St. Louis group makes it’s MLS expansion application.

The changing economic landscape could affect how Major League Soccer looks at expansion, but Jeff Cooper remains “very” optimistic. Cooper’s group, St. Louis Soccer United, presents its official application for an MLS expansion franchise to the league today, the deadline for such applications.

“I feel very, very good,” Cooper said Tuesday. “(Wednesday) we submit our full-blown application with the ownership group listed, the stadium development plan and the youth soccer plan.”

Image via Flickr

Arthur Blank, who already owns two pro sports franchises in Atlanta, is aiming for a third.

Blank’s management and investment company, the AMB Group, announced Tuesday it has submitted a bid for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise. He already owns the Falcons and the Arena Football League’s Georgia Force.

Image via Falcons365

FC Barcelona will officially submit a bid to bring an MLS team to Miami.

Barcelona announced on its website that it would partner with Miami resident Marcelo Claure, a Bolivian cellphone magnate and owner of FC Bolivar, to launch a team in Miami. Claure is the CEO of Brightstar Communications, a multibillion-dollar company that is one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, and Joan Oliver, the club’s general director, plan to be in Miami Wednesday to present their plans.

While there is no definitive plan as to where the team would play, ”the most likely solution will be Florida International University, with whom negotiations are already at a late stage as the potential club seeks to use the facility for at least the first two years of its existence,” read the website.

Image of springbreakers in Miami on a wealthy guy’s yacht courtesy of ggpht

Closing in on the 2008 MLS Playoffs…. interesting times.

Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and founder of Home Depot, is pondering a bid for an MLS team that would begin play in 2011. “We have had discussions with Arthur Blank and his staff recently and those discussions are positive,” said MLS Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Dan Courtemanche.

Image via Daylife

Miami is getting waaay more serious…

FC Barcelona and Marcelo Claure, President of Bolivar Futbol Club are in discussions with FIU about possibly bringing a Major League Soccer expansion franchise to FIU Stadium. Before FIU’s football practice Tuesday afternoon, a ”Welcome MLS” sign was playing on the FIU Stadium video jumbotron.

FIU built its new stadium not only for Golden Panthers football, but with soccer in mind by putting the seats as close as possible to the field, but with enough room to allow for soccer matches to be played (check out the huge sideline above - retractable stands).

Image via Flickr

Thursday night begins a new era in Real Salt Lake’s history; the opening of RSL’s brand new home, Rio Tinto Stadium. ESPN2’s PrimeTime Thursday will be there to show RSL vs the NY Red Bulls at 8pm local Mountain time.

There are some great photos of the stadium at the official website.

Tonight will be a sellout, and emotions are running hot.

RSL already missing astro-turf advantage?!? No way, grass is sweet.

RSL Owner Dave Checketts with an intriguing interview - Liverpool for next year’s All-Star Game?

I looked around and found a couple interesting photos after the jump…

(more…)

Vancouver’s outgoing mayor Sam Sullivan was in New York to shore up support for his city’s bid for a new Major League Soccer franchise on Tuesday. “There certainly is a lot of competition, and that’s why I’m here,” said Sullivan. “I think I can add that little extra to show that, to give the good reasons why Vancouver is a great opportunity for the league.”

Image via Daylife

1.   Houston’s Ricardo Clark

2.  New England’s Taylor Twellman

3.  Real Salt Lake’s Andy Williams

4.   Toronto FC’s Abdus Ibrahim

5.  Kansas City’s Michael Harrington

Twellman’s was impressive because he never really got his head up before hit, Harrington’s because he’s a lefty and the placement was perfect, but in my opinion Bomma’s (Andy Williams) was just ridiculous after the full speed scoop pass from Javier Morales.

And I’m shocked that Morales’ catching Reis off his line after a poor clearance and the ball weighted perfectly with his left foot over Parkhurst didn’t make it into the top five.

Local Columbus journalist, Michael Arace, is contacted by the agent of Mr. Mark Noorzai, proposed new investor in the Columbus Crew. New details emerge, chief among them is the promise to keep the team in Columbus.

Full story here…

Image via Corbis