In March 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner, Don Garber, announced the addition of two new expansion teams to the MLS soccer program. Vancouver, Canada and Portland, Oregon were the latest additions. The expansion of MLS in the Northwest was met with both excitement and dismay. While seven cities vied for the two 2010 expansion slots, the decision came down to two teams in the same region, the PAC-NW. Some critics felt that the addition of both teams in the Western division creates an unfair advantage for the Western division with 10 teams on their roster vs. the 8 in the Eastern division. Others feel that the addition of these two teams is a way to create rivals, thus increasing competition and fan base. Both expansion teams would have rivals with Seattle and Toronto already in the league. Regardless of the supporters and critics of the expansion, it is clear that the MLS is pushing ahead with expansion.
Major League Soccer, the top level soccer in the US and Canada, was established in 1993 with ten teams. America had hopes of hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup but lacked one requirement, a professional first division league. Since the collapse of the North American Soccer League in 1985 due to over expansion and lack of revenue, the US had been without a professional league. The MLS initial ten teams were chosen carefully and in cities believed to have an already strong soccer market in place according to little league soccer rosters, support of soccer secondary and post-secondary institutions, and sales of soccer equipment and gear. The goal of the MLS was that the ten teams would create a strong core for the league with the ten teams serving as the backbone of the league. Expansion into other cities could be considered after the initial ten teams had a chance to create solid foundations for the MLS. The teams chosen included the Columbus Crew, DC United, NY/NJ Metro Stars, Tampa Bay Mutiny, New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz, Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Clash. By using American Football Leagues stadiums, the league officially began play in April 1996.
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In 1998 the MLS expanded from ten teams to twelve, adding Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion to the league. After what appeared to be a great start to the league, the MLS experienced problems with fan base, revenue, and floundering attendance. It was also felt that the small number of owners of the twelve teams prevented further expansion. The league responded by replacing MLS Commissioner Doug Logan with Don Garber. Garber came after 16 successful years with the NFL. His first concern was that the MLS needed stadiums of their own. In 1998 not one of the soccer clubs had their own stadiums. He placed an emphasis on the construction of soccer-specific stadiums (SSS) for existing and future teams. In fact, the ability to create an SSS became a requirement for any teams considered for expansion in the following years. Within ten years nearly all MLS teams had a stadium of their own with additional stadiums in the works.
Unfortunately, the financial strain on some of the clubs was too great and in 2002 both Florida teams, the Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny withdrew from the MLS, taking the MLS from twelve teams back to ten. In 2002, the US national team surprised fans with their successful showing at the 2002 World Cup. They reached the semi-quarter finals and played well against soccer giants from around the world. This sparked a renewed interest in soccer at a national level and the MLS saw a spike in game attendance. Cities began showing interest in hosting their own MLS teams and the MLS began its goal of expansion once more.
In 2004 the team announced the addition of two new teams for the 2005 season. Los Angeles became the first city to host two teams with the addition of Chivas USA. This team hoped to gain the support of the Hispanic community and had close ties to the Mexican soccer powerhouse club in Guadalajara, Club Deportivo Guadalajara. The addition of Chivas USA also introduced the first cross-town rivalry, allowing for a local derby game held at the Home Depot Center between the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. Support for the local derby game was phenomenal and the MLS found a gold mine in rival play. Salt Lake Real was the second expansion team added to the 2005 season. The Real was owned by Dave Checketts, a sports businessman who had helped the Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks make a name in the NBA. He was also the president of Madison Square Gardens.
In 2005 the San Jose Earthquakes were suspended due to lack of an SSS. The MLS relocated them to Houston, Texas where they became the Houston Dynamo. The franchise adamantly declared their resolve to return to San Jose and did so in 2008. The Houston Dynamo was disbanded after the 2006 season and The San Jose earthquakes were reformed in 2007 and played the 2008 season.
In 2007 the MLS expanded into Canada with the Toronto FC. It was initially feared the UEFA, the governing European soccer board, might block this jump across national borders. The UEFA had no objections and the Toronto FC became the first Canadian team in the MLS. Expansion continued and in 2009 the Seattle Sounders were added and in 2010 the Philadelphia Union.
With the addition of the new 2011 teams, the MLS will have eighteen teams. They have also announced their long-term goal of having 20 teams by 2012. Atlanta, Birmingham, Detroit, Miami, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, and St Louis are all teams hoping for one of the two spots in the 2012 expansion. St Louis, Ottawa, and Montreal are the most likely contenders for the slots; however, St Louis has presented some concern over financial backing. New York is a close contender as well, looking on and hoping for one of the slots. Some feel that adding two new teams so close on the heels of the 2011 expansion may be bad for the MLS, adding a financial burden to the league. MLS star player David Beckham, as part of his contract with the MLS, would have the option of owning the 20th team.
Regardless of expansion wars and bids, it is clear that the MLS has found a home in the United States and a fan base to match their enthusiastic goal.
The Road to Expansion in the MLS
Nicole Wardell writes for Gregg Sports in her spare time from being a mother of four. Gregg Sports includes sports gear and apparel for Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball.
