Detroit a Finalist For MLS Expansion Franchise

Detroit could become the latest city in the United States to join rare company of hosting a team from five major sports leagues in North America.

On Wednesday, the Motor City was announced as a finalist alongside three other markets for two expansion MLS franchises. Detroit is competing with Cincinnati, Nashville and Sacramento.

All four cities are making their official formal pitches to Major League Soccer's expansion committee on December 6 and then about a week later the MLS Board of Governors will meet with an announcement on franchise winners being announced "before the end of the year".

Currently 10 U.S. markets have teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL in the same metro area. If Detroit gets one of the two franchises they would be the 11th. Their bid centers around the team playing at Ford Field. MLS and NFL co-existing in the same building is not new, MLS newcomers Atlanta United FC play at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (which is also the home of the Atlanta Falcons).

For what it's worth experts seem to believe Detroit is a dark horse in the race. An initial report  from SI claimed there would be only three finalists for two expansion teams (Detroit was left out) and in Pro Soccer Talk's "power rankings" of expansion bids Detroit was ranked fifth behind Phoenix, who did not make the cut to the finals.