MLS Expansion: Which Major Cities Are Next?

Major League ⁣soccer (MLS) ​has experienced remarkable growth over teh last decade, with new ⁣clubs establishing themselves ⁣in cities like Miami, Seattle, Nashville, adn Austin. As the league approaches its ⁢fourth decade, however, ⁣several⁢ major U.S. metropolitan areas remain notably absent from ⁣the MLS landscape.⁣ With the United States poised to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside ‍Canada and ​Mexico,‌ a⁣ critical ‍question ‌arises: will this global event finally⁣ spur the ⁣expansion of the “lovely game” ‍into these ‌underserved urban centers?

The Phoenix Possibility: Addressing the MLS ⁣Gap ‌in ⁣the Desert

Phoenix, Arizona, currently ranks as the fifth-largest city in the nation, with​ a metropolitan area ⁢exceeding 4.9 million people. Remarkably, the Valley ⁣of⁣ the Sun already supports professional franchises ⁢in all four of the major ‍North American sports leagues-the Cardinals ‌(NFL), Suns (NBA), Diamondbacks (MLB), ​and⁤ Coyotes (NHL). Yet, despite this robust‌ sports market, MLS has yet to establish a presence in ​the region.

Several factors contribute to this situation. the intense summer ⁣heat, frequently enough ⁤surpassing 110°F, presents ⁢a critically important logistical challenge​ for outdoor soccer. While discussions regarding potential MLS expansion ⁢have