MLS expansion application deadline is Tuesday and 12 cities are interested

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By Tuesday night, everyone who wants to get in on this round of MLS expansion will have to submit their bid to the league. MLS is keeping track of submitted bids here, and at the time of publishing, only two are in.

However, that number is going to grow substantially, with 12 cities reportedly interested. The league announced 10 of those cities, along with the bid process and criteria, back in December. Since then, both Phoenix and Indianapolis have thrown their hats into the ring. Los Angeles FC and Miami’s currently unnamed team are expected to be the 23rd and 24th entrants into the league, while the two cities selected in this round will be Nos. 25 and 26. They’ll pay $150 million for the privilege, and they’ll be expected to be ready to go for the 2020 season.

The favorites are really anyone’s guess at this point. MLS is keen on St. Louis and San Diego after those cities were recently abandoned by NFL teams, but if their proposals aren’t among the best submitted, MLS will be happy to look elsewhere. Based on the number of bids coming in, they’re certain to have two extremely high-quality candidates to pick from.

Since Liverpool plays Chelsea today, here’s John Arne Riise’s stunner from the 2006 Charity Shield.

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