While the MLS BOG will meet this month, there is "very little chance" it will make an expansion decision then, as a March-April '15 timeline "is more likely," according to sources cited by Brian Straus of SI.com. Questions "still linger about the bids presented" last week in N.Y. by groups from Sacramento, Minneapolis and Las Vegas. Meanwhile, "uncertainty surrounding David Beckham’s effort to secure a stadium in Miami leaves the number of expansion spots in play unresolved." MLS is asking for $100M from each club it "admits during this next round of expansion." MLS "would like a team in Minneapolis," as the league "desires an increased presence in the Midwest." However, MLS "faces a tough choice" between competing groups from the Vikings and NASL club Minnesota United. USL Pro club Sacramento Republic FC "has impressed with its attendance, branding and civic engagement." But its case "may depend -- at least in the short term -- on how things progress in Miami, from which little news has emerged in recent months." Questions also remain about how the Earthquakes "might feel about sharing Northern California with another MLS team" (SI.com, 11/26).
PLAYOFF FORMAT TWEAK: SI.com's Straus reported MLS' playoff format "will change again" in '15, when 12 teams "will vie for the MLS Cup trophy rather than the current 10." This season "has been the fourth in which 10 clubs have qualified for the postseason." There will be 20 clubs in the league in '15 then 22 in '17. By the time MLS reaches 24 clubs in '19-20, the playoff qualification rate "will have fallen back" to 50% -- "assuming there are no subsequent changes." The new MLS Cup playoff format "calls for an increase in knockout-round matches from two to four." The Eastern and Western conference semifinals and finals "will remain as two-game series featuring the away-goals tiebreaker." The MLS Cup final "will remain a single match" (SI.com, 11/29).
