MLS seems to always be expanding. There is a new team every season that brings in new fans as soccer becomes more and more accessible across the United States with MLS expansion teams. We've selected 10 destinations that could benefit from an expansion team.
MLS expansion teams
Honolulu, Hawaii
Yes, the Hawaiian Islands are technically a little far away from the mainland United States, but keep in mind that more than 100 flights already make the same trip every day. Also considering that the distance between Los Angeles and Hawaii is roughly the same as the distance between Los Angeles and New York, it becomes less important.
MLS expansion cities may be a little more desirable than this tropical paradise that is sure to cultivate happy employees and the greatest prospects in MLS history.
Billings, Montana
Montana is one of the few US states that does not have any professional sports teams. This, in turn, is prompting MLS expansion ideas in the state's most populous city, Billings.
This won't just be a million-person team from Montana, as the MLS map has a real gap between Minnesota United and the Portland Timbers. A Montana-based franchise would help fill that football gap.
Winnipeg, Canada
Could Canada benefit from more MLS expansion teams? The Canadian Premier League may be here, but can it compete with Major League Soccer, which has been in operation for nearly 20 years?
Valor FC already plays in the domestic league and has a 33,000 capacity stadium, which is larger than some MLS stadiums. It may be easier to take that team and move it than to create a whole new team.
(Albuquerque, New Mexico).
New Mexico shares borders with both Texas (home to three Major League Soccer teams) and the soccer-mad nation of Mexico. Therefore, it seems strange that a team was not formed in Albuquerque with half a million people in the city.
New Mexico United plays in the USL and has discussed participating in Major League Soccer and may do so in 2024 which would be a massive upgrade to the state's soccer offering.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is spoiled with good sports teams. The NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers are known to win some titles. Forward Madison FC has been around since 2018 but has yet to set the world on fire in terms of on-field success.
As the state's largest city, Milwaukee could attract more sports titles. While Green Bay would have a greater athletic pedigree if a new team began playing at Lambeau Field (home of the Green Bay Packers), it could be difficult to create a committed fan base to fill the 80,000-plus stadium.
Newark, New Jersey
New Jersey may not be as attractive as New York on paper. However, local residents will still have some civic pride in their state. It must be a real kick in the teeth when they support their local club, the Red Bulls, they are called the New York Red Bulls, despite their geographical location in New Jersey.
MLS expansion teams can offer New Jersey citizens support for a team associated with the local area.
Chicago, Illinois (second team)
New York and Los Angeles each have two MLS teams, so why can't Chicago? As the third largest city in the United States, it could easily consolidate another franchise to rival Chicago Fire. Especially since the Fire have struggled to fill Soldier Field and have been incredibly disappointing on the field.
The new franchise could revitalize soccer enthusiasm in Chicago as disgruntled Fire fans will often attend to remind the new franchise who the original Chicago MLS team was.
San Francisco, California
There may be no greater demand among all potential MLS expansion cities than San Francisco. California as a state already has three teams but San Francisco does not, leaving a huge gap in the market. The 49ers are becoming more and more interested in soccer, having recently purchased Leeds United in England, creating a potential satellite club.
San Francisco City FC already plays in the second tier of the USL, meaning there is a pre-existing soccer market in the city. The California Junior Rivalry Cup will be hotly contested between the San Fran team and the Los Angeles and San Jose Earthquakes.
Anchorage, Alaska
MLS expansion teams may not be far away from a potential franchise in Anchorage, Alaska. Now, it may be very cold out there, but Major League Soccer prides itself on having a wide range of different weather conditions that make up the rich fabric of the division.
Trying to convince New York fans to make the trip to Alaska on a midweek evening may be difficult, but it's not that far from the Pacific Northwest.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has been praised as one of the most respected cities for its culture and festival atmosphere.
The city already has two well-supported teams in the NFL and NBA, however, with these teams having limited success in recent years, there may be a gap for a new team to represent the city.
