San Diego Chivas

The Expansion San Diego Chivas

Is this the right move for MLS?

After reading Don Garber's State of the League Address I was so optimistic about the future of the League. The Address sited so many aspects regarding the growth of the League and the sport in the U.S. Garber stated that league-wide attendance is steadily increasing along with its television ratings. In relation to television ratings, MLS has also increased their network exposure by featuring games on FOX Sports World and HDnet.

Aside from that, new “big name” sponsors will be signing contracts with the League for years to come. The Dallas Burn and MetroStars will be building stadiums in Frisco and Harrison respectively and DC United and Chicago will follow suit thereafter. We may also be hearing shortly about a new investor interested in purchasing the Colorado Rapids from AEG.

However, nothing expresses the growth of the League more than new teams. This is where we lead into the word that we all like to hear and chat about, “expansion.” Expansion has always been something the League has needed to do in order to establish itself as truly a league for the whole country. After heaving over the dead weight in Miami and Tampa, the League has never looked back. In doing so they stated, that expansion was only going to happen under their terms, in the right situation with the right owners/investors and their own soccer specific stadiums or the right stadium deal.

Which brings us to the expansion San Diego Chivas(this has not been officially announced). Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have new owner/investors that are excited about joining MLS, but I think League HQ is coming across as desperate and not in control. Let’s take a look at the situation.

Jorge Vergara, owner of Chivas de Guadalajara, will most likely be purchasing an MLS franchise and the rumored home cities are Houston, San Antonio, or San Diego with the latter being the leading candidate. MLS would like to expand to 12 teams in 2005, however Vergara is demanding to start his Chivas “brand” in 2004. This will create and unbalanced league with 11 teams and will obviously create scheduling issues. Also MLS has not finalized what city will be home to the Chivas “brand” or the stadium they will play in (San Diego and Qualcom Park is the likely scenario).

Aside from that are league rules and those rules state that there can only be three Senior International players per team. The Chivas have always been known for only fielding Mexican players. Vergara will certainly try to find every loophole in the MLS Rule Book to field as many Mexican players as possible. How does this look for a league that was founded on the premise of developing American talent? Will MLS fans ever look at this team as an American team? I know I won’t.

MLS has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years and continues to make things happen without the likes of Jorge Vergara and the Chivas “brand.” Vergara may have the money and the ambition to run an MLS franchise, but MLS shouldn’t be jumping through hoops just because the Mexican millionaire wants a piece of the MLS pie. In saying that, MLS has an opportunity to do the right thing for the League. Vergara and the Chivas could be great for the League if they enter under MLS terms, under MLS rules, and when MLS is ready to enter them in. Because in reality, does MLS, a league founded on developing American players, really need the San Diego “Chivas?”

Article by: Steven Patton