MLS Expansion - Could Montreal be the sleeper pick?

With no news coming out of Pennsylvania concerning the state putting up the money needed to secure a MLS team and MLS's lack of excitement in the depth of the St. Louis group's pockets, could Montreal shock everyone and get the next franchise?

How could such a move happen? Well unlike St. Louis or Philadelphia, Montreal will already have a stadium as the Impact are just about finished building a 13,500-seat, natural grass home (they will need to expand it 18,000, which they are already planning on doing). Plus, the Impact are already averaging over 11,000 for USL-1 games, so they have a strong base on which to build. Finally, Impact owner Joey Saputo is very good friends with billionaire George Gillett, who happens to own NHL's Montreal Canadiens and co-own EPL's Liverpool. Although there has been no formal joining of the two, both have very deep pockets and that might just turn a few MLS heads.

There is still the issue of Toronto FC having an exclusive right to the Canadian market through 2010, but it would appear the two sides are already talking about a deal. I'm sure TFC loves their hold on Canada but I'm guessing they see the benefit of have a rivalry as well.

I still think the US based bids have a better shot at this, but with so much already in place for Montreal, they might just pull off an upset.

Liverpool might be MLS All-Star opposition; is owner also looking at Montreal MLS expansion team?

Liverpool has been asked to be the opposition for the 2008 MLS All-Star Game in Toronto as part of their American tour. The game seems to be designed perfectly for the club, as they will play in a very red stadium that normally hosts a team sponsored by Carlsberg.

But the interest in soccer in Canada might not end at this one off match as Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Jr. seems to be interested in a Montreal MLS expansion side. Gillett already owns the Montreal Canadiens (hockey), so he has contacts in the city.

This is all speculation at the moment, but if someone like Gillett (billionaire with soccer knowledge) is truly interested in making a team happen, it could probably work out. I mean, imagine how much fun Don Garber would have talking about Liverpool FC being tied in with MLS.