Melnyk Wants MLS Franchise in Ottawa

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk wants a Major League Soccer team in Ottawa within the next 3 years. The former Biovail executive confirmed his interest in bringing a team to the city for the 2011 season, shortly after MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that the league would be expanding from 16 to 18 teams for that season.

"Major League Soccer has done an impressive job of bringing an exciting brand of professional soccer to North America," said Mr. Melnyk in a statement. "The popularity and passion for soccer is deeply rooted within our community and we firmly believe our city is more than ready to embrace an MLS team."

Already, Steve Nash has made it quite clear that he is interested in luring the MLS brand to Vancouver, while George Gillett, a man who has ownership ties with Liverpool and who owns the Montreal Canadiens, has expressed interest in a Montreal-based side.