"We have been asked to comment on the seemingly annual questions about stability of Major League Soccer franchises with a specific question about the Kansas City Wizards.
As has been the case since the start of MLS (1996), we will each year evaluate the progress of the league and its member teams. It goes without saying that the league and the sport of men's soccer are at their strongest point ever in this country highlighted by the United States current number nine (9) world ranking at this time.
In the last 13 months four member clubs of MLS have either opened new soccer specific stadiums (L.A. Galaxy), began construction (Dallas Burn) or announced definitive constructions plans (Chicago Fire and the MetroStars). A fifth team (Colorado Rapids) has also announced the intention to see such a facility built in Denver.
Our belief is that these stadiums indeed represent 'the future' for Major League Soccer and we will study every possible way to encourage such projects all across America.
Regarding Arrowhead Stadium, we have consistently pointed out the difficulty in creating atmosphere for a beginning venture in an 80,000-seat stadium. This coming Saturday night (July 10) the Wizards will host America's youth soccer phenom Freddy Adu and his D.C. United teammates. Every indication there is that it will attract over 20,000 spectators. This is significant progress and we will, as we do each year, evaluate all aspects of the season once it is over.
So that this 'story' does not serve as a distraction for Kansas City's very strong Wizards team it will be the only comment our organization will make at this time regarding this subject."
