Australia’s A-League’s newest expansion team now has a name and a logo: Melbourne Heart FC. The name was the suggestion of a fan in a name-the-team contest.

The team will play at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the brilliantly named venue we featured here recently.

The Heart already face a challenge from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation of Melbourne, who are claiming the name and logo infringes their trademark rights.

Personally, I think the logo strikes just the right note: the angular cut of the heart and the M inside gives it the feel of a traditional shield, toughening up the identity a touch whilst still being a bold choice. The red and white colours match the flag of Melbourne.

I am, though, no graphic design expert, nor an authority on logos and team identity: so what do you think of the Melbourne Heart and their new logo?

Construction on the new stadium began last year, and here’s the progress so far (live webcam here), with a scheduled opening of May 2010. Check out the LED roof lighting.

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium rendering

September 6, 2009. By rosscova on Flickr.

November 20, 2009. By Dave and Bec on Flickr.

October 31, 2009. By Victory In Melbourne on Flickr.