Futbol Chronicles: A Montreal Franchise Possible For Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer has proved to be a success in all sorts of ways for professional soccer in North America since its inception in 1996.

Yes, the league did experience its fair share of problems from financial losses to folding clubs, but at least Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders are proving a good investment in the league nevertheless.

The only problem that Major League Soccer could face is the affects of the economic downturn, something of which would be of a concern to commissioner Don Garber.

If you were to be a betting man and try to pick another potential candidate for an MLS franchise, Montreal would surely have to be at the top of the list. 

Montrealers have shown a strong desire for professional soccer, as evidenced last month when nearly 55,000 fans packed the Olympic Stadium to watch Montreal compete in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match, a startling figure considering the fact that Montreal only play in a second rate league.

Major League Soccer would have to take notice at some point, but according to reports, Montreal could still be in the running for an MLS franchise in the near future.

Montreal has the stadium and the natural grass to compliment a team as part of Major League's standards, and the plan by the owners to expand the capacity to about 22,000 would also be a plus for any attempt to bring a franchise to Montreal.

Plus, fan support is more than guaranteed in a city hungry for another sports franchise with the the Alouettes and Canadiens as the only two remaining.

The Montreal Impact would also provide an excellent rivalry with Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps, who also will join the league within two years.

Imagine what a Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal set up would look like for Canadian soccer. Imagine the fans, the potential rivalries, and the opportunity for younger Canadian soccer talent to emerge from within these clubs.

It is something Canadian soccer officials and followers alike have dreamed about for ages, something of which promises to make Major League Soccer a truly North American entity.

Bonne chance à Montréal, et bonne chance à tous canadienne de soccer!