MLS commissioner Don Garber will speak today in Houston

I don’t expect a hard news element from Don Garber’s time with the media today, but you never know. Consider this a “heads up.”

Major League Soccer’s commissioner will address soccer friendly members of the chattering class today at 1:45 p.m. at BBVA Compass Stadium.

I expect that he’ll talk about stadiums as his league’s critical growth component. I’ve already worked up some notes for him in the previous post.

I would imagine the Commish will be asked about the other key element of league evolution: expansion beyond the current 19 clubs. But, again, hard news probably isn’t going to fall. If so, it would swindle some of the spotlight from the dazzling star of this show, the 22,000-seat beauty, the current talk of Houston sports.

Here’s the current list of facilities built or re-developed for MLS clubs, with capacity and the year opened. While you study it, I’ll be on my way to Houston, where most of the important MLS movers and shakers will gather for two days of pomp and stuff ahead of tomorrow’s match (Dynamo vs. D.C. United, 4:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network.)

• Crew Stadium                      Columbus                 20,145            1999
• Home Depot Center             LA Galaxy                  27,000            2003
• FC Dallas Stadium              Dallas                         20,500           2005
• Toyota Park                        Chicago                     20,000            2006
• DSG Park                           Colorado                    18,000            2007
• BMO Field                          Toronto                      20,000            2007
• Rio Tinto Stadium                Real Salt Lake            20,200           2008
• PPL Park                            Philadelphia                18,500           2010
• Red Bull Arena                    New York                   25,000            2010
• Jeld-Wen Field*                   Portland                     20,400            2011
• Livestrong Sporting              Kansas City                18,400           2011
• BC Place*                           Vancouver                   21,000           2012
• BBVA Compass                  Houston                     22,000            2012
• Stade Saputo**                    Montreal                    20,300            2012

*Renovated rather than built

** Opening in June