MLS in Sacramento?

A good friend of mine asked me a few weeks ago what I thought about an MLS team coming to Sacramento. I didn't respond to him because I thought that this would be something worth blogging about, and get feedback from the soccer community.

At face value, having an MLS team in Sacramento would create a lot of buzz, and continue to cement the notion that Sacramento, is in fact, a first class town that has everything that other major U.S. cities have in terms of amenities.

Whether an MLS team could come to Sacramento and make money is an entirely different question. I am not totally convinced that the business model that MLS operates under is one that would make a lot of sense for Sacramento. I don't think that we could draw large enough crowds after the first two seasons to keep such a massive machine going. We saw this with the likes of the Sacramento Knights, the highly successful (world champions) indoor squad that pulled 3,5000 plus to each match at Arco Arena in the first few seasons, but dwindled after that. The team still exists today, but as an outdoor team. Attendance at those matches are relatively small and the team's lack of funds is well known.

I also don't think that we could recruit a top notch coach or international players. Sacramento has come a very long way; but why not San Diego? Seattle? Portland? What makes Sacramento the right place?

There's also a question as to where the team would play -- surely we'd need to build new stadium? Some would say that the Natomas area near Arco Arena is the right location. Makes sense, with the Kings being right there....but what if the Maloofs take the Kings out of Sacramento? Others would say Roseville/Rocklin. Not a bad idea either, but where? Also traffic on I-80 near Douglas is already congested beyond capacity. Could you imagine having to leave two hours early for a match just to beat the traffic up to Roseville? If you lived in Davis or Elk Grove, your drive would be longer.

So, do I want a MLS team? Yes. Do I think this is the right market? No. That being said, it would be amazing to put together a group of top business leaders who could explore all the options regarding a team coming to Sacramento. There is certaintly a way to do it. It is just going to take time.