MLS Expansion - Gonna bring a team to Seattle, MLS says no, no, no
MLS officials are denying reports concerning the expansion team in Seattle.
"I spoke with (MLS President) Mark Abbott yesterday in Kansas City and asked him if we have a deal in Seattle and he said 'no,'" said league spokesman Dan Courtemanche. "Our goal is to announce the fifteenth and sixteenth teams by the end of 2007 or in the first quarter of 2008."
So could it be that this is another bad rumor or might the deal be just about done and someone from the Seattle organization leaked the news in order to drive up attendance at tonight's championship match? If Seattle doesn't get a team, this story could be almost as embarrassing as Klinsmann getting the US National job.
"I spoke with (MLS President) Mark Abbott yesterday in Kansas City and asked him if we have a deal in Seattle and he said 'no,'" said league spokesman Dan Courtemanche. "Our goal is to announce the fifteenth and sixteenth teams by the end of 2007 or in the first quarter of 2008."
So could it be that this is another bad rumor or might the deal be just about done and someone from the Seattle organization leaked the news in order to drive up attendance at tonight's championship match? If Seattle doesn't get a team, this story could be almost as embarrassing as Klinsmann getting the US National job.
Labels: Jürgen Klinsmann, Mark Abbott, MLS, MLS expansion, Seattle, Seattle Sounders, US Soccer, USL
posted by Mike H at 2:43 PM
3 Comments:
I might agree with the "driving up attendance" theory if they were playing at Qwest tonight with its 66,000 seats. Alas, they're playing at StarFire, which was not made for professional teams, and I'm pretty sure they're sold out.
I'm still thinking a Seattle team is a done deal. But maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Bring on the expansion, my theory is the more teams in more cities the more gradual interest in the league will grown.
I think Seattle and Portland both deserve an MLS team, especially over St. Louis or Philly. Personally, cities who have supported soccer even when it wasn't popular (i.e. any city with a USL franchise) should be given a shot over areas where there is nothing, save for an indoor team...if that. I think Rochester and Montreal would have higher attendance figures than a team in Philly. But the big questions isn't if Seattle will get an expansion side, but if they'll keep the Sounders moniker.
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