MLS Commish: 16 by 2009, 18 by 2011

Here is a list of potential expansion cities along with MLS Commissioner Don Garber's thoughts about each from his annual State of the League address:

• Atlanta. MLS officials have spent time over the last several months with the Atlanta Falcons and owner Arthur Blank. Discussions have focused on the possibility of having a soccer-specific stadium. The league would ideally like to have a club south of Washington, D.C. sometime soon and Atlanta's growing Hispanic population has caught the eye of MLS.
  
  
• Las Vegas. This fast-growing city is looking to burst onto the professional sports scene. The concept there is to have an indoor soccer stadium that would be used as a multi-used entertainment venue. Officials from MLS are encouraged there is support from both the private and public sector in Las Vegas for such a facility.
  
  
• Miami. Preliminary discussions have taken place with regard to funding for a soccer stadium in Miami. Although the league wasn't successful in Ft. Lauderdale, there is optimism that a Miami venue would bring out a huge fan base geared for soccer.
  
  
• Philadelphia. Negotiations with the city of Chester, Delaware County and the state of Pennsylvania have been ongoing for a year. The stadium would exist on the waterfront in Chester. MLS is waiting to see if $40 million in funding from the state will materialize in December.
  
  
• Montreal. A market MLS has looked at since the league's inception, Montreal would provide a potential Canada rivalry with Toronto that could give the league added flavor.
  
  
• New York. MLS has long sought having a second team in New York. The league looks at the success it has had with Chivas USA and the Galaxy in the Los Angeles area and believes two New York teams in separate stadiums would fly in the nation's largest market. Discussions have taken place with the Wilpon family and the New York Mets. The proposed facility would be based in Queens near Shea Stadium and have multi-use, year-round opportunities.
  
  
• Portland. With Seattle on board, Portland would provide for a Northwest rivalry. Preliminary discussions have focused on trying to make appropriate modifications at PGE Park, home of the Portland Timbers.
  
  
• St. Louis. The potential ownership group is led by attorney Jeff Cooper. He has been able to put a package together for a soccer stadium with the city of Collinsville, Ill., located eight miles east of St. Louis. MLS is impressed by the rich soccer tradition in St. Louis.
  
  
• Vancouver. Greg Kerfoot, owner of the Vancouver Whitecaps, is trying to arrange for the building of a stadium on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver. The concept is for a privately financed stadium. Kerfoot just needs approval to put the stadium at that proposed site.

For the full article on Garber's SotL address, Click here