The City Football Group was formed to oversee the expanding franchise of teams under the "City" umbrella which started with the Abu Dhabi United Group's purchase of Manchester City back in 2008. It has since spread to three continents and has five teams fully under their control and partial ownership of another. The aim does appear to be the creation of a footballing empire and dominance on a global scale where each side could dominate their continents and the Club World Cup could have just "City" teams.
Manchester City - The first team bought by the Abu Dhabi Group and in the years since the takeover, they have established themselves as one of the best in England but so far have struggled to make their mark on the European stage. They are the most successful of the City Group clubs as they've added the 2012 and 2014 Premier League titles, the 2014 and 2016 League Cups, the 2011 FA Cup and the 2012 Community Shield. They did manage to get to the semi finals of the Champions League last season but nobody really believed they could go on and win it so now Pep Guardiola has been brought in to lead them to European glory.
Manchester City Women - In 2012 the already existing Manchester City Ladies was acquired and joined to the Manchester City men so they are linked. They had a slight name change and became the Manchester City Women but the joining with the men was not just for a name change, it enabled the City Group to start pumping money into the side. They quickly became one of the best teams in England with one of the best stadiums in the Women's Super League and also some of the best players because they can offer what few other English women's teams can offer, a professional contract. They have brought women's football into the public eye and helped boost the sport in England. Since the City Group got the team, they've won the 2014 FA WSL Cup and are well on their way to winning their first Women's Super League title this season.
New York City - The MLS franchise was established in 2013 but didn't begin their first season until 2015. In their inaugural season, they finished in a disappointing eighth and missed out on a play off spot. Top players have been brought in like David Villa, Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo to help get the new franchise up and running. This season has been better as they have guaranteed a spot in the play offs and could still win the Supporters Shield for 2016. With the squad improving so much so quickly, they should be aiming to win the MLS Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League within the next three seasons. So far, they have not won any silverware but it is only their second season and they should be able to start dominating the USA and bringing in the trophies soon.
Melbourne City - In 2014, Melbourne Heart were bought out by the City Group and became the third City team. In their first season under the new ownership, they finished fifth in the regular season and reached the play offs semi finals and in their second season, they improved with a fourth place finish to qualify for the play offs but they once again lost in the semi finals. The side will only get better and will be hoping to push on from their semi final defeats to win the Grand Final and eventually try and win the AFC Champions League. The seemingly unlimited resources available and also the signing of Australian legend Tim Cahil will help improve Melbourne City's stature with fans across the country.
Melbourne City Women - After the success of the women's football team in Manchester, the City Group decided to do the same in Melbourne. Only being founded in 2015, they only have the one season to their name but in their inaugural season last year, they got a clean sweep of trophies by winning the W-League Premiers after winning twelve games out of twelve in the regular season and they also went on to win the Grand Final. Two trophies out of two from the first season and they could easily go on to dominate women's football in Australia for the next few years.
Yokohama F. Mariners - The City Group do not own the Mariners but they do have a minority share in the club and it does appear likely that they will want a Japanese franchise and will probably try and buy the club outright. They could change the name to incorporate them into the group of "City" clubs.
With Europe, North America and Asia all being home to a City club, it wouldn't surprise me if we will soon see a South American or even African club joining the growing group. The aim does appear to be dominance of world football on the men's and women's stages and although dominance is going to be very difficult, the teams are each becoming successful in their own right.
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