MLS not considering Las Vegas for expansion until after 2018

MLS commissioner Don Garber sent a letter to Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman to let her know that the league is no longer considering the city as an expansion market until after 2018.

MLS commissioner Don Garber sent a letter to Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman to let her know that the league is no longer considering the city as an expansion market until after 2018. 

Las Vegas was one of the cities that had met with MLS owners and executives about a potential expansion, along with Sacramento and Minneapolis. 

• STRAUS: Sacramento adds 49ers to MLS expansion push

In his letter to Goodman, Garber wrote that the decision not to consider Las Vegas at this time was "given the timing of our expansion rollout and the uncertainty as to when we might be able to move forward in Las Vegas."

MLS wants to expand to 24 teams by 2020. The league currently has 20 clubs, with teams in Los Angeles—its second—and Atlanta scheduled to begin play in 2017.

In a statement, Goodman said that while she is disappointed Las Vegas won't be chosen as an expansion team for 2017 or 2018, she still believes the city would be a perfect location for an MLS team and hopes it will be considered in the future.

"... I am saddened that we miss out on the opportunity to gain $450 million in downtown investment and job creation," Goodman said. "A team coming here would have been the catalyst for other developments in the downtown."

• Report: MLS, Players Union hire mediators for CBA

In his letter, Garber wrote that the league would "look forward to revisiting this in the future" and believe Las Vegas would be a successful place for an expansion club "given the right circumstances."

- Molly Geary