BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Steve Ryan has been Major Indoor Soccer League commissioner for eight years, and almost each one has ended  the same way: with the league embarking on a major change.

This offseason, it’s the likely loss of one of nine teams — the California Cougars, whose owner has requested his squad be dropped from the league  — and the possible addition of several teams, including another franchise in Mexico.

The MISL likely will hold its annual meetings later this month, but Ryan said the league is drawing interest from several cities, including Louisville, Ky., and several other cities in the midwest he refused to identify. The league also could use a team in the southeast —specifically in North Carolina — as there are no franchises between Baltimore and Orlando, where the expansion Sharks were last in attendance.

“I’d love to see this league continue to add well-managed, effective clubs,” Ryan said. “The key is not the number. I think geographically, we need to concentrate in areas. Travel and the cost of oil is an issue that has people concerned.”

Mexico could become a viable option because the expansion La Raza of Monterrey had a tremendous season, as the squad generated interest by reaching the championship game, where it lost to the Blast, 14-11, last month.

“We have lots of cities exhibiting interest, including one more in Mexico, and some others. We have some momentum,” Ryan said. “You want to sit down and evaluate, and some of the things we’ll evaluate are the playoffs, the number of games, and the championship strategy.”

Ed Hale, the Blast’s investor/operator, however, wants the league to change its playoff format by playing the championship game at the higher seed. This past season, the championship game was played in Milwaukee — a location the league picked months before the season —enabling it to be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel.

“They needed a time and a place, and we had to give it to them six months ago,” Hale said. “I thought it was wrong then and I think its wrong now. But that’s what TV told us. I’m a team player when it comes to league matters, but I will vote against it again next year.”

swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

7:17 AM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "MISL once again in flux"

Examiner Reader said:
Let's drop Fox Soccer Channel from coverage. Their performance during the championship telecast receives a failing grade. Aside from the techincal difficulties which led to only a portion of the game being viewed, their commentatores proved to know little about the game nor the teams involved. The championship game should be played in front of at least one of the team's fans.

Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

6:26 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 28, 2008 re: "Blast off to a dynasty"

Examiner Reader said:
this soccer league is not major league . 6 teams and no television what kind of league is it anyway when every year 2 or 3 teams fold??????

1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

2:30 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 24, 2008 re: "Future stars have a Blast at youth soccer clinic"

Rocko Mango said:
Someone ought to tell these boys that soccer is a girls' sport. They should have some self-respect and play football or lacrosse.

8 agree | 12 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:40 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 3, 2008 re: "Hale working on new arena"

Examiner Reader said:
i think that if we have a new arena it should seat 20,000 or more and to say Baltimore does not have a shot at getting an nba or nhl team is not rite anything can happien just like they sayed baltimore was not a good place for football and we got one an it is doing great

45 agree | 45 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:37 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Split decision for the Blast"

Examiner Reader said:
Anybody really follow this 'sport'? I mean, besides the 10 or 12 that go to games?

46 agree | 55 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

6:19 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Split decision for the Blast"

Examiner Reader said:
The Blast are great but danny kelly is a backstabing chump.

62 agree | 57 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:48 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 4, 2008 re: "Home sweet home"

Examiner Reader said:
The Blast are getting hot at a good time. This run reminds me of the playoff run 5-6 years ago when we won our first title in 20 years. Support this team! They're the only Baltimore likely to have a winning record or title shot this year, and they're mostly local boys.

66 agree | 43 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:15 AM MST on Sun., Feb. 3, 2008 re: "Blast score season-high 25 points in win over Orlando"

Examiner Reader said:
Peters knocked this one out of the park. He's going places.

80 agree | 78 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

9:04 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 30, 2008 re: "Blast march to 12-7 win over Milwaukee"

Examiner Reader said:
Mike Peters is an amazing sports journalist.

79 agree | 76 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:29 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 26, 2008 re: "Blast march to 12-7 win over Milwaukee"

Examiner Reader said:
Yawn.

Can we get a professional sport in the winter?

Nothing worse than a bunch of sissies running around squealing "don't use your hands! don't use your hands!"

88 agree | 83 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

3:29 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 3, 2007 re: "Aristodemo: An artist on the field"

Anastasia B. said:
The Blast is an awesome team and I love you Robbie! You keep the team together and strong. You'll always be there for them. You Rock!!!

172 agree | 114 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

11:56 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 16, 2007 re: "Blast looks to stay in first place"

Soccer Fanatic 01 said:
I love your team and how they put forth the effort they need to win the game. I was at the game in Baltimore, on Friday the 16th. When they played the Team La Raza. And I've got to say that Team Blast was really fun to watch. My friend and I had a "Blast" thanks, ~sincerly, soccer fanatics!~

170 agree | 126 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

5:07 PM MST on Thu., May. 17, 2007 re: "New arena could work for Baltimore"

Neil said:
The state screwed up when they built the convention center 10 years ago on a spot that would have been so much better utilized on a new arena. Now, however, they need a new place. I actually think Westport would do well, since the city wants to do something positive with that cesspool of a neighborhood, that just so happens to be in a great location. It's right next to 95, 295, the water and it has a light rail stop. Also, while the Blast gets a new arena, bring on the AHL, the AFL, and the NLL.

408 agree | 257 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

1:59 PM MST on Thu., May. 17, 2007 re: "New arena could work for Baltimore"

Jimmie said:
I know a place that the Blast can play - the Baltimore Athletic Club for women.

254 agree | 274 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

7:33 PM MST on Wed., May. 16, 2007 re: "New arena could work for Baltimore"

Ken said:
Hey Jimmie if you know a place the Blast can play in while they build a new arena name it. If the Blast are so lame like you say why do you care about a new arena anyway. And by the way it has not been called the Civic Center in a very long time. Dave is right you must not know much about a good team and it's owner looking out for his team and it's fans. What are you a Peter Angelos fan. lile that guy takes care of his team or cares about it's fans. We need to build a new arena, But in a new location. Hopefully Mr Fry and Mr Brodie and The Stadium Authority will realize the Blast are too good of a thing to loss and will either find a place for them to play while a new arena is build. Or better yet find a new location to build a arena, Like Canton. makes to much sense close to I-95. GO BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

260 agree | 267 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

10:38 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "New arena could work for Baltimore"

Dave said:
I guess "Jimmie" is not a follower of the MISL. If he was, he'd know that nearly every team that has had to drop out of the MISL for one reason or another has folded permanently. The Blast are the oldest continuously operating franchise in indoor soccer -- 26 years in this city, with four championships. What other Baltimore team can even compare to that success ratio? And even our fiercest rivals say that they'd rather play in Baltimore than any other road destination, because our fans are the most fervent and knowledgable in the league. And the Blast are still the best sports bargain in town -- I have to take out a second mortgage to go see the Ravens or Orioles, but I can afford season tickets to the Blast, and have for the past 15 years. So let's build a new arena -- but let's not shut down the Blast to do it.

299 agree | 316 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

8:11 AM MST on Tue., May. 15, 2007 re: "Will Blast get blasted away?"

Jimmie said:
Tell Ed to stop whining. There are venues in and around town where the Blast could play while a the Civic Center is torn down and a new arena built in its place. Hale is just trying to strongarm the city into going along with his Canton arena plan. Poor Ed and his lame soccer franchise.

353 agree | 296 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate

12:06 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 11, 2007

William Kennedy said:
Baltimore has needed a new arena since 1964. When the NHL first expanded, Baltimore was a prime location, but when the league executives toured the Civic Center the deemed the new arena completely unfit. It hasn't improved since then. A 12-15,000 seat arena would do nicely for the Blast and the new indoor football team, but in order to get prime events such as an NCAA 1st & 2nd round or Regional basketball tournament, or FROZEN FOUR Hockey tournament or woment basketball regional or FINAL FOUR and some of the larger musical acts, a 20-22,000 seat venue is neccessary. Mr HAle, don't undersell Baltimore or yourself by thinking too small on this project.

49 agree | 40 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree

Report as inappropriate