A look back at the key moment's in Nashville's bid for an MLS expansion team.

May 2016

A Nashville ownership group called DMD Soccer, led by Nashville health care executive David Dill, is awarded a United Soccer League franchise that will begin play in 2018.

August 2016

Nashville businessman Bill Hagerty, now U.S. ambassador to Japan, organizes a 22-member Nashville MSL steering committee aimed at bringing MLS to Nashville.

December 2016

Although Nashville was starting behind other cites, MLS names Nashville one of 10 cities under consideration for four expansion teams

Towards the end of the month, John R. Ingram, chairman of Ingram Industries Inc., emerges as the lead investor of Nashville’s proposal for an MLS expansion team. Ingram, son of powerful philanthropist Martha Ingram, gives Nashville’s bid the backing of someone with deep ties in Nashville hose connections span business, philanthropy, higher education, college athletics and politics.

January 2017

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry announces that she wants a new Major League Soccer stadium to go at the city’s fairgrounds. The Tennessean first reports the proposal. Barry formally announces her idea at a Rotary Club of Nashville meeting days later.

June 2017

Tens of thousands of fans pour onto the streets of downtown Nashville for the Predators Stanley Cup Final run. It boosts Nashville’s MLS bid by showing city support in a nontraditional hockey market.

July 2017

With MLS Commissioner Don Garber in town, Nashville breaks Tennessee’s soccer attendance record when 47,622 watch a Gold Cup match between U.S. and Panama at Nissan Stadium. Weeks later, an exhibition Premier League match at Nissan Stadium smashes that record.

During his trip to the Music City, Garber glows about Nashville, saying it has moved “high on the list” for MLS expansion

► Q&A with Don Garber:MLS commissioner sees 'can-do attitude' in Nashville

August 2017

The prominent Wilf family, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, joins Nashville’s MLS ownership group, bolstering the Ingram-led team with a family with strong ties to pro sports.

October 2017

Barry unveils a public-private financing proposal for a new $275 million stadium at the fairgrounds

Later that month, hundreds of soccer fans pack a public hearing to push Metro Council to approve an MLS stadium. They far outnumber opponents.

November 2017

Metro Council votes 31-6 to commit to bond funding for a new $275 million stadium at the fairgrounds. Under the plan, the Ingram-led ownership group would pay the city $9 million annually to help retire the stadium’s debt. Revenue from sales tax generated from the stadium, as well as a ticket tax, is designed to help pay off the remaining $4 million. Council members support the plan in large numbers even though many question how Metro would give the owners 10 acres of the fairgrounds for a private development.

Approval of the stadium makes Nashville’s expansion stock soar to the top of favorites to land a team.

► More: Nashville embraces ‘underdog’ label in Major League Soccer pursuit

MLS names Nashville, along with Cincinnati, Detroit and Sacramento, four finalists for MSL expansion. The move is no surprise as Garber had talked highly of the four for months.

December 2017

Stadium opponents Save Our Fairgrounds sues Nashville in an attempt to stop an MLS stadium from being built at the fairgrounds.

Ingram and other representatives of Nashville’s bid – as well as leaders from the other three proposals – visit Garber and MLS officials to make one last pitch for expansion.

MORE ON NASHVILLE'S PURSUIT OF MLS

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Analysis:Breaking down the MLS expansion team finalists

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More:Major League Soccer team a natural next step for Nashville