How Phoenix Rising became a front-runner in the MLS expansion race

Berke Bakay had a simple message for Major League Soccer executives this summer when he sat down in the league’s New York offices, across the table from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

“If I can try and be objective, I don’t know how you have an MLS league without Phoenix in there,” Bakay, the co-owner and governor of the Phoenix Rising FC minor league team, told league officials.

In today’s technology-driven world, Phoenix Rising officials learned there’s still plenty of value in meeting face-to-face. Indeed, that auspicious July 25 gathering with the top MLS brass may have vaulted the team to the precipice of joining the big leagues.