MIAMI—Miami Beckham United has picked the spot for the new Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium. The ownership group, led by David Beckham, Marcelo Claure, and Simon Fuller, is evaluating sites.

“We're still working hard to give the South Florida public what they want and deserve and we're in the process of evaluating potential stadium sites in Miami-Dade County," says John Alschuler, Strategic Advisor to Miami Beckham United. "However we have always said that there are other communities that would welcome an MLS club owned by David and his partners.”

But will it a stadium ultimately be approved? Should it be approved? That was one of the topics of discussion at Forbes LATAM's first-ever South Florida Real Estate Forum in the United States last week at the Epic Hotel in Downtown Miami. 

In a panel called “Why South Florida?,” experts discussed a Major League Soccer Stadium in Downtown Miami. Mel Martinez, a former US Senator and chairman of Southeast and Latin America, JP Morgan Chase, was the first to chime in. He said, rightly, that nothing is more emotional than land use at the local level.

“To me, frankly, the opportunity to bring a Major League Soccer team to a city like Miami is a total no brainer,” Martinez said. “The need for a specific stadium just for soccer is a hard sell for most taxpayers in difficult economic times. So we have to understand that. Having said all that, I have to believe that a soccer stadium in this community, with Beckham at the head of it, and the opportunity it brings—all of this has got to come together.”

Eugene Anderson, dean of School of Business Administration at the University of Miami, is in favor of the stadium. Branding-wise, he said, it's “terrific” for someone like David Beckham to pave the way for a soccer team in Miami.

“Having a major sports facility that can be used for so many different things is important,” he said. “Why should the US national team be playing so many games in Columbus, Ohio? There are good reasons why [a soccer stadium in Miami] makes sense. The challenge is to figure out how we get it done.”

Alyce Robertson, executive director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority, is also bullish about a soccer stadium in Miami. She addressed one of the challenges in her comments: public transportation infrastructure.

“We need to look at the tie in to public transportation that we as a community need to finish out our system,” she said. “The soccer stadium should go next to public transportation. When we finish that job, it will be easier to locate a site for a soccer stadium.”

As Martinez sees it, once Miami's governmental leaders understand the stadium is going to be built they will come to grips with the location. He's not too concerned with whether it's on the waterfront.

“I just think it's about having good road access, being in a safe area of town, and getting the parking—and getting it done,” Martinez said. “At the end of the day, start building and bring a team. It will be incredible for Miami.”