Came across a rumor that MLS truly wants to return to Miami. In the aptly named MLS-Rumors.net site, there is a quote attributed to a US soccer journalist who claims MLS is really pushing for Miami part deux. Frankly, MLS should have never abandoned Miami in the first place.
In its final year, the Fusion were finally playing attractive soccer and winning games. And, not coincidentally, the average attendance rose dramatically from 7,400 in 2000 to 11,100 in 2001. The latter representing the highest figure in its short history, even greater than its inaugural season in 1998. To depart the highly desirable South Florida market under those conditions and barely 4 years into the project was beyond short-sighted. It was inexcusable.
Much of the blame, of course, lies with the Fusion’s owner (Horowitz), who wanted to turn a quick profit with MLS and was not ready to lose money short term. That is not how the South Florida market works, especially when dealing with the ever fickle soccer fans. Only when the product on the field is good enough to peel them away from their Fox Soccer channels and GolTV will you draw crowds in South Florida.
Last time around, MLS and its shortsighted owner wanted to put the cart before the horse. Here’s hoping MLS and its new ownership group learned its lesson. Chief among them would be to:
- Build a soccer specific stadium, which as other MLS franchises have shown, is the key to financial stability and eventual prosperity. Plus, now that the Orange Bowl is gone, only Dolphins Stadium (and perhaps FIU’s stadium) appear to be the remaining viable options for sporting events and concerts. A 20-25k seat stadium could generate decent revenue from non-MLS events.
- Place the stadium in a strategic location that draws from both the anchor market that is Miami-Dade County but also the rapidly increasing Broward County market. This means Little Havana should not be the primary choice–not matter how well the Orange Bowl used to draw. Truth is, the OB drew well for certain soccer games in spite of its location, not because of it. Most South Florida soccer fans are scattered throughout the tri-county area. Just give them a good team, accessible stadium location and comfortable environment and they will show up.
We want MLS in Miami