My SI.com editor Jonah Freedman is reporting that the San Jose Earthquakes will return for the 2008 MLS season. He writes that Commissioner Don Garber will announce as much possibly by today.
This is truly fantastic news. The fan base in the Bay Area is strong and it really is shameful that they haven't had a team to root for since 2005. The problem in San Jose was never support but rather the horrendous stadium and the equally awful deal that went with it. San Jose Stadium won't be a part of the new deal, but rather Jonah writes that the team would be a bit nomadic and would play at different venues throughout Northern California until a stadium is built in San Jose, right by San Jose International Airport.
A search for a new coach and technical director will begin immediately, and some reporters joked yesterday that if San Jose did come back, perhaps they would have Frank Yallop available should he get canned soon.
It's debatable how competitive San Jose will be in the first year back from the dead. Toronto FC has put out a decent and competitive product, but Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake struggled in their first year. Chivas USA has their act together but RSL is as pathetic as ever.
Still, whether or not they can compete for MLS Cup 2008 is not the most important thing right now; that they'll be around at all is clearly the best piece of news for the soccer supporters in Northern California.
6 comments:
Barnstorming has to be the worst idea ever. Especially with hearing about aprking messes from fans around the league. Can you imagine being a season ticket holder and you have to figure out a new place to park or tailgate for each home game. What a dumb idea
Capello to San Jose? Yallop back to San Jose, Capello to Galaxy?
The barnstorming idea is old news.
It's more than likely going to be two stadiums in use until the new one opens up. One for big games, and one for smaller ones.
LB, Spartan was not that bad man. It was not great but for soccer it works decent, at least it has history unlike the cookie-cutter FC whatever-pizza-parks their building these days. The deal was bad though.
I don't know if you knew this (you probably know) but San Francisco has a brand new expansion team USL 1 team, The California Victory.
They currently play their home games in old Kezar Stadium in downtown SF, and are affiliated with Deportivo Alaves, as they have the same owner.
I know they have struggled to get fans, Miami FC and them have the lowest attendance in the league (less than 1,000 maybe 500). I wonder how this affects them? I am assuming it's stick a fork in them.
BBSC
Granted, I only went to Spartan Stadium once so maybe multiple trips would have made it seem better but I didn't leave with the greatest of impressions. But I really disliked the size of the field, regardless of the status of the facility.
Hopefully the California Victory can build up a fan base regardless of the Earthquakes' presence, but it would seem to be one or the other.
LB. Rumors are that Don Garber is going to name the next expansion teams pretty soon. There is a rumor Portland could be it and the fan base is torn up about it.
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