MLS considers franchise in Salt Lake

Salt Lake City was mentioned as being on a shortlist for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise Wednesday.

Speaking with media members in Chicago on Wednesday, MLS commissioner Dan Garber announced the league is close to announcing its two 2005 expansion teams, possibly within the next three weeks. One will be Chivas USA, an American extension of Mexico's most popular club team. Chivas most likely will be based in Chicago or Los Angeles.

The second franchise will be chosen from a shortlist including Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia and Salt Lake City.

"(Utah) is very actively looking at building a soccer stadium and have made a lot of progress with discussions with a handful of local municipalities," said Garber. "They'd have a temporary solution in addition to (that). Those are discussions that are new, but there are some real possibilities there, and we like that market."

BIG NAMES: The fallout of the Women's United Soccer League is the Utah Spiders' gain this year.

With no WUSA to play in, several big name professional players, both locally and nationally, are suiting up for amateur teams in the WPSL.

Soccer fans can get a glimpse today at 6 p.m. when the Utah Spiders (3-1) face the California Storm (4-0) at Ute Soccer Field, located northeast of the Huntsman Center.

Utah's only loss this year came last weekend against the same Storm. The Spiders' roster features Staci Burt, an ex-Ute who was a key defender for the Carolina Courage of the WUSA for two years. California's roster includes Brazilian national teamers Sisi and Tafural.

All kids wearing a Utah Youth Soccer jersey get in free. Adult tickets are $10, which include a season pass for the remainder of the season. Utah plays again on Sunday at 2 p.m. against the San Francisco Nighthawks.

RATZ IN ACTION: The Utah Salt Ratz (4-2) are host to the Idaho Wolves (0-6) today at 7:30 p.m. at Juan Diego High School.

Just a month into the MPSL season, the Salt Ratz are in a four-way tie for second place with Albuquerque, Sacramento and Salinas Valley at 12 points. Chico is atop the standings with 15 points.