Tulsa investors at MLS Cup in Frisco, TX

[USRufnex]

From MLSnet.com

11/11/2005 5:39PM
Expansion, relocation top league agenda
By Jason Halpin / MLSnet.com Staff  

FRISCO, Texas -- The future should be decided for Major League Soccer in Toronto, San Jose and Kansas City within the next 30 days, Commissioner Don Garber said at the MLS Cup 2005 Media Luncheon Friday at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

The league's Board of Governors will meet Saturday to discuss a host of issues. If all goes according to plan, Toronto will be confirmed as the league's 13th team by the end of the meeting, and all teams could find themselves with more flexibility to sign marquee players and financial incentives to take part in youth development.

"The roots of the league, Major League Soccer, and professional soccer have clearly been deeply established here in our country," Garber said. "We're rapidly becoming and reaching that goal -- our dream -- that our early investor-operators had 10 years ago: to create a true soccer nation."

Representatives of the proposed Toronto club are in the Dallas area this weekend for MLS Cup 2005, as are potential investors in five other cities: Philadelphia, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Tulsa, Okla. Garber noted that if a second 2007 expansion city is not decided on, the league could employ an unbalanced schedule with just 13 teams.

The time to make a decision on whether the San Jose Earthquakes and Kansas City Wizards will remain in the current homes is also fast approaching, Garber said. If the decision is made to move the teams -- contraction is not an option, he noted -- those changes would be made prior to the 2006 season. The clubs would have to be rebranded and start selling tickets, meaning MLS must come to a decision soon.

-- interesting.