Originally posted by Dolfan02
Ice... Alright well you're misinformed about some of your comments.
Let me start with Miami: There IS a chance an MLS Club will return to South Florida, I'm not saying when but most likely later than sooner. MLS Commissioner Don Garber has stated that Miami Fusion owner-operator, Horowitz, will have the rights to the next MLS team based in South Florida if it does occur. He is a multi-millionaire Miami-native who responded by saying "My kids play soccer, they love it, and it will be their dream and my goal to bring professional soccer back to S. Florida if the opportunity is there." Remember, he spent #20-million to start the Fusion, and another $5 million for renovations to Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. But thats the key right there. MLS and Horowitz knows that if a team returns to SoFlo, it would have to be in MIAMI, and not anywhere else including Ft. Lauderdale. Miami has one of the biggest markets in the country, and with a HUGE amount of Hispanics here in Mami, I'm sure it would be a success. Point is, they have a committed owner, but need an opportunity to play somewhere in Miami, since the fans are here. Tampa Bay NEVER had someone willing to buy out the team! From 1996-2001, no investor was interested, the MLS was always running that team, so they know thats not the best market, it was costing too much money to support that team.
Now about Chivas-USA: Jorge Vergara (Chivas-Mex owner) said he DOES want to have an all-Mexican team. He feels that his "Chivas brand" is naturally Mexican and that it could dominate the league if he brought talent from his country. But yes, the MLS has rules and restrictions on international players, but knowing the MLS, they'll tweak it for this monster. This is terrible!! Vergara is only interested in his product and not the MLS' product. This could have a devastating blow to the MLS. BTW, both sides are leaning to San Diego and to play in Qualcomm stadium as a temporary stadium solution. On the side, Mexico's America club owner wants to invest in MLS but with a "current team with a strong fan base and a soccer-specific stadium"
Oklahoma: Yes, Oklahoma looks like they will be next but not for the 2005 expansion of 2 teams. The University of Central Oklahoma, located in a suburb of Oklahoma City says it plans on building a 30,000-seat soccerr-specific stadium around their campus.