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MLS Expansion: St. Louis – Don Garber, a Rally and the NWSL

By Nathan Reynolds

Jun 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; St. Louis FC fans show their support with a banner during the second half of the match against Sporting KC at Sporting Park. Sporting KC won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; St. Louis FC fans show their support with a banner during the second half of the match against Sporting KC at Sporting Park. Sporting KC won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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St. Louis took several steps this past week towards earning one of the coveted MLS expansion spots to be awarded later this year.

The deadline for submitting a MLS expansion bid may be well past now, but the movement for a top spot will continue until an announcement. Every extra detail of support for a stadium, fan interest, financial backing, or MLS favored programs will be chased and publicized by hopefully bid teams.

With an unknown deadline looming in the future, St. Louis was out in force this past week. The city is on the verge of voting this coming week on whether or not to help publicly fund a new downtown stadium.

On hand for a rally in support of the #MLS2STL movement, commissioner Don Garber, had optimistic, but pointed words,

"“I’m very confident that if we’re able to go forward here, all that energy behind bringing MLS to St. Louis for many, many years will be fulfilled. But we still have work to do. If you want MLS, that proposition needs to be successful.”"

Getting the piece right

Securing funding is critical, but St. Louis are right in line with the current generation of MLS expansion teams. Their plans include a brand new stadium in the heart of downtown. Which helps create the atmosphere that some of the older teams in the league lack nowadays.

On Thursday the group doubled down on their aspirations for soccer in St. Louis, announcing their desire to bring in a NWSL club as well.

With the NWSL looking to grow, this would appear to be a beneficial move all around. The city gets more use out of the stadium, and more activity in the downtown area which translates into dining, shopping, etc.

The NWSL expands its’ league, with the financial backing of a potential MLS owner group, which has been successful in cities like Orlando and Houston.

From both a population and TV market there are other competing bids that would fall ahead of St. Louis. Which is why having a bid that includes public support, funding, and the desire to grow two US soccer leagues is critical.

Next: USMNT: U-20 GK Jonathan Klinsmann on loan to Everton

#MLS2STL fans, St. Louis citizens and watchful MLS observers will know a lot more about their chances in just a few days.

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