MLS, Disney Continue Talks on Bringing Soccer to Stadium
International soccer clubs could visit Anaheim Stadium next year as part of a two-game exhibition series Major League Soccer hopes to stage in partnership with the Walt Disney Co.
MLS Commissioner Doug Logan met this week with Tony Tavares, president of Disney’s Anaheim Sports division, to discuss playing two exhibition games in the renovated stadium in 1998 and perhaps four in 1999, Logan said Thursday.
The success of those games would impress MLS and Disney as the league and company consider whether to place an expansion team in Anaheim Stadium as early as 2000.
“I don’t think either of us is in a position to make a commitment now,” Logan said. “We like what we see in the stadium. We like to think we have a market for our soccer product. We’d like to try it first.”
As an example of the type of game MLS would like to stage, Logan pointed to an exhibition between the Galaxy and Chivas of Guadalajara that drew 32,000 in Chicago this year. MLS clubs, international clubs and touring national teams preparing for the World Cup all will be considered, Logan said, though no commitments are expected before February.
