San Jose 2.0 to Play in MLS in 2008 and Seattle in 2009

Major League Soccer announced today that USL-1 team Seattle Sounders will be an expansion franchise for the 2009 season and San Jose Earthquakes will reopen in 2008 after moving to Houston a couple of years ago.

The Seattle team will be owned by Hollywood movie studio executive Joe Roth, Seattle Sounders managing partner Adrian Hanauer and Vulcan Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

Cool. With a possibility of 18 clubs in the MLS by 2012, can we get some talk going again about merger between MLS and USL?