New York Red Bulls say they will welcome the addition of a second MLS club in the city.

Major League Soccer is planning for a 20th license for the 2013 season after the expansion of three clubs in the next two years - Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers in 2011 and Montreal Impact the following season.

NYRB sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer says the mooted return of the New York Cosmos, who stormed the North American Soccer League in the 1970s, would be welcomed by the Red Bulls.

"Now, first of all come to Vancouver and Portland, 2012 then Montreal," he said in an interview with t-online.de. "On another team in New York is spoken in the act. Whether it is Cosmos? We'll see.

"But we can defend ourselves anyway, so we welcome the competition. It is up to us to use the advantage to stay in New York the number one. To Cosmos or any other club pass away, takes up a few more years.

"Until then we will have left their mark, our club established itself as the best in the east coast and built a solid fan base.