Watch CBS News

MLS In 'Advanced' Talks With Minnesota Group; Vikings Out

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) - Major League Soccer confirmed on Monday that it is in "advanced discussions" to bring the Minnesota United FC team into the league as an expansion club.

Minnesota United currently play in the NASL. They have plans to create an outdoor stadium in downtown Minneapolis.

"MLS leadership is well aware that the passionate soccer fans in Minnesota combined with a world-class, soccer-specific stadium make the Twin Cities and our state a perfect home for the next MLS expansion team," Minnesota United said in a statement.

A second Minneapolis group backed by the Vikings has also made a pitch for future expansion, along with groups from Sacramento, Las Vegas,  San Antonio and St. Louis.

The Vikings also released a statement, confirming the league has informed them of the plan to pursue a soccer-specific stadium in Minneapolis.

"We offered MLS an ideal situation -- a stadium that is certain and will be completed in 2016, a plan that was funded by the public and private sectors to host MLS, and an option that will not require additional government approvals," Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in the statement.

 MLS grew to 20 clubs this year with the addition of Orlando City SC and New York City FC. It intends to expand to at least 24 clubs by 2020.

"[We] are particularly excited about their plans for a new soccer-specific stadium that will serve as the club's home," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement released by the club. "We remain on track to announce the next MLS expansion market in the next 30 to 45 days, though no specific date for an announcement has been set."

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.