Upward trend continues in MLS ... literally
by Jamie Trecker
Updated: July 23, 2008, 5:28 PM EST 1
MLS fans had better brush up on their French. They also might want to learn a few bars of "O Canada" for good measure.
[B][COLOR="DarkRed"]That's because Montreal and Vancouver look certain to be candidates for the next two expansion teams added to the league, with a formal announcement coming around the MLS Cup this November.
Montreal Impact coach John Limniatis spilled the beans yesterday, telling reporters that, "The platform is already set ... We are already talking and aiming for a 2011 start [in MLS]."
Vancouver is said to be preparing to make a similar announcement, with Phoenix Suns' star Steve Nash as an ownership partner.
And MLS' commissioner, Don Garber, despite giving absolutely nothing concrete away Wednesday during his annual "State of the League" press luncheon, couldn't be more thrilled.
Effusively praising this lakeside city of Toronto and its franchise for "raising the bar" in virtually every category in his league, Garber followed it up by telling his audience to look to Canada's national sport.
For, as the Canadian teams do for hockey, MLS sees Canadian expansion as a way to take soccer on this continent to a new level.
"We see the passion and commitment of the owners, the city, the province and the fans," said Garber of Toronto FC. "And like the NHL, where Canada provides a big share of revenue, the same could become true for MLS.
"We think soccer can ultimately assume a place beside hockey as Canada's national sport."
Ten years ago, Garber would have been laughed off the stage for such a remark. But today, with the league enjoying climbs in every key metric, from attendance to TV ratings to merchandising to sponsorships, MLS looks not only serious, but prescient.
There are some sticking points, including whether or not FIFA would try to block such a deal. But multiple groups are in the city for this All-Star Week, fighting for the right to raise the flag in Montreal.
Canadians love soccer. So MLS is going to give it to them.
In truth, this All-Star game is also drawing global attention, with the Canadian media swelling the ranks to unheard-of proportions. And Garber was both upbeat and realistic today, acknowledging all at once that while the league is stable and strong, it remains a work in progress, and changes are inevitable.
In the next two seasons, in addition to new franchises, fans could see a reworking of the schedule, many more international players and possibly even a fundamental change in the way the league conducts business.
Garber was careful to note that MLS is still "emerging," and on a five-point plan. He said that two of his main goals were to ensure that the quality of his league's play continues to improve, and to convert more soccer fans into being passionate MLS fans.
And, while Garber didn't address it, he faces difficult negotiations next year with the MLS Player's Union, which has become increasingly vocal about its paychecks.
Number one on the agenda is to continue the league's drive to be globally accepted and respected, a theme Garber returned to repeatedly. MLS is still shaking off its underdog reputation, and despite the words of everyone from David Beckham to Steve Nicol, the league brass knows that many fans still don't rate it.
But in marked contrast to years past, where MLS complained about an issue, the league is, instead, doing something about it. Garber noted that the decisions made last year — an expanded TV package and the designated player rule — had been "transformational" for his "still young league."
"We've brought in dozens and dozens of players over the last two years, from all across Latin, Central and South America, and it is raising the level of play," said Garber. "We are continuing to develop young American players as well, and we are showing people that Americans are desirable and important."
Importing has also given rise to the perception that MLS is selling off it's young stars, with Brad Guzan of Chivas USA and Jozy Altidore of Villarreal the latest in a growing overseas contingent. And expansion could raise pressure on what is a still-shallow domestic pool.
The former Garber sees as a sign of strength — the latter, a non-issue.
"Jozy was bought by Villarreal because of his performances in MLS — he didn't play that many national team games. Fifteen years ago no team would have ever considered that deal."
"And, the global market is more than deep enough to stock our league with guys who have value based on our budgets. Some of the American players who have gone overseas are going over to get a [better] contract, and that's good for the American players in general. But, some of these guys that have gone over, and I'm the commissioner of the league, I don't even know who they are, and I don't think American fans know them either. So it's not an issue."
Garber was also frank when he said, "At some point I would like to be able to keep every player we want to keep in MLS. We may be there soon, but we are not there now."
Garber also said that fixture congestion — particularly playing MLS games on World Cup and international dates — was not something the league could fix in the short-term.
"We are looking at adjusting our schedule, so we can avoid the kinds of challenges we had this year. We are looking at everything. But we're not mature enough yet as a business to play more midweek games right now or change games on short notice. It's a challenge, and right now we're not able to adapt to the international calendar."
Behind the scenes this week, MLS officials said that all options for re-jiggering the schedule — perhaps even moving to a spring-fall split season as is done in Latin America — are on the table.
The fact that 2009 expansion Seattle just hit the 16,000 season ticket mark without kicking a ball and 2010 newcomer Philadelphia has 5,000 deposits might well be seen to put pressure on others to perform. While Garber emphasized that due to travel, the league needs a strong Midwest presence, Kansas City may not have been happy to hear Garber's praise for St. Louis as a potential host city, going so far as to note that even Yogi Berra has asked him when a team will be put upon the Hill.
"This gathering is not just about the All Star game," he said, noting that prospective owners, sponsors and other movers and shakers will be very much a part of everything over the next few days.
"We need to look at what Toronto, L.A. and Seattle have done to be successful (selling tickets) and figure out how some of the other teams who may have gotten tired to figure out what can be useful to them."
Yet, Garber has plenty to be delighted about. After a stretch in which ten new owners have bought into the league, and all key numbers are up, MLS is finally living up to its name. And it's no longer a joke to suggest that, one day, MLS could compete with the heavyweights.
"We're on the plane, but not in the first row," said Garber. "We have lofty goals. We want to be among the best soccer leagues in the world, and among the best sports leagues in North America. That's long-term. But we think we can achieve it."
MLS Notebook: Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa being considered for MLS teams
Posted: July 23, 2008, 9:30 PM by Eric Koreen
Soccer, MLS
Three Canadian cities are in the running for the next two Major League Soccer expansion sides. Of course, so are four American cities.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, league commissioner Don Garber said that Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa all had potential ownership groups that will have delegations at Thursday night’s league All-Star Game.
However, Las Vegas, St. Louis and Miami are all being considered for new teams. New York is also being considered for a second franchise.
Seattle will field a team next year while Philadelphia’s addition in 2010 will give the league 16 teams. Garber said for now, the league is not thinking past 18 teams.
“We’re in no rush to expand,” Garber said. “I anticipate that we’ll provide more news regarding expansion clubs before [November’s] MLS Cup.”
However, if one of the Canadian cities does not get one of those next two teams, it will not close the door on the possibility of another Canadian team joining the MLS in the near future.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for us to put either a limit or a target [on the number of teams in the league] at this point, because the league is still in its growth stage and evolutionary stage,” Garber said.
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