Miami is no longer a candidate for a Major League Soccer expansion team after FC Barcelona and the league agreed the poor economic conditions made it unfeasible to launch an MLS team there in 2010.
The announcement made by the league said all sides agreed the timing was wrong after extensive discussions and evaluations, although franchise applicant Marcelo Claure and FC Barcelona still plan to work with the league on projects.
“I want to thank both FC Barcelona and Marcelo Claure for the tremendous effort to bring an MLS expansion team to Miami,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said.
Barca have not given up on making a bigger foothold in America.
“The US market continues to be a priority for FC Barcelona,” chief executive Joan Oliver said. We will look for additional ways to strengthen our relationship with MLS and America?s soccer fans.”
The US league will begin its 14th season in two weeks with 15 clubs with a new team set to begin play next year in Philadelphia and two more set to be added in 2011.
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