Nashville could be knocking on MLS’s door
NASHVILLE — While the U.S. men’s national soccer team settled for a draw Saturday at Nissan Stadium, this host city scored a small victory in an off-the-field competition that will play out over months and perhaps years across the country: Major League Soccer expansion.
Attendance alone for a one-off international match will not secure a franchise in the first-division pro league. Finances and stadium plans will ultimately play larger roles in determining four new teams from 12 candidates.
But with local and regional fans comprising the bulk of the 47,622 on hand for the U.S. squad’s Gold Cup opener against Panama, Nashville strengthened its portfolio and proved that, in a nontraditional soccer market, there is a hunger for the sport.
Saturday’s audience included MLS commissioner Don Garber, who, during a two-day stay, met with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Vanderbilt University officials, representatives from the National Football League’s Tennessee Titans and National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators, as well as bid executives. “Over the last six months,” Garber said Friday, “Nashville has really risen pretty high on the list.”
On the surface, Nashville doesn’t seem like the type of place for pro soccer. Then again, it didn’t seem like the type of place for hockey.
The civic enthusiasm surrounding the Predators’ run to the Stanley Cup finals this season helped change that perception.
As MLS has blossomed over 22 seasons, the league has discovered success in some secondary pro sports markets, such as Portland, Ore.; Orlando, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; and Salt Lake City. Among those cities, only Portland had a rich soccer history before MLS arrived.
Sacramento, a longtime contender, is the front-runner in the next round of MLS expansion, and Cincinnati is making a strong case with record-setting attendance for its second-year, second-division team.
In addition to pending additions in Los Angeles in Miami, MLS plans to select two cities in December and two more in 2018 or 2019, raising membership to 28. It currently features 22 teams, with a second Los Angeles outfit (LAFC) debuting next spring and David Beckham’s efforts in Miami inching closer to fruition. (As part of his playing contract with MLS, the former English superstar was given the option to own a team.) Aside from Nashville, Sacramento and Cincinnati, the other expansion hopefuls are San Diego, Phoenix, San Antonio, St. Louis, Detroit, Tampa, Charlotte, Raleigh/ Durham, N.C., and Indianapolis.
Nashville started at the back of the pack but has moved up quickly, thanks to the strength of its own bid and problems in other campaigns. Municipal roadblocks have damaged efforts in St. Louis, San Diego and Charlotte. The Raleigh/Durham and Indianapolis bids seem like long shots.
If MLS opts for one or two smaller markets, it will probably want to go big with the other selections. Detroit boasts National Basketball Association owners Dan Gilbert (Cleveland) and Tom Gores (Detroit). San Antonio and Phoenix offer coveted Latino demographics.
Nashville has money behind its bid in local billionaire John Ingram. Deep pockets are necessary: The expansion fee for the next two teams will be $150 million and likely more for the following two entries.