MLS commissioner Don Garber, speaking to reporters on Monday in his annual "state of the league" call, said the organisation was in talks with New York City and was hoping to add a second team in the United States' biggest market in 2016.
If agreement can be reached, the team would be based in Queens, near the national tennis center and Citifield stadium where Major League Baseball's New York Mets play their home games.
"There's a lot of work that needs to happen to finalise our agreement with New York City over our use of the land and our ability to lease that land to build a stadium," Garber said.
"I do believe that we will resolve that shortly. I can't put any timetable on that, but we are at the finish line.
Garber said "many ownership groups" were interested in funding the team but Beckham would not be considered despite expressing interest in owning a franchise when his playing days are over.
"Anything's a possibility other than his right to exercise that option in New York," Garber said.
Beckham, who joined the Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007, is quitting the MLS after Saturday's Cup final against Houston.
"No-one could argue that he hasn't over delivered," Garber said.
"His presence here served without doubt as a catalyst for other world class players to come here.
"We needed David Beckham in 2007 to help drive our credibility... but we don't need anything today to get us to the next level."
To underline the league's progress, Garber said there would be no changes to the competition format next year although the season would start earlier than normal.
"Consistency will be the theme for us in 2013," Garber said.
"It's something that we've strived to achieve over the last number of years."
