A quick Google search of keywords like “MLS bid” or “MLS expansion” brings up pages of articles about various cities vying for a Major League Soccer franchise.
It also shows headlines such as “Charlotte’s MLS bid in limbo” or “St. Louis’ bid for soccer team back in play.”
While it seems nearly every major city without a top-tier soccer team wants to land a spot in the league, the path to meeting MLS’ requirements and fully realizing a franchise can be filled with dead ends, political push back, financial snags and unforeseen diversions.
Orlando navigated those setbacks fairly quickly.