Did anyone else see this? (StL/MLS)

[SoccerYoda]

I just don't think it would thrive in the Metro-East. NewGuy is right, they need to put it where the youth soccer is being played.

[STL_Soccer_Fan]

I just don't think it would thrive in the Metro-East. NewGuy is right, they need to put it where the youth soccer is being played.

Are you saying there's no youth soccer being played in the Metro-East?

I heard about this a week ago, and I knew all the Missourians would complain. I don't hear anyone complaining about having to drive out to west county to watch the PDL Lions play?!?!

Bottom line is the land is cheaper, and undeveloped on the east side. There is nothing wrong with trying to bring bigger and better things to the other side of the river. Look at the development in New Jersey compared to NYC. It was good enough for the Jets, Giants, MetroStars (Red Bulls), Nets, etc. to build across the Hudson.

Get over it folks... You treat Illinois like it's East Germany sometimes...

Who cares where they build it.. Bottom line is we may get an MLS team!!

[cato]

STL_Soccer_Fan,

I'm glad you to put all that into words. I read the article today and knew the s*** would hit the fan in the Stl area. I think the area adjacent to GMC stadium would be prime.

[McGinty]

Well said, STL_Soccer_Fan

I agree that somewhere in the city would be ideal, but I don't think Illinois would be disastrous (this may be my Metro East roots talking).

Another possibility is that they went public with this in hopes of getting a better deal in the city. In Kansas City, a local group trying to purchase the Wizards remained anonymous until the end of the 2005 season when they thought they needed to start the big push for a stadium. Perhaps Axcess is coming forward like this to get other sites interested and/or use the Metro East as leverage against a city site like the Cardinals did with New Busch Stadium.

You can always contact Axcess Sports through their website with your thoughts as well as stating your support of a future MLS franchise in St. Louis (www.axcesssports.com). Be respectful, though.

[soccer78]

illinois is every bit as desirable in my mind as west county, st charles county, south county if land is available to develop additional fields for youth play, leagues, tournaments. etc. the whole situation needs support from the soccer community for the mls team and in turn, the mls team should give back to the community.

what about the land in chesterfield bottoms, west of the doubletree, east of summit ice rink. build more hotels for tournaments. make sports facilities/location for tennis, soccer, ice hockey and baseball. what a concept??? hotels.............restaurants................wow!

[SoccerYoda]

Are you saying there's no youth soccer being played in the Metro-East?

Nope. Not saying that at all. It's just my OPINION that in the long run fans from St. Louis County MAY not consistantly make a long drive to watch the MLS. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm just giving my OPINION. I for one will be one of the first in line to buy season tickets, buy a jersey, and will be there for every game.

[STL_Soccer_Fan]

Well said, STL_Soccer_Fan

Another possibility is that they went public with this in hopes of getting a better deal in the city. In Kansas City, a local group trying to purchase the Wizards remained anonymous until the end of the 2005 season when they thought they needed to start the big push for a stadium. Perhaps Axcess is coming forward like this to get other sites interested and/or use the Metro East as leverage against a city site like the Cardinals did with New Busch Stadium.

That could be true, but it would have to be 100% privately funded in the city, and I don't know if that will happen. No way will city residents back a tax plan like the one used for Busch.

I'm curious as to where they're looking in the Metro East. Near GMC Park wouldn't be bad, and close access to Missouri. I wonder if Collinsville is too far?? They have all the interstates though. I noticed that an Alton businessman is involved, so I wonder if they're looking around that area.

I guess we'll all just wait and see.... Pretty exciting.

Any opinions on what some good names would be for the team??

[Longball]

this is a joke! yes there is soccer over there but not like over here. Look at the number of clubs in STL vs Ill. Hey access! get a clue! don't make this mistake!

I for one am a HUGE soccer guy and I'm not driving 60 mins for a game.

[cato]

Longball,

That is your choice. I for one will be there with SoccerYoda. In line, vieing for tickets, will we be.

[STL_Soccer_Fan]

I agree... you mean to tell me that if there is a MLS team in Illinois, that you won't go to a game...???? Give me a break. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Do you go to Cardinals games? Rams games? Blues games? Steamers games? SLU games??

If it will take you 60 minutes to get to Illinois, then I guess it takes you 50 minutes to get to downtown, since Illinois is only another 10 minutes further.

So if you'll travel to downtown for any of those games, then why wouldn't you drive another 10 minutes to watch MLS???? And you say you're a HUGE soccer fan??? Doesn't sound like it!

You are a perfect example of the people I was talking about that treats Illinois like East Germany.

Let's bring down the wall and think of the St. Louis area just as it is.... A Metropolitan Area. There are Illinois towns that are much closer and just as much more a part St. Louis than some of the western cities (St. Charles, St. Peters, Chesterfield, etc.)

[grosics]

I just don't think it would thrive in the Metro-East. NewGuy is right, they need to put it where the youth soccer is being played.

Are you saying there's no youth soccer being played in the Metro-East?

I heard about this a week ago, and I knew all the Missourians would complain. I don't hear anyone complaining about having to drive out to west county to watch the PDL Lions play?!?!

Bottom line is the land is cheaper, and undeveloped on the east side. There is nothing wrong with trying to bring bigger and better things to the other side of the river. Look at the development in New Jersey compared to NYC. It was good enough for the Jets, Giants, MetroStars (Red Bulls), Nets, etc. to build across the Hudson.

Get over it folks... You treat Illinois like it's East Germany sometimes...

Who cares where they build it.. Bottom line is we may get an MLS team!!

Not to sound like a wisenheimer but if anyone out there thinks youth soccer participation translates automatically into MLS attendance is sadly mistaken.

And any serious MLS bid attempt that ignores the growing ethnic community in this town is making a fundamental marketing error.

This isn't the 1950's - 60's anymore folks.

Who cares if the stadium is on the East side?

I'll be there.

[GPower]

it might be growing but it's very very small in this town. Put that baby in Chesterfield Valley and you will have a winner. Put it in East STL and we all will be saying, I told you so....

[cato]

Wrong ethnicity.
By the way when did Chesterfield become a large ethnic community?

[STL_Soccer_Fan]

it might be growing but it's very very small in this town. Put that baby in Chesterfield Valley and you will have a winner. Put it in East STL and we all will be saying, I told you so....

If no one is willing to drive to Illinois, then who's going to drive to Chesterfield????

They're not going to put it in East St. Louis, let's get real... But put it somewhere else in the Metro East, and yes we'll all be saying "I told you so" to the fact that it won't matter where you build the stadium, the St. Louis area fans will fill it!!!


Before anyone else puts something on here about not going to a game in Illinois, please ask yourself the real question....

"If there is a MLS team playing in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area (Missouri or Illinois), would I go to a game??"

And if you are a true soccer fan, and you say "NO", then you need to check yourself one more time!!!

[cocacolas32]

Well said Grosics. I think at this point, you take what you can get regarding the stadium. Beggars can't be choosers. I currently live in the western burbs and I'll be happy to make the journey to East Side. It beats KC or Chicago. Doesn't it ???

There will be enough support, youth or otherwise, to support this team regardless of the stadium location. Quit worrying about the stadium. It's the team that matters.

I hope our friends from Bosnia and Mexico are marketed to from this proposed team as you suggest Grosics. But, their #'s are not nearly as large as LA, Houston, Dallas, NYC, Philly and other larger metro areas. St. Louis is still a bit isolated as far as "new" immigration is concerned. St. Louis MLS will have to have a midwest flavor.

What happened to the name discussion? A nod to yesteryear: St. Louis Stars? European flavor with STL founding date: 1822 St. Louis? Something new/different: FC STL ?? What's the thought process out there??

Wherever the stadium - this is a good thing for metro STL.

[cato]

Besides coming up with a team name, whose corporate name will be on the stadium?

[STL_Soccer_Fan]

I'm going to start a new thread to name the new team!

[xwaterboy]

hold the fort their OJ fan, don't change this topic just yet.

I live in O'fallon and maybe I'd make the drive to see a couple games but that is about it. I agree with the STL boys here. Ethnic won't fill that stadium, soccer mom and her 4 kids will be the ones that will make up 75% of the crowd because that is who is playing soccer in this town. How many ethnic leagues are there in STL?

whoever suggested Chesterfield is right on the money. Every soccer field in West county is covered with soccer players all day everyday and that is who you need at these game. The small group of ethnics that will be in the corner cheering the loudest will be great but not who we need to cater to here.

PS - who is Jeff Hooper, attorney from Alton.

[McGinty]

it might be growing but it's very very small in this town. Put that baby in Chesterfield Valley and you will have a winner. Put it in East STL and we all will be saying, I told you so....

For those who live in the city, putting it in Collinsville at the intersection of Interstates 55/70 and 255 would be more accessible than putting it in Chesterfield. The snobbery of some people in regards to Illinois is a bit absurd.

And this isn't set in stone either. Don't count out the city yet.

[cato]

Water:
The Chesterfield fields are in the boonies; so are the St Charles fields. There are no quality fields in the city for club soccer. In fact there is a whole other thread discussing how poor most of these fields are anyway. The kids who play soccer on those fields live all over the metro area. If we will drive to those fields why not drive to Collinsville, too.
I would be really surprised if the city leaders would declare imminent domain for a soccer stadium. As for open sites, why put a stadium in for a sport not guaranteed to bring in revenue. They'll choose a shopping mall anchored by a Lowe's.
Collinsville is the best idea out there and if it is private/corporate money backing the venture, they'll go where they can get the most for the money.
It is workable. Can we put aside our differences to pull it off?