FC Cincinnati still in MLS contention with Sacramento and Detroit

FC Cincinnati is still waiting to learn its fate as a Major League Soccer expansion candidate, but it appears the competition is now down to three teams vying for one spot.

MLS sent out a release Tuesday morning announcing a press conference to take place in Nashville on Wednesday with league commissioner Don Garber, Nashville SC owner John Ingram, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry set to attend. ESPN’s Taylor Twellman will emcee the event.

Nashville is one of the four finalists, along with Cincinnati, Sacramento and Detroit, for two expansion spots expected to be announced this week. The MLS Board of Governors met last Thursday in New York City to discuss expansion, among other things.

If passed over this round, FC Cincinnati still has a shot at a rise to MLS, as two more expansion clubs will be selected at a later time, but the competition then grows back to a larger pool with the other eight original applicants back in the mix. MLS had cut the field of 12 to four at a Dec. 6 expansion committee meeting.

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