MLS Expansion - Could NBA's Steve Nash bring a MLS team to Vancouver?

There are three facts that no one can argue. One, the NBA's Steve Nash is a huge soccer fan. Two, the USL's Vancouver Whitecaps would love to move to MLS. Three, MLS has been more then just a little impressed with the results out of Toronto, thus is very open to the idea of another team in Canada. So the question is, can these three facts turn into a top-league team for Vancouver?

According to Steve's brother, Martin Nash, the basketball star is interested in helping bring MLS to Vancouver. It should be noted that Martin happens to play for Vancouver.

"He's trying to get involved. I don't think he's very involved yet but he wants to get involved. He just wants to give the game of soccer a higher profile in Canada...

Soccer is our first-love sport. We grew up playing it and my dad played it and still plays it, so it's just something embedded into us."

So could there be something to this? Might Nash be the man that helps push Vancouver into MLS?

According to league officials, um, we don't know:

MLS commissioner Don Garber met Steve Nash in May and wrote on the league Web site that the two-time NBA MVP may be interested in getting involved as part of an ownership group trying to bring a team to Canada.

Mark Abbott, the president of MLS, said the league is hesitant to speculate further.

"Steve Nash is obviously interested in soccer in Canada and what his role is ... I don't know how to say it, he would have to say what his role is with respect to that," said Abbott, who is the league's spokesperson on expansion issues.

Nash is already involved in the new Women's professional league, so this doesn't just appear to be idle talk. My guess is if Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot could figure out the stadium issue, Nash would join up in an Oscar De La Hoya style move.

MLS Expansion - Portland gets a second visit

MLS Commissioner Don Garber and league president Mark Abbott will be in Portland today to revisit PGE Park. The two are interested in seeing the park in full 'game condition' ahead of tonight's US Women's match against Mexico.

Garber first looked at PGE Park in March but at the time, it was not setup for a full soccer experience. The two will talk with Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson about the requirements needed to make PGE MLS ready.

"I'm sure they want to talk about the stadium and what it might take to bring it up to MLS standards," said Dan Courtemanche, a league senior vice president.

So if you are in the area and want to show Garber what Portland soccer fans are like, here is your chance.

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.

MLS Expansion - St. Louis area soccer stadium gets initial go ahead

The first hurdle of many has been cleared for St. Louis Soccer United (SLSU) as the city of Collinsville voted to move forward on a pre-annexation agreement. What this means is that the city will work with SLSU to negotiation for annexation of portions of the planned site not currently within city limits.

This is still a long way to a done deal, but with the relatively smooth process up to this point, it does seem that there is a great deal of interest by both parties to make this happen.

MLS President Mark Abbott said of the agreement, "Major League Soccer is pleased with the positive vote from the Collinsville city council to build a soccer-specific stadium and mixed-use development in the city."

"The metropolitan St. Louis area is one of the most passionate and storied soccer markets in the United States. Tonight's vote is a very positive step and we look forward to continuing our discussions to bring a Major League Soccer club to the area."

It seems that the main concern is that money for Collinsville's schools is not diverted to pay for the plan. Both the city and SLSU say that students will not be forgotten.

Overall, more good news for soccer fans in the St. Louis area.

MLS likes Vegas expansion idea

MLS President Mark Abbott, the man in charge of MLS expansion, reiterated that the league has no problems placing a team in the gaming capitol of the world saying, "The fact that Las Vegas has gaming is not an obstacle to MLS placing a team in the market."

So what are his other thoughts on the idea?

"Obviously, it's an international city. It also has both a very strong youth soccer base and a community of people who come from countries in which soccer is the dominant sport, that is growing.

"And it attracts people from around the world. I think that matches up with the key demographics (necessary for) our sport."
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"The market is a tremendous, vibrant one," Abbott said. "It certainly can be a top-level sports (city) in this country."

But as always, the decision on a team in the market comes down to "the right ownership group and stadium situation."

From past reports, it seems that the Las Vegas Sports & Entertainment Group is very interested in making this happen as they are ready to provide the $35 million expansion fee along with build a $500m stadium. If they can prove that they will be able to get 7,500-10,000 season ticket holders, MLS might just be Vegas bound.

Las Vegas group ready to pay MLS expansion fee

The Las Vegas Sports & Entertainment Group president Mark Noorzai has sent a letter to MLS telling them they are ready to pay the $35 million expansion fee to secure a team for the city. The letter also included information on the "$500 million retractable-roof stadium, an adjacent hotel and casino, practice fields and other amenities on 200 acres."

Now they are just waiting to hear back from the league.

MLS President Mark Abbott, who oversees expansion, declined to say anything about the letter, however he did say that Vegas is a place of interest.

"It's fair to say that Las Vegas is a market that's interesting to us," he said. "We think it would be very supportive of professional soccer, so it's a market we're looking at."

Interestingly enough, Abbott stressed the time needed to build a stadium as a reason to not rush any decision. If San Jose is award a team for the 2008 season, someone should ask Abbott about that stance.

As far as the Vegas group itself, they are pushing Paul Caligiuri as their public face. To say this is a smart move is an understatement as Caligiuri has a special place in US soccer fans hearts.

They are also looking into the idea of having Las Vegas Football Club youth academies in their countries.

"It has been offered first-division teams in Belgium and Italy, and a second-division squad in Spain, Caligiuri said. Officials in Brazil and Ghana inquired about starting Las Vegas Football Club youth academies in their countries.

"That's how Chelsea does it," Caligiuri said of the elite English team. The sports group " is in this for the right reasons. This is the best new brick in the foundation of the league, if done properly. "

"And I believe this group will do it properly."

Lots of fun ideas, but is it enough to win then a MLS spot?