MLS notebook

Published: March 23, 2008

Former University of Tulsa forward Ryan Pore started and played the whole game for Kansas City. He played for Tulsa from 2002-2004.

"Coach (Curt Onalfo) said it would be a good opportunity for me to play with the first team. I've been with them for the last couple weeks and hopefully I'll stay there,” Pore said.

•Pro soccer and Oklahoma: Fans at the game said pro soccer could be supported in Oklahoma under the right circumstances.

Norman resident Mike Segroves said the entertainment dollar is Oklahoma would not be stretched with the addition of a pro soccer team.

"Be it Major League Soccer or the United Soccer Leagues, we could have a team here,” Segroves said. "There are enough people to support a niche sport like soccer. It's a thing where you'll see whole families, even grandmas and grandpas.”

Another fan, Mike Stephens, who calls himself a Chicago Fire fan, said the team should be based in Norman or Edmond.

"Those towns are soccer towns,” Stephens said. "The people who support soccer don't go to football games.”

•Comparing stadiums: Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis previously played in an MLS exhibition when he was with the Dallas Burn, now FC Dallas at the University of Central Oklahoma. Kreis compared John Crain Field with UCO's Wantland Stadium.

"This field is very nice,” Kreis said. "The other place had turf, but grass is better. "No matter how big the stadium is the playing surface is the most important thing.”

By Matt Caban

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