Report: Sacramento set as 29th team in MLS
Major League Soccer's expansion boom is heading to Sacramento, Calif., according to a cbssports.com report, making it the eventual 29th team in the league.
The expansion to California's capital city comes one month after St. Louis was awarded a franchise in the league. Both the St. Louis and Sacramento franchises are expected to start play in 2022.
A total of five cities have been awarded an MLS franchise while not yet taking the field. Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC will enter the league in 2020, while Austin FC will debut in 2021.
MLS commissioner Don Garber already has expressed his desire for a 30-team league. Other potential cities for an MLS franchise, according to the cbssports.com report, include Charlotte, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Detroit, Raleigh, N.C., San Diego and Indianapolis.
Sacramento Republic FC plays in the second-tier USL with an agreement earlier this year to have a controlling interest purchased by Los Angeles businessman and Pittsburgh Penguins part-owner Ron Burkle.
A 22,000-seat stadium is in the works near downtown Sacramento, with construction likely to begin next year.
--Field Level Media
