Everyone seems to have an opinion about how the Major League Soccer expansion race will play out.

Heck, after this long, everyone should be entitled to one.

After years of posturing, politicking and rumination, the U.S. soccer community is finally nearing a resolution on which of four expansion finalist organizations will be selected for the first of two expected rounds of MLS expansion as the league continues to build toward 28 teams.

Many reporters and personalities involved in covering the finalist organizations, as well as MLS experts from multiple countries, have staked out positions on how they think expansion will play out.

The Enquirer reached out to some of them and asked for their takes.

George Sipple, sports writer, Detroit Free Press – "I think a combination a coveted TV market, an ownership group that includes three billionaires with ownership in pro sports and an NFL stadium that’s already built make Detroit a likely pick. I think Detroit jumps ahead of Miami to begin play before 2020 expansion. I think Sacramento has done everything necessary to land a team. If Detroit moves ahead of Miami, I’d give Nashville the nod over Cincinnati for the other expansion club."

Bob Williams, freelance – "I can see all four of the initial expansion finalists becoming teams 25-28. It’s hard to see what the other eight can do now to make the cut. While it is widely anticipated that Nashville and Sacramento will be announced as the two new teams, FC Cincinnati are ready to pounce – despite their stadium financing saga – due to the Columbus Crew issue and the Miami delays. It’s even possible that FC Cincinnati could become the first team in (in 2019) to balance up the arrival of LAFC in the Western Conference in 2018 as Nippert is suitable for MLS right now."

Doug Roberson, Atlanta United FC beat writer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution – "Nashville and Sacramento for the same reasons: Stadium deals and lots of capital. MLS wants to continue to build a brand in the Southeast, which is why Nashville is important. I don’t think it would want to bring on two teams from the east, so it will balance expansion between those two groups and regions of the U.S. After that, the next two will be Cincinnati and a toss-up. I’m not sure on the fourth yet."

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Brian Straus, national soccer writer, Sports Illustrated (via the Planet Futbol Podcast): Sacramento and Nashville.

Grant Wahl, senior writer, Sports Illustrated (via the Planet Futbol Podcast): Sacramento and Nashville.

Alexi Lalas, Fox Sports soccer analyst (via Nov. 29 TV broadcast): FC Cincinnati and Sacramento.

Patrick Johnston, a reporter covering Vancouver Whitecaps FC for The Province and Vancouver Sun, offers general thoughts on MLS expansion – "It’s important to consider how expansion – and the league – has shifted since the Whitecaps joined in 2011. Back then, the expansion draft was a two-team, ten-round affair. Sure, a whole ton of those players never suited up for their respective teams, but there was strategy and a belief that the core of the Caps and Timbers would come there, or related trades. Tuesday, LAFC drafted five players. All were useful MLSers, but this is a team that’s entering a league that’s now filled with money. That’s what faces an expansion team: how can they compete with big spenders like Atlanta, Toronto, Seattle and the two LA teams? The Whitecaps play in a stadium they don’t own. The revenue they generate comes from ticket and merchandise sales and whatever money the league can secure for them in terms of TV revenue. The big rich clubs all own their own stadiums – or in Seattle and Toronto’s case don’t but might as well, given stadium deals – and are able to make money in a slew of other avenues. That’s the best guess on what the MLS is looking for: a team to drive commercial growth, not just a club that puts a solid product on the field."

MEMORABLE TAKES ON FC CINCINNATI

Jesse Marsch, head coach, New York Red Bulls (MLS) following 3-2 win in the Aug. 15 U.S. Open Cup semifinal – "The first thing I want to do is congratulate this city and this club. What an incredible environment. What a great performance. What a great run for this team. Well-coached, organized, fight, commitment, belief – all things that good teams are about. We escaped by the skin of our teeth... I heard the MLS commissioner was here tonight. I would hope that he takes notice of what's going on here and, I'll tell you what, I don't think it'll be too long before we're back here again and playing in more meaningful matches.

"I'm glad that the people of this city have recognized that having a team here has been really good, has been fun, has been entertaining, that the sport is growing. You know, I think Cincinnati would be a feather in the cap of MLS."

More:FC Cincinnati's Open Cup dream ends, NYRB advances to final

Jill Ellis, head coach, U.S. women's national team – "I'm sure they'll get an MLS team. I'm sure I just pissed someone off saying that. Sorry."

More:USWNT notes: Jill Ellis talks FC Cincinnati, Rapinoe talks NWSL prospects

Marcelino, Valencia CF (La Liga) manager (via translation)– "He was really happy to be here and hopes that FC Cincinnati will play in the MLS as soon as possible."

Ryan Meara, goalkeeper, New York Red Bulls (started Aug. 15 U.S. Open Cup semifinal versus FC Cincinnati) – "They deserve an MLS team – 100 percent. To get a showing like this – incredible. (These are) nights that make you love the game... There's more than half of MLS cities that don't have support like this. It's awesome, man."

More:Crystal Palace thanks FC fans for ‘phenomenal’ turnout