Investors trying to save Breakers

The Boston Breakers may get a last-second reprieve.

The National Women’s Soccer League franchise was expected to fold Thursday after players, coaches and staff members were informed the club was ceasing operations.

However, a group of anonymous investors reportedly began work Thursday to try to save the Breakers. The news was first reported by independent soccer writer

EqualizerSoccer.com reported the investors believe they have enough resources to fund the Breakers in Boston for the 2018 season, with preseason training set to begin in just under four weeks.

The website reported NWSL worked with multiple groups to try to take over the franchise, but the league could no longer continue subsidizing the team after the club continued missing payments to vendors, and multiple promising investment groups withdrew themselves from consideration during the past nine days.

The newest local investment group seemed to provide a glimmer of hope on Thursday and prompted NWSL to delay a formal announcement about the Breakers' future despite comments on social media by players.

However, Equalizer managing editor posted on Twitter, “I’m told by a prominent source that there is NO substance to the group trying to save the Breakers. No stadium plan, no staff, not enough time.”

If the Breakers ultimately fold, NWSL is expected to arrange a dispersal draft to give other clubs, including the Orlando Pride, an opportunity to sign Boston players. team is about to be born.

The soccer icon and his group of partners announced plans for a news conference Monday, saying they will make “an important announcement on the future of soccer in Miami.”

Beckham is ready to draw his first Miami crowd, too: The event at a downtown arts center will be open to fans. MLS, which will stream the event live on its website, said they were participating in what will be “a special announcement.” MLS commissioner

is among those expected to attend, along with several Miami-Dade County political officials. Other members of Beckham's group include Sprint CEO

entertainment entrepreneur and South Florida businessman

— who tried unsuccessfully to buy the Miami Marlins last year.

Beckham has spent the last four years trying to bring MLS back to South Florida. The Miami Fusion played from 1998-2001 before folding because of poor attendance.

Beckham's plans for Miami were delayed because of ongoing challenges regarding where he could build a stadium for his new team. His group originally wanted a waterfront site, then settled on a plot of land in Miami's Overtown neighborhood — a deal that has faced legal challenges, even after he spent $9 million to purchase a needed piece of land from the county.

There will be 23 MLS clubs this season, and the league is in the midst of trying to grow to 28 teams. Miami has long been considered the provisional 24th franchise, not having official status because of the stadium questions.

Those questions are apparently answered now to MLS' satisfaction.