MLS has announced that Orlando City SC will be the 21st MLS team to join after New York City FC (both starting MLS play in 2015).

 

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1621752/orlando-officially-awarded-mls-expansion-team?cc=5901

^ Congrats Orlando. BTW It would be nice to see the NY Cosmos can get a really interesting rivalry going with NYC FC and Red Bull.

I wonder how that affects the Beckham/LBJ rumblings about a team in Miami.

^^ The Current version of the Cosmos are in the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.  Unlike most other national football associations there is no promotion/relegation so there isn't going to be any real on the field rivalry between either NY Red Bulls or NYFC.  They will likely play some pre-season games though.  And they could meet in a CONCACAF Champions League match but that would require them winning the US Open Cup.

 

^ Probably still likely to happen.  MLS wants to expand to 24 teams by 2020.  I would say that Miami is the front runner now that Orlando has a team.  Atlanta, St. Louis, Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, OKC, Sacramento, and San Antonio have been mentioned as possible candidates.  I would say that Miami, Atlanta, and San Antonio are the other three.  I feel iffy about Atlanta being a possible team, but Falcons owner Arthur Blank is behind the push (along with a new stadium for the Falcons). 

 

Another possibility for expanding the market is by moving/rebranding Chivas USA.  They share the stadium with the Galaxy in LA, but draw lass than half what the Galaxy do.  Also, there is a discrimination suit against Chivas as well.  Basically that club is a train wreck and if they can find someone who will buy them but want to move them as well I don't think MLS is going to put up much of a fight.

^^ The Current version of the Cosmos are in the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.  Unlike most other national football associations there is no promotion/relegation so there isn't going to be any real on the field rivalry between either NY Red Bulls or NYFC.  They will likely play some pre-season games though.  And they could meet in a CONCACAF Champions League match but that would require them winning the US Open Cup.

 

Correct, it could be more of a fan rivalry. Unlike with MLS the Cosmos have no salary cap so the sky is the limit. They could theoretically build a stellar team, maybe the best in the US. Playing without the restrictions governing MLS puts them in an interesting position.

So, Forbes just produced a team value list for MLS.  Yeah, I know - its Forbes.  But this is the first MLS team value list they've produced since 2008.  And the article that goes with the list is pretty optimistic about the current and future financial health of the league.  And since we now have an MLS thread . . .

 

MLS's Most Valuable Teams list, per Forbes:

1. Seattle Sounders, $175m

2. LA Galaxy, $170m

3. Portland Timbers, $141m

4. Houston Dynamo, $125m

5. Toronto FC, $121m

6. New York Red Bulls, $114m

7. Sporting Kansas City, $108m

8. Chicago Fire, $102m

9. FC Dallas, $97m

10. Montreal Impact, $96m

11. Philadelphia Union, $90m

12. New England Revolution, $89m

13. Vancouver Whitecaps, $86m

14. Real Salt Lake, $85m

15. Colorado Rapids, $76m

16. San Jose Earthquakes, $75m

17. Columbus Crew, $73m

18. DC United, $71m

19. Chivas USA, $64m

 

More at http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/

 

More discussion about this list at http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2013/11/20/forbes-releases-first-mls-most-valuable-teams-list-2008

I meant to post this after I watched the end of the MLS Cup on Saturday.  But anyway . . . pretty amazing game in Kansas City.  SKC and RSL were tied 1-1 after 120 minutes.  The penalty kick shootout went double the standard five round length.  After ten rounds - in which every position player had a PK chance - SKC won.

 

What makes it more amazing was that it was in the coldest conditions ever for the MLS.  22 degrees/wind chill of 12 at the game's start - colder at the end after sunset.  And the rest of world wonders why the top North American league doesn't follow the world's standard Fall-to-Spring schedule?

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2013/12/07/sporting-kansas-city-real-salt-lake-mls-cup-penalty-kick-shootout/3905061/

I would argue that most of the reason for the Spring-Fall schedule for MLS isn't really because of weather, it is because of marketability. If MLS was in the winter it would compete with NFL, NHL, and NBA. This way it only competes with MLB. Also it would be harder to get fans to games outside in winter for a league that didn't start out with the popularity of the other major sports. But I think the main reason is the competition with other sports.

That's a good point about the marketability.  But cold-weather soccer still doesn't seem very sustainable in the US/Canada.

That's a good point about the marketability.  But cold-weather soccer still doesn't seem very sustainable in the US/Canada.

 

Nah, its more the issue with marketability right now.  If the league as a whole were more popular then you could likely move to a Fall-Spring Schedule.  But they are not there yet, for every Seattle which can bring in 40K easily there is a Chivas USA who doesn't even average 10K fans.  I think a time will come when there is a greater push to move to the international schedule, but not for another 10 years.

 

Also, I was in San Antonio the night of the MLS cup and it was near freezing there.  Can only imagine how cold it was in KC.

I was looking for a news item from last week about the MLS Commissioner talking about expansion teams.  I found it on the MLS site at http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlscup/2013/news/article/2013/12/03/commissioner-don-garber-miami-and-atlanta-race-become-22nd-23rd-teams-mls

 

In that article was this: "After the recent announcement of Orlando City Soccer Club as the 21st expansion club in Major League Soccer, two more Southeast cities – Atlanta and Miami – are officially in the race to become the league's next expansion teams, according to Commissioner Don Garber."

 

MLS has this report and an on-going updating thread of expansion reports at http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/expansion

Re pro soccer in CLE:

 

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber: Cleveland:  “We need more teams in the Midwest … there haven’t been any discussions (about Cleveland) of late … Support the Crew.”

 

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/04/major-league-soccer-don-garber-questions/

 

Columbus Crew?!? That's how answers a question about Cleveland?

 

MLS wants Cleveland! We should move on this.

I didn't get the impression, from his answer, that MLS wants or would even consider Cleveland.

Plus, the Crew are awesome :).

Plus, the Crew are awesome :).

 

Love the Crew, and my surfin buddy Frankie Hejduk.

 

But maybe even better, the idea of a Columbus vs. Cleveland soccer rivalry!!!

 

 

That's one thing Ohio doesn't need...any more rivalries!!!

St. Louis or Minneapolis will happen decades before Cleveland even gets a wiff of an MLS team.  Don is right.  Everyone in Ohio should support the Crew.  Hopefully they can have a decent season this year, even though they are in transition between coaches.

Re pro soccer in CLE:

 

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber: Cleveland:  “We need more teams in the Midwest … there haven’t been any discussions (about Cleveland) of late … Support the Crew.”

 

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/04/major-league-soccer-don-garber-questions/

 

Columbus Crew?!? That's how answers a question about Cleveland?

 

MLS wants Cleveland! We should move on this.

 

Cleveland/NE Ohio really blew their chance when Wolstein was  guaranteed a franchise and couldn't get the deal done for one reason or another. It's unfortunate as a crew fan because I would like there to be another team in the vicinity but I'm pretty sure  the MLS higher ups got a bad taste in their mouth from the inaction that occurred. As a result the league got something called  chivas which turned out to be a huge bust and Cleveland's own drew carey is a partial owner of the seattle sounders.

 

As far as the crew go, I am optimistic that they will have  a good season. They went undefeated in the preseason ,which doesn't count for much but hopefully may be a sign of things to come. As someone who drives up I-71 to browns game, I can attest that the drive to columbus from cleveland for crew games is not bad. In fact my father-in-law who lives in cleveland went from being a huge soccer snob who would only support his EPL team and shivered at the thought of supporting a MLS team from Columbus  to a Crew season ticket holder who drives down for every home match and loves it. It only took a couple of games that I prodded him to go with me  for him to see the light.

More MLS expansion news:

 

NEW YORK CITY FC (NYCFC):  The league's 20th team will begin playing in the 2015 MLS season.  NYCFC announced they will play in Yankee Stadium until a soccer-specific stadium is constructed adjacent to Yankee Stadium.  The team owners say this stadium would be completed by 2018 at the earliest.

 

 

ORLANDO CITY SOCCER CLUB (ORLANDO CITY SC):  The league's 21th team will also begin playing in the 2015 MLS season along with NYCFC.  Orlando City SC announced they will play their home matches at the Citrus Bowl in 2015 while a downtown Orlando soccer-specific stadium is scheduled to be completed for the 2016 season.

 

 

ATLANTA:  Atlanta was named as the 22nd MLS team in April.  The as-yet-unnamed team will be owned and operated by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.  The Atlanta team will begin play in 2017 in the retractable-roof stadium being built for the Falcons in downtown Atlanta.

 

MIAMI:  Miami is expected to be named as the 23rd MLS team (pending a finalized stadium plan).  The as-yet-unnamed Miami team would operated by an ownership group led by David Beckham.  If they can finalize the stadium location and design soon, they might begin play in 2017.

More MLS expansion news:

 

- The assumed 23rd MLS team in Miami is advancing their stadium plans.  David Beckham's MLS Miami ownership group presented their new plan for a waterfront stadium in downtown Miami surrounded by park space next to the American Airlines Arena.  You can see the conceptual site plan at http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/22/david-beckhams-mls-miami-group-presents-ambitious-new-vision-bayside-stadium

 

- Las Vegas is making a serious push to host the 24th MLS team with a proposal to build a $200 million soccer stadium in the Symphony Park mixed-use development area in downtown Las Vegas.  Las Vegas City Council has asked investors to submit a financial plan by Sept. 1 for their proposed stadium: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/22/report-las-vegas-city-council-sets-sept-1-deadline-financial-plan-mls-venue

The San Jose Earthquakes are getting a new $70 million facility ready for the 2015 season.  Below is a photo of its progress.  More photos and a video of the Quakes new soccer stadium at http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/07/25/stadium-update-san-jose-earthquakes-new-home-looks-almost-ready-some-soccer

 

Misc. MLS expansion news:

 

Sacramento: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/03/report-nba-owners-eye-investment-opporunity-sacramento-soccer

 

Miami: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/29/miami-expansion-bid-hinges-downtown-stadium-mls-commissioner-don-garber-tell

 

NYCFC / NY Red Bulls: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/24/throw-how-will-new-york-red-bulls-respond-noisy-neighbors-new-york-city-fc

Sepp Blatter comments that MLS has decided to adopt FIFA calendar

 

He’s not exactly a font of accurate predictions, but FIFA head honcho Sepp Blatter has a made a claim that, if true, would drastically alter the future of Major League Soccer.

 

Blatter claims that Major League Soccer will be moving towards a European calendar...

 

...UPDATE: MLS vice president Dan Courtemanche says Blatter doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Without having to go back and search through the thread, what are the +/- of switching to FIFAs schedule?

Changing the schedule has the following effects

 

Positives: International tournaments don't require star players to leave their team during regular season games. We gain a little respect from the international community.

 

Negatives: Winters in North America are typically harsher than in Europe (colder, more snow, etc). MLS would compete with the NHL, NBA, NFL, and NCAA (Football and Basketball) for air time and attendance. Fans will be less inclined to come out during cold months. Currently MLS only competes with MLB.

Thanks. Makes complete sense, too

The switch to the International calander is not going to happen.  Increasingly it is looking like some of the European Leagues are considering an MLS type calander.  Specifically I recall the Budesliga talking about the switch, it may have been in referance to the 2022 Qatar WC but there are still positives for some of the European Leagues.

 

http://www.worldsoccer.com/columnists/keir-radnedge/rummenigge-hints-at-switch-in-bundesliga-calendar-to-accommodate-winter-world-cup-in-qatar

 

 

Looks like MLS won't be seeing any international-style promotion/regulation anytime soon:

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/04/don-garber-mls-good-spot-unlikely-see-promotionrelegation-near-future

MLS is making its first major logo change since its founding in 1994.  Goodbye boot and ball.

 

Hello shield with a tail.  More about it at http://www.mlssoccer.com/next and http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/mls-new-logo

Not a fan.

Hope the Crew rebranding is better than this.

The old logo was a bit juvenile-looking.

yeah it sure was too youth league looking. time for a new one, but this is a misfire. i bet they change it again a heck of a lot sooner.

I like the versatility of the logo, but on it's own it is bland. Still better than the old logo, IMO.

 

Here are a few examples of the logo redesigned for specific teams from users on Reddit:

 

(The Crew is rebranding, so this will have to change).

 

 

 

 

MLS announced that the LA-based club Chivas USA will cease operations.  On Thursday, the league will announce a new MLS Los Angeles club and ownership group.  This new L.A. club will begin play in 2017.

 

For the upcoming 2015 season, MLS will have 20 clubs when Orlando City SC and New York City FC begin league play.  Because the two expansion clubs are located in the east, two current Eastern Conference clubs - Houston and Kansas City - will move into the Western Conference, creating two 10-team conferences.  This alignment will stay in place for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, until the new L.A. club and an expansion club in Atlanta join MLS in 2017.

 

For the new 2015 conference alignment and the MLS statement about this, go to http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market

 

More at http://www.massivereport.com/2014/10/28/7085287/mls-changes-the-landscape-of-the-league

NYCFC and Orlando City SC - the two MLS expansion teams for 2015 - have unveiled their home jerseys:

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/13/new-york-city-fc-unveil-inaugural-home-jersey-2015-mls-expansion-season

 

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/11/5/7163991/orlando-city-sc-2015-mls-home-kit

NYCFC and Orlando City SC - the two MLS expansion teams for 2015 - have unveiled their home jerseys:

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/13/new-york-city-fc-unveil-inaugural-home-jersey-2015-mls-expansion-season

 

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/11/5/7163991/orlando-city-sc-2015-mls-home-kit

 

I just read someplace that the MLS wants to expand to 24 teams by 2020. Any guess on who else gets in?

 

I'd bet on Tampa Bay Rowdies.

I think it's obvious Miami will be a team. That leaves 3 additional teams to be added. Will TB support a pro soccer team? I would put money on Vegas and Minneapolis.

 

I would like to see Detroit get a team, too, though that probably won't be until a further expansion to 30 teams or so.

^

I have this discussion with a guy at work and we have a few cities that seem to make sense; St. Louis, a soccer hotbead only drawback is Kansas City already has a team. Quebec, a very European city and would create an instant rival with Montreal.  Sacramento, new team with a lot of passionate people and politicians. 

I am not sure about Tampa Bay because of the failure of both Tampa and Miami teams previously.  Look at all the professional teams in Florida, they struggle to put people in the seats unless there is a championship game. The Tampa Rays have been a good baseball club and their attendance close to Cleveland's.

I think St. Louis can support a team even with Kansas City having one.

No love for Cleveland?

No love for Cleveland?

 

I'd sure love it. A Cleveland-Columbus rivalry would be a whole new dynamic.

And I'd love a Cincinnati team, but I doubt either will happen. I think we need to just support Columbus.

And I'd love a Cincinnati team, but I doubt either will happen. I think we need to just support Columbus.

 

I wish the Crew (and Blue Jackets) did more outreach into other parts of the state.

Smart money is probably on cities which don't have baseball teams, and/or growing markets which are generally lacking in pro sports.  Nashville, Charlotte, San Antonio, Orlando, OKC, Indianapolis, Richmond/Va Beach, Raleigh, etc.

^Agreed.

MLS releases rules for upcoming Expansion Draft

 

The draft, scheduled for Dec. 10 and consisting of 10 rounds, will be used to help stock the rosters of incoming teams Orlando City SC and New York City FC. It was last held in 2011 ahead of the Montreal Impact's first season in the league.

 

Among the most notable items in the rules, MLS clubs can protect 11 players on their roster, meaning those players will not be eligible for selection Orlando City or NYCFC. Even if a player's contract expires at the end of 2014, he is still considered part of his team's roster for the Expansion Draft, and teams will have to decide whether to protect him or not.

 

Teams are also limited in the number of international players they protect. They may make available a number of international players equal to their total number of international players minus three. The rules state that any non-domestic US players will count as international players for the Expansion Draft.

 

Teams can lose no more than two players in the Expansion Draft.

MLS is reporting that D.C. United is getting closer to moving out of decrepit RFK Stadium.  D.C. United has plans to build a 20,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium in the same neighborhood as the Nationals ballpark:  http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/03/dc-united-move-one-step-closer-realizing-long-desired-soccer-specific-dream-

 

They should design their stadium to give sweeping views of DC. It doesn't look like you will even be able to see the Washington Monument from the stadium. This is one of the biggest mistakes of the Nationals' park. Create good views of the Capitol and the Monument.

Landon Donovan ended his storied MLS career on high note yesterday.  His L.A. Galaxy team won the 2014 MLS Cup over the New England Revolution on Donovan's final game of his career.  The Galaxy scored first, then the Revs tied it up in the 79th minute.  Tied 1-1 at end of the second half, the game went into a 30-minute overtime - where LA's Robbie Keane scored the game-winning goal in the 111th minute to give the Galaxy the 2-1 win.

 

This title is a record fifth for LA (and a record sixth for Donovan) while New England is now 0-5 in the MLS title game:  http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/12/07/la-galaxy-new-england-revolution-mls-cup-robbie-keane-landon-donovan

MLS commissioner talks to SI about league expansion, downtown stadiums and being 'hopeful' that a work stoppage doesn't delay the 2015 season start:

 

http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/02/27/don-garber-mls-cba-strike-expansion-qatar-technology