Dive deep into the history of Major League Soccer (MLS), exploring how
the league began and evolved over time, from its inception to its
current status as a growing football competition in North America.
Founded in 1993 as part of the United States' bid to host the 1994
FIFA World Cup, Major League Soccer (MLS) began play in 1996. The
league was established to provide a stable and competitive platform
for professional soccer in the U.S. and Canada, initially featuring
ten teams.
MLS’s early years were marked by growing pains and financial
challenges, but the league began to gain traction in the 2000s with
the introduction of designated player rules and expansion to new
markets. Teams like the LA Galaxy and Toronto FC emerged as
influential forces, attracting international stars and increasing
the league’s visibility.
In the 2010s and 2020s, MLS continued to expand and evolve, with new
teams joining the league and a growing emphasis on youth development
and international talent. The league’s commitment to growth and
improvement has established it as a significant player in the global
soccer landscape.
Today, MLS is recognized for its dynamic play, passionate fan base,
and ongoing efforts to elevate soccer in North America. Its history
reflects a journey of growth and innovation, contributing to the
sport's development across the continent.
2023 Champion
Columbus Crew win MLS Cup over LAFC 2-1!
The MLS Cup final set a new attendance record for Lower.com Field
with 20,802 spectators, including 1,700 LAFC supporters.[81][82] The
Crew had the majority of possession in the first half and limited
chances for Los Angeles to counterattack. The continued pressure in
LAFC's penalty area led to a handball by Diego Palacios that earned
the Crew a penalty kick, which was converted in the 33rd minute by
Cucho Hernández.[83][82] Heavy rain began to fall after the goal as
the Crew continued to press forward. After Aidan Morris intercepted
a pass by Ryan Hollingshead, the Crew made 11 passes upfield to
reach Yaw Yeboah, who scored the second goal of the match.
The Crew led 2-0 at half-time, having avoided a potential own goal
in stoppage time. LAFC responded by sending more players upfield and
leaving themselves vulnerable to counterattacks; an attempt by
Yeboah was saved off the goal line by Palacios early in the
half.[82] Dénis Bouanga scored in the 74th minute from a rebound
after his first shot was saved by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte with
his face. Schulte was treated on-field after the play but was able
to continue.[83] The Crew were able to prevent an equalizer from
LAFC and won 2-1 to clinch their third MLS Cup title.
MLS Teams
Discover the elite teams competing in the MLS, showcasing the best of
American Soccer.
Atlanta United
Atlanta United FC is an American professional soccer club based in Atlanta, Georgia, that began play in 2017 as a member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer. The...
Founded: 2014
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Austin FC
Austin FC is an American professional soccer club based in Austin, Texas. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Founded in 2018,...
Founded: 2021
Stadium: Q2 Stadium
CF Montréal
Club de Foot Montréal, or simply CF Montréal, is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of...
Founded: 2010
Stadium: Stade Saputo
Charlotte FC
Charlotte Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Charlotte. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference. The team...
Founded: 2022
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference,...
Founded: 1997
Stadium: Soldier Field
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional men's soccer team based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer as a member of...
Founded: 1996
Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew SC is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS,...
Founded: 1994
Stadium: Lower.com Field
DC United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C., which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having...
Founded: 1995
Stadium: Audi Field
FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati is a soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio that plays in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2019. The team succeeded the lower-division team of...
Founded: 2019
Stadium: TQL Stadium
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas. The club competes as a member of Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise began...
Founded: 1996
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo are an American professional soccer club based in Houston, Texas. The franchise competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), as a member of the Western Conference. The Dynamo had...
Founded: 2005
Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Inter Miami
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, known in English as Inter Miami CF or simply Inter Miami, is an American professional soccer club based in the Miami metropolitan area. Founded in...
Founded: 2020
Stadium: Chase Stadium
LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy, also known as the Los Angeles Galaxy, is an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League...
Founded: 1995
Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles Football Club is an American professional soccer franchise based Los Angeles, California. The team will begin play in Major League Soccer (MLS) starting in 2018, as a member...
Founded: 2014
Stadium: BMO Stadium
Minnesota United
Minnesota United FC is an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area that plays in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The club began play in...
Founded: 2015
Stadium: Allianz Field
Nashville SC
Nashville Soccer Club is a Major League Soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The team began play in the league in 2020 as a continuation of the USL club of...
Founded: 2020
Stadium: GEODIS Park
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Boston area that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), in the Eastern Conference of the league....
Founded: 1995
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
New York City FC
New York City Football Club is an American professional soccer team based in New York City that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). It was announced as the league's twentieth...
Founded: 2013
Stadium: Yankee Stadium
New York Red Bulls
The New Jersey Red Bulls are an American professional soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey. The team competes in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). It is...
Founded: 1995
Stadium: Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)
Orlando City
Orlando City Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club in Orlando, Florida, that competes as a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS). Orlando City SC...
Founded: 2013
Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium
Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union is an American professional soccer team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). The team plays their home matches at PPL...
Founded: 2008
Stadium: Subaru Park
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon, that competes in Major League Soccer. The Timbers are the 18th club of Major League Soccer, and...
Founded: 1975
Stadium: Providence Park
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake (RSL) is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes as a member of the Western Conference...
Founded: 2004
Stadium: America First Field
San Diego FC
San Diego Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in San Diego. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. The...
Founded: 2023
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States, that competes as a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer...
Founded: 1994
Stadium: PayPal Park
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). Sounders FC was established on November 13, 2007, as an...
Founded: 2007
Stadium: Lumen Field
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently playing in Kansas City, Kansas. The club is presently a member of the Western...
Founded: 1995
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
St. Louis City SC
St. Louis City SC (stylized as St. Louis CITY SC) is an American professional men's soccer club based in St. Louis, Missouri. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as...
Founded: 2019
Stadium: CITYPARK
Toronto FC
Toronto Football Club is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team plays...
Founded: 2006
Stadium: BMO Field
Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia that competes in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Whitecaps were the 17th...
