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This report comes to us courtesy of USA Today:
"If you want to be a global brand, you have to be in the United States," said FC Barcelona vice chairman Ferran Soriano, the club's executive responsible for marketing. "We want to have a permanent presence here, and maybe that permanent presence will mean a team here someday."
The concept is not unprecedented. Jorge Vergara, who owns Mexico's Chivas de Guadalajara, founded MLS club CD Chivas USA in Los Angeles in 2005.
Previously we had reported that a European superclub was interested in perhaps being the owner/operator of a 2nd team in New York CIty or a return of MLS to Florida. It now seems Barcelona is the most likely candidate.
If a club exists, dumb moves by the MLS
Barcelona, meet the USL. USL, Barcelona. Have fun guys, and tell Crystal Palace we said "hi."
NOOOOOOOOOO not a another sister club team in MLS!!!We already have CHIVAS USA which takes a backseat to the real one. Im going to cancel my MLS subscription and just start watching EPL. I can't believe MLS would do this.
Yes. Just. Dumb.
Stupidest thing I've ever heard, how can you create 2 teams with the same name? that loses the club's identity, then you go on the dilemma like the one when chivas usa and chivas mex play against each other "which one should I support?"
This sucks! MLS doesn't need foreign teams to grow, it can grow by itself if there is good investment and youth programs,
Don't kid yourselves. If there is a way by which Garber can use the new club to stoke ethnic rivalry, he'll let it happen.
This would be an idiotic move, Chivas is failing why would MLS make the same mistake twice. And if they put it in miami they're making the same mistake twice, twice in one move.
well we know who the all star game is against next year.
In Ecuador their is Barcelona Sports Club, there a decent team.
bring mls back to florida!
This is a joke. Right?
BRING MLS BACK TO FLORIDA! But not barcamiami. Call it the Fusion. That name was a good one. Or use the name strikers in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to bring back the name. The fusion and strikers are two great choices.
I think MLS should bring back Tampa too. The mutiny was a great organization. That is where the legend Valderama played. I liked there name and logo. Does anyone remember Mamadou Diallo? Anyways, I am off to bed. DC and Chivas USA tmorrow night! Go DC!
There may be a team in Ecuador named Barcelona. But that's one more reason not to give that name to a team here. And this isn't Ecuador, pal. It's the United Sta...oh, sorry. This is North America.
Fusion? Mutiny? Barcelona? Florida?
Worst thread ever.
Florida had it's chance with the MLS and failed horribly. Florida is the worst sports market in the US, especially Miami.I could see putting a team back in tampa maybe but good lord don't use that hideous old space alien logo. If you call your team the Mutiny make it pirate related not space monsters.
So I'm assuming these 'options' that both Becks and Barca both hold are financial options in the sense that they carry a pre-set buy in price (less than 40m) and the right to exercise at any point?
So what if St. Louis and Portland are selected for 2011. Does that then mean Becks and/or Barca could sell their options on teams to Montreal and NY2 if they wanted to and we could have 20 teams by 2011?
Look at what is happening with RBNY and Chivas USA. These teams want decent players from the big squad, but they aren't getting them. The same thing will happen with the Barca side.
Americans will not line up by the millions to support a AAA league. We don't need to be the best, but we do need to strive to be just as good as the top leagues - perhaps not in 5 years, but in the long term.
I think it would be alright as long as they give it an actual city name and team name and not BarcaMiami or something of that sort. Maybe add a regular name and just make Barca it's sponsor?
We Miami Ultras wants to see MLS back In Florida and this time in the City of Miami. We have one of the most passionate and knowledgeable soccer fans in the USA. . We are the # 17 TV Markets market in the USA a TV market that MLS desires. We are the Gateway of the Americas. We have beautiful weather all year. Barcelona FC come on bring MLS to the one of the best city in the USA.
Florida is a really terrible sports market. The teams that are already there the devil rays, marlins, magic, heat, lightning, etc. all struggle with attendances in their respective leagues. Florida will never be a good soccer market because it is America's retirement home. NYC can support another soccer team b/c it boasts the most diverse population on the planet. Whenever the NY knicks, NY islanders, or the rangers play in NJ it always draws great crowds for NJ teams, so I think having a soccer rivalry in the NYC area will be great for both teams.
I agree with other responses on this discussion board that having a copycat Barca team would be a bad move. Chivas USA should maybe consider moving to San Diego or rebranding itself to more than just the mexican community.
Miami is also home to many soccer mad, Central Americans and South Americans now. Many of whom would love to see a Barca branded team play in Miami.
Don't count out Miami, it is a "destination city" unlike St Louis.
People WANT to go to Miami.
For whatever reason soccer has failed in Florida. Attendances for the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay were never that strong with the latter having just average attendance. Miami FC has pathetic attendance of about 900 people even when a star like Romario played for the team.
The south is too large for MLS to not put a team there someday but the best bet will not be in Florida. The best choices for teams in that area will be Atlanta(which is sports-crazy and very cosmopolitan) or North Carolina because it is closer to DC United and will have a better rivalry. The Carolina railhawks have an attendance of about 3,000 which isn't bad considering there a newer team, not to mention some US womens soccer games take place in NC.
Atlanta may be a great NFL and Baseball town but it is NOT a great soccer town and MLS would be wise to stay out.
On the other hand neither Miami Fusion FC nor Miami FC actually played IN the CITY of Miami. And demographics have changed since the Fusion folded which is why Garber is keen on Miami again.
The USL Atlanta Silverbacks draw nothing but flies
MLS does not need Atlanta.
There is no big expat community there like Toronto and I doubt you will get most of the yahoos into soccer.
Of the hispanics, most are Mexican so unless you want Club America Atlanta forget it...
MLS need to be in Florida and Miami is the best place. Barcelona Miami wants you.
Miami Ultras wants to see MLS come to Miami www.miamisoccerfan.com
JC Said May 17, 2008 3:29 PM:
"...We have one of the most passionate and knowledgeable soccer fans in the USA..."
Really, what is his name?
JC Said May 17, 2008 3:29 PM:
"...We have one of the most passionate and knowledgeable soccer fans in the USA..."
Really, what is his name? Miami.
I don't live in Florida,but I think MLS would be crazy not to go to Miami. Miami has everything.
JB from Chicago
Yeah, Florida would be a great move for soccer. its been over 5 years now. Things have changed and population has skyrocketed in Florida. There are a lot of youth academies in florida. One of the best is not far from tampa. The IMG academy! Which is a reason Florida should have a team. The IMG academy developed Adu, Gaven, Howard, Beasley, and Parkhurst to name a few. Other youth academies in florida have produced great players too. Dax Mccarty is from an orlando youth academy. Others great players like Jeff Cunningham and Eddie Johnson (EJ) are also from Florida.
MLS COME TO ALABAMA!!!
I think Mobile would be a great move... One of the fastest growing cities in the nation... Beautiful weather right on the coast and a port town...
There is also nothing else to compete with a team down there.....