One More Time Is Memphis ready for Major League Soccer? by jake lawhead Can Memphis support a professional soccer team? Does anyone remember the Rogues, the Americans, or the Storm? Though history may not be on its side, professional soccer could draw one of the Liberty Bowl’s largest crowds of the year when it hosts the Memphis Soccer Shootout this Saturday at 5 p.m. Promoters of the Major League Soccer exhibition pairing the Miami Fusion against the Colorado Rapids, led by local phenom Ross Paule, hope to draw a crowd representative of the area’s vast interest in soccer. Throughout Memphis and the surrounding area, there are an estimated 25,000 kids that are registered soccer players. Many enthusiasts think that the number may be even greater. Memphis has produced a number of soccer stars in recent years including Paule, DC United star Carey Talley, MLS Rookie of the Year finalist Richard Mulrooney, and of course, Women’s World Cup Champion Cindy Parlow. Countdown Promotions, a local sports entertainment group, is bringing the event to Memphis. “It’s been more than 20 years since outdoor, professional soccer has been played in Memphis,” says Countdown spokesman Chris Bork, “and with the sport as popular as it is in this area, we hope it will get a lot of attention.” Powertel and Northwest Airlines, the primary sponsors, are donating 2,000 tickets to Mayor Herenton’s Tickets for Kids Program. The Shootout also plans to contribute 2 percent of the gate to Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center. Promoters claim that play in the Major League Soccer (MLS) is at a much higher skill level than seen previously in Memphis. MLS is currently the only Division I professional outdoor soccer league sanctioned by FIFA and U.S. Soccer. MLS describes its brand of soccer as “of the extremely entertaining, young, hip, and cool variety,” and its players as, “approachable heroes … enabling the public to see, touch, and feel the athletes’ ability, work ethic, and passion for the sport of soccer.” The 12-team league is entering its fifth season and hopes to gain more exposure with Soccer Saturday on the Disney family of networks — ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. An action-oriented program Monday nights on the deuce will also help market MLS to its target audience. Memphis has been much closer to landing a pro soccer team than many may think. MLS has been eyeing Memphis as a possible expansion location for quite some time. There is currently no MLS team in the Southeast, with Dallas and Kansas City being the closest to Memphis. An attempt to obtain an MLS team was made during the wake of the disappointment brought on by the NFL’s rejection of Memphis. Chris Bartels, then the soccer coach at the U of M, and former rogue executive Bob Brame looked into the possibility of Memphis being part of the MLS’s initial plans but they failed to receive the adequate financial support. “I think that soccer is at its biggest peak now in this area,” says Bork. “It has always been great, but with even greater interest and the expansion being done to the field, I think now there’s a great opportunity.” Rex Dockery Field is currently under expansion for the exhibition. The field will be widened and lengthened to meet MLS’ 60’ x 110’ requirement. The controversial artificial strip that surrounds the football playing field is being removed. The Memphis Soccer Shootout entails much more than just an exhibition game. The day starts at 9 a.m. with a two-hour soccer clinic at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in East Shelby County featuring University of North Carolina coach Elmar Bolowich. Promoters encourage kids to call ahead to register, and bring their own ball and cleats. From 2 p.m. until the 5 p.m. kickoff, there will be an interactive exhibit for fans featuring various MLS entities along with a dribble, pass, and shoot challenge. At 3:15, on the newly expanded Rex Dockery Field, there will be a preliminary exhibition between the Greater Memphis Soccer Association (GMSA) and the Hispanic League All-Star team. The day will then come to a close with the feature exhibition between the Miami Fusion and the Colorado Rapids. Memphis has seen more than its fair share of exhibition games. Who doesn’t remember the over-hyped basket of NFL exhibitions that ultimately proved futile despite their high attendance? On the other hand, Saturday could serve as a good measuring stick to determine if Memphis can support Major League Soccer.