San Gabriel Valley

SOCCER MOVE: Pasadena’s Rose Bowl could soon be revisited by the soccer-loving masses.

Following up on the success of the 1994 World Cup, the Pasadena City Council voted at its meeting this week to license Major League Professional Soccer to use the bowl for two years, starting in the spring of 1996.

League officials are expected to make a decision on the offer by the end of the week, paving the way for them to bring a new Los Angeles team to Pasadena.

As part of the agreement, the city and the Rose Bowl Operating Co. agreed to cap expenses, allow soccer practices in Brookside Park, split concession money and permit up to six soccer events that would bring more than 20,000 people to the stadium. The Rose Bowl deal, which gives approval for two one-year contracts, also includes options to keep the soccer club in Pasadena for three additional years.

“I think soccer is only going to grow in attendance,” said Rose Bowl General Manager David Jacobs. “Getting in on the ground floor is an important decision and an important step forward.”

Pasadena can’t quite count its soccer balls just yet: The soccer league also has negotiated an agreement with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and could choose to bring a team there.