MLS doesn't need to expand. The product needn't be watered down any further.

Cool. Not really a soccer fan but I have been meaning to check out a Railhawks game (or match or whatever) and would probably give MLS a shot if tickets aren't too pricey.

This is an attempt to lure MLS to Raleigh.

I doubt it happens.

Niner National wrote:This is an attempt to lure MLS to Raleigh.

I doubt it happens.

Well...they're explicitly luring the MLS with this announcement. You really cracked the case there. I'm sensing some animous here. I guess you're aware of Charlotte's desires for a team of its own and don't want that to hurt Charlotte's chances.

Railhawks fans are pretty serious. I lived just outside of Raleigh for three years, grew up in Charlotte, and currently live in the Queen City. Personally I think Raleigh is a better place for a pro soccer team. The Canes, Panthers, and Hornets all have issues with fan support when they're not winning, but Raleigh has an established soccer culture. Eagles games and the French Quarter don't really compare.

Anywho, I'm excited about pro footy in Carolina no matter who gets a team.

The one thing this constant expansion of MLS might do is actually force American soccer to go to a relegation system. With the league expanding to Minnesota and Atlanta in 2017, and LA and Miami after that, I'm just not sure the talent is there to make for a true top tier league. Some thing also needs to be settled at the second tier between USL and NASL.

Relegate it to obscurity would be our best bet

There's tons of talent for MLS to grow well. It's just not on the same level of the EPL and won't be in our lifetime.

The supporters culture in America has really taken off in recent years, so you have something for everyone. MLS has done well in that regard to embrace the culture without the hooligan aspects.

I grew up in Wilmington and went to Hammerheads' matches growing up. They were a lot of fun, especially in the Open Cup where you could host matches against MLS teams. I saw DC United, Dallas, the Metrostars (now RBNY), Chicago, RBNY, and Columbus in person. They were one of the better teams in the third tier until the recent cultural explosion saw that tier basically become a MLS reserves league and were forced down one rung to the PDL, a much more compatible league.

The NASL is basically a league of potential MLS teams and is fledgling big time.

Growing up in the soccer culture, Raleigh is a big time hot spot. CASL has a massive soccer tournament every year that has team from all over come and play, one of the top youth soccer tournament in America. Their teams always dominated the travel circuit.

Lots of competition for the final spots to 28.

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71 ... tion=16522

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-socc ... -expansion

hapapp wrote:Lots of competition for the final spots to 28.

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71 ... tion=16522

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-socc ... -expansion

I agree, there are a lot of other cities competing for MLS expansion. It will be interesting to see if this ploy works for NCFC. The re-certification of the NASL as the tier to league by USSF, could have some bearing on expansion.

Gonzo wrote:

Niner National wrote:This is an attempt to lure MLS to Raleigh.

I doubt it happens.

Well...they're explicitly luring the MLS with this announcement. You really cracked the case there. I'm sensing some animous here. I guess you're aware of Charlotte's desires for a team of its own and don't want that to hurt Charlotte's chances.

Railhawks fans are pretty serious. I lived just outside of Raleigh for three years, grew up in Charlotte, and currently live in the Queen City. Personally I think Raleigh is a better place for a pro soccer team. The Canes, Panthers, and Hornets all have issues with fan support when they're not winning, but Raleigh has an established soccer culture. Eagles games and the French Quarter don't really compare.

Anywho, I'm excited about pro footy in Carolina no matter who gets a team.

Doesn't really matter to me if Charlotte gets a team or not. I might go to games sporadically if Charlotte got a team, but I wouldn't be a huge fan or anything. My brother and sister both live in Raleigh and I'm there frequently, so I"d probably catch as many games in Raleigh as I would in Charlotte, so I'm indifferent to location.

I just think Raleigh will struggle with corporate backing to get a team off the ground. The Hurricanes struggle with support and they are the least valuable team in the NHL. I think a soccer team would have the same struggles.

I'm equally skeptical it would do well in Charlotte.

Gonzo wrote:

Niner National wrote:This is an attempt to lure MLS to Raleigh.

I doubt it happens.

Well...they're explicitly luring the MLS with this announcement. You really cracked the case there. I'm sensing some animous here. I guess you're aware of Charlotte's desires for a team of its own and don't want that to hurt Charlotte's chances.

Railhawks fans are pretty serious. I lived just outside of Raleigh for three years, grew up in Charlotte, and currently live in the Queen City. Personally I think Raleigh is a better place for a pro soccer team. The Canes, Panthers, and Hornets all have issues with fan support when they're not winning, but Raleigh has an established soccer culture. Eagles games and the French Quarter don't really compare.

Anywho, I'm excited about pro footy in Carolina no matter who gets a team.

The Canes, Panthers, and Hornets all have issues with fan support when they're not winning

Most franchises do.