When FC Barcelona and Marcelo Claure announced their intention to bid for an MLS expansion franchise in Miami, my instinct told me it was a sure thing. With Marcelo Claure’s deep pockets and Barcelona’s name recognition, how could MLS turn them down? There are roughly four weeks left before the league announces its two new expansion teams and “FCB Miami” is still the favorite to land one of the two expansion slots. But… (yes, there’s a but) I’ve got a strange feeling about this project.

 

 

 

Call it cynicism borne from the Fusion debacle, or skepticism based on previous foreigners in MLS, but while I do believe Miami will get its soccer team, I’ve got a few concerns about its direction. Chief among them is whether the next Barça president will be as enthusiastic about MLS expansion. Joan Laporta appears to be very excited about advancing the Barcelona brand in the States, but his term expires in 2010. Is this simply his pet project or a long-term commitment from the Catalans?

 

Laporta has said he wants to bring the Barcelona philosophy to Miami. But what does that mean? Player development? Managerial style? There’s no question Barça possess one of (if not the) best youth academies in the world. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol are evidence of that. But developing players in Europe is not the same as developing players in the U.S. Even the possibility of sending Barça youth players to Miami seems far fetched. A kid like Gai Assulin would benefit far more from a loan deal to a lesser European club than a move to MLS.

 

There’s been talk of Xabier Azkargorta taking the job of Sporting Director for the Miami club. Azkargorta is recognized as a great developer of young talent and has a wealth of experience outside of American Soccer. The latter is not necessarily a good thing. MLS is a different animal when it comes to youth players, salary cap restrictions, allocation money, transfers etc. Without a General Manager well versed in the ways of the league, Miami will struggle getting over the hurdles MLS imposes in the name of parity.

 

And what of the artificial surface at FIU Stadium? When Barcelona traveled to the Meadowlands last year for a friendly against the Red Bulls, the club insisted that grass be laid over the artificial surface. Will a potential DP agree to play on anything but grass? Does Claure have a long-term plan for a permanent home in Miami?

 

These are just a handful of my concerns. What do you think of Barça’s bid? Will it succeed? What are some of the potential stumbling blocks? And most importantly… will you go to the stadium?