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this could be the financial backing that will solidify them the next expansion team slot.... Chicago and KC need another rival in the area... especially with their stadium being in a STL burb in illinois we could actually start to see some fan vs fan rivalry with chicago.... quality away support from both sides.... this will be great if they get the team...

Good for Pujols. Nothing wrong with a little star power to advance ths situation.

This is great, I hope St. Louis gets a team, they deserve it. The history of soccer is rich in this city. And I agree with otergod the rivalries will only fuel the fan bases.

Exactly...first Steve Nash and now Pujols...big names giving some backing to the sport will make some sports fans think about checking a game out.

Let's be honest - there are some people out there that will make a decision off celebrities...having Pujols in the mix might get some of those die-hard STL fans out to see a game...if the MLS were to give STL a franshise.

What's interesting is the stadium will actually be in Illinois on the border.

Besides the possible draw, this suggests that the folks advising Pujols--and you can be sure he has some smart folks doing that--see MLS as a viable investment. That's great news.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:30 AM ET  11.19 by Zizou10

Exactly...first Steve Nash and now Pujols...big names giving some backing to the sport will make some sports fans think about checking a game out.a franshise.What's interesting is the stadium will actually be in Illinois on the border.

Let's not forget De La Hoya. Interesting how we're seeing athletes as the next wave of financial backers for the league. Two of them (Pujols and Nash) not from what you would consider traditionally soccer enthused nations.

Ah yes, can't wait to watch the St Louis of Collinsville Illinois United play! Seriously, build the freaking stadium in St Louis. What is it with MLS teams not building stadiums in their home city?

Glad to see more backing from big names though. Pujols is such a credible guy, I think Collinsville is a lock now.

cuauhtemoc- its obvious isnt it??

real-estate in these cities is outrageous.... perhaps in the next 20 yrs or so, the MLS owners may see it as an option, but the big problem is that where would you build the stadium in chicago?? not that much room and it would cost more money then the owners are willing to dish out....

collinsville is a burb of STL, so i dont see this as an issue..... anything to help get the team up n' running is fine with me... like i said, 20+ years when the league has a history with the country and the fans are packing the stadiums then perhaps a move... but at that point i could see most cities building around the stadium such as quality hotels, bars, resturants etc.... at which point it would seem more likely to simply build onto the already established stadium and build the infrastructure to support a major sports team....

Don't think it matters so much where the new franchise is located(assuming they have/will get a stadium), I think having a good ownership group that knows soccer and the community is more important. If Phoenix was one of the places they were considering, I would think differently. Then again we are just finally getting a USL1 team here.

I used to think that St. Louis would be a great fit for MLS, but seeing where the new stadium is, I've change my mind. The stadium will be on the 'wrong' side of St. Louis. Collinsville isn't exactly right across the river and more people live in the western suburbs of St. Louis. The stadium should be in Chesterfield, Kirkwood or some other western suburb of STL.

Since when do we care about soccer? Baseball MVP in a baseball town and now we have to kiss his feet because of soccer? Give me break, play 90 plus minutes for a score of 1-0, please, should not have wasted my time responding to this, soccer, unbelievable

hardball- then dont....

mattjv- i agree, and yes STL will have a stadium

texan in atl- if you build it, they will come..... sorry about the ironic field of dreams quote, but it was too tempting to pass....STL is the home of youth soccer....

hardball - every village needs an idiot. I bet a village close to you is accepting applications.
You could be what they are looking for.

Umm, yea, soccer makes so much money. Yep, whatever, not in the U.S. pal, last I looked, that is where we are, think about it

Zizou10, your are angry because I am right aren't you?

Otergod, yep, use a baseball quote for my argument, good one, thanks for helping me

hardball, thanks for your compelling insight. due to your persuasive, factual argument i will no longer be watching soccer. i prefer lots of scoring and for players to be grossly overpaid, i also like a 1:1 ratio between commercials and gameplay. you are right, oter is a fool. (d-wreck, was that clear enough sarcasm? hahah) harball, seriously, don't baseball games routinely last 3.5 hours and finish with scores of 1-0? (i lvoe baseball so im not hating on it, just pointing out the flaw in your argument) everyone else, sorry for responding to this guy, had to.

Ummm, Pawn in Army, I agree the commercials are brutal, but 1-0 games in baseball? Really? even before roids? Sorry my arguments are winning, soccer? roids? who cares? clean? who cares? does it put people in seats, right, not in the U.S. so move south of the border and play it there.

Hardball - go back to NASCAR. Sit there and watch cars go in a circle over and over and over again. Besides there's a driver that has won the title three years in a row. If it's about winning - then watch that.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 03:04 PM ET  11.19 by Hardball

Otergod, yep, use a baseball quote for my argument, good one, thanks for helping me

dont know how i helped you out... i used a baseball quote in refrence to build the stadium in STL and the people will come to the game... way to make yourself look like an idiot....

anyhow, the irony is im using a baseball quote for a baseball player who wishes to invest in a STL team for the MLS....