KANSAS CITY – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced that MLS plans to add four new expansion teams by the 2020 season. The announcement took place live during halftime shows of the league’s television broadcast partners at the AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Sporting Park in Kansas City.
“The strength, passion and vision of the MLS ownership group is the foundation behind the success of our league,” Commissioner Garber said. “We look forward to adding new partners with the same commitment to the sport and love of the game. As MLS enters a period of accelerated growth, the addition of new teams will allow us to expand our geographic coverage, grow our fan base and help us achieve our vision of being among the best leagues in the world by 2022.”
With the recent addition of New York City FC as the league’s 20th team, MLS has added 10 clubs since the beginning of the 2005 season, leading to a remarkable and rapid transformation of professional soccer in North America. According to Commissioner Garber, “these expansion clubs have contributed to the vitality of our League, bringing passionate fans, new traditions and committed owners with new ideas.”
The process to determine a future MLS expansion market will be selected on the basis of multiple criteria. Factors taken into consideration include:
· Committed and engaged ownership;
· A comprehensive stadium plan;
· Demonstrated fan support for professional soccer in the market;
· Support from sponsors, television partners and other constituents;
· Geographic location;
· A strategic business plan for the launch and successful operation of the club.
MLS has engaged in exploratory discussions with multiple markets and potential owners regarding future expansion. During the coming months, the League will provide additional details regarding the process and timeline for future expansion.