ST. LOUIS — With the recent announcement from MLS that the league would soon be expanding to 30 teams, St. Louis soccer fans were probably able to breath a bit easier than before.
The announcement was a big one for MLS4TheLou, the group backing an MLS franchise in St. Louis, as now it appears their bid won't be competing directly with Sacramento or Phoenix for spot 28 in the league.
MLS4TheLou's Jim Kavanaugh sat down with 5 On Your Side's Frank Cusumano last week to talk about the recent announcement, the group's progress, stadium details, upcoming timeline and even status on a team name.
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"I wouldn't say it's a slam dunk. I'd say it's ours to lose," Kavanaugh said. "It's not done until it's done until you've got the papers signed. But we don't see any major impediments."
In terms of a timeline going forward, Kavanaugh said the earliest we might find out something definite would be in a couple of months around the time of the MLS all-star game.
As far as the proposed stadium, Kavanaugh said the MLS4TheLou group visited various venues around the country, looking to compile the best elements and practices of stadiums that had already been built.
"Overall the design was to create this incredibly tight and intimate experience that is just going to be off the charts good relative to sound and excitement and proximity to the field," Kavanaugh said.
"It's going to be connecting to downtown St. Louis and be a big part of the fabric of downtown St. Louis," Kavanaugh said. "if you look at Union Station and what's going on with the aquarium and the Ferris Wheel I think it's going to be a great compliment to St. Louis."
Kavanaugh also said the group has talked a bit about a name for the potential new team and that MLS4TheLou plans to hold town halls for St. Louis soccer fans to discuss everything from team name and colors to elements of the stadium.
"I also believe this is much bigger than soccer," Kavanaugh said. "This is bringing something to St. Louis at a time when there are so many good things coming to downtown St. Louis. I think this is going to drive that attraction and to bring it here is going to be a big win."