Whereas several years ago Major League Soccer had to actively court investors and convince local and state officials that bringing professional soccer to their city was the right move, MLS now finds itself in the nice position of being able to choose “from a variety of solid options” across the U.S. and Canada.
“At one time, the majority of our efforts on this front were outbound,” MLS president Mark Abbott tells Yahoo Sports’ Martin Rogers. “Now it is largely inbound and is a case of us finding the best options.” The criteria for being awarded a franchise are now a local investor, a stadium deal and an appropriate market.
The major candidates for the two remaining slots are St. Louis, Montreal, Miami and Las Vegas. Most would agree that St. Louis is the strongest candidate left in the field. It already has an investor in St. Louis Soccer United, headed by local attorney Jeff Cooper, and city backing for a proposed 18,500 stadium. Rogers pegs the city’s chances at 80 percent. The next strongest candidate is Montreal, which Rogers gives a 50 percent chance. Interest in the project has grown in light of the successful debut season of Toronto FC. Rumor has it that Liverpool co-owner George Gillett could be an investor. Rogers gives Miami and Las Vegas each a 25 percent chance. Miami has public support and the gaping stadium hole left by the destruction of the Orange Bowl, but it lacks ownership. Las Vegas, meanwhile, has a strong owner in the Las Vegas Sports and Entertainment Group and a potential stadium deal.