MLS Expansion: Las Vegas and Milwaukee Land New TeamsMLS Expansion: Las Vegas and Milwaukee Land New Teams The Major League Soccer (MLS) is set to expand once again, with the addition of two new teams: Las Vegas, Nevada, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This expansion will bring the total number of MLS teams to 30, further solidifying the league’s position as a major force in American soccer. Las Vegas Lights FC The Las Vegas franchise will be known as the Lights FC. It will be owned by the Lights FC Soccer Club, a group led by local businessman Brett Lashbrook. The team will play its home matches at Cashman Field, a 9,300-seat stadium that is currently being renovated to meet MLS standards. Las Vegas has been a hotbed of soccer activity in recent years, with several successful youth clubs and a growing fan base. The addition of an MLS team will further boost the sport’s popularity in the region. Milwaukee FC Milwaukee’s franchise will be called FC Milwaukee. It will be owned by a group led by Jim Kacmarcik, a former MLS player and current executive with the USL Championship club FC Tulsa. The team will play its home matches at Panther Arena, a 10,000-seat venue that is undergoing a $50 million renovation. Milwaukee has a long and rich soccer history, dating back to the early 20th century. The city is home to a passionate and knowledgeable soccer community, which will provide a strong foundation for FC Milwaukee. Expansion Timeline The Las Vegas Lights FC and Milwaukee FC are expected to begin MLS play in 2024. The league will follow a similar expansion plan to that of its previous expansions, with the new teams playing a reduced schedule in their first season before transitioning to a full schedule the following year. Impact on MLS The expansion of MLS to Las Vegas and Milwaukee will have a significant impact on the league. It will further increase the league’s geographical reach, bringing MLS to two major markets that have been underserved in the past. The addition of two new teams will also create new opportunities for players, coaches, and staff, and it will help to grow the league’s fan base and revenue streams. Overall, the expansion of MLS to Las Vegas and Milwaukee is a positive step for the league and for American soccer as a whole. It will bring the sport to new audiences and help to further solidify MLS’s position as a major force in the global soccer landscape.
