UPDATE: The Major League Soccer expansion news is finally starting to shake loose.
Nashville is likely in, as indicated by the Tuesday news of a "major announcement" Wednesday in the Music City.
But who will follow Nashville into MLS?
BREAKING: Major League Soccer: 'Major soccer announcement' Wednesday in Nashville
Three cities – Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento – are now vying for what many expect is one final expansion spot.
Each of the three remaining candidates is monied and able to pull off MLS, but when it came down to the MLS Board of Governors' hair-splitting over their bids, which organization likely prevailed?
Here's a recap of the possible outcomes from last week's Board of Governor's meeting, and which I think are most likely:
1. Nashville is joined in MLS by FC Cincinnati. I'm sticking to my guns on this one, and it's not because of foolish pride. Keep in mind I might still eat crow on this by the end of the week...
Anyone that follows me on social media or reads me in The Enquirer and on Cincinnati.com knows I'm firm on FC Cincinnati getting in. In fact, it's been my expectation for a while.
Call me a homer if you must, but this is the outcome I've arrived at after two years of study and thousands of miles traveled while covering the expansion saga.
The attendance figures and in-market relevance, the self-made core of the organization, the on-field competitiveness, the groundswell of international attention FC Cincinnati's gained for itself – for me, all of it points to FC Cincinnati being in (and yes, I considered all manner of criteria, not just what I've listed here).
More: MLS will bring expansion announcements to winning cities
Related: How the experts see the MLS expansion playing field
Looking back: A two-year timeline of FC Cincinnati's key moments
As great as MLS is, the league isn't at a point where it can delay admitting a team of FC Cincinnati's caliber. FC Cincinnati's not a perfect and finished product, but it's close.
The most likely scenario from Thursday's meeting is that FC Cincinnati and Sacramento were admitted.
2. FC Cincinnati was not admitted to the league. A distinct possibility, and everyone knew at the outset of the process this was a possible.
Cincinnati is up against wealthy, committed ownership groups and bigger markets.
After Tuesday, Cincinnati's competing one of three markets vying for one spot in the league.
FC Cincinnati's bid wasn't perfect. Hard questions were asked of its final stadium proposal, and the process to reach that final proposal was arduous when considering that ups and downs with local government entities and other factors.
And, yes, it would be true that Cincinnati would be the smallest market in MLS if it makes the cut.
Think again if you don't think that mattered to the Board of Governors.
3. MLS awards three teams and FC Cincinnati begins play in 2019. Here's a dark-horse scenario some think is still in play.
Even with the reported progress in former international soccer star David Beckham's push to bring an expansion team to Miami, that project won't be ready for several years, potentially.
In order to maintain the trend of adding at least one expansion side per year, FC Cincinnati slides into MLS for the 2019 as the only so-called "MLS ready" outfit, while Nashville and another winning bid begin play in 2020.
RULED OUT —
The MLS Board of Governors reached an impasse and decided not to admit any of the expansion finalists. After Tuesday's news, we know this isn't true.
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