Has MLS missed a huge target market and talent pool?

[Sutterkane]

with the world cup vs world series thread, I can't help but wonder if MLS has made a huge mistake by going after media markets instead of having a few southern teams.

I did a little research (wikipedia) and apparently outside of texas there has only been one major soccer team to play in the south and that was a memphis team that played indoor league back in the early 80s. Still, from what I've read (wikipedia) they had decent attendance, and this was back when soccer was a lot less popular than it is now (and that's saying something). If you ask me, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, Charlotte, hell especially Florida has some cities that would do well with a soccer team.

The argument against MLS and the US team is that there isn't enough good talent playing soccer because most young athletes choose football, basketball, or baseball. And yet MLS has never had a team even in Florida, where many of the best athletes in the US reside.

Would an MLS team do well in the south in the major cities? Would it help overall soccer more than setting up a new franchise in say...Hartford??

 

[o_1984Dawg]

I think Atlanta and Birmingham are considered potential future sites for MLS.

Also, for what it's worth, I think most of the teams that MLS has added have been USL teams that have proven to be successful. I don't know one way or the other but perhaps the South hasn't supported those teams as well as others.

 

[af102]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_of_Major_League_Soccer

If I were in charge, I would move Chivas USA out of LA and to either STL, ATL, Florida, North Carolina, or Phoneix (if they wanted to stay out west). As for future expansion, Canada is out of the question for years with Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal all being added in the last 4 or 5 years. The prime targets are those mentioned above as well as a team in NYC proper. I think they will expand to 22 in a few years, and then stay there for a while

 

[o_1984Dawg]

They are fine right where they are. They draw good crowds and with the Mexico connection, LA is perfect. Not to mention it's nice for the USA to have its own derby.

 

[af102]

They draw decent crowds compared to others in the league, but barely are over 50% capacity for the stadium (~14000 in a 27000 seat stadium). I just think there aren't enough teams in the league to justify having a second team in a city yet. If Chivas was moved, attendance at Galaxy games would probably increase some since the market would be less saturated.

If Chivas wanted to keep the hispanic angle going, a move to Phoenix would fit them. I just don't like the idea of a team in a different country owning a second team in the US. It just seems amatuer-ish. NY Red Bull is different since they are owned by the company, who owns the other team.

attendance numbers
http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame-week-13-2/9675

 

[JimC1097]

Can't wait.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_of_Major_League_Soccer

If I were in charge, I would move Chivas USA out of LA and to either STL, ATL, Florida, North Carolina, or Phoneix (if they wanted to stay out west). As for future expansion, Canada is out of the question for years with Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal all being added in the last 4 or 5 years. The prime targets are those mentioned above as well as a team in NYC proper. I think they will expand to 22 in a few years, and then stay there for a while

 

[TheStateUofMS]

They draw decent crowds compared to others in the league, but barely are over 50% capacity for the stadium (~14000 in a 27000 seat stadium). I just think there aren't enough teams in the league to justify having a second team in a city yet. If Chivas was moved, attendance at Galaxy games would probably increase some since the market would be less saturated.

If Chivas wanted to keep the hispanic angle going, a move to Phoenix would fit them. I just don't like the idea of a team in a different country owning a second team in the US. It just seems amatuer-ish. NY Red Bull is different since they are owned by the company, who owns the other team.

attendance numbers
http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame-week-13-2/9675

There's prolly a reason there's no team in Phoenix and it probably has alot to do with the 110 degree day time highs in the summer.<div>
</div><div>The MLS is doing pretty good the past few years. They have expanded significantly and draw pretty big crowds. Thiery Henry is joining the New York Red Bulls, who just got a brand new indoor stadium this past season. Seattle averages 35,000 fans a game and they have Swedish legend Freddy Lumburg playing for them. I think that's a goal for MLS. Get great foreign players who are a little past their prime. Blanco from Mexico has been playing MLS, Beckham obviously for the Galaxy, Lumburg for Seattle, and now Henry for the Red Bulls. The Red Bulls were close to signing Ranoldo a few years back. If MLS can get a few more big time guys over here, MLS will keep improving. Another MLS project should be to try and get some of the US National team big names back here like Dempsey, Onyewu, Altidore, ect. but one reason we have gotten better is those players have been playing better comp and getting better themselves and the money and respect is alot better over there.</div><div>
</div><div>I think the MLS is doing fine right now, and is being run just as good as any other professional sports league in America right now.

</div>

 

[af102]

Yeah, I forgot about the heat. That would be pretty brutal, although I not too much worse than some Houston or Dallas games.

I like that the league is drawing bigger names that may be past their prime, but at the same time, it kind of keeps the league down a bit. I think they should be looking for more young Central and South American players to bring into the league, ala Montero in Seattle.

Also, Red Bull Arena isnt indoors, but still an impressive stadium none the less. It should be what teams are striving to build, not Columbus's stadium

</p>

 

[Sutterkane]

Send the best overseas
the best learn from the world's best
USA gets better internationally
more kids are interested in the sport
the best we sent overseas come back after lengthy careers and recycle themselves through coaching and camps.

send the best overseas.....

do this until we start finishing in the final four consistently. then stop sending the best overseas.