MIAMI — David Beckham's dreams of seeing his new Miami team gracing a state-of-the-art stadium in a prestigious downtown location seemed further away than ever Tuesday after local authorities suggested the club temporarily play at a university. A year after Beckham announced plans for a new Major League Soccer franchise, the former Manchester United star has been repeatedly frustrated in his attempts to secure a home for his as-yet unnamed team, ahead of the club's debut season, originally slated for 2017. Miami-Dade County commissioners want Mayor Carlos Gimenez to strike a compromise to house the new team at Florida International University (FIU) in the city in the short term, while negotiations take place to find a more permanent location. “It would assist the efforts to identify and develop a permanent location for a soccer stadium facility if a Major League Soccer franchise based in Miami-Dade County began playing professional matches as soon as possible because it would likely increase public support for the franchise and begin building a committed local fan base,” said a commissioners resolution. Tadd Schwartz, a Miami Beckham United spokesman, said: “Things are progressing in Miami and we are very much on track in our plans. “David Beckham is very positive about the future of the club and he continues to enjoy incredible support from the people in Miami. “Careful consideration will be given to FIU when we address the opportunities for a temporary facility.” Neisen Kasdin, an attorney for the Beckham group in Miami, added: “We still remain in the process of identifying a permanent stadium site.” Beckham and his investors want the team to play at a 20,000-seat waterfront stadium but they have faced opposition from local interest groups. The FIU Stadium has a 20,000 capacity. — AP
