Expansion

Rumor Central: Has Detroit thrown its hat into the ring for MLS expansion? | THE SIDELINE

Downtown Detroit

The city of Detroit may have filed for bankruptcy, but that hasn't stopped the owners of the Pontiac Silverdome from paving the way for the potential of a stadium in the city — which could bring an MLS club to the city's downtown.


Toronto-based Triple Properties Inc. submitted a bid for the Wayne County justice department in hopes of acquiring five justice properties with a vision at developing a 275,000 square foot retail complex and a stadium that could lure a franchise to Detroit. Triple Properties has been eyeing the addition of an MLS franchise to Detroit since the company acquired the Silverdome four years ago.


The addition of a Detroit City FC would certainly spice things up in the Midwest region of the US, where Sporting Kansas City, Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew reside. There's also the potential for a solid rivalry with Toronto FC, featuring unique commuting possibilities.


Sports fans in the Midwest are extremely passionate, and in Detroit they live and die with their local sports clubs (except the Lions — the awful, awful Lions). Detroit City FC have instantly become one of the best-supported NPSL teams going. Check out these fans:



What do you think? Want to see a cool billion dropped on the revitalization of Downtown Detroit, anchored by a soccer stadium and MLS club? Could it bring a little push in the economy for a city that badly needs one?