At halftime of last night's all-star game, Commissioner Don Garber announced that MLS plans to add four new teams by 2020. Sign of a healthy league, or overexpansion? "As MLS enters a period of accelerated growth," Garber said, "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." "Among the best leagues in the world?" Debatable. But certainly the biggest. With four new teams and the coming addition of NYCFC (if you're keeping count, they'll have added 15 new clubs in 15 years), MLS will have 24 teams by 2020, more than any other top-tier league in the world. So while this is a sign that MLS is profitable, unlike in the dark days of contraction after the 2001 season, finances aren't the reason other countries' domestic leagues tend to top out at 20. At a certain point, there's not enough talent to go around, and the quality of play suffers. If MLS wants to be taken seriously as a destination for the world's top talent, it needs better teams, not more teams. But it's hard to argue with profits, and most of those profits come from North American fans who'd support their clubs even with a dip in the overall talent level. So—who gets the new teams? Despite the 2002 contraction wiping out two Florida clubs, Orlando and Miami are prohibitive favorites. USL's Orlando City is close to a stadium deal, and David Beckham has expressed interest in taking an ownership role with a potential Miami team. Here's a good breakdown of potential expansion destinations, which include Atlanta, the Twin Cities, North Carolina, Indianapolis, Detroit, St. Louis, Sacramento, and San Antonio. Which soccer-starved cities have the best arguments for supporting a new MLS team?
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European champions Italy will face Spain in the last four at the Nations League Finals in June, with hosts Netherlands drawn against World Cup semi-finalists Croatia.
Italy, who were absent from a second consecutive edition of the World Cup in Qatar last year, reached the Nations League semi-finals by edging out Hungary for top spot in a group which also contained Germany and England.
Standing between Roberto Mancini s men and the final are Spain – who beat the Azzurri 2-1 at the same stage of the competition in 2021 before losing the final against France.
Spain, who saw off Portugal to win Group A2, will be led by new head coach Luis de la Fuente after Luis Enrique departed in the aftermath of their surprise World Cup exit against Morocco.
The Netherla…
Erik ten Hag said it would be normal if he has already held talks about becoming Manchester United s next manager.
The Ajax boss did not confirm whether discussions have taken place, and stressed he would wait until the end of the season before declaring his intentions.
But the 52-year-old appeared to give a strong hint his future could lie at Old Trafford, and said he hoped Ajax would understand if he elects to leave a year ahead of his contract expiring.
In an interview with Germany s Sport1, Ten Hag was asked about reports he has already spoken to United about the vacancy that will materialise when interim manager Ralf Rangnick steps aside.
Everyone knows each other in the industry. There are always talks with representatives from other clubs, that s…
Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score a quickfire hat-trick as Manchester United claimed back-to-back Champions League wins with a 5-0 hammering of RB Leipzig.
Mason Greenwood scored his first goal in the competition to give United the lead in the first half with a fine finish from a tight angle at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
But it was fellow striker Rashford, a 63rd-minute substitute, who left his mark on the game after twice breaking clear of the Leipzig finish and finishing emphatically.
Anthony Martial was on target from the penalty spot before Rashford put the gloss on the scoreline with another goal late on.
The victory leaves United top of Group H on six points, three clear of Leipzig and Paris Saint-German, who were 2-0 winners ove…
“He is one of the best in the business in the world,” Hyypia told the PA news agency at a Nike Game On initiative which, in conjunction with the LFC Foundation, has provided more than 8,000 local schoolchildren with access to a range of sports.
“I think he has raised the standard with everyone expecting him to play at that level every time and that is very difficult.
“But he is doing well, he is a big part of our team and a big leader of the team so I think we all need to be patient and his best is coming.
“I think this season he has shown in some games he is still at the level and I have no doubts he will be the best centre-back in the league this season.”
Despite their good start to the season there has been scrutiny on Liverpool’s defence…
Vlahovic should stick with Juventus after ´storm´ of Serie A season, says former Fiorentina director
Dusan Vlahovic should remain at Juventus even if the Bianconeri fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to Lecce director Pantaleo Corvino.
Injuries have limited Vlahovic to just 12 appearances in Serie A this season, yet he is Juve s top scorer with eight goals.
The Serbia striker scored two and assisted another in the midweek win at Salernitana and will hope to add more in Sunday s match against former club Fiorentina.
But Juventus head into that match only two points ahead of La Viola due to a 15-point deduction following an investigation into past transfer dealings.
The Bianconeri have a mammoth 14 points to make up on the top four if they are going to qualify for the Champions League through their league position, and Vlahovic has been li…
Pep Guardiola hailed Gabriel Jesus display in Manchester City s 5-0 win against Norwich City and said he feels fortunate to be able to work with a player as selfless as the Brazilian.
Jesus was brought into City s starting line-up as one of five changes from last weekend s defeat to Tottenham as City produced a five-star showing against Norwich.
The Brazil international was fielded to the right of a front three that also contained Ferran Torres and Jack Grealish in Saturday s Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
While Jesus did not find the net, he played a game-high three key passes, which included assists for Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling.
He also sent in the ball that led to Grant Hanley and Tim Krul inadvertently combining for City s opene…
Rangers will sign Fabio Silva on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the January transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist has claimed that Rangers, who are aiming to win the Scottish Premiership title this season, have reached an agreement with Wolves on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Romano has added that Silva will sign the loan deal soon. The two clubs have already reached an agreement. Former Scottish Premiership champions Rangers will have no option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
🚨🔵 Fábio Silva to Rangers, here we go! Deal in place between Scottish club and Wolves — agreement reached on loan until June.
Portuguese striker will sign the contract soon. 🏴
…
England boss Gareth Southgate is keeping a close eye on teenage talent Kobbie Mainoo having been impressed by his “fabulous” breakthrough at Manchester United.
The 18-year-old academy graduate joined the Red Devils aged nine and has long been tipped for stardom, going onto make his first-team bow in January 2023.
Mainoo has now made 14 appearances in all competitions for United and would have played more had he not sustained an injury during their US tour in the summer.
The midfielder has represented England up to under-19s level and his burgeoning displays have impressed senior boss Southgate.
“He’s doing brilliantly,” the England manager said after Thursday’s Nations League draw in Paris. “I’m not certain he’s necessarily going to be a…
Brazil great Robinho has returned to Santos for a fourth spell after signing a short-term contract with his boyhood club.
The former Manchester City and Real Madrid forward has agreed a deal with the Brazilian top-flight club for the remainder of the campaign.
Robinho had been without a team since leaving Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir in August and the 36-year-old was delighted to return to familiar surroundings.
This has always been my home, he said of Santos, who are currently seventh in the table after 14 games.
My objective is to help on and off the pitch and get Santos in as high a place as possible.
O ROBINHO ESTÁ DE VOLTA! O eterno Rei das Pedaladas assinou contrato de cinco meses e acertou seu retorno para iniciar a quarta passagem …
Former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has completed his move to West Brom on a one-year contract.
Ivanovic, 36, has been a free agent since leaving Zenit when his contract expired at the end of the Russian Premier League season in July.
Three Premier League titles and the Champions League were among 10 trophies he won during nine successful years with Chelsea between 2008 and 2017.
The Premier League is the best league in the world, Ivanovic, who will wear the number 20 shirt with West Brom, said after finalising his move on Tuesday.
I need to challenge myself and I am ready for the challenge. I am really happy to be back playing in the Premier League.
I hope I am going to be successful here. I have a lot of ambition and I want to prove a …