Cooper indicated that he feels an agreement could come "sometime this summer" as to awarding the league's 17^th franchise to St. Louis.

Cooper, who with John Simmons built SimmonsCooper into a lucrative law firm based in East Alton, has sold his interest in the firm to devote all his attention to the task of bring the MLS to St. Louis.

"It has become nearly overwhelming," Cooper said of directing his soccer projects, as well as performing in his position with the law firm.

"I used to tell people I practiced law," Cooper said jokingly. "Now, what do I tell them? I guess that I practice soccer."

Cooper, who continues to operate out of East Alton, has been jetting to various locations in order to meet with prospective investors, stay in touch with MLS officials and to take care of duties required as the owner of one of the charter teams in Women's Professional Soccer, which debuts in 2009.

"St. Louis a natural place for an MLS team," Cooper said. "The league knows that and they want a team here. But they also want to make sure everything is done correctly. They're great people to work with.

"MLS is a class act - one I'm eager to be a part of."

A deal for a proposed soccer-specific stadium near Interstates 255 and 55-70 remains in place, awaiting the official word from the league that a franchise indeed is coming to St. Louis.

The women's soccer league - and the St. Louis team - are a done deal and require Cooper's attention as well. The team will play at an alternate site until the soccer stadium is constructed. However, the stadium deal hinges on landing an MLS franchise.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has indicated that it's not "if" St. Louis lands a team, but "when."

"We would like St. Louis to be our next team," Garber said. "We want a team in St. Louis."