GARBER: CHIVAS USA EXPANSION TEAM WOULD PLAY IN SAN DIEGO OR HOUSTON; CLEVELAND THE OTHER LEADING MLS EXPANSION CANDIDATE

MLS Also Holding Discussions with Club America of Mexico

CAÑEDO WHITE: MEXICO COMMITTED TO CONCACAF

Three of the Most Important Officials in Soccer in North America Spoke At Length During Today's 6th Honda Symposium in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES (October 8, 2003) - Don Garber, the Commissioner of Major League Soccer, announced today at the 6th Honda Symposium that a potential Chivas USA expansion team will play either in San Diego or Houston, and that Cleveland is the other leading candidate to land an MLS expansion franchise.

"The challenge is to find an appropriate city for them [Chivas USA] to play, and also to find an appropriate facility for this team," said Mr. Garber on Wednesday. "San Diego is a good market, and right now we are trying to finalize a facility where the team can play. Houston is also a good market, but we do not want to play in Reliant Stadium and we are looking at several different options."

Mr. Garber also talked about the makeup of a potential Chivas USA franchise, saying that he did not think that it would have all Mexican players, like the team in Mexico. However, Mr. Garber said that discussions are taking place that would allow this team to have more foreign players that the current MLS rules permit, but that the details are still being worked out.

Mr. Garber also discussed the candidates for a second MLS expansion franchise, saying that Cleveland is the leading contender, but mentioned Oklahoma City, Rochester and Philadelphia as possibilities. "Cleveland is the leading contender since they have an owner who is committed to soccer and committed to building a soccer specific stadium."

Mr. Garber also said that any expansion of the league would likely take place in 2005.

Finally, in regards to a potential team owned by Club America of Mexico, Mr. Garber confirmed that some discussions have taken place, but said that it was not a topic that he could comment on at this time.

Additionally, Guillermo Cañedo White, the newest member of the CONCACAF Executive Committee, said today at the Honda Symposium that his role is to be the voice of Mexico in the organization. A former Chairman of the Board and Chief Corporate Officer of Grupo Televisa in Mexico, Mr. Cañedo White traveled from Mexico to Los Angeles in order to participate in today's Honda Symposium and discuss "Mexico and its Role in CONCACAF."

"I want to offer leadership in the promotion of soccer throughout the region. We want to be an important voice in CONCACAF," said Mr. Cañedo White.

He was also asked Mexico's current commitment to CONCACAF, given its participation in tournaments organized by the South American Federation, or CONMEBOL, such as Copa America and the Copa Libertadores.

"Mexico does not plan to move from where it belongs, in CONCACAF," said Mr. Cañedo White.

Finally, in regards to the possibility of Mexican clubs owning MLS teams, Mr. Cañedo White said, "I love the idea of Mexican teams playing in Major League Soccer. I know that it is only a matter of time."