San Diego Not Among Major League Soccer Expansion Finalists

SAN DIEGO, CA – Major League Soccer is not coming to San Diego – at least not anytime soon. The league announced Wednesday it will consider bids from Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento for the two available expansion teams.

The cities will make formal presentations to MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the league's Expansion Committee on Dec. 6 in New York.

"The leaders of the Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento MLS expansion ownership groups have bold visions and innovative plans for their clubs, stadiums and their involvement in their respective communities," Garber said in a league statement.

"We are pleased these highly-respected business and sports leaders have been so determined to bring Major League Soccer to their cities," he said. "We have been greatly encouraged by the progress that all four of these groups have made and we are looking forward to their presentations."

The four ownership groups were among 12 markets, including San Diego, that submitted formal bids for expansion teams in January.

MLS currently has 22 teams with plans to expand to 28 teams. The league will expand to Los Angeles next season, while expansion discussions continue in Miami.

Two more expansion teams will be announced at a later date. While San Diego is not in the running for now, the league said it will consider all remaining markets for the other two teams. Those include San Diego, as well as Charlotte, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, San Antonio and Tampa/St. Petersburg.

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