G'day tribe! I'm sticking on Major League Soccer today. From 12 teams in 2005 to the 29th franchise joining the league, MLS expansion teams are helping to build one of the best soccer leagues in the world.
There are 29 teams in Major League Soccer in 2023 following MLS expansion following the introduction of St. Louis City SC. Which cities are favorite to host the next MLS expansion teams?
Now I did a list just over a year ago but the landscape has since changed in MLS and the list has changed around a bit. Let's take a look at the updates below.
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6. Sacramento
In 2019 Sacramento was awarded an MLS expansion team with Sacramento Republic FC set to join the league in 2022.
Their first season was then pushed out to 2023, until majority owner Ron Burkle pulled the pin on the deal altogether because of financial impacts caused by COVID.
Sacramento Republic FC still remains in the USL Championship and still has one of the best attendances in the league.
With a larger television market than eight current Major League Soccer cities, it still makes sense that Sacramento could be awarded with an MLS expansion team but there's no doubt that momentum has been lost.
Major breaking news:
The MLS Sacramento expansion franchise is dropping out. "Earlier today, Ron Burkle informed the League that based on issues with the project related to COVID-19, he has decided to not move forward with the acquisition of an MLS expansion team in Sacramento" pic.twitter.com/8AsoZfrRub — Jonathan Tannenwald () February 27, 2021
5. Louisville
Louisville is one of the favoured cities to get one of the next MLS expansion teams. One of the favorites an NBA expansion team as well, there isn't a major league sports team in Louisville at the moment. That would put a team in a league of its own.
The Lynn Family Stadium is a soccer specific arena and home to USL Championship side Louisville City FC. The 11,700-seat stadium is also future-proofed and can be expanded to over 15,000.
Louisville City FC have been competing in the city since 2014 and have a well established support with average attendances among the best in the USL Championship. All that's needed for Louisville is an expansion bid bankrolled by someone who has deep pockets.
[new] Louisville sees more 'opportunity' with an MLS franchise than NBA https://t.co/BAExpBtA2t via @courierjournal
— Justin Sayers (@_JustinSayers) December 3, 2018
4. Phoenix
USL Championship team Phoenix Rising holds the North American record winning streak - a 20-game streak which helped to set Phoenix up to win the 2019 regular season USL Championship title.
The club has a huge opportunity to become one of the next MLS expansion franchises as its bankrolled by Chinese billionaire Alex Zheng, as well as former Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
Phoenix Rising have had bumper home crowds which has increased from average attendances of 2,300 during their inaugural season in 2014, to almost 7,000 in 2021.
Since then they've outgrown their old stadium and have since moved to the purpose-built 10,000-seat Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium in 2023, a sign that a team in the Arizona capital could be one of the next MLS expansion teams.
.@NBCSports says Phoenix has ‘better than a 50-50 chance’ of becoming the 30th MLS franchise, if the league expands.https://t.co/kR8oEOhTvs
— Joey Artigue (@Joey_Artigue) April 19, 2019
3. Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is the largest US market without a Major League Soccer team. A franchise in Tampa Bay would be a great rival to Inter Miami and Orlando City SC.
Historically the city has strong soccer links with the Tampa Bay Rowdies one of the strongest teams in the North American Soccer League throughout the 70s and 80s.
After folding in 1993, the Rowdies returned as a phoenix club in 2010. The club have been members of the USL Championship since 2017 and play out of the 7,500 capacity Al Lang Stadium.
Rowdies owner Bill Edwards even has the city's support to expand Al Lang Stadium to 18,000 seats if they were to be awarded with an MLS expansion team.
It's time for a real MLS franchise in Tampa Bay. Our time is long overdue. #MLS2StPete #COYR pic.twitter.com/91hxncO89H
— Ralph’s Mob (@RalphsMob) March 6, 2017
2. San Diego
San Diego continues to edge closer to MLS expansion favoritism by the day. America's eighth largest city, it has a huge sporting community with more people playing soccer per capita than any other city in America.
Eight of Major League Soccer's top 10 attendance leaders in 2022 were in markets that were missing at least one team from the MLB, NBA, NFL, NBA.
A similar profile to Cincinnati, Austin and Nashville who themselves have expanded into the league, a San Diego MLS expansion team would only be competing against Major League Baseball’s Padres in the city.
San Diego State University's 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium is an ideal location to host a team in the city and attracting media coverage, fans and sponsors wouldn't be an issue.
1. Las Vegas
An MLS expansion team in Las Vegas would join the Golden Knights, Raiders and Aces in Las Vegas. It's not a matter of if, but when a team will expand into the city.
Las Vegas won't have any issues with funding like Sacramento did. The Vegas bid for an MLS expansion team has been bankrolled by owners of the Golden Knights, the Milwaukee Bucks and Premier League team Aston Villa.
As well as being the favorite city for the next MLS expansion team they're also the favorite for the next NBA expansion team.
The Las Vegas Lights are a very well supported team in the USL Championship with one of the better average attendances. Allegiant Stadium also hosted the 2021 Gold Cup final with the USMNT beating Mexico 1-0 in the final.
🆕🇺🇸🦁 Las Vegas closing in on getting new #MLS franchise, says Commissioner Don Garber. Confirms Aston Villa owners involved in bid. Get ready for the "Las Vegas Villains" perhaps? | #AVFC https://t.co/OPjG9WVPxS
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 7, 2021
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