Following the sellout success that marked the University of Phoenix’s hosting of the U.S.- Mexico friendly last Wednesday, it emerged that a local group of investors are interested in bringing Major League Soccer to Arizona. The Arizona Republic reports that a group led by a former MLS executive that includes Grand Canyon University coach Petar Draksin, a “prominent Latino businessman” and a former Phoenix Suns executive are interested in setting up an expansion club in the Valley, just outside of Phoenix.
It would appear that the bid was boosted by the attendance of nearly 63,000 for last Wednesday’s friendly. There will be more opportunities to gauge interest next month too, when Grand Canyon University plays host to games involving the Columbus Crew, FC Dallas and Mexican club Indios.
The investor group has yet to announce itself to MLS, nor does it have concrete plans to build a soccer-specific stadium, according to the Republic, which is now a prerequisite for expansion teams. And since the MLS schedule runs through the brutal summer months, a Phoenix team would probably require an enclosed or retractable roof.