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A Queens-based booster club which calls itself the Borough Boys has made it their mission to bring a second Major League Soccer (MLS) team to New York City. The group advocates housing the team in Queens, citing the diverse population and central location as perfect for soccer support.

Since Citi Field will be opened in the spring, leaving a large open space where Shea Stadium used to stand the Boys feel the Flushing-Meadows area would be ideal for a soccer stadium.

With access to the LIRR and the No. 7 line and highways, as well as major sporting venues already situated there the area could be a mecca for the sport.

the county population has ballooned in recent years, with much of it from countries passionate about the sport. a team in Queens could be a tremendous money maker and huge success.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon recognized this as far back as last fall and has expressed interest in bringing a second team to the metropolitan area.

The ‘Boys formed the support group after Wilpon was rumored to be in favor of the project, hoping to spur action on a new franchise.

The Mets are still quite interested in running an MLS team in Queens, but the team ownership needs a “comprehensive stadium plan,” according to MLS commissioner Don Garber.

In an April interview Garber called a second team in the New York City market “one of the more important team – expansion projects.”

There already is a MLS team in the area, but they play in Giants Stadium in New Jersey – a long trek by car from Queens, and virtually inaccessible by public transportation.

Since the inception of the Borough Boys Governing Board in January, they have made great strides to get a Major League Soccer team for Queens.

Borough Boys President Nick Laveglia said he has worked with elected officials in support of the project.

“With the help of City Council member Hiram Monserrate, who was an early supporter of a Queens soccer stadium, the Borough Boys met with [City] Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba and key members of the Mayor’s economic development team to discuss bringing an MLS team to New York. City officials announced that they supported the concept, and agreed to follow up with League Commissioner Don Garber and a number of investors who had shown interest in the project to pursue the plan further,” Laveglia said in a statement.

“We were amazed to find out that [Mets Owner Fred] Wilpon’s team already has a detailed plan, including the financials, to build a soccer stadium on the grounds around Shea Stadium. Wilpon and his team understood full well the popularity of soccer in the neighborhoods adjacent to the stadium, and speculated on the huge success of not only an MLS team there, but the possibility of international friendlies throughout the year. Council member Monserrate spoke of the popularity of the sport among his constituents and the Queens community, and that it would be greatly appreciated by so many fans of the beautiful game. “We all agreed to move forward together to make the project work,” he said.

Recently the league announced it is accepting bids for two new franchises to be the 17th and 18th MLS teams. Now the Borough Boys are initiating “Project 17,” to ensure that Queens submits at least one bid, and to convince the league that New York City is a fertile market for soccer growth.

The MLS, the most recent attempt to catch on soccer in this country, was founded on Dec. 17, 1993. There are currently 16 teams, 15 in the U.S. and one in Canada.