Phoenix, Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento are all holding their breaths. MLS is going to decide by the end of the year which two of the four cities will be granted a Major League Soccer franchise. MLS executives are coming back to Phoenix in the next 60-90 days to look over the stadium location(still to be determined). Rising FC has gotten off to a solid start in attendance, selling out three of their first four home matches. The addition of billionaire Alex Zheng to the Rising FC ownership group has been a big boost, but the stadium location is going to be the deciding factor from what I can tell. Lots of rumblings and guessing around the Valley, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the stadium site be near to the present location of the 101/202 freeway by Tempe Marketplace…
Sure hope the powers that be in Mesa are able to get on the same page to build the Mesa Plays project. As Maricopa County continues to grow at a breakneck pace, a 24 field/multi-purpose field house would be a huge boost to local youth sports that are currently commuting and spending tax dollars north at Reach 11. Having been the soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball parent that lives in the Southeast Valley, it’s crazy that no one has had the vision(until now) to have a solution to the need of a facility like the one that Mesa is considering. It makes too much sense(and cents too) to get the facility and fields done. Here’s a link to learn more …
This visionary project would also be a magnet to attract national events(not just sports) that could be held in a mid-sized facility that the Valley doesn’t have. Mesa has the best chance to come out at hero’s if this project gets done.
Brad Cesmat
MLS Adds Austin, Phoenix Continues to Wait
