Johnnie Monster Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Expansion candidates just released by MLS brass: -Atlanta (Blank) -Miami (FC Barcelona partnership w/ Claure) -Montreal (Saputo & Gilett) -Ottawa (Melnyk) -Portland (Paulson) -St. Louis (Cooper) -Vancouver (Kerfoot, Nash & Mallet) No submissions from NY or Las Vegas. Nothing much said about the quality of the bids. Decision to be made late 2008, early 2009. Reference was made a few times to just TWO candidates going forward after 2009. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouversoccerman Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 The Atlanta bid is apparently backed by Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons. http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2008/10/14/MLS-Atlanta-0/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouversoccerman Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Here's the official MLS Press Release as well: http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20081015&content_id=196067&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeltfc91 Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 my prediction is ottawa and miami(just because of barca) otherwise should be Vancouver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the biologist Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Why the hell Ottawa ????????? "Otherwise Vancouver" ??????????? What about Montreal ???????????? Typical Ontario-"We are Canada"-centric... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveBeau Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 quote:Originally posted by michaeltfc91 my prediction is ottawa and miami(just because of barca) otherwise should be Vancouver. Ottawa?? No soccer market and Melnyk expects different levels of government to help with stadium financing, not likely considering the current economic context.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancouversoccerman Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 What's interesting about Miami is whether their mayor's offer of land and stadium financing on the Orange Bowl site still stands. I know they're looking at Florida International Univ. as a short-term home, but long-term stadium plans could be the clincher. It's tough to read where expansion is going. Of course, I hope it's Vancouver & Montreal. But Barca's Miami bid will be tough for MLS to say no to. Also, Atlanta's bid becomes very attractive with a NFL owner involved. It's hard to envision St.Louis getting the nod now. Everything with their financing has appeared shaky and uncertain, from the outside at least. Unless something has already been pre-determined, I think they have the weakest of the seven bids. Vancouver and Montreal can certainly hold their own in this group. It will all come down to what MLS wants most: Good soccer markets or prestigious owners (although both VAN & MTL offer those too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calgary Boomer Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Vancouver and Montreal in 2011. Portland and St Louis in 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bxl Boy Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Ottawa and a new bidder in a next offer in 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Unfortunately I think Garber may get starry-eyed with the prospect of the "prestige" of being "associated" in some way with Barcelona. Miami does not deserve a franchise though, imo. Hopefully though, he would be just as titillated by Gillette's ties to Liverpool! [8D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 quote:Originally posted by the biologist Why the hell Ottawa ????????? "Otherwise Vancouver" ??????????? What about Montreal ???????????? Typical Ontario-"We are Canada"-centric... Overreact much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Vancouver and Montreal in 2011. Portland and Miami/Atlanta in 2013. No bid for NY2? That is interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Seems to me that the USL cities (Montreal, Vancouver, Portland) have an edge over the other applicants (fan base, stadium (ready or concrete plans to build), rich owners). This is of course assuming there is no US bias in the selection process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Raven Seems to me that the USL cities (Montreal, Vancouver, Portland) have an edge over the other applicants (fan base, stadium (ready or concrete plans to build), rich owners). This is of course assuming there is no US bias in the selection process. Equally speculative, but there could be a sense that Miami and Montreal might have an advantage having ownership partners already involved in world-class euro-giant clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calgary Boomer Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 USL Vice President Tim Holt indicated that they are talking with a New York owner for a USL1 team in the big apple. As for Miami...the league will be extremely careful here. Chivas may have the money, but they've been a disaster at the gate, so the lure of a foreign club doesn't mean a whole lot. Going back to a market that was contracted so soon is highly unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph Vancouver and Montreal in 2011. Portland and Miami/Atlanta in 2013. No bid for NY2? That is interesting. No way MLS will have an all-Canadian expansion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the biologist Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 quote:Originally posted by Rudi Overreact much? I agree, but that kind of "prediction" coming from a TFC fan sounds really Ontario-centric to me when EVERYONE here knows that Montreal & Vancouver will both get in the MLS waaaaaaaaaaay before Ottawa gets even a chance to be considered by the MLS bosses. No ? Stupid statement, overreacted answer ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeltfc91 Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 quote:Originally posted by the biologist I agree, but that kind of "prediction" coming from a TFC fan sounds really Ontario-centric to me when EVERYONE here knows that Montreal & Vancouver will both get in the MLS waaaaaaaaaaay before Ottawa gets even a chance to be considered by the MLS bosses. No ? Stupid statement, overreacted answer ! Thanks Rudi for backing me up. To the biologist: how is that a stupid statement, its my opinion and thats what i believe. Just because Montreal has a USL team doesn't mean they'll get MLS. Ottawa is the nation's capital with a big plan to make a huge stadium. I think they are better suited for MLS. Reasoning for Miami is MLS might want to go more european and Barcelona will own them so theres a big advantage. I think Vancouver is third best because of Steve Nash and they have 3 possible stadiums to play in, 1 will eventually be good i guess. Montreal would be fourth and the only reason is because you have a stadium already that needs to be upgraded minimally. This is my opinion, you Montrealers can shove it up your *ss you guys are cocky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the biologist Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 quote:Originally posted by michaeltfc91 Ottawa is the nation's capital with a big plan to make a huge stadium. I think they are better suited for MLS. For Ottawa: Where's that stadium planned to be build ? Yeah, in the suburbs of Ottawa. MLS don't like it for future teams, and you know it. Saputo Stadium is IN the city, not around it. 1-0 MTL. Public transportation to Kanata ? Nada. But there's a metro station right beside the stadium. 2-0 MTL. Melnyk plans to build an all-purpose stadium. MLS wants soccer-specific stadium for future teams as it is trying to convince its current teams without SSS to build one. Ooooops, MTL just got one. 3-0 MTL. quote:Originally posted by michaeltfc91 Reasoning for Miami is MLS might want to go more european and Barcelona will own them so theres a big advantage. Yeah, that's surely the case with Ottawa... Oooops, MTL did it again ! George Gillet (co-owner of Liverpool FC) is in ! And he's already settled in Mtl with the Habs. 4-0 MTL. Owners with experience in soccer: Melnyk or Saputo ? 5-0 MTL. Ottawa Metro Area: 1,169 M. Montreal Metro Area: 3,636 M (3X Ottawa's). 6-0 MTL. Ottawa being the nation's capital ? Yeah, tell that to Garber, surely he'll be convinced with this argument. Finally, it seems I'm not the only one putting Ottawa at the bottom of the list (and Mtl on top by the way): http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=914457 Except that I'd swap places between Vancouver and Portland, I totally agree with this order. Just try to explain SERIOUSLY that Ottawa has a better chance than Miami and even St.Louis & Atlanta, 3 major cities in the States. And Portland by the way ? As I'm writing all of this, I'm thinking that I'm losing my time as it is so blatant. quote:Originally posted by michaeltfc91 I think Vancouver is third best because of Steve Nash and they have 3 possible stadiums to play in, 1 will eventually be good i guess. Well, I prefer to have 1 stadium already built and easily expandable than 3 "eventuallys" and "I guess". Not sure that one of them's gonna be soccer specific with at least 20,000 in capacity. And again, bigger population in Montreal. And Steve Nash ? I prefer the deep pocket of Gillett than the popularity of Nash. So bottom line is Mtl has AT LEAST as good a chance as Vancouver. Maybe I just overreacted again... [}] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchmen Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 In terms of no NY bid, from si.com: Mets hold off on MLS expansion bid The Mets have decided to wait until the 2012 MLS season at the earliest to own a soccer team because there are no "concrete" plans for a stadium as of yet. The Mets, who have expressed interest in owning a pro soccer team, did not submit a bid by Wednesday's 5 p.m. deadline. Seven prospective ownership groups did. David Howard, the Mets executive vice president in charge of business, said it was because plans for a soccer-specific stadium were not complete. "It's something that we still have a very significant degree of interest in, but one of the fundamental elements would be having a facility and we would want to have a world-class facility for a soccer franchise," he said last night. "Until these plans become concrete we thought it would be premature to submit an application for an expansion franchise." http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/74190 Makes you wonder if they've already heard there's another quick round of expansion coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastaK Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 lol how can someone NOT consider Montreal like michaeltfc did?...I understand the reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeltfc91 Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Saputo barely limped into this bid. Many of you were complaining and thinking he would not even place the bid. He won't be able to put out the big bucks like Ottawa. Ottawa CLEARLY wants a soccer-specific stadium by the way. Ottawa is the nation's capital and they are due for a team. Ottawa I believe will a be one of those under-dogs that noone thought would get a franchise, but probably will. Ottawa have many people interested in this team and will get thier 30,000 seat stadium sold out, not your 13,000 seat stadium. Your arguments are stupid: Melynk vs. Saputo in soccer experience is such a big deal rite... Co - owner of Liverpool means nothing. Liverpool doesn't care about the impact. Miami Barca is going to be much bigger The stadium in Ottawa will be soccer-specific Who cares about population 1,000,000+ is way more than enough people Anywayas Ottawa will put up the big bucks unlike Montreal and are as big contendors of anyone. Montreal think they're good in USL and they can compete in MLS because you lucked out in the V-Cup. I'm sticking with my prediction, Ottawa will get in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue and White Army Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Two words: Miami Fusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MegasAlexandros1555362277 Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 quote:Originally posted by michaeltfc91 Ottawa is the nation's capital and they are due for a team. OK... I respect that you have a different opinion from some in here (me included) and so I'm trying to be objective. But you're really going to have to explain why A. Ottawa being the nation's capital has anything to do with why it should be awarded an MLS franchise? B. In what way Ottawa is "due" for a team??? Through it's rich history of professional soccer teams that it has been without for so long???? Montreal and Vancouver have a tradition of professional soccer that goes back decades... I would say they are much more "due" than Ottawa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeltfc91 Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 a) Out of all the countries in the world, Canada is the only country to not have their national capital (Ottawa) have a professional soccer team They are due for a team. They are starting from scratch, well Ottawa Fury (PDL), and have a strong owner with strong support. Montreal and Vancouver should get MLS teams, but I don't think it will happen in 2011, possibly in 2012 or 2013. Anyways apart from all this all i said was my prediction is Ottawa and Miami. I don't know why the biologist guy started such a big deal with this. It's my opinion and thats it. If you guys predict Montreal then fine by me. All 7 bidders have a reasonable shot and I am leaning for Ottawa and Miami. I don't get it, is everyone predicting Montreal? Come on, they are not the only city with a shot. Do they have a good chance, yes, but i'm not sure they'll get a team. I said my prediction and thats it, move on with it. I personally don't even care as long as 1 Canadian team gets in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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