4.10.14
ASN Morning Read: The Atlanta Phoenix to MLS?
A new Major League Soccer team is on the way, not quite rising from the ashes but close enough; the American Outlaws get a moment in the spotlight; Jose Torres gets a fancy trophy.
BY
Noah Davis
Posted
April 10, 2014
8:28 AM
Brian Straus runs through the Major League Soccer expansion possibilities in a comprehensive piece and find some good nuggets. Among them: the fact that Atlanta will almost certainly be the next expansion team named and that they could be called the Phoenix. Additionally, here's what MLS could look like in 2020:
EASTERN: Atlanta, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Miami, Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC.
WESTERN: Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, L.A. Galaxy, Los Angeles (formerly Chivas USA), Minneapolis (or San Antonio, Sacramento, etc.), Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps.
Speaking of MLS, television audiences are on the rise: "The Portland-Seattle thriller averaged 277,000 viewers on NBCSN, pushing the season average for MLS on NBCSN to 223,000 through Week 5, up 94 percent from last year's average for five games."
If this doesn't get you excited about the World Cup, I feel sorry for you:
Jose Torres took home a trophy as Tigres defeated Alebrijes de Oaxaca to win Copa MX. Juninho, Alan Pulido, and Lucas Lobos scored; Torres spent the entire game at central midfield.
Bob Bradley is the best. Of his team's hot start: "We are talking about two games. Not a Hollywood movie."
Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com
