MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Major League Soccer has awarded an expansion franchise to Minneapolis with play to begin in 2018.

The league said Wednesday that the team would play in a soccer-specific stadium in the downtown area.

An ownership group is still being finalized, but will include former health care executive Bill McGuire, Minnesota Twins co-owners Bob and Jim Pohlad, and Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor.

The announcement was expected, but the team's stadium plans are still up in the air. State lawmakers have been cool to any public funding.

The league announcement had no specifics on funding but said the stadium would be in the Farmers Market area west of Target Field. McGuire's Minnesota United, a second-tier soccer club, is to finalize a plan by July 1.

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