Barcelona are launching a bid to join the MLS. Barca president Joan Laporta is leading a ten-man delegation in Miami to submit their proposal to MLS officials today.
They are to partner with Bolivian Marcelo Claure, a Miami-based mogul and co-chairman of FC Bolivar, a team in Bolivia's top-flight soccer, to bring MLS back to Miami and South Florida.
Today is the deadline for MLS expansion applications.
MLS' goal is to expand to 18 teams by 2011. The league will add its 15th franchise next year in Seattle, with Philadelphia joining in 2010.
Ottawa, Montreal, Portland and Las Vegas also are among candidate cities.