101ESPN: A Tale of Several Cities Looking For MLS Expansion.Crain’s Detroit Business: Deal to save Columbus Crew may harm Detroit’s chances at an MLS expansion team.Ives Galarcep: MLS expansion: Ranking the remaining potential markets.From Reddit contributor: Last 2018 MLS Expansion Ranking Update Dec 2018.MLS Multiplex: Phoenix Rising: Heat no problem in bid for MLS Expansion.Phoenix Rising FC will be in the group looking to be picked. More articles about MLS expansion city hopefuls as Phoenix Rising FC and several other groups compete to join the league. So keep your heads up San Diego, Tampa and Indianapolis.// December 29th, 2018 // No Comments » // Major League Soccer But 2026 is still a long ways away and the MLS expansion race has seen bids rise and fall quickly in the past two years. MLS growth to 32 clubs seems inevitable, and these five areas are lined up to be the league's next picks. Both cities have USL franchises, but Raleigh's has been around longer, has the financial owner in place, and also runs the NWSL Champion Courage franchise, and has their downtown stadium location identified (just not approved yet by the city). Both markets are in the top 25 for TV, while Charlotte (23rd) clearly leads Raleigh (43rd) for population. Either Raleigh and Charlotte make an ideal spot for the MLS map between DC and Atlanta, and North Carolina has a strong youth and collegiate soccer scene. Orlando and Atlanta arrived, while Miami and Nashville have already secured expansion spots. The southeast has seen a complete turnaround in representation over the past five years. Team 32 - North Carolina (Raleigh or Charlotte) Louis is the 21st largest market in the country and has the number 21 TV market. Now new ownership, with the financial muscle to privately fund a stadium, has this historic soccer city into contention once again. Louis had its momentum stopped in 2017 when a stadium deal was turned down by public vote. Detroit has the 14th TV and population market.Ī market long considered by MLS, St. The success of Atlanta United helps alleviate those concerns slightly, as does the strong financial backing the bid has: Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans and owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lion's Ford family. Sacramento is the number 27 metro area and the number 20 television market.ĭetroit was nearly already in MLS until the group behind the bid modified its plans away from a soccer-specific stadium and instead play in Ford Field, home to the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Clearly a favorite of the MLS front office, the California capital only needs to finalize the additional capital needed to fund the expansion process and stadium construction. A strong USL squad and a stadium location that was already under development. Heading into the race for the 25th team, Sacramento looked like a favorite for the first spot. Phoenix has a growing USL side - Phoenix Rising - which has expanded its reach into League One with the Tuscon franchise and already has their stadium plans secured. Home to a massive population (11th in the U.S.) and television markets (12th), Phoenix is an ideal expansion location for the league. So with five spots (potentially) up for grabs, who is playing in MLS by the time the World Cup arrives again in the U.S.? MLS should announce the plan for 32 clubs sometime this year or in 2020 at the latest, with 2026 as the goal for those new sides entering play. Having started the league on the back of the '94 World Cup, the '26 version gives MLS a chance to 'finish' the league. hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, it offers a tremendous opportunity to boost the league's profile domestically and abroad. However, Garber recently admitted that league owners are already discussing further expansion due to the strong interest across the country and success of recent expansion sides, Atlanta United and Los Angeles FC. The league stated it would stop at 20 clubs. Yes, Austin snuck into one of those positions going through the same process, but the cities on the outside looking in at the end of 2019 likely won't have to wait long for another chance. The 28th club will be announced by the end of 2019, thus bringing the race that 10 cities entered for four spots complete. Inter Miami and Nashville are expected to debut in 2020, with Austin FC following in 2021 as the 27th club. In 2019 the league will kick off with 24 teams - FC Cincinnati being the latest addition.
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