Seven cities vie for two MLS spots

NEW YORK, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Major League Soccer announced Wednesday seven applications had been submitted to fill two expansion franchises to be awarded by 2011.

The leading soccer league in North America currently fields 14 teams with franchises in Seattle and Philadelphia scheduled to join MLS over the next two seasons.

Two more teams will be added in 2011 from investment groups in four U.S. cities -- Atlanta, Miami, St. Louis and Portland, Ore. -- and three Canadian cities -- Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver.

The Atlanta group is led by Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.

A decision concerning the two expansion teams will be made either late this year or early next year.