MLS Expansion - How Big Can Major League Soccer Get?

Being a resident of South Florida, I often wonder whenmore spot to reach the domestic league limit set by
the MLS will venture down south once again. TheFIFA and MLS has made it well known that they are
South Florida soccer fans are quite vocal in theirlooking for a second team in the New York area.
demands for a team and often flood MLSHowever, recent talk from MLS has suggested an
Commissioner Don Garber with hundreds of e-mails aambition to expand past the FIFA limit of 20 teams.
day. They come come back with same. valid,The limit is imposed on domestic leagues to limit
response on why Miami or South Florida is not readyexcessive amounts of games for league players. The
for Major League Soccer:idea is to expand each MLS Conference, East and
1. There is no local owner/group with adequateWest, into 20 teams each and limit play to within those
finances to support a teamdivisions to limit how many games a player plays and
2. No soccer specific stadium plan where thetherefore stay compliant under FIFA rules. The
ownership can control the venueplayoffs would then be between the top teams of
While South Florida has the fan base and the TVthose two conferences similar to how it is done to
market we, unfortunately, lack the two important itemstoday and how other American sports leagues such
above. So as much as I hate to say it, MLS in Florida isas the NBA and NFL run their leagues. It appears they
not looking good, at least for the short term.may already have FIFA's approval as Chuck Blazer
Currently the MLS has 16 teams with two expansionfrom the FIFA Executive Committee appears to
teams, the Portland Timbers and the Vancouverapprove the idea, especially since North America is the
Whitecaps FC, planning to join the league in 2011. Thenew frontier of international soccer.
19th franchise has recently been awarded to MontrealWhat do you think of this ambitious plan for growth?
who will join the league in 2012. That leaves just one