After several months of speculation, MLS announced Monday it will maintain a neutral site for the 2010 MLS Cup.

The site for the league’s 15th title match in 2010 will be announced later this Spring.

“Following a detailed review and careful analysis of both options, we have elected to continue with a neutral-site format for MLS Cup 2010,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “We believe this format will provide an exciting environment for our fans while also allowing the necessary planning time for our key constituents. We will continue to assess the possibility of playing MLS Cup at the home stadium of the higher seeded team in the future.”

MLS had considered awarding the championship match to the highest seeded team in the title match.

The debate does not particularly center on attendance. Six of the last seven MLS Cup matches have been declared a sold-out.

However, given the significance of the game, playing before a partisan crowd may create a better atmosphere for the match. That’s no small consideration for a league desperate to gain in popularity in the very crowded American sports market.

Real Salt Lake won MLS Cup 2009 on penalty kicks, 5-4, after playing to a 1-1 tie with LA Galaxy.

That game at Qwest Field in Seattle drew more than 46,000 fans. The city was a perfect venue for the contest, as the Storm fans were among the best the league has ever seen in just the first year for the franchise.

This decision is for 2010, and MLS executives seem hesitant to commit beyond 2010 at this point.

Here’s a look at the location, attendance and result of the previous 14 MLS Cups:

2009: Seattle (46,011) Real Salt Lake d. LA 1-1 (5-4)
2008: Carson, Calif. (27,000) Columbus d. New York 3-1
2007: Washington, D.C. (39,859) Houston d. New England 2-1
2006: Dallas (22,427) Houston d. New England 1-1 (4-3)
2005: Dallas (21,193) LA d. New England 1-0
2004: Carson, Calif. (25,797) D.C. d. Kansas City 3-2
2003: Carson, Calif. (27,000) San Jose d. Chicago 4-2
2002: Foxboro, Mass. (61,316) LA d. New England 1-0
2001: Columbus, Ohio (21,626) San Jose d. LA 2-1
2000: Washington, D.C. (39, 159) Kansas City d. Chicago 1-0
1999: Foxboro, Mass. (44,910) D.C. d. LA 2-0
1998: Pasadena, Calif. (51,350) Chicago d. D.C. 2-0
1997: Washington, D.C. (57,431) D.C. d. Colorado 2-1
1996: Foxboro, Mass. (34,643) D.C. d. LA 3-2

BOLD indicates an announced sell-out