match over a local soccer league that has no where near the talent, but it's never going to happen.

Aren't the Thunder an MLS team?

Jeremy Weimer · 07-29-2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Aren't the Thunder an MLS team?

No, they're a USL team.

CatKnight · 07-29-2008, 02:46 PM

Hm. Didn't even know the MLS and USL existed.

Erik W. · 07-29-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatKnight

Hm. Didn't even know the MLS and USL existed.

I've never understood why claiming ignorance (especially in this case since there's an MLS team in your state) is considered cool when it comes to things you don't like.

I don't like soap operas, but I know General Hospital exists, and wouldn't claim otherwise.

Long_Long_Name · 07-29-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik W.

I've never understood why claiming ignorance (especially in this case since there's an MLS team in your state) is considered cool when it comes to things you don't like.

I don't like soap operas, but I know General Hospital exists, and wouldn't claim otherwise.

Maybe he just doesn't know about them.

But, yeah, I agree with you that it doesn't make you sound cool, just... ignorant.

Michael Hopcroft · 08-01-2008, 02:28 PM

Current Timbers owner Merrit Paulson has officially launched a bid to bring an MLS expansion club to Portland.

Paulson to seek MLS franchise for Portland | Sports | kgw.com | News for Oregon and SW Washington

theasfl · 08-02-2008, 11:58 PM

Im sad politics destroyed Miami's chances

CatKnight · 08-03-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik W.

I've never understood why claiming ignorance (especially in this case since there's an MLS team in your state) is considered cool when it comes to things you don't like.

I don't like soap operas, but I know General Hospital exists, and wouldn't claim otherwise.

Personally, I've never understood why attacking people without justification is considered cool by some. Try to get your facts straight, friend.

I spoke the truth. I did NOT know the MSL existed. While there is a team in Ohio (which I learned after looking up their site following reading this thread), it receives little if any coverage in the Plain Dealer. Certainly nothing I'd ever recognized.

I was not attempting to look cool. If anything, I was confessing 'ignorance' of soccer's current state in North America. The last 'major' league I knew of was the NASL.

Ask next time before jumping to conclusions.

Erik W. · 08-03-2008, 06:14 PM

If you think that was "attacking" you, then I think you need to grow a thicker skin.

How is calling it exactly as it was (you yourself said you didn't know MLS existed, and just did it again, which is the dictionary definition of ignorance) an attack?

ignorance - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Carplos · 08-03-2008, 06:21 PM

While that is the dictionary definition, it is primarily used as insult these days.

Erik W. · 08-03-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carplos

While that is the dictionary definition, it is primarily used as insult these days.

There are much better invectives to use for insults.

Erik W. · 08-04-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatKnight

Personally, I've never understood why attacking people without justification is considered cool by some. Try to get your facts straight, friend.

After sleeping on it, I have to agree with you. My comment, and the follow-up, was unnecessary and rude. Please accept my humble apology.

07-29-2008, 12:11 AM	#28
Jeremy Weimer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,411	I'm not going to lie, I'd love to see an MLS expansion team placed in the Twin Cities but I honestly don't think it would garner enough interest to make it a viable choice. Which really sucks because I want to go to more soccer games and I would much prefer going to an MLS match over a Minnesota Thunder match that has no where near the talent, but it's never going to happen. The Thunder barely draw anyone as it is. Last edited by Jeremy Weimer; 07-29-2008 at 12:14 AM.

08-02-2008, 11:58 PM	#35
theasfl Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Coral Springs, FL or Orlando, FL (UCF) Posts: 7,988	Im sad politics destroyed Miami's chances __________________ All-Sports Fantasy League The ASFL 22 different games, 9 sports. Please check out the website (www.theasfl.com/asfl2/). The league is free- if you're interested please fill out the signup form and/or email the commissioner. Miami Talons (ABL): 2004, 2005 & 2008 Champs

08-03-2008, 06:14 PM	#37
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	If you think that was "attacking" you, then I think you need to grow a thicker skin. How is calling it exactly as it was (you yourself said you didn't know MLS existed, and just did it again, which is the dictionary definition of ignorance) an attack? ignorance - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary __________________ Free agent baseball fan. Let's go (insert team name here)!

07-25-2008, 07:57 PM	#22
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	San Diego San Antonio Upper NY Miami seems like it should be a hot spot for a team but it continuly draws the least fans of an USL team What is it about South Florida and how they treat their sports clubs?

07-25-2008, 08:21 PM	#23
Carplos Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,908 Infractions: 1/0 (0)	Because it's South Florida and there far better things to do than sit around in a stadium watching other people play and have fun? Also, the stadia/arenas/etc aren't always in the best locations.

07-29-2008, 02:46 PM	#31
CatKnight All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,199	Hm. Didn't even know the MLS and USL existed.

08-01-2008, 02:28 PM	#34
Michael Hopcroft Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 487	Current Timbers owner Merrit Paulson has officially launched a bid to bring an MLS expansion club to Portland. Paulson to seek MLS franchise for Portland \| Sports \| kgw.com \| News for Oregon and SW Washington

08-03-2008, 06:21 PM	#38
Carplos Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,908 Infractions: 1/0 (0)	While that is the dictionary definition, it is primarily used as insult these days.