MLS Commissioner Doug Logan confirmed Friday that the
league is finalizing plans to expand to Chicago and Miami
for the '98 season. Logan said during a media luncheon in
San Jose that he "had hoped that MLS would have an official
announcement on expansion into the Chicago and Miami markets
... but that steps still need to be taken to finalize lease
agreements in Soldier Field and the Orange Bowl and to
insure that the addition of two teams during this stage of
the league's existence does not have a deleterious impact on
the MLS player pool." Neither of the two teams will be
league operated, as the Philip Anschutz-led sports group
(investor-operator of the Rapids) would exercise its option
to operate the pending Chicago organization. Five groups
have expressed interest in a Miami franchise (MLS).
OPENING REVIEWS: The MLS opener was profiled in media
outlets across the U.S. In S.F., Jennifer Ikuta noted that
Logan was "optimistic yet frank about the challenges" of the
league's second year (S.F. EXAMINER, 3/22). Logan noted
Saturday's opener was seen live in 130 countries: "Few other
sports in America can say that. We can now take our
rightful place in the world" (Dan Giesin, S.F. CHRONICLE,
3/22). Under the header, "M.L.S. Set To Build On First-Year
Success," Alex Yannis wrote that MLS "stewards continue to
call the league ... 'embryonic'" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/23).
Attendance Saturday at San Jose's Spartan Stadium was
23,501. On Friday, Clash officials had predicted a near-
sellout of around 30,000 (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/23).
