Expansion teams

Rover · 07-29-2005, 12:21 PM

I've heard Philadelphia mentioned from the beginning for an MLS team. Big city, plenty of soccer support, tradition from NASL, large market.

I can't say I would want a team in Philly--at least not right away. We have enough teams on the eastern seaboard in my opinion, so I don't like the idea of a second New York team either. But that's just me. If a big investor shows up and is willing to do what Dave Checketts has done, Philly will suddenly be a frontrunner.

I'm still hoping for the Pacific Northwest to get a team.

And I'd prefer to keep to one city, one team.

Aerick · 07-29-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rover

I've heard Philadelphia mentioned from the beginning for an MLS team. Big city, plenty of soccer support, tradition from NASL, large market.

I can't say I would want a team in Philly--at least not right away. We have enough teams on the eastern seaboard in my opinion, so I don't like the idea of a second New York team either. But that's just me. If a big investor shows up and is willing to do what Dave Checketts has done, Philly will suddenly be a frontrunner.

I'm still hoping for the Pacific Northwest to get a team.

And I'd prefer to keep to one city, one team.

I'm up here in Portland today, and the wife of one of my clients is a huge soccer fan/player. Soccer is big here! In fact, the Portland USL team (?) just played a friendly against an English Premier team last week and drew 15,000+! They've got a great little stadium here too!

realPDX · 07-29-2005, 04:06 PM

i also would very much love a mls team in portland, seeing as how i go to school up there (go university of portland, womens ncaa champs '05, book it). i wouldnt ever miss a soccer game.

the usl team is the Portland Timbers, the Blitzz played them a couple years back i think for the open cup. the winner (portland) played san jose i believe. it was a good game. the stadium your referring to is PGE park, its good. i dont like the idea of a pro team playing in a baseball stadium, but its better than nothing. their supporters are awsome too, Timbers Army i think they are called. portland is another very good soccer community, similar to salt lake. a slightly larger market, also similar in that they only have 1 professional team. they also have an IHL team the winterhawks that are pretty big too. all in all, the rose city does a great job of supporting their sports teams, especially soccer. the school i go to has one of the nicest NCAA soccer stadiums in the US, it holds over 5,000 and is always pretty full on gamedays. This year they are rededicating the whole complexx to clive charles (if you dont know him, you should be shot).

anyways, im just rambling, but i would really love to see a mls team in my home town and my current town. im going to go through soccer withdrawls when i go back to school next month, good thing the college season starts up soon.

Aerick · 07-30-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realPDX

i also would very much love a mls team in portland, seeing as how i go to school up there (go university of portland, womens ncaa champs '05, book it). i wouldnt ever miss a soccer game.

the usl team is the Portland Timbers, the Blitzz played them a couple years back i think for the open cup. the winner (portland) played san jose i believe. it was a good game. the stadium your referring to is PGE park, its good. i dont like the idea of a pro team playing in a baseball stadium, but its better than nothing. their supporters are awsome too, Timbers Army i think they are called. portland is another very good soccer community, similar to salt lake. a slightly larger market, also similar in that they only have 1 professional team. they also have an IHL team the winterhawks that are pretty big too. all in all, the rose city does a great job of supporting their sports teams, especially soccer. the school i go to has one of the nicest NCAA soccer stadiums in the US, it holds over 5,000 and is always pretty full on gamedays. This year they are rededicating the whole complexx to clive charles (if you dont know him, you should be shot).

anyways, im just rambling, but i would really love to see a mls team in my home town and my current town. im going to go through soccer withdrawls when i go back to school next month, good thing the college season starts up soon.

Off Topic: Portland's beautiful, by the way. That was my first visit. Although, I did feel a bit claustrophobic, and disoriented. Where ever you look there is a wall of green, and with the tall rolling hills all covered with trees it's difficult to get your bearings. The city is REALLY pedestrian friendly! Great downtown.