MLS stiff-arms Sacramento's expansion efforts

10:21 AM ET 03.16 | Sacramento moved a step closer to building a new home for professional soccer on Wednesday. The city council in Elk Grove, Calif., voted "yes" to buy land and continue the pursuit of a $100-million soccer stadium in the Sacramento suburb, according to reports out of California's state capital. Northern California Soccer, an ownership group seeking bring a professional team to the area, is headed up by former California state assembly speaker and US Soccer Federation board member Fabian Nunez, who is bullish about his group's ability to lure an MLS club with a stadium in place. "We feel very confident in our conversations with Major League Soccer, that we can bring a brand new franchise here to this city," Nunez told Fox40. MLS league headquarters provided the following statement to MLSsoccer.com: "MLS is aware of recent community interest in securing a future MLS expansion club for Sacramento. This serves as yet another strong indicator of the league's continued growth and overall fan interest in our sport. However, the league office remains currently focused on securing our next expansion team in New York City. "Sacramento has always had strong support for soccer at all levels, and we will certainly monitor their plans to build a soccer stadium. In the meantime, we encourage soccer fans in Northern California to support the San Jose Earthquakes."

MLSSoccer.com