MLS Commissioner Returning To Miami 'To Move That Project Forward'
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Soccer fans in South Florida have been anxiously awaiting the new Major League Soccer franchise that David Beckham and his group are trying to bring to the region.
After the initial announcement that took place over a year ago, things have slowed down considerably while the group searched for a location for a new soccer stadium.
Though nothing has been formally announced, there could be some good news on the horizon.
MLS commissioner Don Garber told reporters on Monday that he's planning a visit to Miami in order to help move things along.
The visit is expected to happen sometime in the next week.
Garber's plan is "to meet there and try to figure out how to move that project forward."
Originally Bechkam was trying to find a stadium site along the waterfront but when those plans were shot down, they started looking at more centrally located areas in Miami.
One idea that keeps getting floated around by local politicians is a site located directly next to Marlins Park in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. Nobody in Beckham's group has commented on this as a possible location for the new stadium.
Even so, Garber has continued to show support for a new Miami franchise.
"I remain optimistic and committed to David Beckham and his partners, but until we have more information it's hard for us to have any answers," said Garber. "There are a number of different sites we're looking at, but none have popped up out of the pile to give us the sense that there is a deal that can be done immediately. That being said, David [Beckham] and Simon [Fuller] and Marcelo Claure are as focused, if not more focused, than ever before so there is no lack of activity. It's just a lack of any definitive news."
Soccer-hungry fans in South Florida are hoping that changes sooner rather than later.
While it seems no substantial progress has been made since the initial announcement, it's become clear that whenever Beckham's team becomes a reality, there will be plenty of supporters ready to embrace Miami's newest sports franchise.
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