MLS expansion: Stand by your phones, Cincinnati supporters
Major League Soccer’s owners met April 17 and decided nothing on MLS expansion. But they hinted Cincinnati has the MLS Board of Governors’ immediate attention over Detroit and Sacramento.
Don’t phone in Cincinnati for MLS expansion just yet. But the MLS Board of Governors had encouraging if oblique, words for the Ohio city’s bid to join Major League Soccer ahead of fellow finalists Detroit and Sacramento.
They explained that they made no MLS expansion vote yet. But the Board of Governors found the Cincinnati City Council’s commitment to a West End stadium as a positive step in their expansion bid.
In a media release, they said discussions continue with all three finalists, including Detroit and Sacramento. One of them will host the 26th MLS team.
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Cincinnati expansion followers took to heart. And in Detroit and Sacramento, hearts sank a little. All followers see clearly what’s coming. Cincinnati supporters should stay close to the phone.
The MLS statement came quickly – just a day after the City Council approved the West End stadium deal. Leading community groups in that area signed onto a Community Benefits Agreement. The deal commits the city to $33.8 million for roads and stadium infrastructure. Other funds come from a variety of sources, including the MLS club.
Possible designs for the stadium offer 25,000 seats.
The MLS Board of Governors’ next regularly scheduled meeting happens near the All-Star Game in August.
Cincinnati cautiously optimistic
Patrick Brennan in the Cincinnati Enquirer advised supporters to avoid overthinking the MLS statement. That’s hard to accomplish, given it erupted directly after their City Council vote. He related ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle reporting MLS plans to inspect the West End site.
No formal vote re: #MLS expansion was made today. I'm told that MLS will make a visit to Cincinnati's West End site "in the very near future." pic.twitter.com/NPqUPcKII0
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) April 17, 2018
Finally, he resolved the statement confirms that Cincinnati has reached the lead in the latest expansion race. He advised all quench their minds.
The stadium commitment represents the icing on Cincinnati’s cake. What they’ll instantly deliver to MLS includes a great soccer culture and pro-class attendance.
FC Cincinnati tops USL attendance records annually. Last year with a 339,181 total, or 21,199 average, they nearly doubled no.2 and kept up with some teams in upper tier leagues. And who was USL’s no. 2?
Doesn’t knock Sacramento and Detroit out
Sacramento Republic FC came in no. 2 in USL’s 2017 season. They averaged 11,569, 185,104 total. Their supporters and soccer culture also stay strong. And they’ve had MLS league eyes for expansion before.
Sacramento lacks a lead investor in this expansion round. Despite that hurdle, Republic FC and owner Kevin Nagle assured the Sacramento Bee they remain in communication with MLS.
And Detroit has the superstar leads on their team. Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert head their team.
They partnered with the Ford family in designing a configuration for Ford Field for a future MLS team. And they offer MLS a home in the nation’s 13th largest sports market.
However, a soccer-specific stadium proposal would get them closer to MLS approval. And quicker.
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Meanwhile, Cincinnati supporters await that all-important call. They should take Brennan’s advice to avoid overthinking.
But enthusiasm and continued support for FC Cincinnati won’t hurt a thing until the phone starts ringing.