Peter Wilt Talks San Diego, Chicago & More NASL Expansion

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http://midfieldpress.com/2017/02/27/peter-wilt-talks-san-diego-chicago-more-nasl-expansion/

Peter Wilt Talks San Diego, Chicago & More NASL Expansion

by Chris Kivlehan - February 27, 2017

While the North American Soccer League contracted from 12 teams to 8 this past offseason, prospects for the league’s expansion have never looked better.  Two roadblocks to growth are out of the way, with Traffic Sports no longer involved in the league and Division II status provisionally retained after a period of uncertainty.  Serious expansion bids with the potential of joining for 2018 are afoot in Atlanta, Chicago, Orange County and two separate groups that want to bring NASL to San Diego (Albion SC is the other).  Groups in markets such as Detroit, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Baltimore, Hartford and New Orleans among others have reportedly demonstrated interest in joining the league.

One of the driving forces developing potential expansion groups has been Club 9 Sports.  Club 9 is a boutique investment bank and advisory firm for the Sports and Media industry that is working with professional soccer expansion bids in Orange County, San Diego and Chicago, among others.  Club 9 is backed by several venture capitalists, and its team includes veteran soccer executives such as Peter Wilt (Chicago Fire/Indy Eleven), Jack Cummins (Chicago Red Stars) and Steve Livingstone (Jacksonville Armada).  Club 9 assists expansion groups with finding investors necessary to fund a pro sports team as well as building their business plan to be successful with the team’s launch.  They are working with groups interested in joining NASL.

Midfield Press was able to catch up with Peter Wilt to discuss several of the irons in the NASL expansion fire.  See our feature on the Orange County NASL group for Part I of this interview.

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/02/27/dc-united-stadium-groundbreaking-buzzard-point-audi-field

It finally happened: D.C. United breaks ground on new, own stadium

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https://therivardreport.com/ownership-key-to-san-antonio-fcs-pitch-for-major-league-soccer/

Ownership Key to San Antonio FC’s Pitch for Major League Soccer

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3070313/mls-making-strides-toward-becoming-destination-league-but-has-a-way-to-go

MLS making strides toward becoming destination league, but has a way to go

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3070066/minnesota-united-play-to-local-fan-base-while-kevin-molino-boosts-mls-hopes

Minnesota United play to local fan base while Kevin Molino boosts MLS hopes

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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4983374-155/mls-analysis-young-stars-invigorate-an

MLS preview: Young stars invigorate an unpredictable league growing in popularity

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https://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/02/27/pros-peter-walton-reveals-four-new-points-emphasis-2017-major-league-soccer-season

PRO's Peter Walton reveals four new points of emphasis for 2017 Major League Soccer season

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https://www.soccernation.com/soccer-nation-sitdown-landon-donovan-part-1/

SoccerNation Sitdown: Landon Donovan – Part One

When it comes to American Soccer, you would be hard pressed to find a more recognizable name than Landon Donovan. The all-time leader in goals and assists for the United States Men’s National Team is also becoming a familiar face to residents of San Diego, with Donovan and his family recently moving to America’s Finest City.

In conjunction with the San Diego Sockers, the indoor stalwarts who are currently on a quest for their 15th championship in franchise history, Soccer Nation’s Nate Abaurrea had an in depth chat with Donovan this weekend, inside the Socker’s home of the Valley View Casino Center.

Part 1 of the conversation focuses on Donovan’s newfound love for San Diego and his unwavering support for Major League Soccer Expansion in America’s Finest City.

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http://www.christianpost.com/news/mls-transfer-rumors-chicharito-in-negotiations-over-possible-move-to-mls-175985/

MLS Transfer Rumors: Chicharito in Negotiations Over Possible Move to MLS

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http://media.weei.com/a/118550181/soccercast-chicharito-to-the-mls.htm

SoccerCast - Chicharito to the MLS?

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/02/27/33139872/dc-united-breaks-ground-on-audi-field

D.C. United breaks ground on Audi Field

MLS commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Muriel Bowser were among the guests as the club formally broke ground on its 20,000-seat venue.

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/02/27/33140092/leaving-a-legacy-ex-barca-manager-martino-puts-his-stamp-on

Leaving a legacy: Ex-Barca manager Martino puts his stamp on Atlanta United's ambitions

Having managed the likes of Barcelona and Argentina, the 54-year-old sees the MLS expansion side as a chance to make his mark.