San Diego, Las Vegas lead MLS expansion candidates

San Diego and Las Vegas are the leading candidates to land the next MLS franchise, commissioner Don Garber said at a season kickoff event Wednesday.

"The 30th team will come at some point soon," he said. "We'd like to get that announced by the end of the year."

Garber also mentioned Detroit, Phoenix, Sacramento and Tampa as expansion possibilities, and he did not rule out ultimately growing beyond 30 teams.

St. Louis City SC, the league's 29th team, will open their inaugural season Saturday at Austin FC.