MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league has yet to finalize who the 20th team will be, but that it is "very focused" on getting a second team in N.Y. Garber, appearing on Versus' "NBC Sports Talk," said, "We’ve had discussions with the guys that own the Cosmos brand, discussions with other investors that have interests in what I think will be a very valuable franchise in our league and an important step for us to really … round-out our expansion picture." Garber noted the league needs to "get a stadium built" in N.Y., and he noted MLS is "working closely with Mayor Bloomberg here in the city trying to find that perfect spot." Garber: "We’ve been struggling to get resolution on that front for the last number of years, but once we get that concluded, getting the investors … will be the easy part of the project. Hopefully, we’ve got something we can finalize it in the next 6-12 months.” He noted it is "always important for any pro sports league to have success and popularity in the big markets," and with Galaxy MF David Beckham and Red Bulls F Thierry Henry based in L.A. and N.Y., respectively, the league "will break through a lot of the clutter.” Garber: “It’s an important part of our project, if you will, to try to make a difference at a time of the year when it’s really important to make noise.” Garber called Beckham, who is leading MLS in assists "underrated.” He said, “People talk a lot about what impact he’s had on our league. I don't think we would be where we are right now today if David wasn't in the MLS and playing for the Galaxy. All of the off-the-field stuff has totally over-delivered” (“NBC Sports Talk,” Versus, 10/4).
