Earthquakes Could Return In '08

The San Jose Earthquakes could be re-born in the upcoming off-season and playing in the league by the beginning of next season, according to SI.com. Major League Soccer and Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff are on the verge of an agreement that would allow Wolff to operate an MLS franchise without having a new stadium deal - an idea that the league has long been against.

According to a source, the league is eager to add a 14th team in order to balance the uneven schedule and Wolff's team is the closest to making that happen at this point. They would play in a temporary home while a stadium deal is finalized, but the exact facility wasn't named.

The first edition of the Earthquakes played at San Jose State University's Spartan Stadium, and the aging facility could be used temporarily. Another venue that could possibly host Major League Soccer games is Stanford University's new 50,000-seat stadium, which will host a game between Chelsea FC and Club America on July 14th.