I don't think this has been posted anywhere, so here goes.....
I noticed that both Vancouver and Portland's MLS sites are vancouvermls2011.com and portlandmls2011.com...so out of curiosity I did a Whois search on montrealmls2012.com. Sure enough, it was registered by Saputo Dairy this August: http://www.whois.net/whois/montrealmls2012.com
Now, it's not a surprise that Montreal is serious about MLS in 2012 and it only makes sense to secure the domain in case they successfully make a bid. However, what I found much MORE interesting is that montrealmls2011.com was registered at the same time: http://www.whois.net/whois/montrealmls2011.com
It's possible they bought up the 2011 domain to catch any typos, etc., but then why didn't they register 2013? Is it possible that Montreal is seriously eyeing 2011?? MLSr posted a completely unsubstantiated rumour (sorry for linking to them...) that Montreal is looking to replace Portland in 2011... Might there be some truth to it? Or maybe a third expansion team in 2011??
Sorry if this seems a little too tinfoil-hat! I just kind of found it a little interesting.
^^^ excellent research!
"Failure simply isn't an option at this stage. TFC pushed its chips to the middle of the table when it splurged on Bradley and Defoe and reinforced its bet by making savvy acquisitions elsewhere. This collection of players is capable of delivering on the promises made during the close season. There are no more excuses available for TFC. Only success will continue the process of atoning for the past and establishing a higher standard for the future." FOX Sports
^
montreal will be in, just a matter of finalizing details and clearing red tapes... so.. if everything works out.. it'll be announced
but... don't count the chickens until they are hatched
Yeah it is a bit of a standard practise for a company or organization to buy up a domain name such as www.montrealmls2011.com for potential use in the near or distant future.
Now, the thing about Portland is that they still haven't worked out a venue deal between the club and the city. It really doesn't look good for them at all, which shouldn't be all that surprising. Let's face it, the Whitecaps have been making the news a heck of a lot more than the Timbers. I haven't heard shit about the Portland club since the expansion announcement, and from what I have seen, its mostly bad for them.
Montreal already has the organization in place, the facility, and guaranteed financial support from the province to expand Stade Saputo. What do the Timbers have?
Not saying this is a sure thing, but as it's been hypothesis before, it could very well be that Montreal is Garber's back-up plan if Portland well and truly falls through, and both him and Saputo have reached an agreement to that end.
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.
I read somewhere that Saputo was willing to join 2012 and forgo the expansion draft by using his USL side. I wonder if that is true at all and whether or not MLS would even consider that idea. Imagine how exciting 2011 would be if three great new markets such as these came in, the attendance average would surely go up 1000 at least.
I am hoping for Montreal to be in, Once all the hurdles are figured out, I think they will be in 2012. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, watch MLS attendance go up about 60%. That should put a frown on Bill Archers Face.
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.
What's the possibility of adding one more Canadian team to that list? So essentially, 19th and 20h would be from Canada. It was something I thought very unlikely even just few months ago, but with the things the way it is now, with no other US market stepping up above the rest to be the 20th, and with momentum from Canadian markets, am I that crazy to suggest a 4th Canadian club?
Even more, if Van and Mon do succeed (marketwise) as we all expect them to, 4th club doesn't even have to be from as strong market. It's sort of like a 2nd tier market, and I can't imagine it will do worse than Columbus or KC, but with potential to be much better. With a strong ownership, a controlled venue, and of course $$$ for expansion fee, why not?
The only other options I could see for Canadian teams would be Ottawa or another in the GTA (possibly Hamilton) that would represent Ontario moreso than Toronto. I do believe Ottawa could support a team, just not out in Kanata where Melnyk wants the new stadium. And as far as I know, the ownership group in Ottawa is still interested in a franchise, but everything there is very conditional at the moment.
Personally, I would love to see 4 Canadian clubs in MLS, but only if they are able to thrive.
Last edited by Cashcleaner; 11-29-2009 at 05:28 PM.
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.
MLS is a tough, physical league, that emphasizes speed, and features plastic fields, grueling travel, extreme weather, and incompetent refs. - NK Toronto
there's a report being put before Ottawa council today in which on option is to the baseball stadium on coventry rd into a soccer stadium
http://communities.canada.com/ottawa...a-stadium.aspx
Don Garber was in Montreal today to discuss MLS expansion plans with Impact president Joey Saputo.
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news...._mls&fext=.jsp
TORONTO FC, 2017 MLS CHAMPIONS!!! (Still the greatest in league history!)
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.
dont think we are going to see anymore canadian teams after Montreal
^ Probably not, but it is fun to dream.
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.
agreed with the both of you, id really like to see alot of canadian teams in the USL (and i hope very much so they are well supported financially and by fans)
If MLS was home to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver while the NASL was home to Edmonton, Ottawa, and Quebec City the NCC would be absolutely massive.
I wonder if any of this might affect the CSL. That's the league that Montreal's current farm team plays in. I wonder if some of the clubs there now might be interested in moving up a tier.
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.