Soccer MLS

Do Not Assume Success for the New MLS Los Angeles Franchise

Fresh Videos

By @DFresh39

MLS Second LA Franchise

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The long-speculated end to Chivas USA was announced on Monday as MLS announced their new strategy for the second Los Angeles market. A new ownership group will be named on Thursday and they will begin to focus on a location for a stadium. The second Los Angeles team is expected to begin play in 2017, but will need to load up on players, find a location for a stadium and work out a youth development plan. By no means is success guaranteed for LA2.

The biggest key to success is players. The new LA franchise will have plenty of avenues to sign players, but the dissolving of the Chivas USA academy is not doing them any favor. It is one of the most successful in MLS and will cease operations this season. Commissioner Don Garber ensured that they will explore options for the players in the academy and that a new one will start up very soon. Given the MLS track record and that there is no specific wording in that information, it could be some time before another academy begins.

It was also noted today that players in the current Chivas USA academy will not be afforded a seamless transition to the new academy. Those that do not have many professional options will be looking local to keep their training on the right path. This means the Los Angeles Galaxy, or perhaps Tijuana of LigaMX, will have a chance to scoop up the best talent in the pool.

The team will also have to find a stadium location and get around all the legislative battles that go into building a new home. Signs currently point to downtown LA or Inglewood. Garber said that the hope is for a downtown location, but then pushed the confines of location out to the “urban core.” This means a stadium could be in Santa Monica, Pomona or Claremont. Garber’s comments pushed the constraints for location to a seemingly limitless number of places, which lends itself to different local regulations, more time researching options and the potential for political standoffs.

There is also the question of fans. Obviously, there are plenty of fans in the greater Los Angeles area that can and will embrace a new team. However, some supporters of Chivas USA said they will basically cheer against the Galaxy. Emotionally, they may not be able to embrace a new team that rises from the ashes of their former team. Location will go a long way to creating a fast-growing supporters group.

In the fallout from the dissolving of Chivas USA there is optimism that the new franchise will have all the right ingredients for success. However, there is no reason to assume a rise to the top with three years until kickoff. The fan support must be there and the stadium location and top players have to be established. Only time will tell, but the fresh start for a second franchise in Los Angeles will be fascinating to follow.

Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

Chivas USA Wins in Last Match Ever

Share Tweet
Trending Now on