San Antonio Scorpions announce stadium expansion with eyes on MLS

The North American Soccer League's San Antonio Scorpions announced plans for a major expansion of home venue Toyota Stadium on Tuesday.

In a press release, the team says the expansion is designed in "in the interest of elevating [the Scorpions] to the highest professional level." According to the Scorpions, San Antonio city council member Mike Gallagher and four other councilmen support a council resolution that would affirm the desire to bring MLS to San Antonio.

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The proposed renovations would increase Toyota Stadium's seating capacity from 8,000 to 18,000, largely through the addition of a 9,000-seat upper tier. The number of suites would be increased from 14 to 32, and three new stadium clubs would be added, along with a light beam in the southeast corner that would be turned on during matches and would turn red when the team scores or wins.

The expansion is expected to cost $38-$45 million.

The Scorpions played their first game in 2013. The team is run by Soccer for a Cause, a group supporting special-needs causes. The Scorpions donate all net profits to a non-profit theme park designed for special-needs individuals.

San Antonio is first in the NASL with 19 points this season.

- Ben Estes