SACRAMENTO - Two executives from Major League Soccer will be in Sacramento September, to evaluate the area as a possible expansion city, according to a memo from Mayor Kevin Johnson.
In a memo to the City Council, Johnson revealed Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott and Charles Altchek, special assistant to league Commissioner Don Garber, will visit Sacramento Sept. 18 and 19, "to better understand our market, current and potential stadium options, and potential MLS ownership group."
Johnson's memo revealed MLS will specifically examine the downtown rail yards as a site for a soccer-specific stadium.
Abbot and Altcheck will also visit with Elk Grove representatives vying to bring Major League Soccer to their city, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee.
Minneapolis, Las Vegas and San Antonio have been mentioned alongside Sacramento as the four front runners to receive an MLS franchise.
Las Vegas and San Antonio have both released plans for a soccer-specific stadium, one of the criteria by which MLS awards a franchise. Market size, ownership group and fan base are the three other major considerations the league uses to gauge a potential expansion city. While Sacramento has yet to reveal a soccer-specific stadium plan, the city is the second largest market under consideration, has already demonstrated strong fan support and has a committed ownership group.
