MLS is "moving swiftly toward an agreement that will grant" an expansion team to the Philadelphia area, according to sources cited by Jeff Gammage of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Sources said that within the last two days the local owner-investors "completed their review of the draft version of the expansion agreement between MLS and the team," and reps from the prospective team and the league are "down to discussing details concerning the new club." A MLS source said, "It's definitely Philly. It's the market size, the ownership group. These are wealthy people. They're going to be strong owners." The source also said that St. Louis, which has competed with Philadelphia for a team, would be "the presumed front-runner for any future expansion" ( PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/13 ). IMPACT ON CHESTER : A PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER editorial states the total $500M multi-use project that includes a $115M soccer stadium in Chester is hard to dismiss when considering the development proposals included in the plan. Chester "desperately needs projects to jump-start its economy -- and foster a sense of hope. Bringing new jobs, homes and recreational opportunities to the area is the right prescription for it." Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell has "committed $47[M] in state money to the $500[M] project, with Chester and Delaware County agreeing to kick in $30[M]." The editorial: "The investment of so many taxpayer dollars means public officials must work extra hard to see that it pays off -- especially for Chester residents" ( PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/13 ).
