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It appears that unlike many online pundits, MLS has some reservations about the Miam-FC Barcelona expansion bid according to this article:
Here is an excerpt:
Marcelo Claure, the Bolivian cellphone mogul trying to bring MLS back to Miami, was in Carson, Calif., last week with his partners from Spanish giant FC Barcelona, and they made their pitch to MLS owners. He said that the meeting went ''really well,'' that everyone seemed excited about Barcelona's backing and that he left feeling Miami is ''a frontrunner'' for an expansion team.
But, he said, owners asked to see more proof of local fan interest and a plan to spruce up FIU Stadium to make it look ''more professional.'' MLS Commissioner Don Garber was in Miami last week scouting the stadium and the market. Miami, with its huge immigrant population, is one of the nation's most soccer-savvy and soccer-crazed cities, but it remains to be seen whether those fans will support a U.S. pro team.
Six cities are bidding for teams (Montreal withdrew its bid), and MLS executives met with the ownership groups from Miami, Vancouver, Ottawa and Portland late last week. Atlanta and St. Louis are also in the running.
''They said they want to see more support from people here, and there was some concern about the stadium not being up to par with other MLS stadiums,'' Claure said. ``They want better press boxes, more amenities, and they had questions about the artificial turf, which we told them is the best turf there is.''
Claure, who owns Miami-based Brightstar Corp., will embark on a media blitz next week ''to get our name and face out there.'' He urges South Florida soccer fans to register and put down season-ticket deposits on the group's website (miamifcb.com). More than 6,000 fans had signed on as fans as of Thursday, and 2,000 of those were interested in season tickets.
Well Miami Ultras, now is the time to make your voices heard in a loud "Sons of Ben" style.
Can anyone confirm which version of artificial surface FIU uses?
In the linked article it is mentioned as the "best" out there. There is conflicting data though as to whether it is FieldTurf (most MLS) or SprinTurf (FC Dallas, maybe DC United).
FieldTurf does not list FIU as a client, but nor does SprinTurf.
I feel this matters as FT is used by several Premiership clubs for their training pitches, but I'm not seeing the same for ST.
They say it's the "best" but what do they mean by best? FieldTurf makes different surfaces for soccer and football. It's not all the same thing. If it's the "best" for football then forget about it.
Mls need to demand grass or gtfo.
Yes, MLS should make demands that FIFA doesn't make, and that would forbid several markets from having soccer at all.
Keeping the league without a national footprint rather than growing the fanbase is the smart and rational thing.
/snark
If FC Barcelona is so damn rich why can't they build a SSS with grass?! Why are they trying to play second rate like Dynamo at Robertson??
Its mindboggling that they are willing to ignore the fact that the team would play in a gridiron stadium simply because Barce is behind this. Totally ridiculous and a recipe for disaster. Like someone else said, the people involved are rich and supposedly serious. If they want in, they should seek to build a stadium, we do not need more football lines at our games.
Screw Barca!
Barca should be taxed and should build a SSS like the other expansion bids.
Miami had their chance and failed!
The expansion needs to go to another team!
Miami can't even support American Football unless the team is winning every game. The Marlins have won 2 world series titles and have had some of THE BEST players in baseball today play or played for them. They never draw much more than 20k if that. Part of it has to do with ownership of the Marlins, but Miami in general is a VERY weak sports town. Miami is the San Diego of the East. Cool city, lots of flair, no fan support unless the team is winning and then they are lucky to get the support of other cities.
love all the Barca hate, keep it up haters it's a done deal
I am very surprised that FCB would even consider having any of its clubs play on a turf field. All European clubs know that soccer on turf is a different game, and increases the likelihood of injuries.
If the Miami bid truly has deep pockets, and FCB is taking it seriously, wouldn't they pay up for grass???
MLS is trying to rid the league of turf fields, not increase the number of them.
All European clubs know that soccer on turf is a different game, and increases the likelihood of injuries.
Totally and completely inaccurate.
Studies done in Sweden have shown that injury rates though slightly increased on arificial turf are in fact though less significant. An injury on turf might cost a game or two, where as the injuries on grass can cost seasons (primarily due to ACL and concussions).
If FieldTurf was such a problem why do many of the Premiership clubs use it for their training ground, where players spend MORE time than they do on the actual game pitch?
So these are the teams that play in american football/baseball stadiums or have turf in MLS
DC United
Houston Dynamo
New England Revolution
NY Rebulls (only one under constr)
Toronto FC
Kansas City Wiz
San Jose Earthquakes
These are the potential expansion teams beside Miami that would initially play in non SSS
Portland
Atlanta
Vancouver
.....and you guys think the league is going to demand SSS and non turf? Nevermind the fact there will be
- no football lines
- practically no scheduling conflicts (FIU only has 2 home games during MLS season)
- control of suites, concessions
- practically rent free
Barca Miami will be in the league, whether people like it or not.
San Jose is a SSS.... although it was meant for college soccer.
Thats right like it or not Barca is a piece of shit!
They need to pay their taxes and Miami desirves a team of their own!..... Not a Jr Barca wanna be!
PGE is a SSS that allows others to play on their field. They convert it to Baseball or football but it always goes right back To a SSS. Portland is moving the baseball team and expanding the stadium ...so it will be a pure SSS after expansion is approved.
Miami will always be a collage football stadium!
Vancouver Is also a SSS with plans to expand seating!
RFK is a SSS now that the Nationals moved out. It has the most pristine natural grass pitch in MLS.
Miami = terrible market for soccer.
Portland and Vancouver !
Best fan bases !
The Miami Ultras has been helping Miami FCB by pass out flyers and spreading the word.
Miami will get an MLS expansion no question about it.
A Message to all the Miami haters and bashers. Miami is going to have MLS in 2010.
We are with you Miami. We are ready to come down to Miami and see TFC vs Miami.
TFC
Yes to Miami in 2010.
Expansion Miami Yes fast " 2010"
NYC
SSS's are stadiums built for soccer. RFK and PGE are multipurpose mistakes.
Barca Miami will be in the league in 2010 whether people like it or not.
I am sure you will want to come down to beautiful Miami and see MLS.
Miami Ultras will be ready to support our MLS team.
A realistic compromise would be for the Miami ownership group to pay for grass and amenity upgrades in exchange for favorable lease terms. If they don't want to build a SSS then they need to at least bring something more to the table stadium wise. If they can do that then I approve.
A realistic compromise would be for the Miami ownership group to pay for grass and amenity upgrades in exchange for favorable lease terms.
How could the lease terms be more favorable? They already plan to get concessions, parking, ad revenue and at zero cost.
i didnt interpret the herald article as "not so fast"... not at all.
Another team with football lines and turf.. Oh joy !
Miami has no chance. Not gonna happen folks.
Fuck Barca
Fuck barca miami
News flash!
2010 bid is over. Philly won!
They are now bidding on 2011!
Portland and Vancouver will win!
Fuck all the Miami hater and cry babies.
Miami in 2010. It will happen people.
Philadelphia & Miami 2010
St Louis & Vancouver 2011
Hate is another word for jealousy.
News flash!
Miami in 2010.
Portland should get a team before Miami gets another chance to fail.
San Diego FC in 2011!!!
To Sounder at Heart 630pm,
My previous statement IS accurate. Soccer is meant to be played on grass, not turf. It IS a different game on turf. The ball bounce is unnatural. Case and point, Danny Cepero's goal which bounced over the opposing keeper. THIS IS WHY all European clubs play their GAMES on grass, NOT TURF. Many Premiership clubs practice INDOORS on turf because of the poor UK weather. Can't always practice in the rain.
Even if this Swedish study is correct, which is very questionable, THERE IS NO DENYING that turf is harder on players' legs. It takes more time to recuperate from each game played on turf, and ultimately shortens a players career. Not to mention, they will be born weary at the end of the season compared to a player who enjoys a grass pitch each week.
News flash!
2010 bid is over. Philly won!
They are now bidding on 2011!
So, medical studies done in Sweden about swedish men and women players don't count as Europe?
Outdoor facilities for Arsenal don't count as artificial turf?
http://www.fieldturf.com/soccer/installations.cfm?keyword=&state=all&country=England&year=all&sport=soccer&resultCount=20&sortOrder=installDate+DESC%2C+installID+DESC&formSubmit=yes
IF you were correct about FieldTurf lengthen recovery time, it would be the height of insanity for European clubs to TRAIN on it if it exhausted players so much so that they couln't recover before their next match.
As for "all European clubs" playing on grass, I take it you mean "All European clubs, except for some in Russia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and Scotland that do"?
Your arguments are based on lies and false assumptions.
I'm far from claiming that the technology is perfect, but it is far better than you and most of the Euro Football First crowd make it out to be.
There is no hate!
How can we hate when there isnt even a miami team!!!!!!
Miami is a bunch of ass clowns that like to suck ass!
No Barca!
http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/news/other/1103/turf.shtml
Here's two Norwegian and one Swedish study on the effect of injury rate.
http://media.www.signal-online.net/media/storage/paper771/news/2007/04/11/Sports/Study.Shows.Benefits.Of.Fieldturf-2832430.shtml
Here's one with US gridiron football players.
Welcome to reality.
MLS to Miami FCB - "Not so fast.", Miami FCB Media Blitz Planned.
More like no fucking way!
In January 2002, the league announced the end of its two Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
In January 2002, the league announced the end of its two Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
In January 2002, the league announced the end of its two Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
In January 2002, the league announced the end of its two Floridian teams: Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.This was for financial reasons.
Two teams failed! Yes for finacial resons ...which means no one went to the games!
Stick with the other expansion bids they have a fan base that will pay to go to the games!
Sounder at Heart,
The more we chat, the less I feel you understand the game. And it's clear you've never played yourself.
You're right about one thing. Not all European clubs play their games on grass. I did use the term "European clubs" loosely. I figured you'd be intelligent enough to realize I was referring to top tier clubs, like FCB, which is the topic of this thread. I was also referring to top tier leagues. Not the likes of, "Russia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and Scotland." Most of which are at a comparable level to MLS, save the Bundesliga. And I'd be very surprised to learn any of the Bundesliga 1 clubs have turf.
Training and playing actual games is NOT the same thing. Playing a match is much more intense, and much harder on your body. If you don't feel this is correct, then I'm finished with this conversation.
You continue to neglect my other point regarding the unnatural ball bounce on turf. Is this too based on "lies and false assumptions?" Are you honestly going to say a ball bounces the same on turf as it does on grass?
You defend field turf as if your uncle created it. Yet these studies you reference are futile.
Fans prefer grass, players prefer grass, and owners who can afford to pay a premium for it, do so. The fact of the matter is that any respectable football club does not play on a turf field, and never will.
Embrace that reality at Heart.
You’re a pompous arrogant pretentious ass!
i'm with dogood on this one. turf is bush league!
Iam not from Miami. but I love to see a team in Miami. MLS wants a team in Miami and it will happen no question. stop the Miami bashing.
St Louis
Hey I love to see Miami get the team. Iam ready to go see some MLS.
Go Miami FCB.
FT Lauderdale
Welcome to reality. Miami will be in MLS in 2010.
Miami lol
600 fans in the stands to watch a game. Great atmosphere lol
miami sucks
barca eats ass
Love it!!you cry babies. Keep it coming. it's a done deal Miami in 2010. We will see you at FIU.
How about no bad words. we are all soccer fans.
MLS news Flash !!!! March 2010 Miami will start. They will play at FIU stadium. Soccer fans in Miami are going crazy with the news.
Welcome to Miami MLS !!
All the pro-Miami posts are from the same guy repeating himself lol
Yeah, great support you guys have down in South Florida ;)
after their first failure i dont think miami would deserve 2010 entry. they should wait till the next expansion round.
FIU has FieldTurf
http://www.fieldturf.com/installations/installations.cfm?installID=3009