City in talks with MLS for possible expansion

[warhawkmoski]

I'd love for us to buy into New Orleans, you want recognition? Help rebuild New Orleans.

It's a good idea, but the only problem with that is they would be the only Club in the southeast portion of the states. MLS draws ok, but one of the biggest reasons for that is they have started to locate club in "soccer specific cities" here, where there is large numbers of soccer fans and New Orleans just doesn't have that. Plus, MLS has had to clubs in Florida and they both failed miserably, so they may not want to risk that in New Orleans. The other option in the south is Atlanta. However, if they could draw in New Orleans, I think it would be a tremendous idea. New Orleans has some of the most dedicated sports fans in this country, but I just don't see the game being a big draw to them.

 

[blue jim]

They should buy Red Bulls New York or whatever they're called this week. I've always thought there was a connection between Manchester and NYC, they both seem to be counterparts.

ive always seen chicago as the american counterpart to manchester but maybe thats just me.

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

I reckon this would be pretty cool. If they go through with it they should build the stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire....that way there would be two Manchester Clubs...neither being the rags! (yes it may be petty but I who cares)

On a serious note though, The American national team and youth teams are improving and meant to be prospects for the future so could be a good time to get involved with a league and help boost its standards as well as hopefully give good exposure for either academy graduates or players we want to sign but aren't quite ready for the prem yet, could be good....If this happens of course!

 

[warhawkmoski]

They should buy Red Bulls New York or whatever they're called this week. I've always thought there was a connection between Manchester and NYC, they both seem to be counterparts.

ive always seen chicago as the american counterpart to manchester but maybe thats just me.

Well, personally I've never been to Manchester, although I want to visit at some point, so I can't give you an expert opinion, but I can see that comparison. The City is clearly divided between the north and south siders with a huge division in the city around baseball. There are some differences but it's not a bad comparison.

 

[warhawkmoski]

Apparently, Garry Cook met with MLS commissioner Gerber recently in talks about City possibly investing into an MLS club. Whether it would be to buy out an existing franchise or bring in an expansion club wasn't released but as a City fan in the states this has me very excited. It would be tremendous to see how City would use this potential club. Obviously, it would speed up the growth of the club world wide as City would be the first foreign club to have a presence in the MLS and I would love to see some young City players come over here on loan for the summer. It looks like City truly is h*ll bent on being the biggest club in the world. Not only are they scouting and investing in the big power countries around the world, but by looking at growing areas such as the States, it proves they want to be the leaders in testing new areas. And to be honest, it's dirt cheap to get a MLS franchise. An expansion club here costs around $50 million dollars, so mere pennies to the Sheikh.

<a class="postlink" href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=750440&sec=mls&cc=5901" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... ls&cc=5901</a>

Chivas ?

Ah my mistake. I completely forgot about Chivas. My point was more geared towards the clubs across the pond in Europe.

 

[Revol]

They should buy Red Bulls New York or whatever they're called this week. I've always thought there was a connection between Manchester and NYC, they both seem to be counterparts.

ive always seen chicago as the american counterpart to manchester but maybe thats just me.

Chicago produced the Smashing Pumpkins, Manchester produced The Stone Roses, two of the best bands ever.

But I think both NYC and Manchester are the two most influential cities in alternative rock history, they have famous weather, their locals have a famously unique charm, both cities divided by sport, (Manc - footie, NYC - baseball) with the bigger two teams (Yankees and rags) becoming the faces of marketing. Both huge conurbations made up several of smaller cities.

Oh, they're both west of Hull as well.

 

[warhawkmoski]

I reckon this would be pretty cool. If they go through with it they should build the stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire....that way there would be two Manchester Clubs...neither being the rags! (yes it may be petty but I who cares)

On a serious note though, The American national team and youth teams are improving and meant to be prospects for the future so could be a good time to get involved with a league and help boost its standards as well as hopefully give good exposure for either academy graduates or players we want to sign but aren't quite ready for the prem yet, could be good....If this happens of course!

You're definitely right about our young talent. The deep run the States made in the 2002 WC is starting to pay dividends. It really generated a ton of buzz here and got a lot of kids interested in the game. We just had a 17 year old be offered a spot in Arsenal's youth academy and turned it down to sign with MLS, bad idea in my opinion but that's neither here nor there. But with in the last several years we are starting to see some major talent come through our system and it would be awesome to see City get a first hand choice on them. Plus, you can bet that if City would invest in MLS, Gerber would find a way to give them the early shot at signing our top youth, such as Gil, into the City Academy.

 

[blue jim]

ive always seen chicago as the american counterpart to manchester but maybe thats just me.

Well, personally I've never been to Manchester, although I want to visit at some point, so I can't give you an expert opinion, but I can see that comparison. The City is clearly divided between the north and south siders with a huge division in the city around baseball. There are some differences but it's not a bad comparison.

Both have / had big music scenes too. I've a friend from Chicago who said it seemed very similar to Manchester.

New York is different, weird (but class) people but the city itself is unbelievably big.

 

[warhawkmoski]

They should buy Red Bulls New York or whatever they're called this week. I've always thought there was a connection between Manchester and NYC, they both seem to be counterparts.

Good idea, especially with the Red Bulls about to unveil a brand new stadium this year. But I would almost rather see City invest in an expansion club so they can build it from the ground up and show the clubs here how you really build a club, the whole thing, not just what you see on the field.

On a side note, Beckham has it in his contract that he can buy an expansion franchise when he decides to stop playing so that could create an interesting rivalry.

 

[Revol]

Maybe they should also open up a Rugby League club in Manchester (not Salford reds!), they could probably do it with their seemingly unlimited funds.