Wednesday, September 16, 2009

TOA meets with MLS? Could this be the beginning of MLS2?

A few sources have stated that the TOA (Team Owners Association) is meeting with MLS this week and both groups are trying to make some deal that might create every promotion/relegation lovers wet dream... MLS2. I must point out that no one has come forward and confirmed this news yet. I bring it to you only for the sake of argument and will leave the breaking story (if in fact this meeting took place) to the actual journalists.

That being said I find the prospect of a possible MLS2 intriguing. The fact that both parties are willing to talk is a good thing and in my opinion this would give better credibility to MLS and the TOA in the eyes of the soccer world. But for something like this to work the TOA has stated in the past that they want control of their new league. Would MLS want the teams to buy into the league? How much would they ask as an entry fee? Will the TOA be forced to work under a salary cap? So many questions.

It appears the TOA are aggressively looking at all the options. But I think starting a League from scratch would be very difficult and costly. They either talk to USL and make up or pursue an agreement with MLS.

I think the MLS option is a good one. MLS gets a second division for free, as opposed to buying all the USL (which included USL1, USL2, PDL, etc) All MLS would have to do is give the TOA the name (for which they pay a fee) and let them run themselves. The relegation/promotion idea though ideal for many wont happen anytime soon so forget about it people! MLS doesn't have to cherry pick teams off of USL anymore. They have many teams to pick from now. So if say San Jose or Kansas City can't continue in MLS anymore then they can pick a team from MLS2 that has a good ownership group, a SSS and a large fan base. I make it sound easy and it's not but this is my fantasy damn it!

Would South Florida fans support an MLS2 team? I've read on this blog all the comments and on other sites that fans want MLS in Miami and not a USL team. The Fact is Miami FC/Traffic has done a terrible job to get the word out that there is a team in Miami. I have spoken to many Soccer fans who have told me they never knew the team existed. Miami FC fans have done their part. I started this blog and I have done my part to get the word out. I have even given away my own season tickets to get some of these people to the stadiums and so have other Miami FC fans most notably the Miami Ultras, but fans can only do so much, it's not enough. Next year if we have a team, Traffic needs to prove they want Miami FC to exist and spend some money and put some signs out in front of the stadiums and out in the city. If Miami FC actually puts some effort, spends the money and still fails then I'll be the first to say "Ok, this market sucks!" But I'm convinced that if the product is good. If the effort is made and if the organization is there, that South Florida will succeed like the Strikers were successful back in the NASL days and like the Miami Fusion were becoming in their final year in MLS.

I can go on. But I'd like your take on all this. Do you think MLS2 is a good idea? Would you support a South Florida team in MLS2?

UPDATE 4:54 PM - 9/16/09:
As Burrito noted in a comment below. It's confirmed that Miami FC spoke to MLS!
Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports it is Aaron Davidson of Miami FC who is in NY but he is not sure if it is in representation of the TOA. Read more:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/total_futbol/2009/09/miami-fc-in-new-york.html

Other Links:
Kartik Report:
http://thekartikreport.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/update-breakaway-mls-or-usl/

MLS Rumors:
http://www.mls-rumors.net/3677/2009/09/report-usl-team-owners-association-met-this-week-with-mls/

27 comments:

orlando said...

MLS-2 in Miami would be a step up, but eventually I would like to see MLS in Miami. We need investors is Claure untested? If he is will he try again?

Benito said...

Uncle Ed, I just want to see MLS back in Miami. I miss the Fusion. I want to see great player and better soccer. What is Miami fans doing to get MLS back. Garber has said that he can hear the fans in Miami. You want it you need to be load. Do more than what you are doing.

PS. Going to a Miami FC game is boring. Not very good soccer.They need to make it a event.

Anonymous said...

MLS in Miami is a wet dream for Miami soccer fans.

Jim Willis said...

Being associated with MLS would give the TOA instant credibility (and entice some fence-sitters in the USL to join them).

I don't see what MLS gets out of the deal, unless they use these clubs as farm teams, kind of like the NHL-AHL arrangement.

The only draw back I see is what kind of tv coverage MLS 2 would get. Hopefully FSC would carry the games, but it would have to be at the expense of the USL.

Brian said...

I'm still laughing at "All MLS would have to do is give the TOA the name (for which they pay a fee) and let them run themselves."

MLS. Let someone else run something they sanction.

You so funny.

Uncle Ed said...

@ Orlando, Benito and Anony. I just want MLS in Miami and if it is MLS 2 so be it.

Jim, yes, MLS gets farm teams and whatever fees they get for entry to the league. I imagine an annual fee, much like what USL charges every year as well.

Silly Brian, this is my Fantasy damn it! No logic behind it.

Liza said...

MLS in Miami would make me so happy.

Fire said...

I live in Chicago and i would love for Miami to get back in MLS.

Antonio said...

Hey Miami MLS could be a realty and not a fantasy if fans get up and do something.

Burrito said...

Burrito luvs Fantasy Islands!

"Smiles, everybody smiles!"

"Yes, Boss!"

The Soccer Source said...

This is very interesting. There was an article recently about this new league potentially competing WITH MLS

http://american-soccer-news.com/?p=3037

but this way they could certainly put a deathknell to USL

Anonymous said...

MLS in Miami baby lets get Miami. Lest get LOAD Miami. We want it to happen.

Burrito said...

Orale! It's confirmed that Miami FC spoke to MLS vatos! Not sure if it was representing those chingados TOA peoples...
Links:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/total_futbol/2009/09/miami-fc-in-new-york.html

http://thekartikreport.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/update-breakaway-mls-or-usl/

http://www.mls-rumors.net/3677/2009/09/report-usl-team-owners-association-met-this-week-with-mls/

Anonymous said...

All I want is for MLS to return to the city of Miami.

Seattle said...

Ultras now its time for your members to get up and make some noise. let Traffic/Miami FC know that fans want is MLS.

Anonymous said...

Miami FC in the MLS is what we the customer want.

Anonymous said...

Miami already had a chance for MLS and blew it. Barca wanted 5,000 season ticket deposits and got 2,000. It's the decision of Barca to pull-out due to bad fan support

Uncle Ed said...

@ Anony 4:55 pm
The Barcelona bid was another of those lazy half ass attempts at trying to bring a new team to South Florida.
They didn't spend a dime to get the word out. It was all word of mouth and a crappy webpage for people to sign up on with not very much detail.
The Ultras "volunteered" to get fliers out, that's how sorry their attempt to bring a team was.
People thought the Barcelona bid was a done deal and didn't give it much thought. It was only after it failed that people realized what they lost and then it was too late.

Anonymous said...

MLS in Miami would be successful. Miami FC to MLS would make everyone very happy.

Anonymous said...

Miami you want MLS? Tell Miami FC that what you will support.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mr Davidson we all in Miami want MLS in Miami. Bring it and lets party.

A friend in Philadelphia said...

Miami you need to be more aggressive. Tell Miami FC what you the customer want to see Miami MLS. Send e mail to the President if they get many MLS request they will listen. GO DO IT BEFORE ITS TO LATE.......

Anonymous said...

MLS-2 would be better than USL. But MLS will be what Miami needs.

Anonymous said...

MLS is a dream that it can come true Miami.

Anonymous said...

LOCO PARA MLS MIAMI.

Anonymous said...

I want football in Miami but we need to bring back the Strikers vibe, call it Strikers FC. A South Florida team for both Miami-Dade & Broward. The bigger the base of marketing, the stronger the fan support, the better the team. MLS has to be attached some way.

Mark said...

Change the name to Miami Fusion and brign MLS back to Miami. FIU is the best stadium. Why not built one.