City in talks with MLS for possible expansion

[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!

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.

Good stuff mate, I don't really follow the MLS but know how highly rated the US is at youth level and even the national team now are more than capable. There's an untapped potential in regards to American players, its such a big country that if the kids get the right kind of coaching there's got to be some potential superstars. I know football (soccer) isn't the most popular sport over there, but another good run in the WC and the profile could be boosted further.

 

[levets]

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.

And call them 'New York City'... seriously, Manchester NH, would be an ideal start... Is this the new Manchester City that Rumenigge was talking about?

 

[acquiesce]

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 is definitely much closer to Manchester than New York is. Having lived in all three cities I would say New York is closer to London than Manchester. Chicago and Manchester's people are similar in their attitude and culture, just as London and New York are in theirs. If you're going to pair up City with another US city, it should come from the Midwest. I would say Chicago, then St. Louis, then Detroit/Cleveland.

 

[supermicahrichards]

Honestly, as someone who is going to get into the MLS this year (cause my city finally got a team). I love the idea of City getting a presence in the USA, but the MLS fan in me doesn't want it to be used by clubs in general as a B type team.

 

[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.

And call them 'New York City'... seriously, Manchester NH, would be an ideal start... Is this the new Manchester City that Rumenigge was talking about?

Etihad New York?

It would be funny to see a "US version" of Manchester City though.

 

[acquiesce]

I think it's a great idea from City's point of view and the MLS's. Having watched the growth of the league and football in general over here it's a matter of WHEN not IF it becomes regarded as a big sport over here. I still think it is a ways off, but with a decent run in a few World Cups, it can come on in leaps and bounds. To get in at the ground-swell could mean huge benefits for both sides.

I really don't see a downside, especially if they get in an alliance with an established side, say Chicago Fire ;) If you started by launching an expansion franchise there is always the possibility it could fail. I admit it is unlikely to happen now as I think the MLS has learned where and where not to launch expansions at this time.

 

[bluevengence]

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.

We want fook all to do with anything with red in the name

 

[mcfc_die_hard]

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.

We want fook all to do with anything with red in the name

THIS

 

[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.

We want fook all to do with anything with red in the name

They used to be called Metro Stars, although their colours have always been red and white.

But if the Arabs buy them then NYC will be blue!

 

[Skilly McRailnob]

great idea.

columbus please!