Tuesday was a very important day for the future of Major League Soccer.
Over the course of the afternoon, 12 ownership groups and markets submitted official applications for the next round of MLS expansion. MLS will add four expansion teams in the coming years, growing to 28 clubs with Los Angeles FC joining in 2018 and a Miami club likely to be unveiled in the near future.
With 12 candidates vying for four spots, we want your opinion. Which potential expansion city do you most want to join MLS? Take a glance at the applicants below, then cast your vote at the bottom of the page.
<strong>City</strong> |
<strong>Metro pop.<br>
(US rank)</strong> |
<strong>Miles to<br>
KC (car)</strong> |
<strong>Current pro<br>
soccer team</strong> |
Charlotte |
2,426,363 (22nd) |
963 |
Charlotte Independence (USL) |
Cincinnati |
2,157,719 (28th) |
593 |
FC Cincinnati (USL) |
Detroit |
4,302,043 (14th) |
766 |
Detroit City FC (NPSL) |
Indianapolis |
1,988,817 (34th) |
485 |
Indy Eleven (NASL) |
Nashville |
1,830,345 (36th) |
558 |
<em>Nashville SC (USL in 2018)</em> |
Phoenix |
4,574,531 (12th) |
1,205 |
Phoenix Rising FC (USL) |
Raleigh/Durham |
1,273,568 (44th) |
1,073 |
North Carolina FC (NASL) |
Sacramento |
2,274,194 (27th) |
1,713 |
Sacrament Republic (USL) |
St. Louis |
2,811,588 (20th) |
251 |
Saint Louis FC (USL) |
San Antonio |
2,384,075 (25th) |
814 |
San Antonio FC (USL) |
San Diego |
3,299,521 (17th) |
1,677 |
Albion SC Pros (NPSL)<br>
North County Battalion (NPSL) |
Tampa/St. Petersburg |
2,975,225 (18th) |
1,260 |
Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL) |
