uminks

January 31st, 2017 at 3:28 PM ^

The Detroit Express from the old NASL. That was the most interest I had in following soccer when I was a Teenager (late 70s), while the Detroit Express era. Trevor Frances use to come over from England to play on the team. I like watching soccer during the Olympics but that about it. I think I would watch more soccer if Detroit got a team.

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 32203

turtleboy

January 31st, 2017 at 4:13 PM ^

It's about freaking time. Detroit has some of the best fans in America, and a large soccer following, but they put up redundant franchises in major cities instead.

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35129

UMProud

January 31st, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^

Would be shocked if this was successful in Detroit. But as others have said we do have one of the best sport fan bases in the world here maybe they will love soccer too who knows.

Joined: 12/18/2014

MGoPoints: 2705

jman077

January 31st, 2017 at 5:01 PM ^

I follow MLS very closely, and I do not think this is going to happen. There are currently 9 cities bidding for 2 spots (with another 2 coming somewhere down the road), and I think there are bids that are just further along than Detroit's, especially if it takes them longer than they expect to secure the jail site (or they fail to secure the jail site). It is important that MLS puts another team in the midwest, but Cincinnati and Indianapolis are closer to being 100% ready to support an MLS team, and St. Louis may have an opening with the departure of the Rams.

If Gilbert and Gores secure the jail site on a much quicker timeline than I'm expecting, then maybe Detroit shoots up the list. One thing that's important to understand: Even if they secure the jail site there is not a guarantee that that leads to an MLS club. They could get the site and still lose out to other midwestern cities. It's really hard to tell how they might spread out the new clubs geographically. With a gun to my head, I'd say the new clubs are Cincy, San Diego, Tampa Bay, and Sacramento, I don't know which two will come first. But following MLS is wild and anything can change at any time.

Here is a decent summary: http://sbisoccer.com/2017/01/mls-expansion-roundup-prospective-teams-ma…

Joined: 12/08/2008

MGoPoints: 881

kman23

January 31st, 2017 at 5:43 PM ^

I agree with much of what you said. The one thing I think helping Detroit is Gores and Gilbert. They have the money that MLS really needs it's owners to have. Being a DC United fan I see the issues having a "poor" owner puts on the team. DC need a new stadium and need a USL team but can't afford to do both so they keep losing local talent they could develop with a 2nd team. I think MLS because of some issues in the past (Chivas, Tampa Bay, etc.) are still terrified of teams closing and really value owners with big money.  These two not only have that but they have run spors franchises successfully (Gores less so but he really bailed out a franchise that was starting to spiral around the drain). That gives these two credibility and Detroit is a sports city that outperforms it's size (look at Tiger attendence numbers).  It seems like such a good match and opportunity and I think MLS is going to really push this through as quickly as possible.

Joined: 08/03/2009

MGoPoints: 152

kman23

January 31st, 2017 at 5:32 PM ^

Nain Rouge? Seems like it'd be cool. Can go for a Cavalier color scheme. Should name the stadium something like the Ward or some other prison punny name. Probably will be called Quicken Loans Field.

This team could be amazing between Gores and Gilbert's money. Use the Michigan Bucks as the USL affiliate for youth players. DSC could have a huge youth devlopement map. Everything in MI + northern Ohio + some of Ontario could be used to claim and devlop home grown players.

 

 

Joined: 08/03/2009

MGoPoints: 152

m9tt

January 31st, 2017 at 5:41 PM ^

A true Detroit MLS academy program would do wonders for local youth player development to counter the pay-to-play model because of the support from the MLS team. The academy would also have their pick of every player at Vardar, Michigan Wolves, Michigan Rush, Kingdom Reserve and every other club in Michigan. 

Joined: 06/16/2015

MGoPoints: 3692

JimmyHardballs

January 31st, 2017 at 8:10 PM ^

I did read somewhere that the MLS ranked the cities by likelihood that they would get a team. Detroit was 3rd behind San Diego and Sacramento. Just behind Detroit was pheonix and Raleigh/Durham. With the Gilbert/Gores combo. I like the chances.

Joined: 09/03/2016

MGoPoints: 1353