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MLS sets expansion criteria and timeline, with 10 cities fighting for 2 teams
A lot of people are going to be very disappointed.
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
MLS plans to have 26 teams by 2020, and they’ve laid out their process for expansion. An expansion committee has been formed with five owners, and at some point in 2017, MLS expects to announce which teams will be joining the league as Nos. 25 and 26. Here are the criteria they laid out for granting an expansion franchise.
- A committed local ownership group that has a passion for the sport, a deep belief in Major League Soccer and the resources to invest in the infrastructure to build the sport in their respective market.
- A market that has a history of strong fan support for soccer matches and other sporting events, is located in a desirable geographic location and is attractive to corporate sponsors and television partners.
- A comprehensive stadium plan that ensures the club will have a proper home for their fans and players while also serving as a destination for the sport in the community.
The list of cities trying to get in on MLS immediately is long. The 10 candidates are: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego, and Tampa/St. Petersburg. Of those, Cincinnati and Sacramento have the most successful existing teams, while Raleigh/Durham has the most assertive and vocal owner.
Whichever teams don’t have their applications approved are likely to re-enter the fight for teams Nos. 27 and 28, likely for the 2022 season.
Goal of the day
Luis Suarez’s second against Espanyol, which is really all about the setup by Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi. (r/soccer)
In the news
Leonardo Bonucci has ended speculation about a big money move by signing a new deal. (Juventus)
Nigeria’s women’s national team has ended their two-week protest after they started to get paid. (BBC)
FIFA has fined the home nations for their poppy displays. (Guardian)
AC Milan is having their best season in five years. They might be a signing away from making Champions League. They won’t make any big signings. (Football Italia)
Pablo Zabaleta was feared to have a serious knee injury, but he should be back in two weeks. (Mirror)
You should be reading
Dustin Ward on the big changes in Leicester’s passing style. (Stats Bomb)
Paolo Bandini on Gonzalo Higuain and Juventus running away with Serie A. (Guardian)
Mark Ogden on Sam Allardyce, the ghost haunting Premier League managers on the verge of the sack. (ESPN FC)
What happened this weekend
Real Madrid is the world champion, though they struggled to beat Kashima Antlers. (Managing Madrid)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is red-hot. His decline was never real.
Manchester City beat Arsenal in a game that was, if we’re being honest, low quality. (Bitter and Blue)
Barcelona’s attackers were on top form against Espanyol. (Barca Blaugranes)
Juventus effectively wrapped up the Scudetto. (Black and White and Read All Over)
Bayern Munich struggled again, but got the win. (Bavarian Football Works)
What to watch on Monday
EPL: Everton vs. Liverpool (3 p.m. ET) — This game comes highly recommended from us.
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