MLS commissioner Don Garber has revealed that the New York Cosmos are not necessarily a shoo-in to enter Major League Soccer.

The reformed club are the front runners to win the 20th MLS license with a host of big names either already involved or lining up to get a piece of the action.

But Garber said that the Cosmos, who have Eric Cantona as their director of soccer, are not a lock to become a MLS club in the next couple of years.

"We're in discussions with the Cosmos but also with other ownership groups," Garber said.

"While I have lots of respect and admiration for the guys that have relaunched that great brand and have done a good job from a marketing perspective, and they've made certainly a lot of noise, we've got to continue to ensure that any group we speak to seriously about MLS expansion needs to have the financial capabilities, long-term vision, the capability to get a stadium built and developed."