Seattle or Portland likely to get expansion team

[bedir than average]

Seattle back on MLS burner

With plans to expand from 13 teams to 16 by 2010, Seattle has again been mentioned as a front-runner to join the MLS. This time, the possibility looks far more promising.

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Though at least one group has expressed interest in owning a team in Seattle, none has been willing to pay the MLS expansion fee of $30 million. But California real estate developer Michael Keston is exploring ownership options in both Seattle and Portland for an MLS expansion franchise.

"The exhibitions in Seattle have proven that there is an interest in the sport, but the other two elements tend to take more time," MLS spokesperson Will Kuhns said, noting the MLS is also considering Atlanta, Cleveland, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Diego and San Jose, Calif.

3 teams in 3 years for Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Cleveland, Philly, StLouis, San Diego and San Jose

San Jose has seemed a lock for some time. They lost a team through little fault of their own and have the history and even stadium probabilities. I doubt San Diego would get anything with two teams already in LA and the most likely one in San Jose. I could see SD getting Chivas USA possibly.

Of the other four (Atlanta, Cleveland, Philly and StLouis) StLouis seems the most likely. Great history with collegiate performance as well as a in an area without a team. Atlanta would rank second of those.

At this time either one or the other of Seattle/PDX will get a team and not both. For both to get a team the league needs about 24 teams or so.

When they get to 16 I will place bets that the three sites are Seattle, StLouis and Atlanta. It will be a nearly national league. The league as a whole needs to do this sooner rather than later to ride the Beckham buzz.