Cities interested in submitting a bid for a new Major League Soccer franchise had until January 31 to do so. As the deadline passed, 12 U.S. cities had made a submission and now begin the process of convincing the league and it’s current team owners that their franchise deserves to be one of the two cities selected to expand.

There are a lot of factors that go into a decision like this but the placement of the stadium is among the biggest. It’s the kind of move that could change or revitalize a region immediately. So for each city, let’s take a look at the specific area or neighborhood that a MLS franchise could be calling home very soon.

Charlotte Memorial Stadium rendering, Hok and Jenkins Peer Architects

Charlotte

The proposal submitted calls for the demolition of Memorial Stadium in the Elizabeth neighborhood, to be replaced by a new 20,000-seat stadium. Already a very pedestrian-friendly area, a new arena could give the surrounding space a real boost.

Cincinnati

The hope is that renovations to Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati will be good enough to be the new home of an MLS squad, other sites have been thrown out there as well. They include the former Milacron site just north of Oakley Square, Spinney Field in Lower Price Hill, a 17-acre site in Queensgate, or Riverside Yard in Camp Washington.

Detroit

A joint venture between the owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons, the plan calls for a $1 billion development at the Wayne County Jail site in Midtown that would include a 23,000 soccer stadium. It’s prime location if you’re looking to put a franchise in the heart of a city.

Indianapolis

The proposal is to build a $100 million stadium close to Downtown. While the actual site isn’t locked down yet, the preferred site appears to be close to Lucas Oil Stadium where the NFL’s Colts play.

Nashville

They’re still working out a clear plan for where the stadium will go with Nashville’s Mayor has proposed building one near the Nashville Fairgrounds in South Nashville. A 25,000-seat stadium Downtown has also been thrown out there.

Phoenix Rising FC rendering

Phoenix

Given the temperature, Phoenix had to come in with a bit more information than most. Their plan involves a climate-controlled stadium on a 45-acre site within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. Given that they already have their specific site locked down, that could give this group a big advantage.

Raleigh/Durham

This group comes to the table with three different site possibilities. One of them would be to renovate WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. The other two have yet to be divulged but at least is presumed to be in Downtown Raleigh. Renderings showed off a 22,000-seat stadium with a translucent roof.

Sacramento

Another city that already knows where the stadium would go. As part of a massive mixed-use project, the $226 million soccer arena would hold around 20,000 fans in the historic Railyards district just north of Downtown Sacramento.

St. Louis

After recently losing their NFL team (not the only city on the list to do so), St. Louis would love to have another pro franchise to root for. The owners are trying to push for the creation of a 20,000-seat stadium close to historic Union Station in Downtown.

San Antonio

The team that currently calls San Antonio home plays in Toyota Field (8,000 capacity) in an arena district (next to Heroes Stadium, STAR Soccer Complex, Morgan's Wonderland) close to Uptown. The hope is that the field can be expanded to attract as many as 18,000.

San Diego rendering, F5 Investors

San Diego

Another city that just lost it’s NFL team, San Diego has a perfectly-good stadium in Mission Valley that needs a new tenant. Of course, the goal would actually be to replace Qualcomm Stadium with a 30,000-seat stadium that is shared between the MLS franchise and San Diego State University.

Tampa/St. Petersburg

The Tampa Bay Rowdies currently play in Al Lang Stadium, a 7,500-seater in Downtown St. Petersburg. The plan is to put $80 million into expansion, which would take it from 7,200 seats to 18,000.

The MLS is expected to make it’s final decision on expansion in the second or third quarter of 2017. Between now and then, expect stadium plans to become very formalized across these cities.

Source:

Breaking down the 12 cities vying for the next round of MLS expansion [MLS]