MLS delays decision on team expansion until 2010

[Luis_Rancagua]

From all this, I would imagine that MLS is now being extremely cautious in awarding the 16th franchise. The contenders (Philadelphia or St. Louis) will have to meet all the necessary criteria: soccer specific stadium and a strong financial base.

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MLS delays decision on team again

By Tom Timmermann

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Tuesday, Jan. 22 2008

Major League Soccer has again pushed back the timetable for naming its 16th

expansion team, and while St. Louis continues to battle with Philadelphia for

the spot, with each day it's more likely a team won't play here before 2010.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in November that the league would decide by

Jan. 31 as to whether Philadelphia or St. Louis would join the league for 2009.

In interviews last weekend in Baltimore, site of the MLS draft, Garber said a

decision was expected in the next 30 to 45 days.

That could mean a decision might not come until March 1, but even if a decision

is made by mid-February, it would be difficult for the planned stadium in

Collinsville to be built in time for the 2009 season.

Though Jeff Cooper, the East Alton lawyer heading the expansion bid, has

everything in place for the stadium to be built, construction will not begin

until the league grants St. Louis a team. In the past, he has said construction

would need to begin by the end of January for completion in time for a 2009

kickoff, though the team could buy some time if it played its first month or so

of the season on the road.

"If it's at the front end of the 30-day period, we can still do it, but the

longer we go on, the more difficult this gets to make it for 2009,'' Cooper

said Monday. "2010 is going to be more comfortable, no question. We are hoping

for 2009, but it's starting to get to the point where it's more difficult."

Garber said Friday that it would come "down to the wire" between St. Louis and

Philadelphia for the 16th team. The league would prefer Philadelphia, the

nation's fourth-largest television market, but won't put a team there unless

plans and funding exist for a soccer-specific stadium.

A group there wants to build a stadium in Chester, Pa., near the Philadelphia

airport, but it needs financial aid from the state to make that happen. It's

not certain the group will be able to get the full $45 million it is seeking.

The Pennsylvania Legislature is in recess until Jan. 28.

Cooper is continuing to look for investors to add to his ownership group. The

league wants to make sure its new franchise operators have deep pockets to keep

up in a league that needs to start spending more money. Cooper said he remains

"very confident" that St. Louis will get a team.

"We've got folks that we've been talking to,'' Cooper said. "Obviously, we're

willing to talk to anyone who's interested, but we've got folks who are very

interested. It's looking pretty good."

ttimmermann@post-dispatch.com