MLS 2026: Meet A 32-Team League

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https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/mls-2026-meet-32-team-league

MLS 2026: Meet A 32-Team League

THE NEVER ENDING GAME OF MLS EXPANSION PLAYS OUT INTO 2026.

When MLS kicked off in 1996, the league began with 10 teams trying to build on the wave of support from the 1994 World Cup. In the subsequent years markets experienced varying levels of success. For the next 11 years, the league stayed at either 10 or 12 teams. Then, in 2007, David Beckham arrived, along with increased TV time and global interest.

In the decade that would follow MLS grew to 22 clubs, with the ever-present expansion rumor mill running throughout each year. The wave that began in 2007 saw Toronto, Seattle, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Portland and Montreal all join the league, along with a new version of the San Jose Earthquakes.

In 2019 the league will kick off with 24 teams  — FC Cincinnati being the latest addition. Inter Miami and Nashville are expected to debut in 2020, with Austin FC following in 2021 as the 27th club. The 28th club will be announced by the end of 2019, thus bringing the race that 10 cities entered for four spots complete. Yes, Austin snuck into one of those positions going through the same process, but the cities on the outside looking in at the end of 2019 likely won't have to wait long for another chance.

The league stated it would stop at 20 clubs. Then the number was 24. Now it's 28. However, Garber recently admitted that league owners are already discussing further expansion due to the strong interest across the country and success of recent expansion sides, Atlanta United and Los Angeles FC.

With the U.S. hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, it offers a tremendous opportunity to boost the league's profile domestically and abroad. Having started the league on the back of the '94 World Cup, the '26 version gives MLS a chance to 'finish' the league.

MLS should announce the plan for 32 clubs sometime this year or in 2020 at the latest, with 2026 as the goal for those new sides entering play. So with five spots (potentially) up for grabs, who is playing in MLS by the time the World Cup arrives again in the U.S.?

Team 28 - Phoenix

Home to a massive population (11th in the U.S.) and television markets (12th), Phoenix is an ideal expansion location for the league. Phoenix has a growing USL side - Phoenix Rising - which has expanded its reach into League One with the Tuscon franchise and already has their stadium plans secured.

Team 29 - Sacramento

Heading into the race for the 25th team, Sacramento looked like a favorite for the first spot. A strong USL squad and a stadium location that was already under development. Clearly a favorite of the MLS front office, the California capital only needs to finalize the additional capital needed to fund the expansion process and stadium construction. Sacramento is the number 27 metro area and the number 20 television market.

Team 30 - Detroit

Detroit was nearly already in MLS until the group behind the bid modified its plans away from a soccer-specific stadium and instead play in Ford Field, home to the Detroit Lions in the NFL. The success of Atlanta United helps alleviate those concerns slightly, as does the strong financial backing the bid has: Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans and owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lion's Ford family. Detroit has the 14th TV and population market.

Team 31 - St. Louis

A market long considered by MLS, St. Louis had its momentum stopped in 2017 when a stadium deal was turned down by public vote. Now new ownership, with the financial muscle to privately fund a stadium, has this historic soccer city into contention once again. St. Louis is the 21st largest market in the country and has the number 21 TV market.

Team 32 - North Carolina (Raleigh or Charlotte)

The southeast has seen a complete turnaround in representation over the past five years. Orlando and Atlanta arrived, while Miami and Nashville have already secured expansion spots. Either Raleigh and Charlotte make an ideal spot for the MLS map between DC and Atlanta, and North Carolina has a strong youth and collegiate soccer scene. Both markets are in the top 25 for TV, while Charlotte (23rd) clearly leads Raleigh (43rd) for population. Both cities have USL franchises, but Raleigh's has been around longer, has the financial owner in place, and also runs the NWSL Champion Courage franchise, and has their downtown stadium location identified (just not approved yet by the city).

MLS growth to 32 clubs seems inevitable, and these five areas are lined up to be the league's next picks. But 2026 is still a long ways away and the MLS expansion race has seen bids rise and fall quickly in the past two years. So keep your heads up San Diego, Tampa and Indianapolis.

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http://news.wjct.org/post/st-petersburgs-international-reach-highlighted-conference-world-affairs

St. Petersburg's International Reach Highlighted At Conference On World Affairs

Now in its seventh year, the St. Petersburg Conference of International Affairs is expanding its scope to include local establishments that cater to a global audience.

"We're involving a number of different cultural institutions and businesses in the city,” said conference President Diane Seligsohn. “Mayor Rick Kriseman is going to proclaim international week during our opening event."

The conference will take place on USF St. Petersburg’s campus downtown from Feb. 12 to 15th.

Conference board member, retired U.S. Ambassador Douglas McElhaney, is the instigator behind the inaugural International Week, explained Seligsohn. After retiring from the U.S. State Department, McElhaney began organizing the conference as a way to bring conversations of international interest to the area. The conference, as well as the city of St. Petersburg, have grown exponentially since its inception.

Last year, about 8,000 people attended the three day conference featuring 30 different panels, said McElhaney. “We decided we needed to widen the breadth of the conference and bring in more of the community,” he said.

As St. Petersburg continues to grow, there's an increasing international presence permeating its restaurants, cultural institutions, and surrounding landscape.

International Week, McElhaney said, is a natural fit for the established Conference on World Affairs.

At the event, panelists will discuss a wide range of topics that appeal to an international audience. Conversations will include the ongoing debate over Brexit in the United Kingdom, women in global business, and the relationship between the U.S. and China. It also will include conversations about the city’s murals and art culture, as well as a panel dedicated to St. Petersburg’s international dining scene. That discussion will be featured in an upcoming episode of WUSF's Florida Matters. 

The opening event, which will feature keynote speaker Chas Freeman, is set for 5 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Palladium Theater. To view the full schedule and learn more, check out the conference website.

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http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/florida-matters-cultural-tourism-tampa-bay

Florida Matters: Cultural Tourism In Tampa Bay

Florida Matters recently moderated a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs called "Arts Mecca: International Cultural Tourism in the Sunshine City." We talked with experts about how to draw culture-lovers from around the world to the Tampa Bay area.

This week on Florida Matters we'll hear highlights from that conversation.

Our guests include:

Michael Francis, Music Director of the Florida Orchestra

Kristen Shepherd, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts

Susana Weymouth, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts

Leroy Bridges, Media and Interactive Director at Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

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https://stpetersburgconferenceonworldaffairs.com

February 12th–15th, 2019

The 2019 St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs is a 3-1/2 Day event with over 30 Panel Discussions held at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. Speakers and panelists include distinguished diplomats, military, media, and academic experts discussing critical international issues of the day at each annual conference.

Learn More

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http://www.venuesnow.com/news/detail/inter-miami-architects

HOK, ARQUITECTONICA GET SOCCER JOB

Inter Miami CF hires pair that designed Heat's AmericanAirlines Arena

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https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/city-certifies-petition-calling-for-vote-on-planned-mls-stadium/1773544202

City certifies petition calling for vote on planned MLS stadium

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https://www.kvue.com/article/sports/soccer/city-of-austin-validates-sports-stadium-petition-following-deal-to-build-mls-stadium/269-9a48eeea-0f9f-4741-a0d0-2426ba43f194

City of Austin validates sports stadium petition following deal to build MLS stadium

The Major League Soccer stadium is set to be built at McKalla Place in North Austin near the Domain.

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https://www.statesman.com/news/20190211/petition-challenging-citys-deal-for-mls-stadium-validated

Petition challenging city’s deal for MLS stadium validated

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http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/city-validates-petition-to-call-for-vote-on-proposed-mls-stadium

City validates petition to call for vote on proposed MLS stadium

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https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/02/11/how-a-small-local-agency-came-up-with-the-brand.html

How a small, local agency came up with the brand for Austin FC, the city's first major league sports team

'It went from awkward first meetings to us standing on a stage'

It was a historic opportunity: Create the name, logo and narrative for Austin's first major league pro sports team. Find out how they interacted with Precourt Sports Ventures and what gave them goosebumps as they sought to create something unique in the Texas sporting landscape.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2019/02/11/pnc-arena-proposed-mls-stadium-seek-600m-in-public.html

PNC Arena, proposed MLS stadium seek $600M in public funding

Two massive sports projects are seeking up to $600 million in public funding over the coming decades – and the decisions could have major implications for the future of professional sports in the Triangle.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/10/mercedes-benz-stadium-replace-turf-during-atlanta-uniteds-2019-season

Mercedes-Benz Stadium to replace turf during Atlanta United's 2019 season

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/02/07/episode-189-yes-virginia-there-is-a-gk-or-two/4228

Episode 189 – Yes, Virginia, there is a GK (or two)

Tons of player news in this one! We’ve got official confirmation of ones we’ve previously mentioned and new ones announced too. The preseason schedule is out, and we’ve already got a result as well! All this and some good old hating on Birminghell as well

In this episode:

SCARVES ARE HERE! Order yours at http://www.paypal.me/jmcox/20

McCarthy, Tinari, and Caleb Richards confirmed

Siaj, Doherty, Kone, Barry & Robinson announced

Spots left to fill on the roster

Full preseason schedule announced

Rowdies absolutely eviscerate a hapless Birmingham Lesion (no typo) FC 1-0, dumping their rotting corpse in the bay afterwards

Please consider donating (or publicizing) the GoFundMe for Total Soccer Show co-host Daryl Grove

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/01/30/episode-188-bellletstalk/4210

Episode 188 – #BellLetsTalk

The guys talk up a big Rowdies news day and give their view on all the developments!

In this episode:

Rowdies partner up with Norwich City FC

Taylor, Morad return

What would we do?

Sarasota Soccerwarz

#BellLetsTalk

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/01/23/episode-187-mouth-surprises/4202

Episode 187 – Mouth Surprises

The guys get back on air for the first time in 2019 to talk about roster rumors, preseason schedules, the news about a USL League Two team in Sarasota, and Matt explains the Fast and Furious movies to Dan.

In this episode:

Hristov Hretires

Unofficial player signings

Preseason takes shape

DA ID clinics announced

USLX Dates finalized

USL L2 announces Sarasota Metropolis FC

Explaining The Fast and the Furious

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/12/20/episode-186-birminghate/4164

Episode 186 – Birminghate

In the final live show of 2018, the guys talk about the just-released 2019 schedule, the latest in the Ottawa/CONCAKerfluffle & North Carolina hiring Dave Sarachan. We also decide which USL side Roy Hodgson should coach and invent a rivalry with Birmingham Legion out of thin air.

In this episode:

Magic City? Isn’t that a strip club in Atlanta?

Birmingham Legion? You’re named after a stadium you don’t even play in?

Who are these players? Did you guys get lost on the way to League One?

Apparently Birmingham’s shirt sponsor means they’re cool w/Blood Diamonds. Good look.

Boar’s Head Ham > Birmingham

Primanti Bros locations: Birmingham 0, Florida 3. Who’s the Pittsburgh of the South now?

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/12/15/episode-185-concawtf/4160

Episode 185 – CONCAWTF?

The guys are back with some more Rowdies news to discuss!

New Signings (Hoppenot, Felix, Johnson, Ekra)

Possible 2019 Conference Alignments

Ottawa gets CONCACAF’D