MLS Commissioner Doug Logan unveiled plans regarding
the league's '98 conference alignment, expansion draft and
its regular season schedule, following two days of
Management Committee meetings in New York (MLS).
REALIGNMENT: With addition of teams in Chicago and
Miami, the league in '98 will feature two six-team
conferences. Western Conference: Chicago, Rapids, Burn,
Wizards, Galaxy, and Clash. Eastern Conference: Crew,
United, MetroStars, Miami, Revolution, and Mutiny. MLS will
ultimately feature 16 clubs with two four-team divisions in
each conference (MLS). EXPANSION DRAFT: The 12-round '98
expansion draft will take place in November '97. Each team
must make 10 players available, with at least nine being
domestic players. SCHEDULE: The '98 regular season will
feature 32 games, starting on March 15, and concluding
September 27. During the first two weekends of World Cup
'98, which starts June 10, 1998, the 12 MLS teams will only
play one game. The six teams with home games are scheduled
to have promotional tie-ins with the World Cup (MLS).
