Handicapping the MLS Expansion Field

By: Bob | September 18th, 2007

Even with the usual head scratching decisions made by the league office and the over the top Beckham hype, I think this has been a terrific MLS season. The quality of play continues to improve, the league has gained mainstream exposure and attendance in most cities has been decent. I think there is a general sense that the league is moving in the right direction. All you have to do to see this is to look at the number of cities being mentioned as serious expansion candidates.

The Offside Rules points us in the direction of an article from the Las Vegas Sun that tries to do the impossible — handicap the MLS expansion race. Here’s how they think the race currently stacks up.

Seattle 3-2
St. Louis 4-1
Philadelphia 6-1
New York 8-1
Las Vegas 10-1
Phoenix 20-1
Miami 35-1
Portland 40-1
Cleveland 60-1
Vancouver 70-1
Milwaukee 75-1
Atlanta 100-1
San Diego 100-1

Figuring out where things truly stand on the expansion front is a bit like figuring out nuclear physics after taking one year of algebra, but that doesn’t mean we all can’t play along. If you were to handicap the current field of possible MLS expansion cities, which cities would be your three favorites?

I’d go with 1. Philadelphia 2. Seattle 3. New York

I think that the league will award teams to Philadelphia and Seattle if those cities put reasonable bids. Philadelphia would add another big city along the eastern seaboard. Seattle is a big market in a region that MLS would be foolish to overlook. While it would be hard to argue that New York deserves another team based on the support shown for RBNY, it is the biggest media market in the country and another intracity rivalry would be good for the league.

Your thoughts?

Some Related Stories:

Category: MLS, World Football

« Diamonds are a Drogba’s Best Friend; An Abramovich Musical | Home | Tomas Repka doesn’t handle stress well »

The Offside RSS Feeds

Joamiq

And by the way, the reason the second NY team gets press is because it has a serious owner.
Joamiq

Who in NY hates "the Red Bull"?
gastronaut

As much as I'd love a portland team, i don't think we're quite ready. maybe in a few years.

nah, F-that. PORTLAND TIMBERS, MLS. watch out, bitchez
michael

they should relocate RSL to Portland or Seattle; expand another team to the city who didnt get RSL, and then give franchises to Philadelphia and St. Louis. I would love to see KC moved to some place like St. Louis, but thats not happening with it being a Lamar Hunt team...even under new ownership im sure they wouldnt move it.

I would like teams in Vancouver and Montreal, but I would imagine that places like Seattle, Portland, Philly, and St. Louis fit better in logistically when it comes to travel...and the same reason why the MLS is not trying to expand into the Southern states...including another Miami foray. + its too freaking hot down there.
John

FWIW - I feel the odds are for San Diego to get an MLS team before Las Vegas does. Albeit not very soon for either as there are equal parts diversions, diversions and other, in both cities.

However, wasn't the Chivas USA team's original plan to eventually move to San Diego? Maybe it was just a rumor.
Ian

1. Philadelphia
2. Montreal
3. Phoenix or Miami

Philadelphia is the best of the untapped US sports markets. I agree that given the success (and by that I mean support) of TFC, Canada is a very attractive place to look. Third, the league needs regional coverage in either Florida or the Southwest, and I would be happy with either. As much as I would love to see a Portland MLS side (I'd be a season ticket holder from day uno), unless the league considers promotion rather than just starting new teams, I can't see it happening. MLS Timbers would be great, though.
Sean H

MLS should expand where there is passion and tradition first! Anyone who watched the Portland v Vancouver game on FSC last Sunday saw and heard the reason Portland should be next in line. You can't buy passion and you can't build a tradition with a heartless SSS out in some suburb. MLS in downtown Portland would create an English football atmosphere, which what MLS really needs.
Abby

A Pacific Northwest team would be an excellent idea, we definitely have the market for it. Seattle would be my choice but I'm not convinced the city can get their act together for it...I wouldn't mind Vancouver either, that's a nice trip and another Canadian team would probably be a good thing.
Todd Pounds

I think canada certainly deserves another team with the support we've seen in Toronto. My list would look like this:

1. Philadelphia
2. Montreal (Create the Toronto-Montreal rivalry)
3. Las Vegas (Why not)
4. Phoenix
5. St Louis (Just move the Wizards there...)
6. Vancouver
7. Seattle
8. Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, (Must have a southeastern presence)
Lucas

I have been enjoying MLS for a few seasons now, but I still don't "have" a team. I have friends who root for DC and Chicago, so I kind of pull for them, but not wholeheartedly. If Portland doesn't get a team, I'd like to see one in Las Vegas; it is long past time that Sin City got a legit professional sports team (all due respect to the Area 51s AAA baseball team). At the very least, if seattle gets the team everyone expects them to, I'll have a team to root against.

The league is already concentrated on the east coast, but a team in Philly would be good. Another team in NYC? Laughable. Why not just have a third team sharing parking at Cal St. Dominguez Hills?
Sam

Montreal's not even on there?
bluemeanies

I'll only believe they get the New York franchise worked out when I see a solid plan on real estate. It gets more press than it deserves because there is a vocal bunch of people in a major media city who clamor for a team to demostrate how much they hate the Red Bull.

St Louis is all but signed.

Philly looks good but it all hinges on the chester plans so wait on the votes.

Lots of activity in Seattle but no solid game plan and no one identified main player. One of the competitors will eventually make it work.

If Las Vegas has the money they say they do I see no reason not to greenlight once they identify and purchase a site.