SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer MLS In The South

Thats pretty interesting so the league says it is gonna expand by a team and then cities bid on it. I thought the owner pretty much decided where to go.

MLS is shooting for attendance in the 15k range in a soccer specific stadium; whether the teams actually achieve these numbers is a different story. The big venues are killing teams like DC United, not only because they look half empty, but because they are expensive to operate.
Still Blackbaud would have to be more than doubled for an MLS team.

I wonder if the Battery's owner(s?) would even be interested in going MLS. There is a big cash outlay compared to First Division, and a sacrifice of control in the single entity system. It just might not be as much fun as they are having now. Most of the MLS teams are owned by big corporations, like AEG and Red Bull. Individual owners who are not billionaires (Tampa Mutiny) have fared poorly.

Plus the Battery is really goin for their division they dont want to drop that team all together.

*really doing good for*

Or what about this crazy idea? the MLS and USL merge, and a relegation/promotion system is set up like the FA Premier League. The USL divisions can set up the lower end of the tables, while the MLS will serve as the premier Division. A system could be developed where the top two are promoted and lower two are relegated.

So...What do you guys think?

Yea that is a really good idea and it would be cool to have a higher and lower division like that. But for that matter you could merge them just like the AFC and NFC did to make the NFL. And play a season like the NFL does.

I would rather see your idea about the Premier League style setup though.

I think Birmingham, Alabama has to be one of the southern cities mentioned. Earlier in WC Qualifying, a game was played there for the US National Team and it seems like there would be enough support to play there.
It seems smaller states like Alabama and South Carolina are more soccer inclined making Charleston or Birmingham easier to manage. I think Atlanta wouldn't be very successful because it would be overshadowed by the Falcons, Braves, or maybe the Hawks(they are pretty bad).
If a team is to go into the south, a key to being successful is being the major team of the city.

This is true...Columbia SC has no team and a big soccer following...Could start a team there. All this talk of having an MLS in the south really makes me wish that we had one.

I know i would prolly buy season tickets, it would be well worth it.

The merging of MLS and USL to me..seems like the natural progression of things if soccer is truly becoming a serious sport in the US.

Though with that in mind, I think it's going to take a lot longer than people would like. Charleston can certainly make the move overtime to a "professional" level..but unless something drastic changes.. it's going to take a while. MONEY MONEY MONEY

Charlotte has Memorial Stadium located in uptown. It's primarily used for HS football games (capacity about 14,000). It has hosted some Mexican/South American/Central American friendlies. It's a great place to watch a match, just needs a little more width.