LV isn’t quite ready for Major League Soccer

Steve Carp

Friday, June 14, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The day may come when Las Vegas is part of Major League Soccer, but that day is several years away.

For now, Las Vegas will have to settle for being a place where you can bet on MLS and watch matches on television.

Despite the fact this city is the fastest growing in the United States, MLS is not ready to embrace Las Vegas. But then it's not embracing anyone at the moment.

"We're going to be pretty cautious on expansion," said commissioner Doug Logan. "This league is not in a go-go-go mode. We're not expanding for at least three years."

It is one of the lessons MLS learned from its predecessor, the North American Soccer League. The goal is to make sure the 10 existing franchises are on solid footing before expanding. And given Las Vegas' track record with professional soccer, it's easy to understand why MLS would take the cautious route.

Five teams, in one form or another, have been laid to rest in the Las Vegas sports graveyard. There were the Quicksilvers of the NASL, the Seagulls of the American Soccer League, the Americans of the Major Indoor Soccer League, the Quicksilvers of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues and, most recently, the Dustdevils of the Continental Indoor Soccer League.

They failed for various reasons -- apathy, overspending, mismanagement and/or lack of a suitable facility. Pro soccer in this town has not had staying power, something which is vital to the ultimate success of MLS.

"I'm well aware of the history of soccer in Las Vegas," said Logan. "But I don't necessarily see that as a major factor in whether or not Las Vegas ever becomes part of Major League Soccer."

The main factors will be viable ownership to join the other partners in the league's single-entity ownership concept, and the ability of the community to support the game over the long haul.

Even if Las Vegas wanted to play, it couldn't. There is no suitable facility, as MLS rules require natural grass and Sam Boyd Stadium is equipped with artificial turf. Temporary grass could be installed as it is at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands, but that is costly.

In addition, there is limited width at Sam Boyd Stadium. And while it could accommodate the MLS' minimum requirement of 50 yards, it would not make for attractive soccer.

With MLS being a summer league, the weather would be a major consideration. With temperatures in the triple digits and expected to be that way until September, the heat would be a factor to players and spectators alike. All MLS stadia are outdoor facilities.

Logan said when and if MLS expands, there are markets such as Chicago and Miami being targeted for membership before Las Vegas.

For now, the town's lone link to MLS is through the sports book. And it's a limited link at best.

Only a handful of establishments offer lines on MLS games, and there are low betting limits. It is nothing like the 1994 World Cup, which saw heavy action and full viewing houses in the books.