Soccer-New stadium could boost Miami's chances of MLS return

By Simon Evans

MIAMI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The chances of Major League Soccer returning to Miami have been boosted after city politicians gave their backing to the building of a new, purpose-built, stadium for the sport.

A huge redevelopment plan for downtown Miami includes the demolition of the Orange Bowl stadium and its replacement by a new baseball park for the Florida Marlins and a soccer-specific venue.

Miami Dade County, which backed the plan on Tuesday, is ready to put aside $50 million for the new soccer stadium and that could help persuade Major League Soccer (MLS) that Miami is the right place for an expansion team.

The absence of a central and soccer-specific stadium contributed to the lack of success of the Miami Fusion - a MLS franchise between 1998 and 2001 who ended up playing in the neighbouring city of Fort Lauderdale.

"Mayor (Manny) Diaz has been a champion of the sport and has been speaking with us for more than a year," MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche told Reuters.

"The Orange Bowl site connects with the soccer public in the city and we believe a MLS team in Miami could serve a part of the community that is not necessarily served by other sports at the moment."

Courtemanche said there was no shortage of interest being displayed from potential investors in a franchise.

"There are multiple individuals and organisations that have contracted us regarding an expansion team - the interest is there," he added, before reiterating there remained intense competition from other cities for expansion slots.