On Tuesday, an announcement is expected to take place for plans regarding a Birmingham USL club that will begin play in 2019.
Birmingham has reportedly been one of the markets in the mix to join USL. The league’s efforts to line up expansion franchises have been taking shape as it is looks to add more clubs in 2018 and beyond.
More information surrounding the Birmingham effort is expected to surface on Tuesday evening, when an investor group will reveal plans for the franchise at a public event. More from AL.com:
The official announcement will be made at 5 p.m. at Good People Brewing Company. Soccer fans and supporters of the city are encouraged to attend the event. The new team is a reflection of Birmingham’s recent renaissance, and the franchise hopes to grow along with the city.
The USL is one division below Major League Soccer in American soccer’s four-tier division system, and has more than doubled in size since 2014. The new franchise could play at Regions Field or UAB’s soccer stadium, BBVA Compass Field, before a permanent home is built. Birmingham Mayor William Bell first informed AL.com of the city’s interest in USL in April. The league has mentioned Birmingham as an expansion city throughout the summer in news releases, interviews and league meetings.
As noted, USL has been formulating plans for future expansion and already has new clubs in place for 2018. Nashville and Fresno have been confirmed as entries, while Las Vegas recently moved forward with plans to establish a team at Cashman Field in 2018.
Image from USL action in Week 7: Phoenix Rising v. Reno.
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