Although there will be 27 teams playing in Major League Soccer by 2021, the league has no intention of slowing down. MLS announced plans on Friday plans to expand to 30 teams in the coming years.
Team owners confirmed the decision at a Board of Governors meetings held in Los Angeles.
“Professional soccer at all levels is thriving in the United States and Canada and we believe there are many markets that could support a successful MLS club,” – said MLS Commissioner Don Garber in a league statement. “Expansion during the last 15 years has been enormously successful and a key driver behind the league’s continued rise, and we are pleased that some of the top business and community leaders representing great markets in North America are aggressively pursuing MLS expansion clubs.”
Although the league is still to make a decision about future expansion bids, Sacramento and St. Louis emerged as frontrunners to become homes to expansion teams. Ownership groups in these two cities will be asked to make a formal presentation of their bid to the league and detail things such as stadium plan, detailed economics on funding, strategic plans for fan development, commitments on player development, and others.
The MLS is currently comprised of 24 teams after FC Cincinnati joined for their inaugural season in 2019. Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC will join the league in 2020 followed by Austin FC in 2021.
According to reports, the league plans to determine homes of 28th and 29th team in time for MLS All-Star Game which is scheduled for July 31st.
