It’s almost the announcement Minnesota soccer fans have been anxiously waiting for, with reports saying Minneapolis has pulled far ahead in the race for a new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise.
A source inside the league told American Soccer Now that MLS leadership “love the idea of another team in the upper Midwest,” and that Minnesota is attractive because it’s a “big market” with plenty of corporate giants around to support a team.
The news site says Minneapolis is a “near lock” for one of two new teams planned for the league as it expands to 24 teams by 2020.
It was initially thought that Miami would take one of the remaining two positions, with Sacramento and Minneapolis fighting it out for the other one.
But ESPN reports that doubts have emerged about the Miami bid backed by global superstar David Beckham, which has seen its stadium plans fall through on two occasions, opening the door for Minneapolis.
Minnesota United ‘gets the nod’ over Vikings
The competition for an MLS team isn’t just national – it’s local, and it’s serious, with two opposing Minneapolis groups vying for the franchise.
An apparent winner has also emerged in that fight, however.
The Minnesota United Football Club, which has ties to the Timberwolves and the Twins, is the favorite of MLS, according to the Business Journal.
The other group is headed by the Mark and Zygi Wilf, owners of the Minnesota Vikings.
American Soccer Now says a decision is expected within the next couple of months – check back with BringMeTheNews for updates.
