I’m not sure if there is anything to it but the following story came across this morning on MLS-Rumors.net. The following is reported to have come from a reliable source within US Soccer media.
It may be the same source as you already have but I heard yesterday that Miami Barca is a done deal. The announcement will be made separately from the other expansion team (s). Miami will enter with Philly in 2010. The other piece of news is that Jeff Cooper’s St Louis group is not being taken that seriously by the league and it is likely Portland enters in 2011 with Vancouver potentially in 2011 or 2013. Both cities according to my source are basically guaranteed entry in either 2011 or 2013, with Portland probably going first. I’m also told MLS is still interested in Atlanta for 2013 despite Arthur Blank’s withdrawal for 2011. The League will not be capped at 20 or 21 teams but my source tells me expansion may be put on hold for the next several years after 2013. The competition for number 20 is between Atlanta, St Louis and potentially Phoenix if they get their act together before bidding for 2013.
Time will tell but MLS should begin to announce the teams soon. I would expect the city’s to be names separately to get more bang for the buck. What do you think about Miami playing on fieldturf? Does Atlanta still have a shot at this thing?
Of course MLS is interested. Like everyone else in the world they realize that they need a presence in this fourth of the country. The league simple must increase its footprint into the deep south and I’m sure they are going to do everything they can to help Blank get a good bid together. It will happen eventually, but I agree that we would likely be the 19th or 20th team.
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