Nashville Among 4 Finalists For MLS Expansion

NEW YORK, NY -- In a not unsurprising move, Major League Soccer announced Nashville as one of four finalists for two expansion teams to be awarded next month.

Nashville joins Sacramento, Cal., Cincinnati and Detroit as the league's final four, invited to make a last push Dec. 6 in St. Louis to the league's expansion committee. The MLS Board of Governors will meet Dec. 14 with an announcement on the two teams that will join the league in 2020 thereafter.

"The leaders of the Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento MLS expansion ownership groups have bold visions and innovative plans for their clubs, stadiums and their involvement in their respective communities," Commissioner Don Garber said in a league statement. "We are pleased these highly-respected business and sports leaders have been so determined to bring Major League Soccer to their cities. We have been greatly encouraged by the progress that all four of these groups have made and we are looking forward to their presentations."

Though only Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento are under consideration for the first round of expansion, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa/St. Petersburg remain under consideration for a second round of expansion.

After beginning as something of a dark horse in the process, Nashville's prospects skyrocketed after other cities' struggled to develop stadium plans. The Metro Council approved a key part of funding a stadium at The Fairgrounds Nov. 7.

Image via HOK/Nashville Soccer Club Holdings