ATLANTA -- Major League Soccer is closing in on a deal with Falcons owner Arthur Blank to bring an expansion franchise to Atlantas new downtown stadium. Reggie Jackson Jersey . The team would likely begin play in 2017, when the $1 billion retractable roof stadium is set to open next to the Georgia Dome to provide a new home for the NFL Falcons. "Our discussions with Major League Soccer continue, but we do not have a final agreement at this time," Kim Shreckengost, the chief administrative officer for Blanks AMB Group, said Tuesday in an email to The Associated Press. "We hope to complete the agreement soon, at which time we will make a formal announcement." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that a new team will be announced April 16. "We are continuing discussions with Arthur Blank to bring a Major League Soccer expansion team to Atlanta," said Dan Courtemanche, a spokesman for MLS. "However, we have not finalized an agreement at this time." The MLS has long coveted the Atlanta market, the largest in the U.S. without a team, as it moves toward its goal of expanding to 24 franchises. The 19-team league has already announced expansion franchises in New York City and Orlando that are scheduled to begin play next season, in addition to a provisional franchise in Miami owned by a group that includes David Beckham. That team is contingent on a deal for a new soccer-specific stadium in south Florida. There are no such concerns in Atlanta, where the Falcons new stadium was designed to accommodate an MLS team, providing Blank with additional revenue streams for the elaborate facility. While most MLS teams are moving toward smaller stadiums that are built solely for soccer, the Atlanta franchise would follow the model of teams in Seattle and Vancouver, which play in larger facilities downsized to provide a more intimate setting. For instance, Vancouvers BC Place has a curtain system that blocks off the upper deck, reducing capacity from 54,000 to 21,000. Atlantas new stadium will likely have a similar capability. Atlanta had two franchises in the old North American Soccer League. The Chiefs won the leagues first championship in 1968 but folded after the 1973 season, having spent their final year known as the Apollos. The Chiefs returned to the NASL in 1979 when the Colorado Caribous moved to Atlanta. That incarnation lasted only three seasons, never drawing as many as 8,000 fans a game before folding due to heavy financial losses. Atlanta has a team in a new version of the NASL, a league that ranks below MLS on the U.S. soccer ladder. The Silverbacks play at a 7,500-seat stadium on the outskirts of the city and are apparently not involved in talks on the MLS expansion team. Terry Mills Jersey . Dillon Brooks scored 26 points on 9-17 shooting for Canada while pulling down six rebounds and picking up six steals. Teammate Chris Egi had 20 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Luke Kennard Jersey .S. -- Carl-Antoine Delisle snapped a tie in the third period with his second goal of the game to lead the Tigres past Cape Breton 4-3 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Wednesday as Victoriaville won its eighth in a row. http://www.basketballpistonsauthority.com/grant-hill-pistons-jersey-c-16/ . For the first time all night, as the Raptors were on the clock to make the 20th overall selection, no one had the slightest idea what was about to happen. No leaks, no whispers, nothing.Even without Phil and Tiger, it appears this Masters will still have a whale of a finish. With the two marquee players presumably sitting on the couch somewhere, beer and chips on the coffee table and the remote in hand, a gaggle of golfers is set to provide the theatre on golfs greatest stage. Bubba Watson had the opportunity to run and hide on Saturday but his 74 caused a multi-player pile-up on the leaderboard. There are now 17 players within six shots of the lead. Only four of those have a major to their credit and three are making their first appearance at the Masters. It likely means that there will be some excitement as they try to untangle themselves coming down the stretch. No one seems to mind having the opportunity to be a part of that. “Its one of those things that you have dreamed about your whole life,” said Watson. “If you want to be a professional golfer youve dreamed about it, youve thought about it.” Despite his over-par score Watson still felt in control of his game; he wasnt losing the ball left or right, just short or long, a relatively good sign around what was a hard and fast golf course. Watson is tied with youngster Jordan Spieth, who has looked calm and confident beyond his 20 years in getting to five under. Despite being born a year after Fred Couples won his Green Jacket, Spieth has had enough time to soak in what the Masters is all about and the opportunity that Sunday presents. “I dont think Ive ever had a round whhere Ive been nervous on every single swing, shot, and putt,” said Spieth who would be the youngest Masters winner in history. Custom Detroit Pistons Jerseys. “Im sure that will happen tomorrow, but hopefully I can channel it positively and stay grounded, stay cool, and see what happens.” Below the leaders is an interesting collection of possible winners. There is Matt Kuchar, the aw-shucks guy who has already compiled six top-10 finishes this year including a playoff loss last weekend where he coughed up what appeared to be a sure win, and Jonas Blixt, the Swede trying to become the first European to win since 1999. And Miguel Angel Jimenez, who would not only become the oldest Masters and major champion but also the first player with a bun to wear the Green Jacket. Rickie Fowler put himself in contention with a strong 67 on Saturday and gave no doubt as to his wardrobe for Sunday. “Oh, yeah, orange and green look great together,” he stated. “I think green would look great with anything, to be honest.” The list of possible champions is so deep its likely there is a full closet full of potential green jackets at the ready. Before that, however, there is sure to be some drama and excitement to be revealed over Augusta National. In past years, the pin-setters have been friendly, allowing for birdies down the stretch; but with the hard, slick course, danger is always only a few centimeters away. Get settled in, hang on and enjoy. Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys 2018 NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '