By Brad Cesmat | Sports360AZ

The late Tom Petty had the hit song “The Waiting”. If you’re a fan of Phoenix Rising FC who’s been waiting for Major League Soccer to announce the USL franchise has been promoted to the top of American soccer, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer.

Tuesday, MLS awarded their 27th franchise to Austin, Texas. If you’re keeping score, Austin is media market 39, while Phoenix is 11th, however this was in the works with MLS for quite some time and Rising FC ownership new it.Cincinnati will join the Major League Soccer ranks this coming season. In 2020 Nashville and Miami will come aboard. The League has said that they will expand up to 28 teams.

Phoenix is the largest market that is being considered for the last slot. St. Louis and Sacramento are also mentioned, while San Diego would seem to be out of the running after they couldn’t get a stadium deal in place.

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