Officials from Louisville City FC said Tuesday the franchise is not prepared to announce a formal bid for Major League Soccer expansion, shortly after one of its co-owners reportedly suggested a bid could be coming after the team's new stadium opens in 2020.

"Our aim is to play at the highest level of the game that we can in this country and our ambitions there will not waver. However, Louisville City FC is not prepared to announce a formal bid for Major League Soccer expansion at this time and will continue with our commitment to being the best USL franchise we can be," Louisville City FC spokesman Scott Stewart told the Courier Journal on Tuesday.

The statement came after Louisville Business First reported that Mike Mountjoy, one of the team's leaders and co-owners, said Louisville City FC plans to bid on an MLS franchise after the team's 11,300-seat soccer-specific stadium opens in Butchertown in March 2020.

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According to Business First, Mountjoy said if the bid is accepted, the goal would be to be active in MLS by the mid-2020s.

Louisville City FC plays in the United Soccer League, which is a tier below the MLS in the American soccer pyramid. The team has long been rumored a candidate to apply for one of MLS' open expansion slots. The last two franchises were awarded to Cincinnati and Nashville, cities with USL teams.

Jeff Mosley, deputy chief of Louisville Forward, Louisville Metro Government's economic development arm, told Business First the city regularly communicates with MLS leadership, and they're "high" on Louisville.

MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche told the Courier Journal earlier this year the league is impressed by the team's fan support.

"We have been impressed by the passionate support for Louisville City FC, and we encourage soccer fans in Kentucky to continue to support their local USL club," he said. "The incredible support for the USL’s Cincinnati FC was a key reason why Cincinnati was selected as the next Major League Soccer expansion club."

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Since it began play in 2015, Louisville City FC has long maintained a wait-and-see approach in terms of a potential move to MLS.

Louisville City FC President Brad Estes told the Courier Journal in August that that position is unchanged.

"Our goal is to have the best team in the USL, get the stadium built, continue to have the best fan base, and then after we get those things accomplished, if moving to MLS makes sense, then we'll take a look at it," he said.

Justin Sayers: 502-582-4252; jsayers@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/justins.