All indications are this will be announced today. Don Garber is in town and there is a big presentation with the mayor and the FC Cincinnati brass down on Fountain Square (open to the public).

SI reported this is a done deal last week. Further expect FC Cincinnati o be ready to start right away for the next season while Nashville and Miami to come in the year after.

We currently sit at 23. Add Cincinnati, Nashville, and Miami to reach 26 which is a bizarre number. It seems Detroit and Sacramento would be up next for 28.

If we reach that 28, I'd say do away with conferences but rather have 4 divisions of 7. Play 2H/2A with each of the other 6 teams in your division and 2 other divisions (7H/7A) for a total of 38 games. Playoffs would include the division winner of 8 wild cards in a similar 12-team format as today.

Divisions
Pacific: Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Sacramento Republic, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC
Central: Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, Minnesota United, Chicago Fire
Atlantic: Orlando City, MLS Miami, Atlanta United, MLS Nashville, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, DC United
Northeast: Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, New England Revolution, MLS Detroit, Toronto FC, Montreal Impact

(05-29-2018 09:34 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  All indications are this will be announced today. Don Garber is in town and there is a big presentation with the mayor and the FC Cincinnati brass down on Fountain Square (open to the public).

SI reported this is a done deal last week. Further expect FC Cincinnati o be ready to start right away for the next season while Nashville and Miami to come in the year after.

I figured Cincinnati would get the nod.

And it's fantastic that they'll be ready for next season. Little shocked by that, but it makes sense as the club is already in operation. And the fact the the league needs even numbers sooner than later.

(05-29-2018 11:01 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  We currently sit at 23. Add Cincinnati, Nashville, and Miami to reach 26 which is a bizarre number. It seems Detroit and Sacramento would be up next for 28.

If we reach that 28, I'd say do away with conferences but rather have 4 divisions of 7. Play 2H/2A with each of the other 6 teams in your division and 2 other divisions (7H/7A) for a total of 38 games. Playoffs would include the division winner of 8 wild cards in a similar 12-team format as today.

Divisions
Pacific: Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Sacramento Republic, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC
Central: Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, Minnesota United, Chicago Fire
Atlantic: Orlando City, MLS Miami, Atlanta United, MLS Nashville, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, DC United
Northeast: Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, New England Revolution, MLS Detroit, Toronto FC, Montreal Impact

Well, the Crew may yet move to Austin. For the expansion cities, I don't think you can count out Phoenix or St. Louis yet.

I like the 4 division format though.

I'd go home and away with your 6 division mates as you suggest...that's 12 matches. I'd just play 1 each though with the remaining 21 squads. That's 33 total and only one short of the current 34.

Qualify the top 3 squads from each division for the playoff round. The 4 division winners would each get byes into the 2nd round. Use the first round for single elimination...you play your division mate for the right to enter the next round. Once you have 8 total then you move to home and away for the quarters and the semis. MLS Cup is a one-off though.

(05-29-2018 02:40 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(05-29-2018 09:34 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  All indications are this will be announced today. Don Garber is in town and there is a big presentation with the mayor and the FC Cincinnati brass down on Fountain Square (open to the public).

SI reported this is a done deal last week. Further expect FC Cincinnati o be ready to start right away for the next season while Nashville and Miami to come in the year after.

I figured Cincinnati would get the nod.

And it's fantastic that they'll be ready for next season. Little shocked by that, but it makes sense as the club is already in operation. And the fact the the league needs even numbers sooner than later.

FC Cincinnati has the facilities, the operating cash and other infrastructure to start immediately. They’ve been playing in 40,000 seat Nippert Stadium and will continue to do so until their new stadium is ready in 3 years.

So for 2019 could we see something like this?

Divisions
Pacific: Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC
Central: Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, Minnesota United
Atlantic: Orlando City, Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, DC United, Chicago Fire
Northeast: Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, New England Revolution, Toronto FC, Montreal Impact

Although with 24 teams it may be possible to go with three divsions:

West: Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids
Central: Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, Minnesota United, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, Toronto FC
East: Orlando City, Atlanta United, DC United, Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, New England Revolution, Montreal Impact

Obviously MLS is focused on expanding because they're collecting $150 million from each expansion franchise. But if they don't start focusing on massively improving the talent level in the league, by spending more money on players, then they are never going to catch up to Liga MX, which should be a minimum goal for MLS.

Even more so now that they've added so many new franchises. The current salary restrictions are not attracting enough talent even for a smaller number of teams, let alone for 24 or more teams. The penny-pinching hurts quality in other ways, such as teams wearing players out with commercial airline flight schedules because they're too cheap to charter flights for their teams.

(05-30-2018 10:43 AM)Wedge Wrote:  Obviously MLS is focused on expanding because they're collecting $150 million from each expansion franchise. But if they don't start focusing on massively improving the talent level in the league, by spending more money on players, then they are never going to catch up to Liga MX, which should be a minimum goal for MLS.

Even more so now that they've added so many new franchises. The current salary restrictions are not attracting enough talent even for a smaller number of teams, let alone for 24 or more teams. The penny-pinching hurts quality in other ways, such as teams wearing players out with commercial airline flight schedules because they're too cheap to charter flights for their teams.

I think they're getting there.

I imagine that part of the reasoning on expanding markets is to ultimately lock down better TV deals. A lot of the money for salaries is going to have to come from that source.

It will be the new Crew, essentially.

Mark your calendars: the new #FCCincy @MLS brand identity is coming on Nov. 12.

MORE INFO: http://ow.ly/TpsZ30mr82z

(11-12-2018 10:12 PM)EPJr2 Wrote:  

Cool details in the logo.

Kind of reminds me of the thoughts the Carolina Hurricanes put into the new alt jersey and logo.

Someone catch me up...

I know the Miami club is finally happening and Nashville is on the way, but has there been any news on that 4th slot?

The way this has all gone down is a little disorganized so I may have lost count.

(11-16-2018 04:49 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Someone catch me up...

I know the Miami club is finally happening and Nashville is on the way, but has there been any news on that 4th slot?

The way this has all gone down is a little disorganized so I may have lost count.

Lol I agree it’s disorganized. Things need to stay quiet until something is formalized.

There is no confirmed expansion beyond those three. However, cities firmly in the next expansion pool are: Sacramento, San Diego, St. Louis, and Detroit. San Antonio was and might be but that would require the Crew to not move from Columbus to Austin.

(11-17-2018 10:25 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(11-16-2018 04:49 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Someone catch me up...

I know the Miami club is finally happening and Nashville is on the way, but has there been any news on that 4th slot?

The way this has all gone down is a little disorganized so I may have lost count.

Lol I agree it’s disorganized. Things need to stay quiet until something is formalized.

There is no confirmed expansion beyond those three. However, cities firmly in the next expansion pool are: Sacramento, San Diego, St. Louis, and Detroit. San Antonio was and might be but that would require the Crew to not move from Columbus to Austin.

Didn't the MLS make a deal with Precourt that he could move ahead with a plan in Austin in the event he sold off the Crew to another suitor?

I remember the city of Austin had already approved a stadium essentially so they're taking an interesting path even if the Crew don't move.

Austin now seems like a realistic candidate for the next franchise and I'm betting there will be a few more in the years ahead anyway.

(11-18-2018 12:33 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(11-17-2018 10:25 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(11-16-2018 04:49 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Someone catch me up...

I know the Miami club is finally happening and Nashville is on the way, but has there been any news on that 4th slot?

The way this has all gone down is a little disorganized so I may have lost count.

Lol I agree it’s disorganized. Things need to stay quiet until something is formalized.

There is no confirmed expansion beyond those three. However, cities firmly in the next expansion pool are: Sacramento, San Diego, St. Louis, and Detroit. San Antonio was and might be but that would require the Crew to not move from Columbus to Austin.

Didn't the MLS make a deal with Precourt that he could move ahead with a plan in Austin in the event he sold off the Crew to another suitor?

I remember the city of Austin had already approved a stadium essentially so they're taking an interesting path even if the Crew don't move.

Austin now seems like a realistic candidate for the next franchise and I'm betting there will be a few more in the years ahead anyway.

Cleveland Browns owners buying Crew SC and keeping them in Columbus - Austin FC is now scheduled for 2021.

Saint Louis under new ownership group is pressing hard to get the last spot
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/...ign=LEEDCC

Locally Owned.
Privately Funded.
Majority Female Ownership.
Saint Louis FC Included.

https://www.kmov.com/news/mls-thelo...cl...350aa.html

FC Cincinnati will participate in the expansion draft tomorrow:

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/12/1...sion-draft