Backheel Breakfast: MLS played everyone, and they’re getting rich

On Monday, Major League Soccer announced that they were in advanced discussions with Minnesota United FC to grant the club an expansion franchise in MLS. The highly successful NASL club currently features USMNT player Miguel Ibarra and local government is receptive to their plans to build a downtown soccer-specific stadium, so this isn’t news. Minnesota was always one of the favorites to get in before the league got to 24 teams.

The real news was buried at the bottom of that MLS release. “Over the course of 2015, we plan to evaluate potential expansion beyond 24 clubs,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber.

By “we plan to evaluate,” Garber means “we’re totally doing this.” Because, while the league will never admit as much, their cap of 24 teams was always artificial and served a really great purpose for the league: Getting potential bidders to get organized, draw up stadium plans and find some money. If Garber doesn’t set a cap, there’s no urgency. After setting that cap, the likes of Minnesota, Sacramento and San Antonio put together really serious plans to get MLS franchises.

Assuming David Beckham’s Miami stadium plans ever get off the ground, Minnesota will join that franchise, Atlanta and the rebranded Los Angeles team in “filling out” the league at 24 teams. Then there will be a Sacramento team, and another Texas team, and probably a Vegas team eventually. Indy Eleven and Carolina Railhawks want in on this game too.

MLS is going to have an expansion fees revenue stream until the end of their current TV deal, if not until the end of the one after that. If the league is a pyramid scheme, it’s the best executed one of all time.

Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie has accepted a call-up to Scotland, a country he admits he has never visited. (Bournemouth Echo)

Ronald Koeman is running his mouth about managing a big club, before throwing in a “...but of course I’m only focused on Southampton.” Right. (ESPN FC)

Morten Olsen will step down as Denmark manager after Euro 2016. He’s been with the team since 2000. (Danish FA)

Manuel Pellegrini says Raheem Sterling “would cost £100m,” because he’s apparently unaware that Sterling’s contract is expiring. He’d probably cost less than one-fifth that at a tribunal. (Daily Mail)

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster is out a month, so they’re right back in the relegation mix. (WBA.co.uk)

A fourth-division Berlin derby featured a riot that led to 175 arrests. (BBC)

Meanwhile, in Cyprus, referees’ cars are getting lit on fire. (Guardian)

Real Madrid fans had to pay €111 face value for crappy nosebleed seats for El Clasico. (AS)

Xherdan Shaqiri won’t play against Wolfsburg on Thursday. (Football Italia)

Johannes Harkins on the progress of Romelu Lukaku. (Stats Bomb)

Manuel Veth on the debacle that is Zenit Arena, still not completed six years after its scheduled opening. (Futbolgrad)

Jack Dowell on why it’s time to take Bayer Leverkusen seriously. (Just Football)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Juventus chairman Giuseppe Marotta says clubs will pay “up to €70m” for Paul Pogba. Why is he devaluing his most valuable asset like that? They’re probably willing to pay more. (Express)

Alan Pardew apparently wants Chelsea striker Loic Remy to reunite with him at Crystal Palace. (Star)

Newcastle want Andre Ayew when his Marseille contract expires, but face competition from Bundesliga teams. (Chronicle)

Liverpool beat Swansea on a bizarre goal. (SB Nation)

Fiorentina came from behind to beat AC Milan. Bye bye, Pippo Inzaghi. (Viola Nation)

Roma were awful in a loss to Sampdoria. (Chiesa Di Totti)

Reading beat Bradford City in their FA Cup replay to book a semifinal date with Arsenal. (Guardian)

David Moyes got his first away win with Real Sociedad. (BBC)

Monaco vs. Arsenal (3:45 p.m.) - The Gunners need a 3-0 win to progress, a 3-1 win to force extra time or any two-goal win with more goals to go through.

Atletico Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen (3:45 p.m.) - Atleti are down one goal in this really good, evenly matched tie.

Sporting Cristal vs. Racing (7 p.m.) - Of the three early Copa Lib matches, this is the best one. These are the top two teams in Group 8.

Zamora vs. Boca Juniors (9:15 p.m.) - Just to see if Boca can keep up their rampant run. They’ve won all three of their games and beat Zamora 5-0 at home.

Herediano vs. America (10 p.m.) - Fun debate: Which remaining CCL team is more American, Mexican giants Club America, or MLS side Montreal Impact?

Tigres UANL vs. San Jose (11:30 p.m.) - WHY? Why is this game at 11:30 p.m.? It’s a 10:30 p.m. local kickoff!