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			{{Short description|Professional soccer league in the United States and Canada}}
	{{Redirect|MLS}}		{{Redirect|MLS}}
	{{good article}}		{{Good article}}
	{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}		{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
	{{Use American English|date=October 2016}}		{{Use American English|date=October 2016}}
	{{Infobox football league		{{Infobox football league
	| current_season = 2018 Major League Soccer season
	| name = Major League Soccer		| name = Major League Soccer
	| logo = MLS logo.svg		| image = MLS crest logo RGB gradient.svg
			| countries = United States (27 teams)<br />Canada (3 teams)
	| pixels = 150px
	| country = United States
	| other countries = Canada
	| confed = ]		| confed = ]
	| founded = December 17, 1993<ref>{{cite web|last=Borg|first=Simon|title=MLS celebrates 17th anniversary of formal debut|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-celebrates-17th-anniversary-formal-debut|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=December 17, 2010|accessdate=September 14, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112104012/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-celebrates-17th-anniversary-formal-debut|archivedate=January 12, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		| founded = {{start date and age|1993|12|17}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Borg|first=Simon|title=MLS celebrates 17th anniversary of formal debut|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-celebrates-17th-anniversary-formal-debut|website=MLSSoccer.com|date=December 17, 2010|access-date=November 20, 2022|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112104012/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-celebrates-17th-anniversary-formal-debut|url-status=live}}</ref>
			| first = ]
	| conferences = ]<br />]		| conferences = ]<br />]
	| teams = 23		| teams = 30
	| levels = ]<br />]		| levels = ]
	| domest_cup = ]<br />]		| domest_cup = ]<br />]
	| confed_cup = ]		| confed_cup = ]<br />]<br />]
	| mlscupchamps = ]<br/>(1st title)		| mlscupchamps = ] (6th title)
	| mlscupseason = ]		| mlscupseason = ]
	| shieldchamps = ] (1st shield)		| shieldchamps = ] (1st shield)
	| shieldseason = ]		| shieldseason = ]
	| most_mlscups = ] (5 titles)		| most_mlscups = ]<br />(6 titles)
	| most_shields = ]<br />]<br />(4 shields each)		| most_shields = ]<br />]<br />(4 shields each)
			| most_appearances = ] (514)
	| tv =
			| top goalscorer = ] (171)
	{{unbulleted list
			| tv = ]<br />(])
	| '''United States'''
			{{unbulleted list|class=nowrap|
	| ]
			| '''United States''':
	| ]
			| ]
	| ]/]
			| ]{{efn-ua|Spanish audio/broadcast}}
	| '''Canada'''
			| '''Canada''':
	| ]/]/]
	| ]/]		| ]
			| ]{{efn-ua|French audio/broadcast}}
			| '''International''':
			| ]
	}}		}}
	| website = {{URL|mlssoccer.com}}		| website = {{URL|https://www.mlssoccer.com/|MLSsoccer.com}}
			| current_season = 2025 Major League Soccer season
	}}		}}
	'''Major League Soccer''' ('''MLS''') is a men's professional ] league sanctioned by ] that represents the sport's highest level in both the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/about/affiliates/professional-soccer|title=About Major League Soccer|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923121329/http://www.ussoccer.com/about/affiliates/professional-soccer|archivedate=September 23, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=fraser>{{cite court |litigants=Fraser v. Major League Soccer |vol=01 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=1296 |court=1st Cir. |date=2002 |url=http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-1st-circuit/1441684.html}}</ref> MLS constitutes one of the ] of the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|author=MLSsoccer staff|title=MLS maintains status as most diverse professional sports league in North America|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/24/mls-maintains-status-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=April 25, 2015|accessdate=June 26, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627164041/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/24/mls-maintains-status-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america|archivedate=June 27, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hickey |first=Walt |url=http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/theres-a-big-five-in-north-american-pro-sports/ |title=The 'Big Five' in North American Pro Sports |publisher=FiveThirtyEight |date=April 4, 2014 |accessdate=May 14, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522024423/http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/theres-a-big-five-in-north-american-pro-sports/ |archivedate=May 22, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The league comprises 23 teams—20 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada. The MLS regular season runs from March to October, with each team playing 34&nbsp;games;<ref name="usatoday.com">{{cite web|title=MLS expands playoffs, adds 2 teams in 20th season|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2015/01/07/mls-expands-playoffs-adds-2-teams-in-20th-season/21398585/|publisher=''USA Today''|date=January 7, 2015|accessdate=January 8, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109034809/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2015/01/07/mls-expands-playoffs-adds-2-teams-in-20th-season/21398585/|archivedate=January 9, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=MLSsoccer staff|title=Major League Soccer unveils 2015 schedule, with Decision Day finale and expanded playoff format|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/07/major-league-soccer-unveils-2015-schedule-decision-day-finale-and-expanded-p|publisher=Major League Soccer|website=mlssoccer.com|date=January 7, 2015|accessdate=June 17, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626225018/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/07/major-league-soccer-unveils-2015-schedule-decision-day-finale-and-expanded-p|archivedate=June 26, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> the team with the best record is awarded the ]. The postseason includes twelve teams competing in the ] through November and December, culminating in the championship game the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/10/mls-cup-playoffs-101-how-2013-postseason-works|title=MLS Cup Playoffs 101: How the 2013 postseason works|work=Portland Timbers|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031034335/http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/10/mls-cup-playoffs-101-how-2013-postseason-works|archivedate=October 31, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> MLS teams also play in other domestic competitions against teams from other divisions in the ] and in the ]. MLS teams also compete against continental rivals in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.concacaf.com/article/concacaf-approves-u-s-soccersmls-request-to-amend-their-qualification-process-to-concacaf-champions-league|title=CONCACAF Approves U.S. Soccer's/MLS Request to Amend Their Qualification Process to CCL|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008084231/http://www.concacaf.com/article/concacaf-approves-u-s-soccersmls-request-to-amend-their-qualification-process-to-concacaf-champions-league|archivedate=October 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			'''Major League Soccer''' ('''MLS''') is a men's professional ] league sanctioned by the ], which represents the sport's ].<ref>{{cite web|title=About Major League Soccer|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/about/affiliates/professional-soccer|publisher=USSoccer.com|access-date=January 16, 2021|archive-date=September 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923121329/http://www.ussoccer.com/about/affiliates/professional-soccer|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fraser">{{cite court |litigants=Fraser v. Major League Soccer |vol=01 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=1296 |court=US 1st Cir. |date=March 20, 2002 |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-1st-circuit/1441684.html}}</ref> It comprises 30 teams, with 27 in the ] and 3 in ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Louis City unveil new renderings of state-of-the-art stadium ahead of 2023 MLS debut |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/st-louis-city-unveil-new-renderings-state-art-stadium-ahead-2023-mls-debut |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=August 20, 2019 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518065656/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/st-louis-city-unveil-new-renderings-state-art-stadium-ahead-2023-mls-debut |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite news|title=MLS announces plans to expand to 30 teams|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/04/18/mls-announces-plans-expand-30-teams|work=MLSSoccer.com|date=April 18, 2019|access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419091453/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/04/18/mls-announces-plans-expand-30-teams|url-status=live}}</ref> MLS is one of the ]. The league is headquartered in ].
	Major League Soccer was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=About Major League Soccer |publisher=MLSnet |date=September 5, 2008 |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |accessdate=September 5, 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080625214719/http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |archivedate = June 25, 2008}}</ref> The ] took place in 1996 with ten teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/season/1996|title=1996 Season Recap|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001073656/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/season/1996|archivedate=October 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> MLS experienced financial and operational struggles in its first few years: The league lost millions of dollars, teams played in mostly empty American football stadiums, and two teams folded in 2002.<ref name="Forbes, Major League Soccer 2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/|title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams|date=November 20, 2013|work=Forbes|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921101715/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/|archivedate=September 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Since then, MLS has ] to 23 teams, owners built ]s, ] exceeds that of the ] (NHL) and ] (NBA), MLS passed the ] which allows teams to sign star players such as ], MLS secured ], and the league is now profitable.<ref name="forbes-2015-08">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/08/19/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams-2015-2/ |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2015 |work=Forbes |accessdate=August 20, 2015 |first=Chris |last=Smith |date=August 19, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820044818/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/08/19/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams-2015-2/ |archivedate=August 20, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			The predecessor of MLS was the ] (NASL), which existed from 1968 until 1984.<ref name="by-the-numbers">{{Cite web |title=By The Numbers... North American Soccer League vs Major League Soccer |date=February 11, 2013 |url=http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2013/02/by-the-numbers-north-american-soccer-league-vs-major-league-soccer.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131209045614/http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2013/02/by-the-numbers-north-american-soccer-league-vs-major-league-soccer.html |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> MLS was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 5, 2008 |title=About Major League Soccer |publisher=MLSnet.com |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |access-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625214719/http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |archive-date=June 25, 2008}}</ref>
	Instead of operating as an association of independently owned teams, MLS is a single entity in which each team is owned by the league's investors.<ref name="findlaw">{{cite court |litigants=Fraser v. Major League Soccer |vol=01 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=1296 |court=US 1st Cir. |date=March 20, 2002 |url=http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-1st-circuit/1441684.html |quote= MLS owns all of the teams that play in the league (a total of 12 prior to the start of 2002), as well as all intellectual property rights, tickets, supplied equipment, and broadcast rights. … However, MLS has also relinquished some control over team operations to certain investors. MLS contracts with these investors to operate…the league's teams}}</ref> The investor-operators control their teams as owners control teams in other leagues, and are commonly (but inaccurately) referred to as the team's owners.<ref name="Business of Soccer">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|title=Dempsey Transfer Highlights Influence of MLS Single-Entity Economic Structure|work=Business of Soccer|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084436/http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|archivedate=August 12, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league has a fixed membership, like most sports leagues in the United States and Canada, which makes it one of the world's few soccer leagues that does not use ], a practice that is uncommon in the two countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/columns/mytwocents.php?article_id=36119|title=MY TWO CENTS Part II: A few reasons how promotion/relegation system could be a success in the United States|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701145427/http://bigapplesoccer.com/columns/mytwocents.php?article_id=36119|archivedate=July 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> MLS headquarters is located in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Major_League_Soccer_LLC.0432cbf68c309307.html|title=Major League Soccer, L.L.C. Company Information|publisher=Hoovers, Inc|accessdate=June 2, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928015249/http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.Major_League_Soccer_LLC.0432cbf68c309307.html|archivedate=September 28, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			The ] took place in 1996 with ten teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 Season Recap |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/season/1996 |work=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001073656/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/season/1996 |archive-date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> MLS experienced financial and operational struggles in its first few years, losing millions of dollars and folding two teams in 2002.<ref name="forbes.com">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/ |date=November 20, 2013 |website=Forbes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921101715/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/ |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Since then, developments such as the proliferation of ]s around the league, the implementation of the ] allowing teams to sign star players such as ] and ], and ] have made MLS profitable.<ref name="forbes-2015-08">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2015 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/08/19/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams-2015-2/ |last=Smith |first=Chris |date=August 19, 2015 |website=Forbes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820044818/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/08/19/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams-2015-2/ |archive-date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref>
			In 2022, with an average attendance of over 21,000 per game, MLS had the fourth-highest average attendance of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, behind the ] (NFL) with over 69,000 fans per game, ] (MLB) with over 26,000 fans per game, and the ] (CFL) with over 21,700 fans per game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Broughton |first=David |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Attendance evolution since 2003 |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2023/04/10/In-Depth/attendance.aspx |work=] |url-access=subscription |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Strong |first=Gregory |date=May 19, 2023 |title=Intentional Grounding: CFL coverage to take hit with fewer reporters on the road |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/cfl/intentional-grounding-cfl-coverage-to-take-hit-with-fewer-reporters-on-the-road/article_571381b9-0526-5712-93c6-561de4cee064.html |work=] |agency=] |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref> MLS was the eighth-highest attended professional soccer league worldwide by 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Poli |first1=Raffaele |last2=Ravenel |first2=Loïc |last3=Besson |first3=Roger |date=April 2019 |title=Attendances in football stadia (2003–2018) |page=3 |url=https://football-observatory.com/IMG/pdf/mr44en.pdf |publisher=] |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref>
			The MLS regular season typically starts in late February or early March and runs through mid-October, with each team playing 34&nbsp;games;<ref name="usatoday.com">{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2015|title=MLS expands playoffs, adds 2 teams in 20th season |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2015/01/07/mls-expands-playoffs-adds-2-teams-in-20th-season/21398585/|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109034809/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2015/01/07/mls-expands-playoffs-adds-2-teams-in-20th-season/21398585/ |archive-date=January 9, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 2015 |title=Major League Soccer unveils 2015 schedule, with Decision Day finale and expanded playoff format|publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/07/major-league-soccer-unveils-2015-schedule-decision-day-finale-and-expanded-p |url-status=live |access-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626225018/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/01/07/major-league-soccer-unveils-2015-schedule-decision-day-finale-and-expanded-p|archive-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> the team with the best record is awarded the ]. Eighteen teams compete in the postseason ] in late October and November, culminating in the league's championship game, the ].<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 29, 2013|title=MLS Cup Playoffs 101: How the 2013 postseason works|url=https://www.timbers.com/news/mls-cup-playoffs-101-how-2013-postseason-works|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031034335/http://www.timbers.com/news/2013/10/mls-cup-playoffs-101-how-2013-postseason-works|archive-date=October 31, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2014|publisher=Portland Timbers}}</ref>
			Instead of operating as an association of independently owned clubs, MLS is a single entity in which each team is owned by the league and individually operated by the league's investors.<ref name="fraser" /> The league has a fixed membership like most sports leagues in the United States and Canada and ]'s ] which makes it one of the few soccer leagues that does not use a ] process.<ref name="pro-rel" />
			The ] have the most MLS Cups, with six. They are tied with ] for most Supporters' Shields, with four each.
	==Competition format==		==Competition format==
	{{See also | Supporters' Shield | MLS Cup | MLS Cup Playoffs}}		{{See also|Supporters' Shield|MLS Cup|MLS Cup playoffs}}
	Major League Soccer's regular season runs from March to October. Teams are divided into the ] and ] Conferences. Teams play 34&nbsp;games in an unbalanced schedule: 23 matches against teams within their conference, plus 11 matches against teams from the other conference.<ref name="usatoday.com"/><ref name="rules">{{cite web|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/new-teams-and-new-stadiums-highlight-2017-mls-regular-season-schedule|title=New Teams and New Stadiums Highlight 2017 MLS Regular Season Schedule|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=February 18, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219171715/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/new-teams-and-new-stadiums-highlight-2017-mls-regular-season-schedule|archivedate=February 19, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Midway through the season, teams break for the annual ], a friendly game between the league's finest players and a major club from a different league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/mls_all-star_game_creates_oppo.html|title=MLS All-Star Game creates opportunities for Portland, U.S. soccer: Editorial|work=OregonLive.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811214656/http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/mls_all-star_game_creates_oppo.html|archivedate=August 11, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total is awarded the Supporters' Shield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/8/21/4634894/a-case-for-the-supporters-shield|title=A case for the Supporters Shield|date=August 21, 2013|work=Brotherly Game|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031044518/http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/8/21/4634894/a-case-for-the-supporters-shield|archivedate=October 31, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		Major League Soccer's regular season runs from late February or early March to October. Teams are geographically divided into the ] and ] Conferences, playing 34 games in an unbalanced schedule. With 30 teams in 2025, each team plays two games, home and away, against every team in its conference and one game against all but four or five of the teams in the opposite conference. The 2020 season was the first season in league history in which teams did not play against every other team in the league.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mather |first1=victor |title=In M.L.S., the Pandemic Changes the Playoff Math |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/sports/soccer/mls-playoffs.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029172215/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/sports/soccer/mls-playoffs.html |archive-date=2020-10-29 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The New York Times|date=October 29, 2020 }}</ref> At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total is awarded the ] and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 21, 2013|title=A case for the Supporters Shield|url=http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/8/21/4634894/a-case-for-the-supporters-shield|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031044518/http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/8/21/4634894/a-case-for-the-supporters-shield|archive-date=October 31, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2014|website=Brotherly Game}}</ref>
			Teams break for the annual ] midway through the season, an exhibition game containing the league's best players. The format of the All-Star Game has changed several times since the league's inception; 2020 was the first year in which the MLS All-Stars were planned to play against an all-star team from Mexico's ], before the event's cancellation due to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS All-Star Game creates opportunities for Portland, U.S. soccer: Editorial |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/mls_all-star_game_creates_oppo.html |date=August 3, 2014 |website=The Oregonian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811214656/http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/mls_all-star_game_creates_oppo.html |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=May 19, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer Provides Updates on All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/major-league-soccer-provides-updates-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221123106/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/major-league-soccer-provides-updates-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="canceled"/> Since 2015, the final matchday of the season has been branded as "]" and has almost all matches played between intra-conference teams kicking off simultaneously during two windows—one for each conference.<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Sounders have plenty to play for as Decision Day looms Sunday |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-have-plenty-to-play-for-as-decision-day-looms-sunday/ |work=The Seattl eTimes |accessdate=December 23, 2024}}</ref>
	Unlike some soccer leagues around the world, but similar to other leagues in the Americas,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zachslaton/2012/10/15/how-the-mls-playoff-format-punishes-ambitious-teams/|title=How the MLS Playoff Format Punishes Ambitious Teams|date=October 15, 2012|work=Forbes|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806183526/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zachslaton/2012/10/15/how-the-mls-playoff-format-punishes-ambitious-teams/|archivedate=August 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> the MLS regular season is followed by the 12-team MLS Cup Playoffs in November, ending with the MLS Cup championship final in early December.<ref>{{cite news|first=Grant|last=Wahl|title=Beckham's Last Stand|date=October 31, 2011|publisher='']''|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1191594/index.htm|accessdate=October 28, 2011|quote='With the playoffs you can end up winning the Supporters' Shield and then go out in the first round.'|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027160716/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1191594/index.htm|archivedate=October 27, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	Although some commentators have argued that playoffs reduce the importance of the regular season,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/28/are-there-too-many-mls-playoff-teams/|title=Are there too many MLS playoff teams?|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808182602/http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/28/are-there-too-many-mls-playoff-teams/|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Commissioner ] has explained "Our purpose is to have a valuable competition, and that includes having playoffs that are more meaningful."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/03/11/MLS.Don.Garber/index.html | work=CNN | title=MLS commissioner talks Pacific Northwest rivalry, league's future | date=March 11, 2011 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314131606/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/03/11/MLS.Don.Garber/index.html | archivedate=March 14, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			Unlike most major soccer leagues around the world, but similar to other leagues in the Americas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How the MLS Playoff Format Punishes Ambitious Teams |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zachslaton/2012/10/15/how-the-mls-playoff-format-punishes-ambitious-teams/ |date=October 15, 2012 |website=Forbes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806183526/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zachslaton/2012/10/15/how-the-mls-playoff-format-punishes-ambitious-teams/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> the MLS regular season is followed by a postseason knockout tournament to determine the league champion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yardley |first=Jonathan |date=October 22, 2015 |title=Playoffs Around the World: Global leagues use variety of different formats to determine champions |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/playoffs-around-world-global-leagues-use-variety-different-formats-determine |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221202928/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/playoffs-around-world-global-leagues-use-variety-different-formats-determine |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, eighteen teams participate in the ] in October and November, which concludes with the ] championship game in early December.<ref>{{cite press release |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Major League Soccer Announces Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Format and Schedule |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-audi-2023-mls-cup-playoffs-format-and-schedule |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222131030/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-audi-2023-mls-cup-playoffs-format-and-schedule |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2023 playoff format includes a pair of single-elimination play-in matches for the two lowest-ranked teams in each conference ahead of a ] round; the round is followed by more single-elimination rounds that lead up to the MLS Cup final.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MLS announces new playoff format for 2023 season|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-new-playoff-format-for-2023-season|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221201512/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-new-playoff-format-for-2023-season|url-status=live}}</ref>
	Major League Soccer's spring-to-fall schedule results in scheduling conflicts with the ] and with summertime international tournaments such as the ] and the ],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_fifa_president_sepp_blatter.html |title=FIFA president Blatter says MLS needs to adopt int'l calendar to compete |first=Michael |last=Lewis |publisher=''New York Daily News'' |date=June 19, 2010 |accessdate=December 22, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629083851/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_fifa_president_sepp_blatter.html |archivedate=June 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> causing several players to miss some MLS matches.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-22/sports/30041416_1_summer-schedule-mls-teams-don-garber | title=MLS May Change Its Schedule To Help The US's World Cup Bid | publisher=Business Insider | date=November 22, 2010 | accessdate=October 24, 2011 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113134122/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-22/sports/30041416_1_summer-schedule-mls-teams-don-garber | archivedate=January 13, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	While MLS has looked into changing to a fall-to-spring format, there are no current plans to do so. If the league were to change its schedule, a substantial winter break would still be necessary due to teams being located in harsh winter climates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-11-21-2487717250_x.htm |title=MLS looks at switching to international schedule |publisher=''USA Today'' |date=November 22, 2011 |accessdate=October 24, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107134551/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-11-21-2487717250_x.htm |archivedate=January 7, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead |title=Playoffs expand to 10 teams, more changes ahead |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=November 22, 2010 |accessdate=December 22, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227160017/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead |archivedate=December 27, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="USA Today">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2011-02-14-garber-mls-schedule_N.htm |title=MLS' Garber: No plans for international calendar |publisher=''USA Today'' |date=February 15, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107114514/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2011-02-14-garber-mls-schedule_N.htm |archivedate=January 7, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It would also have to compete with the popularity and media presence of the ] (NFL) in the fall and winter as well as the ] (NBA) and ] (NHL), which both run on fall-to-spring schedules.<ref name="USA Today"/>
			Major League Soccer's spring-to-fall schedule results in scheduling conflicts with the ] and with summertime international tournaments such as the ] and the ],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=June 19, 2010 |title=FIFA president Blatter says MLS needs to adopt int'l calendar to compete |work=Daily News |location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_fifa_president_sepp_blatter.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629083851/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_fifa_president_sepp_blatter.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> causing some players to miss league matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS May Change Its Schedule To Help The US's World Cup Bid |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-22/sports/30041416_1_summer-schedule-mls-teams-don-garber |date=November 22, 2010 |website=Business Insider |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113134122/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-22/sports/30041416_1_summer-schedule-mls-teams-don-garber |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=October 24, 2011}}</ref> While MLS has looked into changing to a fall-to-spring format, there are no current plans to do so. Were the league to change its schedule, a winter break would be necessary to accommodate teams located in harsh winter climates.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 22, 2011 |title=MLS looks at switching to international schedule |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-11-21-2487717250_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107134551/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-11-21-2487717250_x.htm |archive-date=January 7, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Playoffs expand to 10 teams, more changes ahead |date=November 22, 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227160017/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead |archive-date=December 27, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="USA Today">{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2011 |title=MLS' Garber: No plans for international calendar |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2011-02-14-garber-mls-schedule_N.htm |url-status=live |access-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107114514/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2011-02-14-garber-mls-schedule_N.htm |archive-date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> It would also have to compete with the popularity and media presence of the ] (NFL), ] (NBA), and ] (NHL), which all run on fall-to-spring schedules.<ref name="USA Today" />
	===Other competitions===		===Other competitions===
	{{See also|MLS performance in the CONCACAF Champions League}}		{{See also|MLS performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup |Campeones Cup |Leagues Cup|American soccer clubs in international competitions
			}}
	MLS teams also play in other competitions. Every year, up to five MLS teams play in the ] against other clubs from the ] region (Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean). Two U.S.-based MLS teams qualify based on MLS regular-season results: the winner of the Western conference and the winner of the Eastern conference. The third U.S. team to qualify is the winner of the ]. A fourth U.S.-based MLS team can qualify via the ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup|title=Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920220525/http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup|archivedate=September 20, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> where U.S. based teams compete against lower division U.S. clubs. If a team qualifies through multiple berths, or if any of the MLS berths are taken by a Canada-based MLS team, the berth is reallocated to the best U.S.-based team in the Supporters' Shield table which has failed to otherwise qualify. Canadian MLS clubs play against lower division Canadian clubs in the ] for the one Champions League spot allocated to Canada.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 21, 2014 |title=Canada Soccer announces move to new timeframe for future Amway Canadian Championships |url=http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-annonce-un-nouveau-calendrier-pour-les-prochaines-éditions-du-championnat-canadien-amway-p156082&language=en |publisher=Canada Soccer |accessdate=August 1, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016060453/http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-annonce-un-nouveau-calendrier-pour-les-prochaines-%C3%A9ditions-du-championnat-canadien-amway-p156082%26language%3Den |archivedate=October 16, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> No MLS club has won the Champions League since it began its current format in 2008, with Mexican clubs dominating the competition, but MLS teams have twice reached the final: Real Salt Lake in 2011 and the Montreal Impact in 2015.
			MLS teams also play in other international and domestic competitions. Each season, up to ten MLS teams play in the ] (CCC) against other clubs from the ] region. Four MLS teams qualify based on regular-season results from the previous year: the ] champion, the team with the highest point total from the opposite conference, and the next two clubs in the Supporters' Shield rankings. The fifth MLS team to qualify is the reigning ] champion. An additional U.S.-based MLS team can qualify by winning the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920220525/http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Starting in 2024, the league will send eight teams to participate in the U.S. Open Cup instead of every U.S.-based club, with ] teams as representatives for some teams. MLS had announced their intention to remove itself from the tournament entirely,<ref>{{cite news |last=Floyd |first=Thomas |date=December 15, 2023 |title=MLS to skip U.S. Open Cup, nation's oldest soccer tournament |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/12/15/mls-us-open-cup/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=December 16, 2023 |url-access=limited}}</ref> but reached a compromise with U.S. Soccer to send representatives from clubs that were not participating in the Champions Cup, with the exception of the defending Open Cup champions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=March 1, 2024 |title=U.S. Open Cup revamp to feature just 8 MLS first teams |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39631836/us-open-cup-revamp-feature-just-8-mls-first-teams |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=March 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=March 1, 2024 |title=MLS is back in the U.S. Open Cup, but not every club will participate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/03/01/mls-us-open-cup-participation/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=March 1, 2024}}</ref> The last three teams to qualify are the champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher of the ].<ref name="concacaf-announces-qualification-criteria">{{cite web |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/champions-league/news/concacaf-announces-qualification-criteria-for-confederation-s-expanded-champions-league-starting-in-2024/ |title=Concacaf announces qualification criteria for Confederation's expanded Champions League starting in 2024 |work=] |orig-date=First published June 1, 2022 |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601153122/https://www.concacaf.com/en/champions-league/news/concacaf-announces-qualification-criteria-for-confederation-s-expanded-champions-league-starting-in-2024/ |archive-date=June 1, 2022}}</ref> ], ], and ] compete against other Canadian sides in the ] for the one CONCACAF Champions Cup berth allocated to Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canada Soccer announces move to new timeframe for future Amway Canadian Championships |url=http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-annonce-un-nouveau-calendrier-pour-les-prochaines-éditions-du-championnat-canadien-amway-p156082&language=en |date=March 21, 2014 |publisher=Canada Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016060453/http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-annonce-un-nouveau-calendrier-pour-les-prochaines-%C3%A9ditions-du-championnat-canadien-amway-p156082%26language%3Den |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref> All three Canadian clubs may also qualify through MLS or the Leagues Cup. If a team qualifies through multiple berths, or they are taken by a Canadian MLS team, the berth is reallocated to the next best team in the overall table. If the U.S. Open Cup winner qualifies through multiple methods, the runner-up fills the slot; should the runner-up qualify, the next best team in the overall table earns the slot. If the Leagues Cup champion wins the MLS Cup, the MLS Cup runner-up qualifies to the round of 16; should a Leagues Cup slot already qualify, MLS is awarded with one additional slot given to the next best non-qualified team in the overall table.<ref name="2024cccregulations">{{cite web |title=2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Regulations |url=https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/atwi3fxa/2024-concacaf-champions-cup-regulations-eng.pdf |website=Concacaf |access-date=November 1, 2023 |pages=14–19 |date=October 25, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026041930/https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/atwi3fxa/2024-concacaf-champions-cup-regulations-eng.pdf |archive-date=October 26, 2023}}</ref> ] became the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup under the competition's updated format in ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=May 4, 2022 |title=One for the history books: Sounders clinch MLS' first CCL title in front of record crowd in Seattle |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/one-for-the-history-books-sounders-clinch-mls-first-ccl-title-in-front-of-record-crowd-in-seattle/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505044010/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/one-for-the-history-books-sounders-clinch-mls-first-ccl-title-in-front-of-record-crowd-in-seattle/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Creditor |first=Avi |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Seattle Ends MLS's CCL Futility, Routs Pumas to Win Concacaf's Title |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/05/05/seattle-sounders-pumas-unam-ccl-final-video-highlights |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505015303/https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/05/05/seattle-sounders-pumas-unam-ccl-final-video-highlights |url-status=live }}</ref>
	==Teams==
	{{See also|Expansion of Major League Soccer|List of Major League Soccer coaches|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}}
	{{MLS labeled map}}
	MLS's 23 teams are divided between the ] and ]s. Each club is allowed up to 28 players on its first team roster.<ref name="2011 MLS Roster Rules">{{cite news|title=MLS Roster Rules|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations|work=MLSsoccer.com|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325152553/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations|archivedate=March 25, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> All 28 players are eligible for selection to each 18-player game-day squad during the regular season and playoffs.
			Since 2018, the reigning MLS Cup champion plays in the ], a ]-style single game against the ] from ], hosted by the MLS team in September.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Major League Soccer and Liga MX Fuel Rivalry with New Partnership |date=March 13, 2018 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/13/major-league-soccer-and-liga-mx-fuel-rivalry-new-partnership |access-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023824/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/13/major-league-soccer-and-liga-mx-fuel-rivalry-new-partnership |url-status=live }}</ref> The inaugural edition saw ] defeat Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shoalts |first=David |date=September 19, 2018 |title=Mexico's Tigres get a little payback, defeat Toronto FC in Campeones Cup |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-mexicos-tigres-get-a-little-payback-defeat-toronto-fc-in-campeones/ |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109081517/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-mexicos-tigres-get-a-little-payback-defeat-toronto-fc-in-campeones/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
	Since the 2005 season, MLS has added many new clubs. During this period of expansion, Los Angeles became the first two-team market, and the league pushed into Canada in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305673-mls-considers-expanding-to-montreal|title=MLS considers expanding to Montreal|author=PA Sports|work=Bleacher Report|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224073601/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/305673-mls-considers-expanding-to-montreal|archivedate=December 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league expanded from 20 teams to 23 teams in 2018 with the addition of Los Angeles FC.<ref name="Minnesota joins MLS">{{cite news|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-minneapolis-represents-everything-spurring-growt|title=MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Minneapolis represents everything that is spurring growth of MLS|date=March 25, 2015|work=MLS|first=Sam|last=Stejskal|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328124447/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-minneapolis-represents-everything-spurring-growt|archivedate=March 28, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league further plans to expand to 26 teams by the beginning of the 2020 season and to 28 teams at a later date. The next two expansion franchises are planned to be awarded during the second or third quarters of 2017 according to a December 15, 2016, announcement by MLS Commissioner ].<ref name="2020ExpansionPlans">{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mls-unveils-expansion-process-timeline-and-fee/n-5222485 |title=MLS Unveils Expansion Process, Timeline and Fee |publisher=''OurSports Central'' |date=December 15, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220182359/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mls-unveils-expansion-process-timeline-and-fee/n-5222485 |archivedate=December 20, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			Another inter-league competition with Liga MX, the ], was established in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Tom |date=May 29, 2019 |title=MLS and Liga MX announce Leagues Cup |publisher=] |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3863630/mls-and-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123025944/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3863630/mls-and-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2020 edition of the tournament was originally planned to pair eight MLS clubs against eight Liga MX clubs in a single-elimination tournament hosted in the United States, reviving an inter-league rivalry that previously took place in the now-defunct ], before its cancelation.<ref name="canceled">{{cite press release |date=May 19, 2020 |title=MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup canceled for 2020 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/mls-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup-canceled-2020 |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529164623/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/mls-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup-canceled-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning with the 2023 edition all MLS and Liga MX teams participate in the competition, which functions as the regional cup for the ] of ].<ref>{{cite news |date=September 21, 2021 |title=Historic reimagined Leagues Cup starting in 2023 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/historic-reimagined-leagues-cup-starting-in-2023 |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921202059/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/historic-reimagined-leagues-cup-starting-in-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
	Several teams compete annually for secondary ] that are typically contested by two teams, usually geographic rivals (e.g., Portland vs. Seattle vs. Vancouver).<ref name="nycfc.com"/> Each cup is awarded to the team with the better regular-season record in games played between the two teams. The concept is comparable to minor trophies played for by American ] teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2014/01/derby-or-rivalry-in-mls.html|title=Derby or Rivalry in MLS?|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003624/http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2014/01/derby-or-rivalry-in-mls.html|archivedate=February 22, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			==Clubs==
	Beginning with the 2018 season, teams are aligned as follows:<ref name="Chivas USA gone, realignment" />{{not in source|date=December 2017|reason=This was true for 2017, but not 2018}}
			{{See also|Expansion of Major League Soccer|Major League Soccer defunct clubs|List of Major League Soccer coaches}}
			{{MLS labeled map}}
			The 30 clubs of Major League Soccer are divided between the ] and ] conferences. MLS has regularly expanded since the 2005 season, most recently with the addition of ] is planned for the 2025 season.<ref name="San Diego">{{cite press release |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Major League Soccer awards expansion team to San Diego |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-to-san-diego-x9222 |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518175919/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-to-san-diego-x9222 |url-status=live }}</ref>
			The league features numerous ] that are contested by two or more teams, quite often geographic rivals.<ref name="nycfc.com" /> Each trophy is awarded to the team with the best record in matches during the regular season involving the participating teams. The concept is comparable to ] played for by American ] teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Derby or Rivalry in MLS? |date=January 27, 2014 |url=http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2014/01/derby-or-rivalry-in-mls.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170525155859/https://ussoccerplayers.com/2014/01/derby%2Dor%2Drivalry%2Din%2Dmls.html |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014 }}</ref>
			MLS features some of the longest travel distances for a domestic soccer league, with ] and ] the furthest apart teams at {{convert|2,801|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rosenblatt |first=Ryan |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Baseball fields, playoffs, snow and All-Star Games: What new things await Lionel Messi in MLS? |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37839435/mls-quirks-await-messi-inter-miami-playoffs-baseball-fields-snow-turf |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref> During the ], the team with the shortest distance traveled over the entire regular schedule was ] at {{convert|25,891|mi|km}}, while the longest was Vancouver at {{convert|51,178|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baer |first=Benjamin |date=January 5, 2018 |title=Which team will have to travel the most, least in 2018? |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/which-team-will-have-travel-most-least-2018 |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref>
			{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
	===Current teams===
			|+Overview of MLS clubs
	{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"
	|-		|-
			! scope="col" | Conference
	! style="background:white"|Team
			! scope="col" | Club
	! style="background:white"|City
			! scope="col" | Location
	! style="background:white"|Stadium
			! scope="col" | ]
	! style="background:white"|Capacity
			! scope="col" | Capacity
	! style="background:white"|Joined
			! scope="col" | Joined
	! style="background:white"|Head coach
			! scope="col" | Head coach
	|-		|-
	! style="background:#192857;" colspan="6"|]		!rowspan="15" |]
			! scope="row"| ]
			| ]
			| ]{{ref|1|1}}
			| align=center|42,500{{ref|2|2}}
			| align=center|2017
			| ]
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ''']'''
	| ]		| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup>		| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	| align=center | 42,500<sup>4</sup>		| align=center|38,000{{ref|2|2}}
	| align=center | 2017		| align=center|2022
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Argentina}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	| align=center | 20,000		| align=center|24,995{{ref|2|2}}
	| align=center | 1998		| align=center|1998
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Serbia}} ]
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|{{sort|Cincinnati|]}}
	| ''']'''
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center|26,000
			| align=center|2019
			| ]
			|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 19,968		| align=center|20,371
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 20,000		| align=center|20,000
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ''']'''
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center|21,550
			| align=center|2020
			| ]
			|-
			!scope="row"|{{sort|Montréal|]}}
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 20,801		| align=center|19,619
	| align=center | 2012		| align=center|2012
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|France}} ]
			|-
			!scope="row"|]
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center|30,000
			| align=center|2020
			| ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup> <sup>2</sup>		| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	| align=center | 20,000<sup>4</sup>		| align=center|20,000{{ref|2|2}}
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup> <sup>2</sup>		| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	| align=center | 30,321<sup>4</sup>		| align=center|30,321{{ref|2|2}}
	| align=center | 2015		| align=center|2015
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|France}} ]
	|-		|-
	|''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
			| ]
	| ]
	| align=center | 25,000		| align=center|25,000
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 25,500		| align=center|25,500
	| align=center | 2015		| align=center|2015
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	|''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center |18,500		| align=center|18,500
	| align=center | 2010		| align=center|2010
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]<sup>3</sup>		| ]
	| align=center | 30,991		| align=center|28,351
	| align=center | 2007		| align=center|2007
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	! style="background:#E2231A;" colspan="6"|]		!rowspan="15" |]
			!scope="row"|]
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center|20,738
			| align=center|2021
			| ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 18,061		| align=center|18,061
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|England}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|{{sort|Dallas|]}}
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 20,500		| align=center|19,096
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Colombia}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 22,039		| align=center|22,039
	| align=center | 2006		| align=center|2006
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Colombia}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
			| ]
	| ]<sup>3</sup>
	| align=center | 27,000		| align=center|27,000
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Germany}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 22,000		| align=center|22,000
	| align=center | 2018		| align=center|2018
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
			| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup> <sup>2</sup>
	| align=center | 50,805		| align=center|19,400
	| align=center | 2017		| align=center|2017
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|England}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 21,144		| align=center|25,218
	| align=center | 2011		| align=center|2011
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Venezuela}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 20,213		| align=center|20,213
	| align=center | 2005		| align=center|2005
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
			| ]
			| ]{{ref|1|1}}
			| align=center|35,000
			| align=center|2025
			| ]
			|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 18,000		| align=center|18,000
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
			| ]
	| {{flagicon|Sweden}} ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup>		| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	| align=center | 39,419<sup>4</sup>		| align=center|37,722{{ref|2|2}}
	| align=center | 2009		| align=center|2009
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]		| ]
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''		!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 18,467		| align=center|18,467
	| align=center | 1996		| align=center|1996
	| {{flagicon|United States}} ]		| ]
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ''']'''
			| ]
			| ]
			| align=center|22,423
			| align=center|2023
			| ]
			|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ]		| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup>		| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	| align=center | 22,120<sup>4</sup>		| align=center|22,120{{ref|2|2}}
	| align=center | 2011		| align=center|2011
			| ''Vacant''
	| {{flagicon|Wales}} ]
	|}
	===Future teams===
	{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
	|-
	! style="background:green;" colspan="6"|<span style="color:white;">Future teams</span>
	|-
	! style="background:white"|Team
	! style="background:white"|City
	! style="background:white"|Stadium
	! style="background:white"|Capacity
	! style="background:white"|Joining League
	|-
	| ''']'''
	| ]
	| ]
	| align=center | 25,000
	| align=center | 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/miami-mls-expansion-team-begin-play-2020 |title=Miami MLS expansion team to begin play in 2020 |publisher=MLS |date=January 29, 2018}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	| ''']'''
	| ]
	| ]
	| align=center | 27,500
	| align=center | 2019 or 2020
	|}		|}
	===Defunct teams===		=== Former clubs ===
	{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"		{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
			|+Former MLS clubs
	|-		|-
			! scope="col" | Club
	! style="background:purple;" colspan="6"|<span style="color:white;">Defunct teams</span>
			! scope="col" | Location
			! scope="col" | Stadium
			! scope="col" | Capacity
			! scope="col" | Joined
			! scope="col" | Final season
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|]
	! style="background:white"|Team
			| ]
	! style="background:white"|City
			| ]{{ref|1|1}}
	! style="background:white"|Stadium
			| align="center" |65,657
	! style="background:white"|Years active
			| align="center" |1996
			| align="center" |2001
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ''']'''
	| ]
	| ]
	| align=center | 2005–2014
	|-
	| ''']'''
	| ]		| ]
	| ]		| ]
	| align=center | 1998–2001		| align="center" |17,417
			| align="center" |1998
			| align="center" |2001
	|-		|-
			!scope="row"|]
	| ''']'''
	| ]		|]
			| ]
	| ]<sup>1</sup>
	| align=center | 1996–2001		| align="center" |18,800
			| align="center" |2005
			| align="center" |2014
	|}		|}
			'''Notes'''
	{{refbegin}}
	#Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium		:{{note label|1|1||&nbsp;Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium}}
			:{{note label|2|2||&nbsp;Standard reduced capacity for soccer; can be increased}}
	#Team plans to move into a soccer-specific stadium
	#Shared facility; is a soccer-specific stadium
	#Stadium capacity can be increased{{refend}}
	===Timeline===		===Timeline===
	<!--Wait until the Miami situation is resolved to update-->
	<timeline>		<timeline>
	DateFormat = yyyy		DateFormat = yyyy
	ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20		ImageSize = width:1200 height:auto barincrement:20
	Period = from:1996 till:2019		Period = from:1996 till:2026
	TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal		TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
			Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
	PlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
			PlotArea = right:100 left:5 bottom:70 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<#
	Colors = id:barcolor
	id:line value:pink
			Colors =
	id:bg value:white
			id:line value:pink
	id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) # Use this color to denote a team that is a current league member
	id:Former value:rgb(0.4,0.80,0.67) # Use this color to denote a team that is a former league member		id:Full value:rgb(0.85,0.85,0.95) legend:League_member
			id:Former value:rgb(1,0.9,0.9) legend:Former_member
	id:Other value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote when team that has moved in from a different league was active in the prior league(s)
			id:Future value:rgb(0.7,0.9,0.9) legend:Future_member
			id:Other value:rgb(0.9,0.9,0.9) legend:Other_leagues
	PlotData=		PlotData=
Line 321:		Line 368:
	bar:2 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:Columbus Crew (1996–present)		bar:2 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:Columbus Crew (1996–present)
	bar:3 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:D.C. United (1996–present)		bar:3 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:D.C. United (1996–present)
	bar:4 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:Dallas Burn; FC Dallas (1996–present)		bar:4 color:Full from:1996 till:2005 text:Dallas Burn (1996–2004)
			bar:4 color:Full from:2005 till:end text:FC Dallas (2005–present)
	bar:5 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:Kansas City Wiz / Wizards; Sporting KC (1996–present)		bar:5 color:Full from:1996 till:2011 text:Kansas City Wiz / Wizards (1996–2010)
			bar:5 color:Full from:2011 till:end text:Sporting Kansas City (2011–present)
	bar:6 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:LA Galaxy (1996–present)		bar:6 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:Los Angeles Galaxy (1996–present)
	bar:7 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:New England Revolution (1996–present)		bar:7 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:New England Revolution (1996–present)
	bar:8 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:New York/New Jersey MetroStars; MetroStars; New York Red Bulls (1996–present)		bar:8 color:Full from:1996 till:2006 text:New York/New Jersey MetroStars; MetroStars (1996–2005)
			bar:8 color:Full from:2006 till:end text:New York Red Bulls (2006–present)
	bar:9 color:Full from:1996 till:2006 text:San Jose Clash / Earthquakes (1996–2005)		bar:9 color:Full from:1996 till:2000 text:San Jose Clash (1996–1999)
			bar:9 color:Full from:2000 till:2006 text:San Jose Earthquakes (2000–2005)
	bar:9 color:Full from:2008 till:end text:San Jose Earthquakes (2008–present)		bar:9 color:Full from:2008 till:end text:San Jose Earthquakes (2008–present)
	bar:10 color:Former from:1996 till:2002 text:Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996–2001)		bar:10 color:Former from:1996 till:2002 text:Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996–2001)
	bar:11 color:Full from:1998 till:end text:Chicago Fire (1998–present)		bar:11 color:Full from:1998 till:end text:Chicago Fire (1998–present)
	bar:12 color:Former from:1998 till:2002 text:Miami Fusion (1998–2001)		bar:12 color:Former from:1998 till:2002 text:Miami Fusion (1998–2001)
Line 356:		Line 407:
	bar:18 color:Full from:2010 till:end text:Philadelphia Union (2010–present)		bar:18 color:Full from:2010 till:end text:Philadelphia Union (2010–present)
	bar:19 color:Other from:1996 till:2011 text:A / USISL / USL		bar:19 color:Other from:1996 till:2011 text:A / USISL / USL / D-2
	bar:19 color:Full from:2011 till:end text:Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011–present)		bar:19 color:Full from:2011 till:end text:Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011–present)
	bar:20 color:Other from:2001 till:2011 text:A-L/ USL-1/ D-2		bar:20 color:Other from:2001 till:2005 text:A-League (2001-04)
			bar:20 color:Other from:2005 till:2010 text:USL-1 (2005-09)
			bar:20 color:Other from:2009 till:2011 text:D-2 (2010)
	bar:20 color:Full from:2011 till:end text:Portland Timbers (2011–present)		bar:20 color:Full from:2011 till:end text:Portland Timbers (2011–present)
	bar:21 color:Other from:1996 till:2012 text:A / USISL / USL /D-2 /NASL		bar:21 color:Other from:1996 till:1999 text:APSL (1993-94) A-L (1995-98;)
	bar:21 color:Full from:2012 till:end text:Montreal Impact (2012–present)		bar:21 color:Other from:2000 till:2012 text:A-L (2000-04)
			bar:21 color:Other from:2005 till:2009 text:USL-1 (2005-09)
			bar:21 color:Other from:2009 till:2011 text:D-2/ NASL (2010-11)
			bar:21 color:Full from:2012 till:2021 text:Montreal Impact (2012–2020)
			bar:21 color:Full from:2021 till:end text:CF Montréal (2021–present)
	bar:22 color:Other from:2011 till:2015 text:USL		bar:22 color:Other from:2011 till:2015 text:USL (2011–14)
	bar:22 color:Full from:2015 till:end text:Orlando City (2015–present)		bar:22 color:Full from:2015 till:end text:Orlando City SC (2015–present)
	bar:23 color:Full from:2015 till:end text:New York City FC (2015–present)		bar:23 color:Full from:2015 till:end text:New York City FC (2015–present)
	bar:24 color:Other from:2010 till:2017 text:D-2 / NASL		bar:24 color:Other from:2010 till:2012 text:D-2 (2010)
	bar:24 color:Full from:2017 till:end text:Minnesota United (2017–present)		bar:24 color:Other from:2012 till:2017 text:NASL (2011-16)
			bar:24 color:Full from:2017 till:end text:Minnesota United FC (2017–present)
	bar:25 color:Full from:2017 till:end text:Atlanta United (2017–present)		bar:25 color:Full from:2017 till:end text:Atlanta United FC (2017–present)
	bar:26 color:Full from:2018 till:end text:Los Angeles FC (2018–present)		bar:26 color:Full from:2018 till:end text:Los Angeles FC (2018–present)
	ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:4 start:1996
			bar:27 color:Other from:2016 till:2019 text:USL (2016–18)
			bar:27 color:Full from:2019 till:end text:FC Cincinnati (2019–present)
			bar:28 color:Full from:2020 till:end text:Inter Miami CF (2020–present)
			bar:29 color:Other from:2018 till:2020 text: USL / USLC
			bar:29 color:Full from:2020 till:end text:Nashville SC (2020–present)
			bar:30 color:Full from:2021 till:end text:Austin FC (2021–present)
			bar:31 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:Charlotte FC (2022–present)
			bar:32 color:Full from:2023 till:end align:right anchor:till text:St. Louis City SC (2023–present)
			bar:33 color:Full from:2025 till:end align:right anchor:till text:San Diego FC (2025–)
			ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:4 start:1996
	TextData =		TextData =
	fontsize:L		fontsize:L
Line 383:		Line 458:
	text:		text:
	</timeline>		</timeline>
	{{Font color||{{RGB|190|186|218}}|League member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|102|205|170}}|Former member}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|179}}|Other leagues}}
	==History==		==History==
	{{main article|History of Major League Soccer}}		{{Main|History of Major League Soccer}}
	{{see also|Soccer in Canada|Soccer in the United States}}		{{See also|Soccer in Canada|Soccer in the United States}}
			Major League Soccer is the most recent of a series of men's premier professional national ] leagues established in the United States and Canada. The predecessor of MLS was the ] (NASL), which existed from 1968 until 1984.<ref name="by-the-numbers"/> The United States did not have a truly national top-flight league with ]-sanctioning until the creation of the NASL. The first league to have U.S. and Canadian professional clubs, the NASL struggled until the mid-1970s when the ], the league's most prominent team, signed a number of the world's best players including ] and ].<ref>{{cite web| title= North American Soccer League Statistics| url= http://www.nasljerseys.com/Stats/Standings.htm| publisher= nasljerseys.com| access-date= January 17, 2014| archive-date= October 15, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141015082808/http://www.nasljerseys.com/Stats/Standings.htm| url-status= live}}</ref> Pelé's arrival attracted other well-known international stars to the league including ], ], ], ], and ]. Despite dramatic increases in attendance (with some matches drawing over 70,000 fans such as ], the highest attendance to date for any club soccer championship in the United States) over-expansion, ], and disputes with the players union ultimately led to the collapse of the NASL following the 1984 season, leaving the United States without a top-level soccer league until MLS.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Reed |first1=J. D. |title=It's Time for Trimming Sails in the NASL |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1980/12/01/its-time-for-trimming-sails-in-the-nasl-three-franchises-are-on-the-verge-of-going-under-as-the-league-grapples-with-the-effects-of-overexpansion-the-recession-and-union-troubles |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=October 18, 2021 |date=December 1, 1980 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018142640/https://vault.si.com/vault/1980/12/01/its-time-for-trimming-sails-in-the-nasl-three-franchises-are-on-the-verge-of-going-under-as-the-league-grapples-with-the-effects-of-overexpansion-the-recession-and-union-troubles |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-OGcs9eQW0sC&q=north%2520american%2520soccer%2520league | isbn=9781136380648 | title=Marketing and Football | date=May 23, 2012 | publisher=Routledge | access-date=July 24, 2023 | archive-date=July 24, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724233054/https://books.google.com/books?id=-OGcs9eQW0sC&q=north%2520american%2520soccer%2520league | url-status=live }}</ref>
	Major League Soccer is the most recent of a series of men's premier professional national ] leagues established in the United States and Canada.
	The predecessor of MLS was the ] (NASL), which played from 1968 until 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2013/02/by-the-numbers-north-american-soccer-league-vs-major-league-soccer.html|title=By The Numbers… North American Soccer League vs Major League Soccer|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212061104/http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2013/02/by-the-numbers-north-american-soccer-league-vs-major-league-soccer.html|archivedate=December 12, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	===Establishment===		===Establishment and shootout era===
			], ], ], ], and ].]]
	In 1988, in exchange for FIFA awarding the right to host the ], ] promised to establish a Division 1 professional soccer league.<ref name="leagle.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/200022797FSupp2d130_1215|title=FRASER v. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222131955/http://www.leagle.com/decision/200022797FSupp2d130_1215|archivedate=February 22, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 1993, U.S. Soccer selected Major League Professional Soccer (the precursor to MLS) as the exclusive Division 1 professional soccer league.<ref name="leagle.com" /> Major League Soccer was officially formed in February 1995 as a ].<ref name="leagle.com" />
			In 1988, in exchange for FIFA awarding the right to host the ], ] promised to establish a Division 1 professional soccer league.<ref name="leagle.com">{{Cite web |title=FRASER v. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER |url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/200022797FSupp2d130_1215 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222131955/http://www.leagle.com/decision/200022797FSupp2d130_1215 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> In 1993, U.S. Soccer selected Major League Professional Soccer (the precursor to MLS) as the exclusive Division 1 professional soccer league.<ref name="leagle.com" /> Major League Soccer was officially formed in February 1995 as a ].<ref name="leagle.com" />
	MLS began play in ] with ten teams. The first game was held on April 6, 1996, as the ] defeated ] before 31,000 fans at Spartan Stadium in San Jose in a game broadcast on ESPN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/04/9/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLS-KICKS-OFF-TO-FESTIVE-CROWD-MIXED-ON-FIELD-REVIEWS.aspx?hl=MLS&sc=0|title=MLS KICKS OFF TO FESTIVE CROWD, MIXED ON-FIELD REVIEWS|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403003646/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/04/9/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLS-KICKS-OFF-TO-FESTIVE-CROWD-MIXED-ON-FIELD-REVIEWS.aspx?hl=MLS&sc=0|archivedate=April 3, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league had generated some buzz by managing to lure some marquee players from the 1994 World Cup to play in MLS—including U.S. stars such as ], ] and ], and foreign players such as Mexico's ] and Colombia's ].<ref>"19 Teams with 1 Goal: A Spotlight on Major League Soccer", June 10, 2014.</ref>		] was the first player signed by MLS, on January 3, 1995, and was assigned to the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=First MLS player in league history: US soccer legend Tab Ramos |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/03/first-mls-player-league-history-us-soccer-legend-tab-ramos |date=January 3, 2020 |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229232819/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/03/first-mls-player-league-history-us-soccer-legend-tab-ramos |url-status=live }}</ref> MLS began play in ] with ten teams. The first game was held on April 6, 1996, as the ] defeated ] before 31,000 fans at ] in San Jose in a game broadcast on ESPN.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS kicks off to festive crowd, mixed on-field reviews |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/04/9/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLS-KICKS-OFF-TO-FESTIVE-CROWD-MIXED-ON-FIELD-REVIEWS.aspx?hl=MLS&sc=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403003646/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/04/9/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLS-KICKS-OFF-TO-FESTIVE-CROWD-MIXED-ON-FIELD-REVIEWS.aspx?hl=MLS&sc=0 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The league had generated some buzz by managing to lure some marquee players from the 1994 World Cup to play in MLS—including U.S. stars such as ], ] and ], and foreign players such as Mexico's ] and Colombia's ].<ref>"19 Teams with 1 Goal: A Spotlight on Major League Soccer", June 10, 2014.</ref>
	D.C. United won the ] in three of the league's first four seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dcunited.com/club/trophy-case|title=Trophy Case|work=DC United|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723000000/http://www.dcunited.com/club/trophy-case|archivedate=July 23, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league added its first two expansion teams in ]—the ] and the ]; the Chicago Fire won its first title in its inaugural season.<ref name="Last Word On Sports">{{cite web|url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/25/mls-3-0-series-history-mls-1-0/|title=MLS 3.0 Series: A History of MLS 1.0|work=Last Word on Sports|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045941/http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/25/mls-3-0-series-history-mls-1-0/|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		D.C. United won the ] in three of the league's first four seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trophy Case |url=http://www.dcunited.com/club/trophy-case |date=May 19, 2011 |website=D.C. United |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622185524/https://www.dcunited.com/club/trophy-case |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014 }}</ref> The league added its first two expansion teams in ]—the ] and the ]; the Chicago Fire won its first title in its inaugural season.<ref name="Last Word On Sports">{{Cite web |title=MLS 3.0 Series: A History of MLS 1.0 |url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/25/mls-3-0-series-history-mls-1-0/ |date=July 25, 2014 |website=Last Word on Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045941/http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/25/mls-3-0-series-history-mls-1-0/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	After its first season, MLS suffered from a decline in attendance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/world-cup-2014/usa-soccer-and-world-cup-2014/resurgence-and-expansion-of-the-mls/|title=Resurgence and Expansion of the MLS|work=Soccer Politics / The Politics of Football|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209173530/https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/world-cup-2014/usa-soccer-and-world-cup-2014/resurgence-and-expansion-of-the-mls/|archivedate=December 9, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league's low attendance was all the more apparent in light of the fact that eight of the original ten teams played in large ] stadiums.<ref name="Last Word On Sports"/>		After its first season, MLS suffered from a decline in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resurgence and Expansion of the MLS |url=https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/world-cup-2014/usa-soccer-and-world-cup-2014/resurgence-and-expansion-of-the-mls/ |date=November 25, 2013 |website=Soccer Politics / The Politics of Football |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209173530/https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/world-cup-2014/usa-soccer-and-world-cup-2014/resurgence-and-expansion-of-the-mls/ |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014 }}</ref> The league's low attendance was all the more apparent in light of the fact that eight of the original ten teams played in large ] stadiums.<ref name="Last Word On Sports" />
	One aspect that had alienated fans was that MLS experimented with rules deviations in its early years in an attempt to "Americanize" the sport. The league implemented the use of ] to resolve tie games. MLS also used a countdown clock and halves ended when the clock reached 0:00. The league realized that the rule changes had alienated some traditional soccer fans while failing to draw new American sports fans, and the shootout and countdown clock were eliminated after the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1999/11/18/wednesday_teleconference/|title=Shootout banned; TV lineup changed|work=SI.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221144053/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1999/11/18/wednesday_teleconference/|archivedate=February 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		One aspect that had alienated fans was that MLS experimented with rules deviations in its early years in an attempt to "Americanize" the sport. The league implemented the use of ] to resolve tie games. MLS also used a countdown clock and halves ended when the clock reached 0:00. The league realized that the rule changes had alienated some traditional soccer fans while failing to draw new American sports fans, and the shootout and countdown clock were eliminated after the ].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Shootout banned; TV lineup changed |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1999/11/18/wednesday_teleconference/ |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221144053/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1999/11/18/wednesday_teleconference/ |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	The league's quality was cast into doubt when the ], which was made up largely of MLS players, finished in last place at the ].<ref name="Last Word On Sports"/>		The league's quality was cast into doubt when the ], which was made up largely of MLS players, finished in last place at the ].<ref name="Last Word On Sports" />
	Major League Soccer lost an estimated $250&nbsp;million during its first five years, and more than $350&nbsp;million between its founding and 2004.<ref name=profit>{{cite news|last=Holmes |first=Stanley |title=Soccer: Time To Kick It Up A Notch |publisher=''Businessweek'' |date=November 22, 2004 |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer:%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628194808/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer%3A%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |archivedate=June 28, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2008 |df= }}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/soccer/11soccer.html |title=For M.L.S., the Sport's Future Is in the Eye of the Beholder |work=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2005 |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220211629/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/soccer/11soccer.html |archivedate=December 20, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/dec27.htm|title=MLS fans in several cities wait nervously for contraction decision|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115539/http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/dec27.htm|archivedate=September 24, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/soccer/s/2000/1228/977891.html|title=MLS considering weight-loss program|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211173513/http://espn.go.com/soccer/s/2000/1228/977891.html|archivedate=December 11, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		Major League Soccer lost an estimated $250&nbsp;million during its first five years, and more than $350&nbsp;million between its founding and 2004.<ref name="profit">{{Cite news |last=Holmes |first=Stanley |date=November 22, 2004 |title=Soccer: Time To Kick It Up A Notch |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer:%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628194808/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer%3A%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2005 |title=For M.L.S., the Sport's Future Is in the Eye of the Beholder |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/soccer/11soccer.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220211629/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/soccer/11soccer.html |archive-date=December 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS fans in several cities wait nervously for contraction decision |url=http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/dec27.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115539/http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/dec27.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS considering weight-loss program |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/s/2000/1228/977891.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211173513/http://espn.go.com/soccer/s/2000/1228/977891.html |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
			The league's financial problems led to Commissioner ] being replaced by ], a former NFL executive, in August 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mls Boots Commissioner, Turns To Nfl For Successor |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/08/04/mls-boots-commissioner-turns-to-nfl-for-successor/ |website=Chicago Tribune |date=August 4, 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505072549/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-08-04/sports/9908040033_1_nfl-international-sunil-gulati-doug-logan |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Following decreased attendance and increased losses by late 2001, league officials planned to fold but were able to secure new financing from owners ], ], and the ] to take on more teams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=December 5, 2015 |title=MLS goes from near extinction to remarkable success |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html |access-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831050155/https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> MLS announced in January 2002 that it had decided to contract the ] and ], leaving the league with ten teams.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite web |title=The Throw-In: Did eliminating Tampa, Miami save MLS? |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/throw-did-eliminating-tampa-miami-save-mls |date=January 5, 2012 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918025920/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/throw-did-eliminating-tampa-miami-save-mls |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	The league's financial problems led to Commissioner ] being replaced by Don Garber, a former NFL executive, in August 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-08-04/sports/9908040033_1_nfl-international-sunil-gulati-doug-logan|title=Mls Boots Commissioner, Turns To Nfl For Successor|work=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505072549/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-08-04/sports/9908040033_1_nfl-international-sunil-gulati-doug-logan|archivedate=May 5, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	MLS announced in January 2002 that it had decided to contract the ] and ], leaving the league with ten teams.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/throw-did-eliminating-tampa-miami-save-mls|title=The Throw-In: Did eliminating Tampa, Miami save MLS?|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918025920/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/throw-did-eliminating-tampa-miami-save-mls|archivedate=September 18, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			] (the home of the ] until 2021) was the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS.]]
	Despite the financial problems, though, MLS did have some accomplishments that would set the stage for the league's resurgence. ] was built in 1999, becoming MLS's first ].<ref name="Columbus Crew history">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/columbus|title=Columbus Crew history|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030033126/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/columbus|archivedate=October 30, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> This began a trend among MLS teams to construct their own venues instead of leasing American football stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/3476449/Making_Soccer_Major_League_in_the_USA_and_Beyond_Major_League_Soccers_First_Decade|title=Making Soccer 'Major League' in the USA and Beyond:Major League Soccer's First Decade|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	In 2000, the league won an antitrust lawsuit, ], that the players had filed in 1996. The court ruled that MLS's policy of centrally contracting players and limiting player salaries through a salary cap and other restrictions were a legal method for the league to maintain solvency and competitive parity.<ref>], 97 F.Supp.2d 130 (D. Mass 2000)</ref>
			Despite the financial problems, though, MLS did have some accomplishments that would set the stage for the league's resurgence. Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as ], was built in 1999, becoming MLS's first ].<ref name="Columbus Crew history">{{Cite web |title=Columbus Crew history |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/columbus |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030033126/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/columbus |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> This began a trend among MLS teams to construct their own venues instead of leasing American football stadiums, where they would not be able to generate revenue from other events.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Strutner|first1=Matthew|last2=Parrish|first2=Charles|last3=Nauright|first3=John|date=2014|title=Making Soccer "Major League" in the USA and Beyond: Major League Soccer's First Decade|url=https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/shr/45/1/article-p23.xml|journal=Sport History Review|volume=45|issue=1|pages=23–36|doi=10.1123/shr.2012-0017|issn=1087-1659|doi-access=free|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803143255/https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/shr/45/1/article-p23.xml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=March 23, 2002 |title=Making Big Plans to Build Stadiums, and Interest |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/23/sports/soccer-making-big-plans-to-build-stadiums-and-interest.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220064025/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/23/sports/soccer-making-big-plans-to-build-stadiums-and-interest.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2000, the league won an antitrust lawsuit, '']'', that the players had filed in 1996. The court ruled that MLS's policy of centrally contracting players and limiting player salaries through a salary cap and other restrictions were a legal method for the league to maintain solvency and competitive parity since MLS was a single entity and therefore incapable of conspiring with itself.<ref>'']'', 97 F.Supp.2d 130 (] 2000)</ref>
	===Resurgence===		===Resurgence===
	The ], in which the ] unexpectedly made the quarterfinals, coincided with a resurgence in American soccer and MLS.<ref name="nycfc.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nycfc.com/Fans/Learn-about-MLS |title=Learn about MLS |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230433/http://www.nycfc.com/fans/learn-about-mls |archivedate=July 20, 2014 |publisher=New York City FC |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |df= }}</ref> ] drew 61,316 spectators to ], the largest attendance in an MLS Cup final.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/mlscup/2002 |title=MLS Cup 2002 |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=March 16, 2012 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516201220/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/mlscup/2002 |archivedate=May 16, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> MLS limited teams to three substitutions per game in 2003, and adopted ] (IFAB) rules in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exittheforest.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/formatting-mls-part-4-global-tradition-american-appeal/|title=Formatting MLS, Part 4: Global Tradition, American Appeal|work=Waldlichtung|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814155539/http://exittheforest.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/formatting-mls-part-4-global-tradition-american-appeal/|archivedate=August 14, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		The ], in which the ] unexpectedly made the quarterfinals, coincided with a resurgence in American soccer and MLS.<ref name="nycfc.com">{{Cite web |title=Learn about MLS |url=http://www.nycfc.com/Fans/Learn-about-MLS |publisher=New York City FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230433/http://www.nycfc.com/fans/learn-about-mls |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |access-date=January 23, 2017}}</ref> ] drew 61,316 spectators to ], the largest attendance in an MLS Cup final until ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS Cup 2002 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/mlscup/2002 |date=October 20, 2002 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516201220/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/mlscup/2002 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=March 16, 2012}}</ref> MLS limited teams to three substitutions per game in 2003, and adopted ] (IFAB) rules in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Formatting MLS, Part 4: Global Tradition, American Appeal |url=http://exittheforest.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/formatting-mls-part-4-global-tradition-american-appeal/ |date=September 7, 2012 |website=Waldlichtung |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814155539/http://exittheforest.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/formatting-mls-part-4-global-tradition-american-appeal/ |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	MLS underwent a transition in the years leading up to the ]. After marketing itself on the talents of American players, the league lost some of its homegrown stars to prominent European leagues. For example, ] was transferred to ] for $4 million in one of the most lucrative contract deals in league history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players&id=11|title=Tim Howard club career|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008055145/http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players&id=11|archivedate=October 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Americans in the Premier League -- why have numbers dropped recently? |url=http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2331121/americans-in-the-premier-league----why-have-numbers-dropped-recently |publisher=ESPN FC |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013152/http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2331121/americans-in-the-premier-league----why-have-numbers-dropped-recently |archivedate=February 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Many more American players did make an impact in MLS. In 2005, ] became the first player to score 100 career MLS goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6435726/rsl-jason-kreis-to-prove|title=Jason Kreis still has something to prove|work=ESPN.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224105448/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6435726/rsl-jason-kreis-to-prove|archivedate=February 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		MLS underwent a transition in the years leading up to the ]. After marketing itself on the talents of American players, the league lost some of its homegrown stars to prominent European leagues. For example, ] was transferred to ] for $4 million in one of the most lucrative contract deals in league history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tim Howard club career |url=http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players&id=11 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008055145/http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players&id=11 |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Americans in the Premier League – why have numbers dropped recently? |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2331121/americans-in-the-premier-league----why-have-numbers-dropped-recently |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013152/http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2331121/americans-in-the-premier-league----why-have-numbers-dropped-recently |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> Many more American players did make an impact in MLS. In 2005, ] became the first player to score 100 career MLS goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jason Kreis still has something to prove |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6435726/rsl-jason-kreis-to-prove |publisher=ESPN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224105448/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6435726/rsl-jason-kreis-to-prove |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	The league's financial stabilization plan included teams moving out of large American football stadiums and into soccer-specific stadiums.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> From 2003 to 2008, the league oversaw the construction of six additional soccer-specific stadiums, largely funded by owners such as ] and ], so that by the end of 2008, a majority of teams were now in soccer-specific stadiums.<ref name="Last Word On Sports"/>		The league's financial stabilization plan included teams moving out of large American football stadiums and into soccer-specific stadiums.<ref name="ReferenceB" /> From 2003 to 2008, the league oversaw the construction of six additional soccer-specific stadiums, largely funded by owners such as ] and ], so that by the end of 2008, a majority of teams were now in soccer-specific stadiums.<ref name="Last Word On Sports" />
	It was also in this era that MLS expanded for the first time since 1998. ] and ] began play in ], with Chivas USA becoming the second club in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/9/27/3415314/real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa-expansion-rivalry-a-history-lesson|title=Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA - Expansion rivalry a history lesson|date=September 28, 2012|work=RSL Soapbox|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043328/http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/9/27/3415314/real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa-expansion-rivalry-a-history-lesson|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> By 2006 the ] owners, players and a few coaches moved to Texas to become the expansion ], after failing to build a stadium in San Jose. The Dynamo became an expansion team, leaving their history behind for a new San Jose ownership group that formed in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history#2006|title=Quakes History|work=San Jose Earthquakes|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923142115/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history#2006|archivedate=September 23, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		It was also in this era that MLS expanded for the first time since 1998. ] and ] began play in ], with Chivas USA becoming the second club in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA – Expansion rivalry a history lesson |url=http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/9/27/3415314/real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa-expansion-rivalry-a-history-lesson |date=September 28, 2012 |website=RSL Soapbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043328/http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/9/27/3415314/real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa-expansion-rivalry-a-history-lesson |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> By 2006 the ] owners, players and a few coaches moved to Texas to become the expansion ], after failing to build a stadium in San Jose. The Dynamo became an expansion team, leaving their history behind for a new San Jose ownership group that formed in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quakes History |url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history#2006 |website=San Jose Earthquakes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923142115/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history#2006 |archive-date=September 23, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	===Arrival of Designated Players===		===Arrival of Designated Players===
	].]]		].]]
	In 2007 the league expanded beyond the United States' borders into Canada with the ] expansion team.<ref name=Expansion>{{cite web|url=http://www.timbers.com/news/2010/11/mls-101-mls-expansion-draft-and-allocation-money|title=MLS 101: MLS Expansion Draft and Allocation Money|work=Portland Timbers|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213229/http://www.timbers.com/news/2010/11/mls-101-mls-expansion-draft-and-allocation-money|archivedate=August 12, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Major League Soccer took steps to further raise the level of play by adopting the ], which helped bring international stars into the league.<ref name="forbes-2014-09">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2012/08/05/has-the-beckham-rule-worked-for-mls/ |title="Has The "Beckham Rule" Worked For MLS?" |date=August 5, 2012 |publisher=Forbes Media |first=Bobby |last=McMahon |accessdate=August 20, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164245/http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2012/08/05/has-the-beckham-rule-worked-for-mls/ |archivedate=September 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		In 2007, the league expanded beyond the United States' borders into Canada with the ] expansion team.<ref name="Expansion">{{Cite web |title=MLS 101: MLS Expansion Draft and Allocation Money |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/mls-101-mls-expansion-draft-and-allocation-money |date=November 22, 2010 |publisher=Portland Timbers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213229/http://www.timbers.com/news/2010/11/mls-101-mls-expansion-draft-and-allocation-money |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Major League Soccer took steps to further raise the level of play by adopting the ], which helped bring international stars into the league.<ref name="forbes-2014-09">{{Cite web |title=Has The 'Beckham Rule' Worked For MLS? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2012/08/05/has-the-beckham-rule-worked-for-mls/ |last=McMahon |first=Bobby |website=] |date=August 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164245/http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2012/08/05/has-the-beckham-rule-worked-for-mls/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref>
	The ] witnessed the MLS debut of ]. Beckham's signing had been seen as a coup for American soccer, and was made possible by the Designated Player Rule. Players such as ] (Chicago Fire) and ] (New York Red Bulls), are some of the first Designated Players who made major contributions to their clubs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lalas |first=Greg |title=Foreign exchange program |publisher=''Sports Illustrated'' |date=April 17, 2007 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |accessdate=April 22, 2007 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421234847/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |archivedate=April 21, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		The ] witnessed the MLS debut of ]. Beckham's signing had been seen as a coup for American soccer, and was made possible by the Designated Player Rule. Players such as ] (Chicago Fire) and ] (New York Red Bulls), are some of the first Designated Players who made major contributions to their clubs.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lalas |first=Greg |date=April 17, 2007 |title=Foreign exchange program |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421234847/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |archive-date=April 21, 2007}}</ref>
	The departures of ] and ], coupled with the return of former U.S. national team stars ] and ], highlighted the exchange of top prospects to Europe for experienced veterans to MLS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tbrfootball.com/a-brief-guide-to-major-league-soccer/|title=A brief guide to Major League Soccer|work=The Boot Room|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510025120/http://tbrfootball.com/a-brief-guide-to-major-league-soccer/|archivedate=May 10, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		The departures of ] and ], coupled with the return of former U.S. national team stars ] and ], highlighted the exchange of top prospects to Europe for experienced veterans to MLS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A brief guide to Major League Soccer |url=http://tbrfootball.com/a-brief-guide-to-major-league-soccer/ |date=June 8, 2012 |website=The Boot Room |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510025120/http://tbrfootball.com/a-brief-guide-to-major-league-soccer/ |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	By 2008, San Jose had returned to the league under new ownership, and in 2009, the expansion side ] began play in MLS.<ref name=Expansion/> The 2010 season ushered in an expansion franchise in the ] and their new ] stadium.<ref name=Expansion/> The 2010 season also brought the opening of the New York Red Bulls' soccer-specific stadium, ], and the debut of French striker ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry|title=New York Red Bulls sign international star Thierry Henry|work=New York Red Bulls|date=July 14, 2010|accessdate=July 14, 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716223438/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry|archivedate=July 16, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		By 2008, San Jose had returned to the league under new ownership, and in 2009, the expansion side ] began play in MLS.<ref name=Expansion/> The Sounders set a new average attendance record for the league, with 30,943 spectators per match, and were the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs since 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Sounders success story, by the numbers |page=C3 |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html |access-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108012102/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2010 season ushered in an expansion franchise in the ] and their new PPL Park stadium (now known as ]).<ref name=Expansion/> The 2010 season also brought the opening of the New York Red Bulls' soccer-specific stadium, ], and the debut of French striker ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Red Bulls sign international star Thierry Henry |url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry |date=July 14, 2010 |website=New York Red Bulls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716223438/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=July 14, 2010 }}</ref>
	The 2011 season brought further expansion with the addition of the ], the second Canadian MLS franchise, and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer|title=Atlanta expansion signifies changing landscape ahead for Major League Soccer|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904090602/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer|archivedate=September 4, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Real Salt Lake reached the finals of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700130691/Real-Salt-Lake-Monterrey-wins-CONCACAF-Champions-League-3-2-on-aggregate.html?pg=all|title=Real Salt Lake: Monterrey wins CONCACAF Champions League, 3-2 on aggregate|date=April 27, 2011|work=DeseretNews.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630203252/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700130691/Real-Salt-Lake-Monterrey-wins-CONCACAF-Champions-League-3-2-on-aggregate.html?pg=all|archivedate=June 30, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		The 2011 season brought further expansion with the addition of the ], the second Canadian MLS franchise, and the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta expansion signifies changing landscape ahead for Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer |date=April 18, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904090602/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Real Salt Lake reached the finals of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Real Salt Lake: Monterrey wins CONCACAF Champions League, 3–2 on aggregate |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700130691/Real-Salt-Lake-Monterrey-wins-CONCACAF-Champions-League-3-2-on-aggregate.html?pg=all |date=April 27, 2011 |website=Deseret News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630203252/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700130691/Real-Salt-Lake-Monterrey-wins-CONCACAF-Champions-League-3-2-on-aggregate.html?pg=all |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	During the 2011 season, the Galaxy signed another international star in ] all-time leading goalscorer ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14525931.stm |title=Spurs striker Robbie Keane joins MLS side LA Galaxy |work=BBC Sport |date=August 16, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822220337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14525931.stm |archivedate=August 22, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> MLS drew an average attendance of 17,872 in 2011, higher than the average attendances of the NBA and NHL.<ref name="latimes1">{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/18/sports/la-sp-mls-finances-20111119|title=MLS steadily builds toward goal of profitability|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214215450/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/18/sports/la-sp-mls-finances-20111119|archivedate=December 14, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2012, the ] became the league's 19th franchise and the third in Canada, and made their home debut in front of a crowd of 58,912,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagofire/post/_/id/2396/fire-tie-impact-in-mls-opener |title=Fire tie Impact in MLS opener |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=March 17, 2012 |accessdate=April 27, 2012 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201123730/http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagofire/post/_/id/2396/fire-tie-impact-in-mls-opener |archivedate=February 1, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> while the ] added ] all-time leading goalscorer ].		During the 2011 season, the Galaxy signed another international star in ] all-time leading goalscorer ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 16, 2011 |title=Spurs striker Robbie Keane joins MLS side LA Galaxy |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14525931.stm |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822220337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14525931.stm |archive-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref> MLS drew an average attendance of 17,872 in 2011, higher than the average attendances of the NBA and NHL.<ref name="latimes1">{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=November 18, 2011 |title=MLS steadily builds toward goal of profitability |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-xpm-2011-nov-18-la-sp-mls-finances-20111119-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214215450/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/18/sports/la-sp-mls-finances-20111119 |archive-date=December 14, 2014}}</ref> In 2012, the ] became the league's 19th franchise and the third in Canada, and made their home debut in front of a crowd of 58,912,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 17, 2012 |title=Fire tie Impact in MLS opener |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/chicagofire/post/_/id/2396/fire-tie-impact-in-mls-opener |url-status=live |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201123730/http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagofire/post/_/id/2396/fire-tie-impact-in-mls-opener |archive-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref> while the ] added ] all-time leading goalscorer ].
	===2013–present===		===Expansion of the league===
			{{Main|Expansion of Major League Soccer}}
	In 2013, MLS introduced ]<ref name="MLS 20">{{cite web|title=Major League Soccer announces New York expansion team: New York City Football Club|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football|accessdate=May 21, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607111330/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football|archivedate=June 7, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> as its 20th team, and ]<ref name="Orlando MLS Expansion">{{cite web|title=Major League Soccer Awards Expansion Team to Orlando|url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2013/11/18/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-orlando|work=orlandocitysoccer.com|publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club|accessdate=November 20, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313012930/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2013/11/18/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-orlando|archivedate=March 13, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> as its 21st team, both of which would begin playing in 2015.
			] (2009)]]
	In 2013, the league implemented its "Core Players" initiative, allowing teams to retain key players using retention funds instead of losing the players to foreign leagues.<ref name="mlssoccer.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/08/02/retention-funds-explained-mls-reveals-list-14-players-graham-zusi-re-signed-|title=Retention funds explained: MLS reveals list of 14 players like Graham Zusi re-signed under initiative|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821010506/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/08/02/retention-funds-explained-mls-reveals-list-14-players-graham-zusi-re-signed-|archivedate=August 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Among the first high-profile players re-signed in 2013 using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars ] and ].
			] (2011)]]
	Beginning in summer of 2013 and continuing in the run up to the 2014 World Cup, MLS began signing U.S. stars based abroad, including ], ], and ] from Europe; and ] from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/30/fc-dallas-technical-director-fernando-clavijo-waits-us-internationals-more-p|title=""FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo waits on US internationals: "More players are coming"""|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909160833/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/30/fc-dallas-technical-director-fernando-clavijo-waits-us-internationals-more-p|archivedate=September 9, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> By the 2014 season, fifteen of the nineteen ] had previously played in MLS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/throw-enjoy-mls-2014-because-league-will-never-be-same-again|title=The Throw-In: Enjoy MLS in 2014, because this league will never be the same again|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910081417/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/throw-enjoy-mls-2014-because-league-will-never-be-same-again|archivedate=September 10, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> By 2013, the league's popularity had increased to the point where MLS was as popular as Major League Baseball among 12- to 17-year-olds, as reported by the 2013 Luker on Trends ESPN poll, having jumped in popularity since the 2010 World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Roger|title=MLS equals MLB in popularity with kids|url=http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1740529/mls-catches-mlb-espn-sports-poll?cc=5901|work=ESPNFC.com|date=March 7, 2014|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528121913/http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1740529/mls-catches-mlb-espn-sports-poll?cc=5901|archivedate=May 28, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Andy|title="2013 poll results: MLS equal to MLB in "avid interest" popularity among adolescents - SIDELINE"|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/03/07/2013-poll-results-mls-equal-mlb-avid-interest-popularity-among-children|work=MLSsoccer.com|date=March 7, 2014|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914183653/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/03/07/2013-poll-results-mls-equal-mlb-avid-interest-popularity-among-children|archivedate=September 14, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			In 2012, with an average attendance of over 18,000 per game, MLS had the third highest average attendance of any sports league in the U.S. after the ] (NFL) and ] (MLB),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1290390-nba-and-nhl-get-the-boot-mls-is-the-3rd-most-attended-sports-league-in-america | title=NBA and NHL Get the Boot: MLS Is the 3rd Most Attended Sports League in America | date=August 8, 2012 | access-date=November 14, 2023 | first=Jed | last=Hughes | website=] | archive-date=November 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114160317/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1290390-nba-and-nhl-get-the-boot-mls-is-the-3rd-most-attended-sports-league-in-america | url-status=live }}</ref> and was the seventh highest attended professional soccer league worldwide {{as of|2013|lc=y}}.<ref name="MLSsoccer 2013">{{cite web |work=MLSsoccer.com |title=The expansion, refs, Cascadia: MLS Commissioner Don Garber covers it all in annual address |date=February 27, 2013 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/27/expansion-refs-cascadia-commissioner-garber-covers-it-all-march-soccer-addre |access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322043641/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/27/expansion-refs-cascadia-commissioner-garber-covers-it-all-march-soccer-addre |url-status=dead }}</ref>
	In 2014, the league announced ] as the 22nd team to start playing in 2017.<ref name="mlssoccer">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/16/major-league-soccer-names-atlanta-22nd-franchise-set-2017-debut|title=Major League Soccer names Atlanta as 22nd franchise, set for 2017 debut &#124; MLSsoccer.com|publisher=mlssoccer.com|accessdate=May 2, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503163618/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/16/major-league-soccer-names-atlanta-22nd-franchise-set-2017-debut|archivedate=May 3, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Even though New York City FC and Orlando City were not set to begin play until 2015, each team made headlines during the summer 2014 transfer window by announcing their first Designated Players – ] leading scorer ] and ] leading scorer ] to New York, and ] winner ] to Orlando.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20140706/de-george-new-clubs-raising-the-stakes-in-mls|title=De George: New clubs raising the stakes in MLS|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910203145/http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20140706/de-george-new-clubs-raising-the-stakes-in-mls|archivedate=September 10, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The 2014 World Cup featured 21 MLS players on ] and a record 11 MLS players playing for foreign teams – including players from traditional powerhouses Brazil (]) and Spain (]); in the ] the U.S. fielded a team with seven MLS starters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-26-usa-vs-germany/recap|title=USMNT 0, Germany 1, FIFA World Cup, Group G Match Recap|work=MLSsoccer.com MatchCenter|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901220234/http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-26-usa-vs-germany/recap|archivedate=September 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	On September 18, 2014, MLS unveiled their new logo as part of the "MLS Next" branding initiative. In addition to the new crest logo, MLS teams display versions in their own colors that are displayed on their jerseys. ] folded following the 2014 season, while ] and ] joined the league in 2015 as the 19th and 20th teams.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ben Bromley|title=Major League Soccer announces new logo as part of MLS NEXT|url=http://www.blackandredunited.com/mls/2014/9/18/6375481/major-league-soccer-announces-new-logo-as-part-of-mls-next|website=SB Nation|publisher=Vox Media, Inc|date=September 18, 2014|accessdate=September 18, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921144414/http://www.blackandredunited.com/mls/2014/9/18/6375481/major-league-soccer-announces-new-logo-as-part-of-mls-next|archivedate=September 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference in 2015 to make two 10-team conferences.<ref name="Chivas USA gone, realignment">{{cite web|title=MLS announces new strategy for Los Angeles market, 2015 conference alignment|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=October 27, 2014|accessdate=October 28, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028032910/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market|archivedate=October 28, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		In 2013, MLS introduced ]<ref name="MLS 20">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer announces New York expansion team: New York City Football Club |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football |date=May 21, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607111330/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013}}</ref> as its 20th team, and ]<ref name="Orlando MLS Expansion">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer Awards Expansion Team to Orlando |url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2013/11/18/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-orlando |date=November 19, 2013 |publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313012930/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2013/11/18/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-orlando |archive-date=March 13, 2015 |access-date=November 20, 2013}}</ref> as its 21st team, both of which would begin playing in 2015.
			In 2013, the league implemented its "Core Players" initiative, allowing teams to retain key players using retention funds instead of losing the players to foreign leagues.<ref name="mlssoccer.com">{{Cite web |title=Retention funds explained: MLS reveals list of 14 players like Graham Zusi re-signed under initiative |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/retention-funds-explained-mls-reveals-list-14-players-graham-zusi-re-signed-unde |date=August 2, 2013 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821010506/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/08/02/retention-funds-explained-mls-reveals-list-14-players-graham-zusi-re-signed- |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Among the first high-profile players re-signed in 2013 using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars ] and ].
	In early 2015, the league announced that two teams—] and ]—would join MLS in either 2017 or 2018.<ref name="Minnesota joins MLS" /> The 20th season of MLS saw the arrivals of several players who have starred at the highest levels of European club soccer and in international soccer: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20150823-story.html |title=MLS develops a buzz with international influx of talent |newspaper=] |publisher=] |first=Kevin |last=Baxter |date=August 23, 2015 |accessdate=September 1, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831013103/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20150823-story.html |archivedate=August 31, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On December 6, 2015, MLS announced its intent to expand to 28 teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/05/mls-announces-possible-plans-expand-league-28-teams-scheduling-updates |title=MLS announces possible plans to expand league to 28 teams, 2016 scheduling updates |website=mlssoccer.com |date=December 6, 2015 |accessdate=December 7, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207194037/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/05/mls-announces-possible-plans-expand-league-28-teams-scheduling-updates |archivedate=December 7, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> MLS confirmed in August 2016 that Minnesota United would begin play in 2017 along with Atlanta United FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-fc-join-mls-2017-debuting-tcf-bank-stadium|title=Minnesota United FC to join MLS in 2017, debuting at TCF Bank Stadium|last=Stejskal|first=Sam|date=August 19, 2016|website=MLSSoccer|publisher=Major League Soccer|access-date=August 20, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822124523/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-fc-join-mls-2017-debuting-tcf-bank-stadium|archivedate=August 22, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			Beginning in summer of 2013 and continuing in the run up to the 2014 World Cup, MLS began signing U.S. stars based abroad, including ], ], and ] from Europe; and ] from Mexico's ].<ref>{{Cite web |title="FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo waits on US internationals: "More players are coming"" |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/30/fc-dallas-technical-director-fernando-clavijo-waits-us-internationals-more-p |date=January 30, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909160833/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/30/fc-dallas-technical-director-fernando-clavijo-waits-us-internationals-more-p |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> By the 2014 season, fifteen of the nineteen ] had previously played in MLS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Throw-In: Enjoy MLS in 2014, because this league will never be the same again |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/throw-enjoy-mls-2014-because-league-will-never-be-same-again |date=March 15, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910081417/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/throw-enjoy-mls-2014-because-league-will-never-be-same-again |archive-date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> By 2013, the league's popularity had increased to the point where MLS was as popular as Major League Baseball among 12- to 17-year-olds, as reported by the 2013 Luker on Trends ESPN poll, having jumped in popularity since the 2010 World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS equals MLB in popularity with kids |url=http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1740529/mls-catches-mlb-espn-sports-poll?cc=5901 |last=Bennett |first=Roger |date=March 7, 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528121913/http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1740529/mls-catches-mlb-espn-sports-poll?cc=5901 |archive-date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2013 poll results: MLS equal to MLB in "avid interest" popularity among adolescents – SIDELINE |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/03/07/2013-poll-results-mls-equal-mlb-avid-interest-popularity-among-children |last=Edwards |first=Andy |date=March 7, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914183653/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/03/07/2013-poll-results-mls-equal-mlb-avid-interest-popularity-among-children |archive-date=September 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
			In 2014, the league announced ] as the 22nd team to start playing in 2017.<ref name="mlssoccer">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer names Atlanta as 22nd franchise, set for 2017 debut |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/16/major-league-soccer-names-atlanta-22nd-franchise-set-2017-debut |date=April 16, 2014 |work=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503163618/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/16/major-league-soccer-names-atlanta-22nd-franchise-set-2017-debut |archive-date=May 3, 2014 |access-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> Even though New York City FC and Orlando City were not set to begin play until 2015, each team made headlines during the summer 2014 transfer window by announcing their first Designated Players—] leading scorer ] and ] leading scorer ] to New York, and ] winner ] to Orlando.<ref>{{Cite web |title=De George: New clubs raising the stakes in MLS |date=July 6, 2014 |url=http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20140706/de-george-new-clubs-raising-the-stakes-in-mls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910203145/http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20140706/de-george-new-clubs-raising-the-stakes-in-mls |archive-date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The 2014 World Cup featured 21 MLS players on ] and a record 11 MLS players playing for foreign teams—including players from traditional powerhouses Brazil (]) and Spain (]); in the ] the U.S. fielded a team with seven MLS starters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=USMNT 0, Germany 1, FIFA World Cup, Group G Match Recap |url=http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-26-usa-vs-germany/recap |date=June 26, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com MatchCenter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901220234/http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-26-usa-vs-germany/recap |archive-date=September 1, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	In April 2016, the league's commissioner Don Garber reiterated the intention of the league to expand to 28 teams, with the next round of expansion "likely happening in 2020".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020|title=Commissioner Garber: Next round of MLS expansion "likely happening in 2020"|website=mlssoccer.com|date=April 14, 2016|accessdate=November 16, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026024829/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020|archivedate=October 26, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/15/cincinnati-set-welcome-commissioner-don-garber-push-mls-expansion|title=Cincinnati set to welcome Commissioner Don Garber in push for MLS expansion|website=mlssoccer.com|date=November 15, 2016|accessdate=November 16, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116232548/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/15/cincinnati-set-welcome-commissioner-don-garber-push-mls-expansion|archivedate=November 16, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In December 2016, he updated the expansion plans stating that the league will look to approve the 25th and 26th teams in 2017 and to start play in 2020.<ref name = "2020ExpansionPlans"/> In January 2017, the league received bids from 12 ownership groups.<ref name="12Bids">{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/12-groups-submit-mls-expansion-applications/n-5232189 |title=12 Groups Submit MLS Expansion Applications |publisher=''OurSports Central'' |date=January 31, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525155533/http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/12-groups-submit-mls-expansion-applications/n-5232189 |archivedate=May 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			On September 18, 2014, MLS unveiled their new logo as part of a branding initiative. In addition to the new crest logo, MLS teams display versions in their own colors on their jerseys.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vaccaro |first=Adam |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Major League Soccer Unveils New Logo |work=] |url=https://www.boston.com/news/business/2014/09/18/major-league-soccer-unveils-new-logo |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008232251/https://www.boston.com/news/business/2014/09/18/major-league-soccer-unveils-new-logo |url-status=live }}</ref> ] folded following the 2014 season, while ] and ] joined the league in 2015 as the 19th and 20th teams.<ref name="Philly-2015">{{Cite news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=October 27, 2014 |title=MLS shuts down Chivas USA, realigns conferences |work=] |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/MLS-to-shut-down-Chivas-USA-realign-conferences.html |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008204704/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/MLS-to-shut-down-Chivas-USA-realign-conferences.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference in 2015 to make two 10-team conferences.<ref name="Philly-2015" /><ref name="Chivas USA gone, realignment">{{Cite web |title=MLS announces new strategy for Los Angeles market, 2015 conference alignment |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market |date=October 27, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028032910/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref>
	In July 2017, it was reported that Major League Soccer had rejected a $4 billion offer by ] to acquire all television rights to the league for 10 years following the conclusion of its current contracts with Fox, ESPN, and Univision. While it represents a substantial increase over the current agreements, MP & Silva insisted that the deal would be conditional on Major League Soccer adopting a promotion and relegation system similar to other international leagues. Although the league stated that it rejected the offer due to the exclusive periods that the current rightsholders have to negotiate extensions to their contracts, it was pointed out by the media that Major League Soccer had long-opposed the adoption of promotion and relegation, continuing to utilize the fixed, franchise-based model used in other U.S. sports leagues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/07/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx|title=MLS rebuffs rich offer tied to relegation|website=Sports Business Daily|language=en-US|access-date=July 25, 2017}}</ref><ref name="espnfc">{{Cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3164341/was-$4b-bid-for-mls-media-rights-tied-to-adopting-pro-rel-grandstanding|title=Pro/rel component made $4B bid for MLS media rights a non-starter|work=ESPNFC.com|access-date=July 25, 2017}}</ref> Furthermore, MP & Silva founder ] appeared to have a conflict of interest because he also owned ] of the ], which stood to benefit from such a promotion and relegation system.<ref name="espnfc"/>
			In early 2015, the league announced that two teams—] and ]—would join MLS in either 2017 or 2018.<ref name="Minnesota joins MLS">{{Cite news |last=Stejskal |first=Sam |date=March 25, 2015 |title=MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Minneapolis represents everything that is spurring growth of MLS |work=MLS |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-minneapolis-represents-everything-spurring-growt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328124447/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-minneapolis-represents-everything-spurring-growt |archive-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> The 20th season of MLS saw the arrivals of several players who have starred at the highest levels of European club soccer and in international soccer: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=August 23, 2015 |title=MLS develops a buzz with international influx of talent |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20150823-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831013103/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20150823-story.html |archive-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref> MLS confirmed in August 2016 that Minnesota United would begin play in 2017 along with Atlanta United FC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota United FC to join MLS in 2017, debuting at TCF Bank Stadium |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-fc-join-mls-2017-debuting-tcf-bank-stadium |last=Stejskal |first=Sam |date=August 19, 2016 |website=MLSSoccer |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822124523/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-fc-join-mls-2017-debuting-tcf-bank-stadium |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 20, 2016}}</ref>
	MLS announced, on December 20, 2017, that it would be awarding an expansion franchise to Nashville, who would play in a yet-to-be-built soccer-specific stadium, Nashville Fairgrounds Stadium, and are expected to join the MLS in 2019 or 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/20/nashville-awarded-mls-expansion-club|title=Nashville awarded MLS expansion club|work=MLSSoccer.com|date=December 20, 2017|accessdate=December 21, 2017|first=Nicholas|last=Rosano}}</ref>
			In April 2016, the league's commissioner Don Garber reiterated the intention of the league to expand to 28 teams, with the next round of expansion "likely happening in 2020".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commissioner Garber: Next round of MLS expansion "likely happening in 2020" |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020 |date=April 14, 2016 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026024829/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati set to welcome Commissioner Don Garber in push for MLS expansion |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/15/cincinnati-set-welcome-commissioner-don-garber-push-mls-expansion |date=November 15, 2016 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116232548/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/15/cincinnati-set-welcome-commissioner-don-garber-push-mls-expansion |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref> In December 2016, he updated the expansion plans stating that the league will look to approve the 25th and 26th teams in 2017 and to start play in 2020.<ref name="2020ExpansionPlans">{{Cite web |title=MLS announces expansion process and timeline |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-announces-expansion-process-and-timeline |last=Couch |first=Ben |date=December 15, 2016 |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203212031/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-announces-expansion-process-and-timeline |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2017, the league received bids from 12 ownership groups.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 31, 2017 |title=MLS receives 12 applications by expansion submission deadline |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/31/mls-expansion-deadline-12-teams-cities |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092659/https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/31/mls-expansion-deadline-12-teams-cities |url-status=live }}</ref>
			In July 2017, it was reported that Major League Soccer had rejected an offer by ] to acquire all television rights to the league following the conclusion of its current contracts with Fox, ESPN, and Univision, where MP & Silva insisted that the deal would be conditional on Major League Soccer adopting a promotion and relegation system. The league stated that it rejected the offer due to the exclusive periods that the current rightsholders have to negotiate extensions to their contracts. Additionally, media noted that Major League Soccer has long-opposed the adoption of promotion and relegation, continuing to utilize the fixed, franchise-based model used in other U.S. sports leagues.<ref name="pro-rel">{{Cite web |title=MLS rebuffs rich offer tied to relegation |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/07/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx |website=Sports Business Daily |date=July 24, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213135916/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/07/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="espnfc">{{Cite news |title=Pro/rel component made $4B bid for MLS media rights a non-starter |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3164341/was-$4b-bid-for-mls-media-rights-tied-to-adopting-pro-rel-grandstanding |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204183923/http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3164341/was-$4b-bid-for-mls-media-rights-tied-to-adopting-pro-rel-grandstanding |url-status=live }}</ref> Furthermore, MP & Silva founder ] also owned ] of the ], which stood to benefit from such a promotion and relegation system.<ref name="espnfc" />
			In October 2017, ] owner ] announced plans to move the franchise to ] by 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erickson |first=Andrew |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Without a Downtown stadium, Crew likely to bid adieu |work=The Columbus Dispatch |url=http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20171018/without-downtown-stadium-crew-likely-to-bid-adieu |access-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620065110/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20171018/without-downtown-stadium-crew-likely-to-bid-adieu |url-status=dead }}</ref> The announcement spawned a league-wide backlash and legal action against the league by the Ohio state government.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeffery |first=James |date=May 27, 2018 |title=Columbus Crew: Two US cities fight over one football team |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44259849 |access-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529055524/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44259849 |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 15, 2018, the Austin City Council voted to approve an agreement with Precourt to move Crew SC to Austin, and on August 22, 2018, the club's new name, ], was announced.<ref>{{Cite news |title=City's MLS Franchise to be Dubbed Austin FC |url=https://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/city-mls-franchise-dubbed-austin/NKsuids1tKnXyrbwozIOiP/ |access-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105659/https://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/city-mls-franchise-dubbed-austin/NKsuids1tKnXyrbwozIOiP/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> After negotiations between Precourt and ], owner of the ], were announced, MLS made it clear that Austin would receive an expansion team only after a deal to sell Columbus to a local buyer had completed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2018 |title=Cleveland Browns owners emerge as potential buyers of Columbus Crew SC |work=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/12/cleveland-browns-owners-emerge-potential-buyers-columbus-crew-sc |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109003242/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/12/cleveland-browns-owners-emerge-potential-buyers-columbus-crew-sc |url-status=live }}</ref> The purchase of Crew SC by Haslam's group was finalized in late December 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Axelrod |first=Ben |date=December 28, 2018 |title=Haslam family and ownership group finalize agreement to buy Columbus Crew |publisher=] |location=] |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/haslam-family-and-ownership-group-finalize-agreement-to-buy-columbus-crew/95-8eefcae1-17a4-4363-95ef-0db963c6e8dc |access-date=February 11, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515110516/https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/haslam-family-and-ownership-group-finalize-agreement-to-buy-columbus-crew/95-8eefcae1-17a4-4363-95ef-0db963c6e8dc |url-status=live }}</ref> and on January 15, 2019, Austin FC was officially announced as a 2021 MLS entry.<ref name="Austin FC announcement">{{cite press release |title=Austin FC to Begin Play in MLS in 2021 |date=January 15, 2019 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/01/15/austin-fc-begin-play-mls-2021 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |work=MLSsoccer.com |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212123739/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/01/15/austin-fc-begin-play-mls-2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
			MLS announced on December 20, 2017, that it would be awarding an expansion franchise to ], to play in a yet-to-be-built 27,000-seat soccer-specific stadium, ], and would join MLS in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nashville awarded MLS expansion club |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/20/nashville-awarded-mls-expansion-club |last=Rosano |first=Nicholas |date=December 20, 2017 |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220230933/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/20/nashville-awarded-mls-expansion-club |url-status=live }}</ref> The management of the Nashville franchise announced in February 2019 that the MLS side would assume the ] name then in use by the city's ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nashville MLS expansion team unveils name, crest |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-expansion-team-unveils-name-crest |date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001158/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-expansion-team-unveils-name-crest |url-status=live }}</ref>
			]
			On January 29, 2018, MLS awarded ] an expansion team, led by ]. ] started MLS play on March 1, 2020, and plan on opening the proposed 25,000-seat ] sometime in the near future.<ref>{{Cite news |title=MLS finally awards Miami team to Beckham |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami |access-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228134028/http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami |url-status=live }}</ref> An expansion team was awarded to ] on May 29, 2018, to the ownership group of USL's ]. The team, which assumed the existing FC Cincinnati name, started MLS play in 2019 and moved to the new 26,000-seat ] in 2021.<ref name="fc-cincinnati">{{Cite press release |title=Cincinnati awarded MLS expansion club, will start play in 2019 |date=May 29, 2018 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/29/fc-cincinnati-named-26th-mls-team-starting-play-2019 |access-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612112808/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/29/fc-cincinnati-named-26th-mls-team-starting-play-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
			The league planned to expand to 30 teams with the addition of Austin FC in 2021,<ref name="Austin FC announcement" /> Charlotte in 2022,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=David |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Charlotte gets MLS' 30th franchise for record $325 million |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4015203/charlotte-gets-mls-30th-franchise-for-record-$325-million |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613142150/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4015203/charlotte-gets-mls-30th-franchise-for-record-$325-million |url-status=live }}</ref> and Sacramento and St. Louis in 2023; however, this was reduced to 29 after ]'s bid was placed on indefinite hold.<ref name="St. Louis expansion">{{Cite press release |title=Major League Soccer awards expansion team to St. Louis |date=August 20, 2019 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/20/mls-awards-expansion-team-st-louis |last1=Bogert |first1=Tom |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=MLSsoccer.com |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216175809/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/20/mls-awards-expansion-team-st-louis |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="stltoday.com">{{Cite web|last=Hunn|first=David|title=St. Louis hailed as 'great soccer city,' but MLS vote on expansion is a ways off|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/st-louis-hailed-as-great-soccer-city-but-mls-vote-on-expansion-is-a-ways/article_c2b23429-904a-5854-93a3-69c1f574c76b.html|website=STLtoday.com|date=December 14, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803161344/https://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/st-louis-hailed-as-great-soccer-city-but-mls-vote-on-expansion-is-a-ways/article_c2b23429-904a-5854-93a3-69c1f574c76b.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC" /><ref name="Sacramento hiatus">{{cite web|last=Carlisle|first=Jeff|title=Sacramento MLS team on indefinite hold after investor pulls out of deal|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4324773/sacramento-mls-team-on-indefinite-hold-after-main-investor-pulls-out-of-deal|website=]|date=February 26, 2021|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603180553/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4324773/sacramento-mls-team-on-indefinite-hold-after-main-investor-pulls-out-of-deal|url-status=live}}</ref> Commissioner ] has suggested that another round of expansion could lead to 32 teams in MLS.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blum |first=Ronald |date=December 5, 2019 |title=MLS hopes to put 30th team in Charlotte, North Carolina |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/84dd3404b33318e07d4ce5d5323fad49 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170053/https://apnews.com/84dd3404b33318e07d4ce5d5323fad49 |url-status=live }}</ref>
			The league suspended its ] on March 12, 2020, after two weeks, due to the ], and other U.S.-based sports leagues did the same.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=March 12, 2020 |title=MLS suspends matches for 30 days because of coronavirus outbreak |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/03/12/mls-schedule-suspended-coronavirus/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316092920/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/03/12/mls-schedule-suspended-coronavirus/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=March 13, 2020 |title=MLS, U.S. national teams and European soccer leagues shut down because of coronavirus |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-mls-suspends-season-major-league-soccer-philadelphia-union-20200312.html |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318061840/https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-mls-suspends-season-major-league-soccer-philadelphia-union-20200312.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Torres |first=Luis |date=March 19, 2020 |title=MLS extends suspension, eyes playing MLS Cup in December |work=Pro Soccer USA |url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/mls-season-suspended-coronavirus/ |access-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319184202/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/mls-season-suspended-coronavirus/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 2020 season resumed in July with the ], a competition in which 24 out of the 26 teams competed at the ] in Orlando for a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. In September 2020, the league announced the formation of ], an ] for MLS academy teams from the under-13 to under-19 level.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carrick |first1=Buzz |title=MLS Next launches as US Development Academy replacement |url=https://3rddegree.net/mls-next-launches-as-us-development-academy-replacement |website=3rd Degree |access-date=September 12, 2020 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929225922/https://3rddegree.net/mls-next-launches-as-us-development-academy-replacement |url-status=live }}</ref>
			In 2022, the league signed a $2.5 billion, 10-year deal with ] that made ] the primary broadcaster for all MLS games beginning in 2023. The agreement also included MLS and Leagues Cup games shared across the streaming service.<ref name="Gostomelsky">{{Cite web |last=Gostomelsky |first=Adam |date=2022-06-23 |title=A breakdown of Apple's Major League Soccer deal |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2022/06/apple-mls-deal-questions-breakdown/ |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=Sports Media Watch |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623110755/https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2022/06/apple-mls-deal-questions-breakdown/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Subscriptions were provided for free for ]s of clubs and certain matches were made free to all users. The schedule was adjusted as a result of the deal, with start times generally at 7:30&nbsp;p.m. local time on Wednesdays and Saturdays rather than staggered across the matchday.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rueter |first=Jeff |date=November 16, 2022 |title=MLS, Apple announce details of new deal: What to make of pricing, later kickoff times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3904200/2022/11/16/mls-apple-tv-details/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |accessdate=December 5, 2024}}</ref>
			In May 2023, the league announced it would expand to 30 teams with the addition of ] for the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Cesar |date=May 18, 2023 |title=San Diego awarded 30th MLS team, will debut in 2025 |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37676377/mls-names-san-diego-30th-team-debut-2025 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525183116/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37676377/mls-names-san-diego-30th-team-debut-2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
			====Expansion fees====
			In 2005, Toronto FC's ownership paid $10 million (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|10000000|2005}}}} in today's dollars){{Inflation-fn|US}} to join the league in 2007; San Jose paid $20 million the next year, and the fee had risen to $30 million when Sounders FC paid the fee in 2007 to join the league in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/its-official-seattle-to-get-mls-team-in-2009/ | title=It's official: Seattle to get MLS team in 2009 | date=November 13, 2007 | access-date=November 14, 2023 | archive-date=March 26, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326231212/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/its-official-seattle-to-get-mls-team-in-2009/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, New York City FC agreed to pay a record $100 million expansion fee for the right to join MLS in 2015.<ref name="ESPN-ExpFee">{{Cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Sacramento awarded latest MLS expansion franchise |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3969740/sacramento-awarded-latest-mls-expansion-franchise |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231115850/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3969740/sacramento-awarded-latest-mls-expansion-franchise |url-status=live }}</ref> This record was surpassed by the ownership groups of FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC, which each paid $150 million to join MLS 2019 and 2020, respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2016 |title=MLS to expand to 28 teams with huge jump in fees for new entrants |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2016/12/16/mls-to-expand-to-28-teams-with-150m-entry-fee-for-newcomers/95511822/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318061840/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2016/12/16/mls-to-expand-to-28-teams-with-150m-entry-fee-for-newcomers/95511822/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite being announced in January 2018, ] only paid a $25 million expansion fee due to a clause in part-owner ]'s original playing contract signed in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 29, 2018 |title=MLS announces David Beckham's expansion team in Miami |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami?src=com |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012431/http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami?src=com |url-status=live }}</ref> $150 million was paid as an effective entrance fee by a group that bought ] in 2018, which led to ] receiving rights to Austin FC, which joined MLS in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bench |first=Emily |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Columbus Crew's proposed buyers pledging $645M total investment |work=Columbus Business First |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/12/06/columbus-crews-proposed-buyers-pledging-645m-total.html |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515110515/https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/12/06/columbus-crews-proposed-buyers-pledging-645m-total.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Salazar |first=Daniel |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Austin and PSV finalize soccer stadium deal; MLS team likely to kick off in 2021 |work=Austin Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/12/19/austin-and-psv-finalize-soccer-stadium-deal-mls.html |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621230908/https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/12/19/austin-and-psv-finalize-soccer-stadium-deal-mls.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, Charlotte FC agreed to a reported $325 million expansion fee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Negley |first1=Cassandra |title=Charlotte's MLS expansion fee reportedly a record $325M — two-thirds more than recent expansions |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/charlotte-will-reportedly-become-30th-mls-franchise-for-record-325-m-twothirds-more-than-recent-expansions-212710659.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=January 17, 2021 |date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> The most recent expansion team, San Diego FC paid a record $500 million fee in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=San Diego named 30th MLS club; debut in '25 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37676377/mls-names-san-diego-30th-team-debut-2025 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
	==League championships==		==League championships==
	{{See also|List of American and Canadian soccer champions}}		{{See also|List of MLS Cup finals|Supporters' Shield}}
	As of the end of the 2017 season, 25 different clubs have competed in the league, with 12 having won at least one ], and 12 winning at least one ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/honors/trophies/trophy |title=MLS Trophies - By Trophy |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117183031/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/honors/trophies/trophy |archivedate=November 17, 2015 |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=September 20, 2014 |df= }}</ref> Seven times both trophies have been won by the same club in the same year (two clubs have done it twice).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-11-19/sports/os-orlando-mls-soccer-facts-1120-20131119_1_mls-cup-mls-games-mls-teams|title=MLS guide: Learn more about Orlando's new pro league|work=Orlando Sentinel|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715131354/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-11-19/sports/os-orlando-mls-soccer-facts-1120-20131119_1_mls-cup-mls-games-mls-teams|archivedate=July 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		As of the 2024 season, 32 different clubs have competed in the league, with 15 having won at least one ], and 16 winning at least one ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS Trophies – By Trophy |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/honors/trophies/trophy |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117183031/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/honors/trophies/trophy |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The two trophies have been won by the same club in the same year on eight occasions (two clubs have accomplished the feat twice).<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS guide: Learn more about Orlando's new pro league |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/11/19/mls-guide-learn-more-about-orlandos-new-pro-league/ |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 19, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715131354/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-11-19/sports/os-orlando-mls-soccer-facts-1120-20131119_1_mls-cup-mls-games-mls-teams |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Of these teams only one, ] have also won their national elite knockout tournament (In Toronto FC's case, the ]) in the same year for a domestic ].
	'''MLS Cup titles and Supporters' Shield Wins'''
	{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"		{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
			|+ MLS Cup titles and Supporters' Shield wins
	|-		|-
	! Team		!scope="col"|Team
	! ]		!scope="col"|]
	! Year(s) won		!scope="col"|Years won
	! ]		!scope="col"|]
	! Year(s) won		!scope="col"|Years won
	! MLS<br />Seasons		!scope="col"|Total<br />combined
			!scope="col"|MLS<br />seasons
	|-		|-
	| align=left | ] || 5 || align=left| ], ], ], ], ] || 4		| scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 6 || align=left| ], ], ], ], ], ]|| 4
	| align=left | ], ], ], ] || 22		| align=left | ], ], ], ] || 10 || 29
	|-		|-
	| align=left | ] || 4 || align=left| ], ], ], ] || 4 || align=left| ], ], ], ] || 22		|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 4 || align=left| ], ], ], ] || 4 || align=left| ], ], ], ] || 8 || 29
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 2 || align=left| ], ] || 2 || align=left| ], ] || 20
			| 3 || align=left| ], ], ] || 3 || align=left| ], ], ] || 6 || 29
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 2 || align=left| ], ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 22
			| 2 || align=left| ], ] || 2 || align=left| ], ] || 4 || 27
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 2 || align=left| ], ] || || – || 12
			| 2 || align=left| ], ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 3 || 29
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 3 || align=left| ], ], ] || 22
			| 2 || align=left| ], ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 3 || 16
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 20
			| 2 || align=left| ], ] || 0 || – || 2 || 19
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 9
			| 1 ||align=left|]|| 2 || align=left| ], ] || 3 || 7
	|-		|-
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 11		|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 2 || 27
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || || – || 13
			| 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || align=left| ] || 2 || 18
	|-		|-
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || || – || 22		|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 1 || align=left| ] || 0 || – || 1 || 20
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || 1 || align=left| ] || || – || 7
			| 1 || align=left| ] || 0 || – || 1 || 29
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ] || || – || 2 || align=left| ], ] || 22
			| 1 || align=left| ] || 0 || – || 1 || 14
	|-		|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
	| align=left | ]* || || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 6*
			| 1 || align=left| ]|| 0|| – || 1 || 8
	|-		|-
	| align=left | ]* || || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 4*		|scope="row" align=left | ]
			|1||align=left|]||0|| – || 1|| 10
	|-		|-
	| align=left | ] || || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 22		|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 0 || – || 3 || align=left| ], ], ] || 3 || 29
	|}
	{|
	|-		|-
	| colspan="6"|*''Franchise folded after completion of the ]''		|scope="row" align=left | ]{{efn|name=ex|Franchise folded after completion of the ]}}
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 6{{efn|name=ex}}
			|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]{{efn|name=ex}}
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 4{{efn|name=ex}}
			|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 29
			|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 15
			|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 29
			|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 6
			|-
			|scope="row" align=left | ]
			| 0 || – || 1 || align=left| ] || 1 || 5
	|}		|}
			{{notelist}}
	==Organization==		==Organization==
Line 504:		Line 636:
	===Ownership===		===Ownership===
	{{See also|Major League Soccer owners}}		{{See also|Major League Soccer owners}}
	Major League Soccer operates under a single-entity structure in which teams and player contracts are centrally owned by the league.<ref name=fraser /><ref name="Business of Soccer"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay|title=Roundtable: Is MLS Single Entity Here To Stay?|date=February 28, 2014|work=Hot Time in Old Town|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031111538/http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay|archivedate=October 31, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Each team has an investor-operator that is a shareholder in the league.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |title=About Major League Soccer &#124; PRESS BOX |publisher=Pressbox.mlssoccer.com |accessdate=June 2, 2014 |quote=Major League Soccer is structured as a single, limited liability company (single-entity). In the single-entity business structure, club operators own a financial stake in the League, not just their individual team. |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424164602/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |archivedate=April 24, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In order to control costs, MLS shares revenues and holds players contracts instead of players contracting with individual teams. In '']'', a lawsuit filed in 1996 and decided in 2002, the league won a legal battle with its players in which the court ruled that MLS was a single entity that can lawfully centrally contract for player services.<ref name=fraser /> The court also ruled that even absent their ], players could opt to play in other leagues if they were unsatisfied.<ref name=fraser />		Major League Soccer operates under a single-entity structure in which teams and player contracts are centrally owned by the league.<ref name=fraser /><ref name="Business of Soccer">{{Cite web|date=August 26, 2013|title=Dempsey Transfer Highlights Influence of MLS Single-Entity Economic Structure|url=http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084436/http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|archive-date=August 12, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2014|website=Business of Soccer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Roundtable: Is MLS Single Entity Here To Stay? |url=http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay |date=February 28, 2014 |website=Hot Time in Old Town |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031111538/http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Each team has an investor-operator that is a shareholder in the league.<ref name="Stadiums" /> In order to control costs, MLS shares revenues and holds players contracts instead of players contracting with individual teams. In '']'', a lawsuit filed in 1996 and decided in 2002, the league won a legal battle with its players in which the court ruled that MLS was a single entity that can lawfully centrally contract for player services.<ref name=fraser /> The court also ruled that even absent their ], players could opt to play in other leagues if they were unsatisfied.<ref name=fraser />
	Having multiple clubs operated by a single investor was a necessity in the league's first ten years.<ref name="latimes2006"/> At one time ]'s AEG operated six MLS franchises and ]'s Hunt Sports three franchises. In order to attract additional investors, in 2002 the league announced changes to the operating agreement between the league and its teams to improve team revenues and increase the incentives to be an individual club operator.<ref name="Contraction">{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season|title=Major League Soccer Announces Elimination of Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion for 2002 Season|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082916/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season|archivedate=August 19, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> These changes included granting operators the rights to a certain number of players they develop through their club's academy system each year, sharing the profits of ], and being able to sell individual club jersey sponsorships.<ref name="Contraction"/>		Having multiple clubs operated by a single investor was a necessity in the league's first ten years.<ref name="latimes2006" /> At one time, ]'s AEG operated six MLS franchises and ]'s Hunt Sports operated three franchises. In order to attract additional investors, in 2002 the league announced changes to the operating agreement between the league and its teams to improve team revenues and increase the incentives to be an individual club operator.<ref name="Contraction">{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer Announces Elimination of Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion for 2002 Season |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082916/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> These changes included granting operators the rights to a certain number of players they develop through their club's academy system each year, sharing the profits of ], and being able to sell individual club jersey sponsorships.<ref name="Contraction" />
	As MLS appeared to be on the brink of overall profitability in 2006 and developed significant expansion plans, MLS announced that it wanted each club to have a distinct operator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0|title=MLS' Don Garber Talks State of the League with the Daily|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228003815/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0|archivedate=February 28, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league has attracted new investors that have injected more money into the league.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-billionaire-owners/|title=Major League Soccer's Billionaire Owners|date=November 20, 2013|work=Forbes|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009001338/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-billionaire-owners/|archivedate=October 9, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Examples include Red Bull's purchase of the MetroStars from AEG in 2006 for over $100&nbsp;million.<ref name="latimes2006">''Los Angeles Times'', {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217204737/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/mar/29/sports/sp-mls29 |date=December 17, 2013 }}, March 29, 2006.</ref><ref name="nytimes.com">''The New York Times'', {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102092648/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html?_r=0 |date=November 2, 2015 }}, March 10, 2006.</ref> For the 2014 season, the league assumed control of the former Chivas USA club, which had suffered from mismanagement and poor financial results under its individual operator relationship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20/sports/la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221|title=Major League Soccer assumes ownership of Chivas USA|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822080201/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20/sports/la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221|archivedate=August 22, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="forbes.com"/> The league eventually dissolved the team,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdchivasusa.com/|title=Dear Fans and Friends|work=CDChivasUSA.com|accessdate=October 30, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030005413/http://www.cdchivasusa.com/|archivedate=October 30, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> in favor of awarding rights to a second soccer club in the Los Angeles area to a new investor group on October 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles|title=Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles|work=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=October 30, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101193554/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles|archivedate=November 1, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		As MLS appeared to be on the brink of overall profitability in 2006 and developed significant expansion plans, MLS announced that it wanted each club to have a distinct operator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS' Don Garber Talks State of the League with the Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228003815/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0 |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The league has attracted new investors that have injected more money into the league.<ref name="forbes.com"/> Examples include ]'s purchase of the MetroStars from AEG in 2006 for over $100&nbsp;million.<ref name="latimes2006">''Los Angeles Times'', , March 29, 2006.</ref><ref name="nytimes.com">''The New York Times'', {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140531232010/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html|date=May 31, 2014 }}, March 10, 2006.</ref> For the 2014 season, the league assumed control of the former Chivas USA club, which had suffered from mismanagement and poor financial results under its individual operator relationship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=February 20, 2014 |title=Major League Soccer assumes ownership of Chivas USA |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-xpm-2014-feb-20-la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822080201/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20/sports/la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221 |archive-date=August 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="forbes.com" /> The league eventually dissolved the team,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dear Fans and Friends |url=http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ |publisher=CD Chivas USA |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030005413/http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref> in favor of awarding rights to a second soccer club in the Los Angeles area to a new investor group on October 30, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles |date=October 30, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101193554/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles |archive-date=November 1, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014}}</ref>
	The league now has 22 investor-operators for its 22 clubs. Since December 2015, when AEG sold its remaining 50% interest in the Houston Dynamo, the former multiple-team operators AEG and Hunt Sports, with the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas respectively, now only control one franchise.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chicago Fire sold to Andell Holdings |publisher=Chicago Fire Media Relations |date=September 6, 2007 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |accessdate=August 21, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120024349/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |archivedate=November 20, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Group led by Gabriel Brener acquires AEG's ownership interests in Houston Dynamo |publisher=mlssoccer.com |date=December 16, 2015 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |accessdate=December 15, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216201123/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |archivedate=December 16, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		The league now has 30 investor-operators for its 30 current clubs, with no member of any club's investor group having a stake in that of any other club. Since December 2015, when AEG sold its remaining 50% interest in the Houston Dynamo, the former multiple-team operators AEG and Hunt Sports, with the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas respectively, now only control one franchise.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 6, 2007 |title=Chicago Fire sold to Andell Holdings |publisher=Chicago Fire Media Relations |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |url-status=live |access-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120024349/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |archive-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Group led by Gabriel Brener acquires AEG's ownership interests in Houston Dynamo |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |date=December 16, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216201123/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015}}</ref>
	===League executives===		===League executives===
			] has been the commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999, serving as the league's chief executive. The league's first commissioner was ], who served in the role from 1995 to 1999.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wahl |first=Grant |author-link=Grant Wahl |date=December 3, 2014 |title=15 Years of The Don: Under Garber, MLS stayed afloat, has taken strides |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305192652/http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |archive-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bissonette |first=Zac |date=December 5, 2014 |title=A sports league that's unprofitable—but hopeful |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305194831/http://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |archive-date=March 5, 2017}}</ref>
			Mark Abbott, a former MLS business partner, has served as the league's president and Deputy Commissioner since 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Abbott |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |publisher=Bloomberg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305195054/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |access-date=March 4, 2017}}</ref>
	] has been the commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999, serving as the league's chief executive. The league's first commissioner was ], who served in the role from 1995 to 1999.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wahl |first=Grant |authorlink=Grant Wahl |date=December 3, 2014 |title=15 Years of The Don: Under Garber, MLS stayed afloat, has taken strides |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |work=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=March 4, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305192652/http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |archivedate=March 5, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bissonette |first=Zac |date=December 5, 2014 |title=A sports league that's unprofitable—but hopeful |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |work=CNBC.com |accessdate=March 4, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305194831/http://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |archivedate=March 5, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	Mark Abbott, a former MLS business partner, has served as the league's President and Deputy Commissioner since 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mark Abbott |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |publisher=Bloomberg |accessdate=March 4, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305195054/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |archivedate=March 5, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	===Player acquisition and salaries===		===Player acquisition and salaries===
	] was the league's first ] in 2007.]]		] was the league's first ] in 2007.]]
	The average salary for MLS players is $316,777,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2876311/average-mls-salary-goes-up-with-surprising-value-available-league-wide |title=Average MLS salary goes up, with surprising value available leaguewide |publisher=ESPN FC |date=May 19, 2016 |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209165749/http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2876311/average-mls-salary-goes-up-with-surprising-value-available-league-wide |archivedate=February 9, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> lower than the average salaries in England's second-tier ] ($420,000 in 2015),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3456453/Mind-gap-Premier-League-wages-soar-average-salaries-2014-15-season-1-7million-rest-creep-along.html |title=Mind the gap... Premier League wages soar with average salaries during 2014–15 season around £1.7million |work=Daily Mail |date=February 20, 2016 |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228145028/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3456453/Mind-gap-Premier-League-wages-soar-average-salaries-2014-15-season-1-7million-rest-creep-along.html |archivedate=December 28, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Holland's ] ($445,000),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm|title=Dutch professional football continues financial improvement|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820114358/http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm|archivedate=August 20, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> or Mexico's ] ($418,000 in 2015).<ref>{{cite web|last=Carlisle|first=Jeff|title=MLS confident new CBA will be done in time for March 6 season start|url=http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start|publisher=ESPN FC|date=January 7, 2015|accessdate=June 26, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104757/http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start|archivedate=June 26, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The league's minimum player salary increased in 2017 to $65,000 for most players, and roster players #25–28 saw their minimum salary increased to $53,000.<ref name="Major League Soccer">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |title=MLS Players Union announces that it has ratified collective bargaining agreement |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=July 16, 2015 |accessdate=October 25, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022061339/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |archivedate=October 22, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=pressbox2015>{{cite web |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |title=2015 MLS Player Rules and Regulations Summary |work=MLS Press Box |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=May 1, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424014409/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |archivedate=April 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		In 2016, the average salary for MLS players was $373,094,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salary Guide |url=https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide |date=May 19, 2016 |publisher=MLS Players' Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615185627/https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> lower than the average salaries in England's second-tier ] ($420,000 in 2015),<ref name=Bolavip>{{cite web |url=https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-average-salary-in-theefl-championship-20210326-0022.html |title=EFL Championship: What is the average salary in England's second-tier? |website=bolavip.com |last=Alcheva |first=Martina |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814055611/https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-average-salary-in-theefl-championship-20210326-0022.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the Netherlands' ] ($445,000),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dutch professional football continues financial improvement |url=http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820114358/http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> or Mexico's ] ($418,000 in 2015).<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS confident new CBA will be done in time for March 6 season start |url=http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=January 7, 2015 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104757/http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2015}}</ref> The league's minimum player salary increased in 2017 to $65,000 for most players, and roster players #25–30 saw their minimum salary increased to $53,000.<ref name="Major League Soccer">{{Cite web |title=MLS Players Union announces that it has ratified collective bargaining agreement |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |date=July 16, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022061339/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref><ref name="pressbox2015">{{Cite web |title=2015 MLS Player Rules and Regulations Summary |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |website=MLS Press Box |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424014409/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |access-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref>
	MLS salaries are limited by a ], which MLS has had in place since the league's inception in 1996. The purpose of the salary cap is to prevent the team's owners from unsustainable spending on player salaries and to prevent a competitive imbalance among teams.<ref name="leagle.com"/> The salary cap survived a legal challenge by the players in the '']'' lawsuit. The 2017 salary cap increased to $3.845 million per team.<ref name="Major League Soccer"/><ref name=pressbox2015/>		MLS salaries are limited by a ], which MLS has had in place since the league's inception in 1996. The purpose of the salary cap is to prevent the team's owners from unsustainable spending on player salaries and to prevent a competitive imbalance among teams.<ref name="leagle.com" /> The salary cap survived a legal challenge by the players in the '']'' lawsuit. The 2017 salary cap increased to $3.845 million per team.<ref name="Major League Soccer" /><ref name=pressbox2015/> Each team is allowed up to 30 players on its first team roster.<ref name="MLS Roster Rules">{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2018 |title=MLS Roster Rules and Regulations |work=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226030351/https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations |url-status=dead }}</ref> All 30 players are eligible for selection to each 18-player game-day squad during the regular season and playoffs.
	Teams may augment their squads by signing players from other leagues. MLS has two ]s—the primary pre-season transfer window lasts three months from mid February until mid May, and the secondary mid season transfer window runs one month from early July to early August.<ref name="Roster Rules and Regulations">{{cite web|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations|title=Roster Rules and Regulations|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920193128/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations|archivedate=September 20, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> When an MLS club sells one of its players overseas, the club and the league split the transfer revenues, with the club retaining from 33% to 75% depending on the player's status and tenure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |title=Israeli club ups offer for D.C. United's Steve Birnbaum, but |work=Washington Post |first=Steve |last=Goff |date=August 2, 2016 |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510134413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |archivedate=May 10, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		Teams may augment their squads by signing players from other leagues. MLS has two ]s—the primary pre-season transfer window lasts three months from mid February until mid May, and the secondary mid season transfer window runs one month from early July to early August.<ref name="pressbox2015" /> When an MLS club sells one of its players overseas, the club and the league split the transfer revenues, with the club retaining from 33% to 75% depending on the player's status and tenure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steve |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Israeli club ups offer for D.C. United's Steve Birnbaum, but |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510134413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>
	MLS teams have a limited number of ] that they can use to sign non-domestic players. However MLS teams regularly obtain green cards for their non-domestic players to qualify them for domestic status and free up international roster slots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story|title=ASN article: MLS Allure: Why Wages Are Only Part of the Story|publisher=|accessdate=September 15, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916192944/http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story|archivedate=September 16, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2015, 49% of MLS players were born outside of the U.S. and Canada, with players from 58 countries represented.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers|title=Recent analysis of foreign player pool in MLS reveals interesting numbers – SIDELINE|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 15, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912153409/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers|archivedate=September 12, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america|title=MLS remains most diverse professional sports league in North America|work=LA Galaxy|accessdate=April 24, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425222317/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america|archivedate=April 25, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		MLS teams have a limited number of ] that they can use to sign non-domestic players. However, MLS teams often obtain green cards for their non-domestic players in order to qualify them for domestic status and thus free up international roster slots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN article: MLS Allure: Why Wages Are Only Part of the Story |url=http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916192944/http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> In 2015, 49% of MLS players were born outside of the U.S. and Canada, with players from 58 countries represented.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recent analysis of foreign player pool in MLS reveals interesting numbers |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers |date=September 10, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912153409/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS remains most diverse professional sports league in North America |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america |date=April 23, 2015 |website=LA Galaxy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425222317/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref>
			MLS has a set of ] who are signed to a contract with the league and are loaned to teams during emergencies in which they are missing a goalkeeper due to injuries or suspensions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Koczwara |first=Kevin |date=November 4, 2016 |title=On MLS's Most Star-Studded Team, Brian Rowe Is the Last Line of Defense |url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/kbd3ga/on-mlss-most-star-studded-team-brian-rowe-is-the-last-line-of-defense |work=Vice News |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905044535/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/kbd3ga/on-mlss-most-star-studded-team-brian-rowe-is-the-last-line-of-defense |url-status=live }}</ref> The pool goalkeeper trains with an MLS club or an affiliated team when not assigned to a team; some pool goalkeepers, including ], have gone on to be signed to permanent contract with their assigned teams.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brenner |first=Steve |date=June 25, 2019 |title=Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS 'Pool Goalkeeper' Who Can Play for Every Club |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842032-meet-charlie-lyon-the-mls-pool-goalkeeper-who-can-play-for-every-club |work=] |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020202459/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842032-meet-charlie-lyon-the-mls-pool-goalkeeper-who-can-play-for-every-club |url-status=live }}</ref> In the past, when rosters were smaller, there were multiple goalkeepers signed to the pool, however, in recent years only one or two keepers are signed as team rosters are much larger.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://global.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3132935/billy-heavner-life-in-limbo-in-major-league-soccer-as-a-pool-goalkeeper|title=Billy Heavner's life in limbo in Major League Soccer as a 'pool goalkeeper'|date=May 24, 2017|first=Jeff|last=Carlisle|work=]|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221094933/https://global.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3132935/billy-heavner-life-in-limbo-in-major-league-soccer-as-a-pool-goalkeeper|url-status=live}}</ref>
	MLS has also introduced various initiatives and rules intended to improve quality of players while still maintaining the salary cap. Rules concerning Designated Players and allocation money allow for additional wage spending that is exempt from the salary cap. These initiatives have brought about an increase in on-field competition.<ref name="monstersandcritics.com">{{cite news|last=Martin |first=Pat |title=MLS comes out of the gates strong in '07 |publisher=monstersandcritics.com |date=May 4, 2007 |url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls/misc/mls_features_archive/mls_features_archive_050407.htm |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524072946/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls%2Fmisc%2Fmls_features_archive%2Fmls_features_archive_050407.htm |archivedate=May 24, 2015 |accessdate=August 10, 2014 |df= }}</ref>
			====Designated Players and allocation money====
	The ] allows teams to sign a limited number of players whose salary exceeds the maximum cap, each DP player only counts as $480,625 (the maximum non-DP salary) against the cap in 2017. Instituted in 2007, England's ] was the first signing under the DP rule.<ref name="forbes-2014-09"/> The DP rule has led to large income inequality in MLS with top DPs earning as much as 180 times more than a player earning the league minimum.<ref name="2014-salaries-mlsplayers">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201,%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |title=2014 MLS Player Salaries: April 1, 2014: By Club |accessdate=August 20, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer Players Union |date=April 2, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618064130/http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201%2C%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |archivedate=June 18, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In the 2013 season 21% of the league's wage spending went to just 5 players, this stretched to 29% on the top 6 players in the 2014 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |title=A Look at Income Inequality in MLS |work=Empire of Soccer |first=Bill |last=Reese |date=January 30, 2014 |accessdate=August 20, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726234141/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |archivedate=July 26, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |date=April 11, 2014 |first=Steve |last=Fenn |title=2014 MLS Salaries Visualized |publisher=StatHunting |accessdate=September 20, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712170437/http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |archivedate=July 12, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			MLS has also introduced various initiatives and rules intended to improve quality of players while still maintaining the salary cap. Rules concerning Designated Players and allocation money allow for additional wage spending that is exempt from the salary cap. These initiatives have brought about an increase in on-field competition.<ref name="monstersandcritics.com">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Pat |date=May 4, 2007 |title=MLS comes out of the gates strong in '07 |publisher=monstersandcritics.com |url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls/misc/mls_features_archive/mls_features_archive_050407.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524072946/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls%2Fmisc%2Fmls_features_archive%2Fmls_features_archive_050407.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2015}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019}}
			The ] allows teams to sign a limited number of players whose salary exceeds the maximum cap; in 2017, each DP player only counted as $480,625 (the maximum non-DP salary) against the cap. Instituted in 2007, England's ] was the first signing under the DP rule.<ref name="forbes-2014-09" /> The DP rule has led to large income inequality in MLS with top DPs earning as much as 180 times more than a player earning the league minimum.<ref name="2014-salaries-mlsplayers">{{Cite web |title=2014 MLS Player Salaries: April 1, 2014: By Club |url=http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201,%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |date=April 2, 2014 |publisher=Major League Soccer Players Union |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618064130/http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201%2C%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> In the 2013 season, 21% of the league's wage spending went to just five players; this stretched to 29% on the top 6 players in the 2014 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reese |first=Bill |date=January 30, 2014 |title=A Look at Income Inequality in MLS |work=Empire of Soccer |url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726234141/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |archive-date=July 26, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 MLS Salaries Visualized |url=http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |last=Fenn |first=Steve |date=April 11, 2014 |publisher=StatHunting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712170437/http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |archive-date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019}}
	The league's "Core Players" initiative allows teams to re-sign players using retention funds that do not count against the salary cap.<ref name="mlssoccer.com" /> Retention funds were implemented in 2013 as a mechanism for MLS to retain key players; among the first high-profile players re-signed using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars ] and ].<ref name="mlssoccer.com"/> MLS teams can also obtain ], which is money that the team can use on player salaries that does not count against the cap, and teams can earn allocation money in several ways, such as from the transfer fees earned by selling players to teams in other leagues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |title=The great allocation money chase |work=The Philly Soccer Page |date=June 26, 2012 |accessdate=September 25, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717212245/http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |archivedate=July 17, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> MLS teams can also use Targeted Allocation Money (often referred to as TAM), an initiative announced in 2015. Teams can use TAM funds to attract high-profile players by "buying down" contracts of players to below the Designated Player level.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |title=MLS approves large TAM increase, additional Homegrown Player spending |work=Soccer by Ives |first=Ryan |last=Tomlich |accessdate=December 9, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211034629/http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |archivedate=December 11, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> High-profile players for which TAM funds were used include Omar Gonzalez.
			The league's "Core Players" initiative allows teams to re-sign players using retention funds that do not count against the salary cap.<ref name="mlssoccer.com" /> Retention funds were implemented in 2013 as a mechanism for MLS to retain key players; among the first high-profile players re-signed using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars ] and ].<ref name="mlssoccer.com" /> MLS teams can also obtain ], which is money that the team can use on player salaries that does not count against the cap, and teams can earn allocation money in several ways, such as from the transfer fees earned by selling players to teams in other leagues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The great allocation money chase |url=http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |date=June 26, 2012 |website=The Philly Soccer Page |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717212245/http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2014}}</ref> MLS teams can also use Targeted Allocation Money (often referred to as TAM), an initiative announced in 2015. Teams can use TAM funds to attract high-profile players by "buying down" contracts of players to below the Designated Player level.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tomlich |first=Ryan |title=MLS approves large TAM increase, additional Homegrown Player spending |work=Soccer by Ives |url=http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211034629/http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |archive-date=December 11, 2015}}</ref> High-profile players for which TAM funds were used include ], ] and ].
	===Youth development===		===Youth development===
			{{See also|MLS Next Pro|Homegrown Player Rule (Major League Soccer)}}
	MLS has introduced various initiatives and rules intended to develop young players. Rules concerning Generation Adidas players and home grown players provide incentives for clubs to develop and retain young players.<ref name="monstersandcritics.com"/>
			MLS has introduced various initiatives and rules intended to develop young players. Rules concerning Generation Adidas players and home grown players provide incentives for clubs to develop and retain young players.<ref name="monstersandcritics.com" />
			MLS has required all of its teams to operate youth development programs since 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS launches youth development initiative |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901 |date=November 10, 2006 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231220008/http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901 |archive-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> MLS roster rules allow teams to sign an unlimited number of players straight from their academies and bypassing the draft process.<ref name="pressbox2015" /> There is also supplementary salary budget made by MLS only for homegrown players that are registered using senior roster slots called homegrown player funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS announces $37 million investment in Targeted Allocation Money, Homegrown Player funds for 2016–17 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds |date=December 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131040701/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds |archive-date=January 31, 2016}}</ref> One of the most prominent and lucrative examples of success in "home-grown" development was ], who rose to prominence as a teenager in MLS before his record transfer fee $10&nbsp;million move to Villarreal in Spain in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Spanish Soccer Team Strikes Deal for Altidore |work=The New York Times |location=United States |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517174541/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |archive-date=May 17, 2013}}</ref> The various MLS teams' development academies play matches in a ] against youth academies from other leagues such as the ] (NASL), which had been a Division II league prior to 2018, and USL Pro, originally a Division III league but now the Division II ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2014–2015 |url=http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020705/http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
			The league operates a ] program, which is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer that encourages young American players to enter MLS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=US U-20 players headline 2006 class |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |date=January 11, 2006 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214081859/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> The Generation Adidas program has been in place since 1997, and has introduced players such as ], ], ] and ] into MLS. Players under the Home Grown Player rule are signed to Generation Adidas contracts,<ref name="pressbox2015" /> all players on Generation Adidas contracts are "off budget players" and their salaries do not count against the cap.
	MLS has required all of its teams to operate youth development programs since 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901|title=MLS launches youth development initiative|publisher=espnfc.com|date=November 10, 2006|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231220008/http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901|archivedate=December 31, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> MLS roster rules allow teams to sign an unlimited number players straight from their academies and bypassing the draft process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations|title=MLS 2015 Roster Rules|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325152553/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations|archivedate=March 25, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> There is also supplementary salary budget made by MLS only for homegrown players that are registered using senior roster slots called homegrown player funds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds|title=MLS announces $37 million investment in Targeted Allocation Money, Homegrown Player funds for 2016–17|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131040701/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds|archivedate=January 31, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> One of the most prominent and lucrative examples of success in "home-grown" development was ], who rose to prominence as a teenager in MLS before his record transfer fee $10&nbsp;million move to Villarreal in Spain in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |title=Spanish Soccer Team Strikes Deal for Altidore |location=United States |work=The New York Times |date=June 5, 2008 |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517174541/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |archivedate=May 17, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The various MLS teams' development academies play matches in a ] against youth academies from other leagues such as the Division II ] (NASL) and Division III USL Pro, the latter of which has now rebranded itself as the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html|title=U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2014–2015|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020705/http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html|archivedate=September 21, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			MLS has operated reserve leagues, which give playing time to players who were not starters for their MLS teams, during two different periods. The ] was formed in 2005, and operated through 2014 (with the exception of the 2009 & 2010 seasons).<ref>MLSsoccer.com, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120213608/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/commissioner-reveals-details-reserve-division |date=November 20, 2010 }}, November 16, 2010.</ref> MLS began integrating its Reserve League with the league then known as USL Pro in 2013,<ref name="MLS_USL_Deal">{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2013 |title=MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126060258/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league |archive-date=January 26, 2013}}</ref> and after the 2014 season folded the Reserve League, with MLS then requiring all teams to either affiliate with a USL team or field their own reserve side in that league. However, this requirement was never strictly enforced, and MLS eventually relaunched its reserve league in 2022 under the banner of ]. In the inaugural 2022 season, 19 of the league's then-current clubs, plus future club ], fielded reserve sides in Next Pro. In the 2023 season, the only MLS teams that will not field Next Pro sides are ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bonagura |first1=Kyle |title=Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4415507/major-league-soccer-to-launch-development-league-in-2022 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=] |date=June 21, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216144436/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4415507/major-league-soccer-to-launch-development-league-in-2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/seven-mls-affiliated-clubs-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-2023 |title=Seven MLS-Affiliated Clubs to Join MLS Next Pro in 2023 |publisher=MLS Next Pro |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209024649/https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/seven-mls-affiliated-clubs-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
	The league operates a ] program, which is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer that encourages young American players to enter MLS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |title=US U-20 players headline 2006 class |publisher=Soccernet.espn.go.com |date=January 11, 2006 |accessdate=September 15, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214081859/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |archivedate=February 14, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The Generation Adidas program has been in place since 1997, and has introduced players such as ], ], ] and ] into MLS. Players under the Home Grown Player rule are signed to Generation Adidas contracts,<ref name="Roster Rules and Regulations"/> all players on Generation Adidas contracts are "off budget players" and their salaries do not count against the cap.
			Following the folding of the ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-soccer-ends-development-academy_aid47937|title=U.S. Soccer ends Development Academy &#124; Club Soccer &#124; Youth Soccer|website=TopDrawerSoccer.com|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804003325/https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-soccer-ends-development-academy_aid47937|url-status=live}}</ref> MLS announced its own development league in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer launches new elite competition for youth academies {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-launches-new-elite-competition-youth-academies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204013928/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-launches-new-elite-competition-youth-academies |archive-date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}}</ref> It includes all of the MLS team academies as well as 95 clubs across the country; many of which were a part of the Development Academy.<ref>{{cite news |title=MLS Unveils New Youth Development Program Details |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/05/14/mls-youth-academy-development-program-us-soccer |via=] |agency=] |date=May 14, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref>
	MLS formerly operated a ] which gave playing time to players who were not starters for their MLS teams. The Reserve League was formed in 2005, and operated through 2014 (with the exception of the 2009 & 2010 seasons).<ref>MLSsoccer.com, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120213608/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/commissioner-reveals-details-reserve-division |date=November 20, 2010 }}, November 16, 2010.</ref> MLS began integrating its Reserve League with the league then known as USL Pro in 2013,<ref name="MLS_USL_Deal">{{cite news | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league | title=MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League | publisher=www.mlssoccer.com | date=January 23, 2013 | accessdate=January 27, 2013 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126060258/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league | archivedate=January 26, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> and after the 2014 season folded the Reserve League, with MLS now requiring all teams to either affiliate with a USL team or field their own reserve side in that league.
	===Stadiums===		===Stadiums===
	<!--The plural of stadium is BOTH stadiums and stadia. This article is based on a sports league in the United States and Canada, and North American English more commonly uses "stadiums". Please consult WP:ENGVAR-->		<!--The plural of stadium is BOTH stadiums and stadia. This article is based on a sports league in the United States and Canada, and North American English more commonly uses "stadiums". Please consult WP:ENGVAR-->
	], MLS' first ]]]		]'s ] was MLS' first ]]]
	{{See also|Soccer-specific stadium|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}}		{{See also|Soccer-specific stadium|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}}
	Since 1999, the league has overseen the construction of twelve stadiums specifically designed for soccer. The development of soccer-specific stadiums owned by the teams has generated a better gameday experience for the fans.<ref name="New York Times 2012">''The New York Times'', {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701044557/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html?_r=0 |date=July 1, 2017 }}, May 12, 2012.</ref> The soccer-specific stadiums have yielded positive financial results as teams were no longer required to pay to rent out facilities and gained control over revenue streams such as concessions, parking, naming rights, and the ability to host non MLS events.<ref name="forbes.com">Forbes, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122041125/http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/ |date=November 22, 2013 }}, November 20, 2013.</ref><ref name="New York Times 2012"/> Several teams have doubled their season-tickets following the team's move into a soccer-specific stadium.<ref>Sports Business Journal, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105726/http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx |date=December 22, 2015 }}, March 4, 2013.</ref> The establishment of soccer-specific stadiums is considered the key to the league and the ability of teams to turn a profit.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com">Sports Business Journal, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223021304/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx |date=February 23, 2014 }}, June 5, 2006.</ref> In 2006, Tim Leiweke, then CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, described the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums as the turning point for MLS.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com"/>		Since 1999, the league has overseen the construction of twelve stadiums specifically designed for soccer. The development of soccer-specific stadiums owned by the teams has generated a better gameday experience for the fans.<ref name="New York Times 2012">''The New York Times'', {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118143116/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html|date=January 18, 2017 }}, May 12, 2012.</ref> The soccer-specific stadiums have yielded positive financial results as teams were no longer required to pay to rent out facilities and gained control over revenue streams such as concessions, parking, naming rights, and the ability to host non-MLS events.<ref name="forbes.com" /><ref name="New York Times 2012" /> Several teams have doubled their season tickets following the team's move into a soccer-specific stadium.<ref>Sports Business Journal, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105726/http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx |date=December 22, 2015 }}, March 4, 2013.</ref> The establishment of soccer-specific stadiums is considered the key to the league and the ability of teams to turn a profit.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com">Sports Business Journal, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223021304/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx |date=February 23, 2014 }}, June 5, 2006.</ref> In 2006, Tim Leiweke, then CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, described the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums as the turning point for MLS.<ref name="sportsbusinessdaily.com" />
	Columbus Crew owner Lamar Hunt started this trend in 1999 by constructing Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as ], as MLS's first soccer-specific stadium.<ref name="Columbus Crew history"/> The Los Angeles Galaxy followed four years later with the opening of The Home Depot Center, now ], in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center|title=StubHub Center - About|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915033548/http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center|archivedate=September 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> FC Dallas opened Pizza Hut Park, now ], in 2005, and the Chicago Fire began playing their home games in ] in 2006. The 2007 season brought the opening of ] for the Colorado Rapids and ] for Toronto FC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/|title=Executives|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref>		Columbus Crew owner Lamar Hunt started this trend in 1999 by constructing Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as ], as MLS's first soccer-specific stadium.<ref name="Columbus Crew history" /> The Los Angeles Galaxy followed four years later with the opening of the Home Depot Center, now ], in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=StubHub Center – About |url=http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915033548/http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> FC Dallas opened Pizza Hut Park, now ], in 2005, and the Chicago Fire began playing their home games in Toyota Park, now ], in 2006. The 2007 season brought the opening of ] for the Colorado Rapids and ] for Toronto FC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executives |url=http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723035047/http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
	Near the end of the 2008 season, ] became the home of Real Salt Lake, which meant that for the first time in MLS history a majority of MLS's teams (8 out of 14) played in soccer-specific stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/|title=Rio Tinto Stadium Set To Open|work=Connecticut Sports Law|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref> ], the new home of the New York Red Bulls opened for the start of the 2010 season,<ref name=Stadiums>{{cite web|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer|title=About Major League Soccer|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210834/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer|archivedate=October 27, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and the Philadelphia Union opened PPL Park, since renamed ], in June 2010, midway through their inaugural season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls|title=Opinion: Is NYC FC's stadium deal a black eye for MLS?|date=April 22, 2014|work=Once A Metro|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042050/http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls|archivedate=October 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		Near the end of the 2008 season, Rio Tinto Stadium (now known as ]) became the home of Real Salt Lake, which meant that for the first time in MLS history a majority of MLS's teams (8 out of 14) played in soccer-specific stadiums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rio Tinto Stadium Set To Open |url=http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |date=October 4, 2008 |website=Connecticut Sports Law |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135738/http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ], the new home of the New York Red Bulls opened for the start of the 2010 season,<ref name="Stadiums">{{Cite web |title=About Major League Soccer |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210834/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |archive-date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> and the Philadelphia Union opened PPL Park, now ], in June 2010, midway through their inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opinion: Is NYC FC's stadium deal a black eye for MLS? |url=http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |date=April 22, 2014 |website=Once A Metro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042050/http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	The following season, in 2011, the Portland Timbers made their MLS debut in a newly renovated Jeld-Wen Field, now renamed ], which was originally a multi-purpose venue but turned into a soccer-specific facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html|title=Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen joined at the right time on stadium naming rights|work=OregonLive.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814085900/http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html|archivedate=August 14, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Also in 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to new Livestrong Sporting Park, now ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup|title=Sporting Kansas City's Sporting Park will serve as host of MLS Cup|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906141345/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup|archivedate=September 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Houston Dynamo relocated to their new home at ] in 2012.<ref name=Stadiums/> In the same year, the Montreal Impact joined the league in an expanded ], which reopened in June 2012, when renovations pushed the seating capacity to over 20,000. The Impact has used ] for early season matches and for games that require a larger capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/|title=The State of Soccer in Montreal|work=Last Word on Sports|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050229/http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The San Jose Earthquakes, who had played at ] from 2008 until 2014, opened their new ] before the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/09/14/san-jose-earthquakes-stadium-construction-delayed-again-scheduled-to-open-for-2015-season/|title=San Jose Earthquakes Stadium Construction Delayed Again; Scheduled to Open for 2015 Season|work=Business of Soccer|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812104247/http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/09/14/san-jose-earthquakes-stadium-construction-delayed-again-scheduled-to-open-for-2015-season/|archivedate=August 12, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The Orlando City SC expansion team intended to begin constructing ], a soccer-specific stadium, in 2014 to be completed in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schlueb |first1=Mark |title=Orlando officials, Orlando City Lions to brainstorm design for MLS stadium |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107,0,4518538.story |accessdate=January 24, 2017 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 7, 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107205220/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107%2C0%2C4518538.story |archivedate=January 7, 2014 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> Delays caused by changes to the stadium plans pushed back the new venue's opening, first to late in the 2016 season and finally to the start of the 2017 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Your City Your Stadium: Update on Proposed Stadium Opening|url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening|publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club|accessdate=January 13, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114235507/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening|archivedate=January 14, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Orlando City played at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now ], while awaiting the construction of their new venue through the 2016 season. Their new venue, Orlando City Stadium, hosted its first MLS match on March 5, 2017 against New York City FC.		The following season, in 2011, the Portland Timbers made their MLS debut in a newly renovated Jeld-Wen Field, now renamed ], which was originally a multi-purpose venue but turned into a soccer-specific facility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen joined at the right time on stadium naming rights |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |date=February 11, 2014 |website=The Oregonian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814085900/http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Also in 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to new Livestrong Sporting Park, now ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sporting Kansas City's Sporting Park will serve as host of MLS Cup |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |date=November 24, 2013 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906141345/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The Houston Dynamo relocated to their new home at BBVA Compass Stadium, now ], in 2012.<ref name=Stadiums/> In the same year, the Montreal Impact joined the league in an expanded ], which reopened in June 2012, when renovations pushed the seating capacity to over 20,000. The Impact has used ] for early season matches and for games that require a larger capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The State of Soccer in Montreal |url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |date=July 17, 2012 |website=Last Word on Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050229/http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The San Jose Earthquakes, who had played at ] from 2008 until 2014, opened their new Avaya Stadium (now ]) before the 2015 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Avaya Stadium: Breaking down Earthquakes' new digs |work=The Mercury News |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318062047/https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Orlando City SC intended to begin constructing its soccer-specific stadium, now known as ], in 2014 to be completed in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schlueb |first=Mark |date=January 7, 2014 |title=Orlando officials, Orlando City Lions to brainstorm design for MLS stadium |work=Orlando Sentinel |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107,0,4518538.story |url-status=dead |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107205220/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107%2C0%2C4518538.story |archive-date=January 7, 2014}}</ref> Delays caused by changes to the stadium plans pushed back the new venue's opening, first to late 2016 and finally to the start of the 2017 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your City Your Stadium: Update on Proposed Stadium Opening |url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |date=January 13, 2016 |publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114235507/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2016}}</ref> Orlando City played at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now ], while awaiting the construction of their new venue through the 2016 season. Exploria Stadium hosted its first MLS match on March 5, 2017, against New York City FC as Orlando City Stadium.
	], home of the ]]]		], home of ]]]
	The development of additional MLS stadiums is in progress. D.C. United plays home games at a former NFL and Major League Baseball venue, ]; in 2013, D.C. United announced the signing of a public-private partnership term sheet to build a new soccer stadium in Washington, D.C., and a final deal was reached in late 2014. After 21 years of playing at RFK Stadium, D.C. United finally broke ground on their new stadium, ], in late February 2017 to be completed sometime during the 2018 MLS season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |title=D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing field in MLS in many ways |first=Steven |last=Goff |date=December 17, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>		The development of additional MLS stadiums has continued to progress. D.C. United had played their home games at former NFL and Major League Baseball venue ]. In 2013, D.C. United announced the signing of a public-private partnership term sheet to build a new soccer stadium in Washington, D.C., and a final deal was reached in late 2014. In late February 2017, D.C. United finally broke ground on their new stadium, ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=December 17, 2014 |title=D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing field in MLS in many ways |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728112000/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After 21 years of playing at RFK Stadium, DC United played their first game at Audi field in July 2018.
	Two teams have announced their desire to build a soccer-specific stadium, although these teams have not finalized the stadium site and received all necessary government approvals. New York City FC play home games at ], a Major League Baseball venue, although they intend to move into a soccer-specific stadium in the future. The New England Revolution play home games at a National Football League venue, ], but are currently in discussion with the City of ] regarding a potential soccer-specific stadium in ].<ref name="Boston Globe 2014">''Boston Globe'',{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |title=Kraft family looks to build soccer stadium in Boston |date=November 18, 2014 |accessdate=November 18, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121103133/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |archivedate=November 21, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		Two teams have announced their desire to build a soccer-specific stadium, although these teams have not finalized the stadium site and received all necessary government approvals. New York City FC play home games at ], a Major League Baseball venue, although they intend to move into a soccer-specific stadium in the future. The New England Revolution play home games at ] which is an NFL Stadium also owned by the Revolution's owner, ]. The team are currently in discussion with the City of ] regarding a potential soccer-specific stadium in ].<ref name="Boston Globe 2014">''Boston Globe'',{{Cite web |title=Kraft family looks to build soccer stadium in Boston |website=] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |date=November 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121103133/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014}}</ref>
	Several remaining clubs play in stadiums not originally built for MLS and have not announced plans to move. The Seattle Sounders FC play at ], a dual-purpose facility used for both American football and soccer. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined the league with Portland in 2011 and temporarily held matches at ] before moving into the refurbished ] in October 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history|title=Vancouver Whitecaps - History|work=Vancouver Whitecaps FC|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924082207/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history|archivedate=September 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> a retractable-roof stadium that hosts ] as well as soccer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could|title=How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive|author=Charles Bennett|work=Bleacher Report|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815204706/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could|archivedate=August 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		Several remaining clubs play in stadiums not originally built for MLS and have not announced plans to move. The Seattle Sounders FC play at ], a dual-purpose facility used for both American football and soccer. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined the league with Portland in 2011 and temporarily held matches at ] before moving into the refurbished ] in October 2011,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vancouver Whitecaps History |url=http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |date=October 11, 2010 |website=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924082207/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> a retractable-roof stadium that hosts ] as well as soccer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |last=Charles Bennett |website=Bleacher Report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815204706/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |archive-date=August 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	Of the two teams that began play in 2017, one is building a soccer-specific stadium and the other is playing in a shared football stadium. The confirmed 2018 entry is also building a soccer-specific stadium. Minnesota United FC, which debuted in 2017, is building ] in ] and plans to open it in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |title=MLS expansion: Atlanta is lock for 2017, Minnesota expected to join them |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |accessdate=July 31, 2016 |work=TwinCities.com |agency=Pioneer Press |date=July 28, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730213051/http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |archivedate=July 30, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Minnesota United officials say 'big dig' at stadium site will begin in spring |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |newspaper=] |accessdate=December 15, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213212815/http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |archivedate=December 13, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Until that time, the team is playing in ] at ], home to ] ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Quarstad |first=Brian |title=Minnesota United to play inaugural MLS season at new home: TCF Bank Stadium |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=August 19, 2016 |accessdate=August 28, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823133049/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |archivedate=August 23, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Atlanta United, which also began play in 2017, shares ownership with the NFL's ]; the two teams have shared the retractable-roof ] since the beginning of the 2017 MLS season. Due to construction delays, Atlanta United began its inaugural season at another college football facility, namely ] ].<ref>{{cite press release |title=Atlanta United to Start MLS Season in March 2017 at Georgia Tech's Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium |url=http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |publisher=Atlanta United FC |date=October 5, 2016 |accessdate=October 8, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175304/http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |archivedate=October 8, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Los Angeles FC, entering in 2018, is currently building ] on the former site of the ] and expects to open it in time for the team's debut.<ref>{{cite press release |date=August 23, 2016 |title=LAFC owners join with Los Angeles business and community leaders to break ground on Bank of California Stadium |url=https://lafc.com/lafc-owners-break-ground-on-state-of-the-art-soccer-venue-to-be-named-banc-of-california-stadium/ |publisher=Los Angeles FC |accessdate=August 23, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825114904/https://lafc.com/lafc-owners-break-ground-on-state-of-the-art-soccer-venue-to-be-named-banc-of-california-stadium/ |archivedate=August 25, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		Of the three teams that made their MLS debuts in 2017 and 2018, one opened a soccer-specific stadium in 2019, a second is playing in a shared football stadium, and the last opened a soccer-specific stadium for its inaugural 2018 season. Minnesota United FC, which debuted in 2017, built ] in ] which hosted its inaugural game against New York City FC on April 13, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=July 28, 2016 |title=MLS expansion: Atlanta is lock for 2017, Minnesota expected to join them |work=Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730213051/http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |archive-date=July 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Minnesota United officials say 'big dig' at stadium site will begin in spring |work=] |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213212815/http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016}}</ref> Until that time, the team played in ] at TCF Bank Stadium (now ]), home to ] ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quarstad |first=Brian |date=August 19, 2016 |title=Minnesota United to play inaugural MLS season at new home: TCF Bank Stadium |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |url-status=live |access-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823133049/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |archive-date=August 23, 2016}}</ref> Atlanta United FC began play in 2017 at a college football facility, ] ], before moving into its permanent home at the retractable-roof ], which it shares with the NFL's ]; the two teams share a ] and the stadium is equipped with screens to cordon off the upper tiers for most matches.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Atlanta United to Start MLS Season in March 2017 at Georgia Tech's Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium |date=October 5, 2016 |publisher=Atlanta United FC |url=http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175304/http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Los Angeles FC, which began play in 2018, opened Banc of California Stadium (now ]) on the former site of the ] in April of its inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=December 18, 2017 |title=LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201004212/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
			FC Cincinnati made its MLS debut in 2019 at ], the ] home of the ]. The stadium had been home to FCC's ] for all of its three seasons of play. The club moved within Cincinnati to the new ] in 2021.<ref name="fc-cincinnati" /> Inter Miami began play in 2020 at Inter Miami CF Stadium, now known as ], at the former site of ] in ] before opening ] in the future.<ref name="Miami announcement">{{Cite press release |title=It's official: Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Miami |date=January 29, 2018 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303091243/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |url-status=live }}</ref> Nashville SC played the 2020 and 2021 seasons at an NFL facility, the ]' ], before opening ] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deas |first=Tommy |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Nashville MLS team to open play in 2020 and play home games at Nissan Stadium |work=] |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2019/01/31/mls-nashville-soccer-nissan-stadium-2020/2669544002/ |access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> Austin FC opened ] for its first season in 2021.<ref name="Austin FC announcement" /> St. Louis City SC opened ] in November 2022, a few months before the club's first season in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |title=With power restored at its stadium, here's when St. Louis City SC will host its first match there |first=Nathan |last=Rubbelke |publisher=] |website=ksdk.com |language=en |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034443/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of ] was tied to an application for an ]-based MLS team, initialized in 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=Mirror Indy |date=2024-04-25 |accessdate=2024-04-25 |url=https://mirrorindy.org/indy-eleven-soccer-park-indianapolis-keystone-mayor-joe-hogsett-keystone/ |title=Hogsett makes his soccer pitch for MLS, upending future of Eleven Park deal |first=Peter |last=Blanchard |language=en-US |department=Government}}</ref>
			In October 2024 it was published that with an average crowd of 17,000 per game and over 11 million fans who attended MLS league games, a new attendance record was set.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barton |first=Jamie |date=2024-10-09 |title=Major League Soccer sets all-time attendance record in Lionel Messi's first full season |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/09/sport/mls-attendance-record-lionel-messi-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
	===Profitability and revenues===		===Profitability and revenues===
			{{See also|Major League Soccer defunct clubs|List of professional sports leagues by revenue}}
	{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;"
			{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;"
	|-		|-
	|+ colspan="3"|Average franchise valuations		|+ colspan="3"|Average ]
	|-		|-
	!Year		!Year
	!Value <br> ''(in millions)''		!Value
	|-		|-
	| 2008 || $37		| 2008 || $37 million
	|-		|-
	| 2013 || $103		| 2013 || $103 million
	|-		|-
	| 2015 || $157		| 2015 || $157 million
	|-		|-
	| 2016 || $185		| 2016 || $185 million
	|-		|-
	| 2017 || $223		| 2017 || $223 million
			|-
			| 2018 || $240 million
			|-
			| 2019 || $313 million
			|-
			| 2021 || $550 million
			|-
			| 2022 || $582 million
			|-
			| 2023 || $678 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportico.com/feature/mls-soccer-team-value-ranking-1234689586/ | title=(2023) MLS Team Value Ranking List | date=January 24, 2024 | access-date=February 13, 2024}}</ref>
	|}		|}
			Major League Soccer began to demonstrate positive signs of long-term profitability as early as 2004 with the single-entity ownership structure, salary cap, and the media and marketing umbrella Soccer United Marketing (SUM) all contributing towards MLS's financial security.<ref name="nytimes" /> As soccer-specific stadiums are built, ownership expands, and television coverage increases, MLS has seen its revenues increase while controlling costs.<ref name="forbes.com" />
	{{See also|Major League Soccer defunct clubs|List of professional sports leagues by revenue}}
			Television coverage and revenue have increased since the league's early years. In 2006, MLS reached an 8-year TV deal with ] spanning the 2007–2014 seasons, and marked the first time that MLS earned rights fees, reported to be worth $7–8&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN, MLS Reach Eight-Year TV Deal That Includes Rights Fees |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224183626/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> In September 2012 the league extended its distribution agreement with London-based Media rights agency MP & Silva until 2014 in a deal worth $10&nbsp;million annually. Total league TV revenues are over $40&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS agrees golden deal with MP & Silva – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer |date=January 27, 2009 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930090527/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva |archive-date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MP & Silva extends MLS deal – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer North America |date=September 13, 2012 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007161729/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> In 2011, MLS earned $150&nbsp;million when it sold a 25% stake in SUM.<ref name="forbes.com" />
	Major League Soccer began to demonstrate positive signs of long-term profitability as early as 2004 with the single-entity ownership structure, salary cap, and the media and marketing umbrella Soccer United Marketing (SUM) all contributing towards MLS's financial security.<ref name="nytimes" /> As soccer-specific stadiums are built, ownership expands, and television coverage increases, MLS has seen its revenues increase while controlling costs.<ref name="Forbes, Major League Soccer 2013"/>
	Television coverage and revenue have increased since the league's early years. In 2006, MLS reached an 8-year TV deal with ] spanning the 2007–2014 seasons, and marked the first time that MLS earned rights fees, reported to be worth $7–8&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx|title=ESPN, MLS Reach Eight-Year TV Deal That Includes Rights Fees|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224183626/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx|archivedate=February 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In September 2012 the league extended its distribution agreement with London-based Media rights agency MP & Silva until 2014 in a deal worth $10&nbsp;million annually. Total league TV revenues are over $40&nbsp;million annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva/ |title=MLS agrees golden deal with MP & Silva - Sports Broadcast news - Soccer |publisher=SportsPro Media |date= |accessdate=September 15, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930090527/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva |archivedate=September 30, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |title=MP & Silva extends MLS deal - Sports Broadcast news - Soccer North America |publisher=SportsPro Media |date= |accessdate=September 15, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007161729/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |archivedate=October 7, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2011, MLS earned $150&nbsp;million when it sold a 25% stake in SUM.<ref name="Forbes, Major League Soccer 2013"/>
			{{clear right}}
	{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;font-size:90%;"		{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;font-size:90%;"
			|+ Jersey sponsorships
	|-
	|+ colspan="3"|Jersey sponsorships
	|-		|-
	!Team		!Team
	!Sponsor		! width="180"|Sponsor
	!Annual Value		!Annual value
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/12/american-family-insurance-be-atlanta-uniteds-first-jersey-sponsor|title=American Family Insurance to be Atlanta United's first jersey sponsor|publisher=www.mlssoccer.com|date=July 12, 2016|accessdate=July 12, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716025812/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/12/american-family-insurance-be-atlanta-uniteds-first-jersey-sponsor|archivedate=July 16, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 2016 |title=American Family Insurance to be Atlanta United's first jersey sponsor |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/12/american-family-insurance-be-atlanta-uniteds-first-jersey-sponsor |url-status=live |access-date=July 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716025812/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/07/12/american-family-insurance-be-atlanta-uniteds-first-jersey-sponsor |archive-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref>
	|-		|-
			|]
	|]
			|] (game – main)<br />Netspend (game – sleeve) <br />St. David's Healthcare (prematch)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Austin FC enter multi-year deal with YETI to be official jersey sponsor |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/10/austin-fc-enter-multi-year-deal-yeti-be-official-jersey-sponsor |access-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116083521/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/10/austin-fc-enter-multi-year-deal-yeti-be-official-jersey-sponsor |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.sportslogos.net/2016/01/25/real-salt-lake-chicago-fire-major-league-soccer-2016-mls-kits/|title=Two Major League Soccer clubs unveil new home kits for 2016|publisher=www.sportslogos.net|date=January 25, 2016|accessdate=January 25, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128073146/http://news.sportslogos.net/2016/01/25/real-salt-lake-chicago-fire-major-league-soccer-2016-mls-kits/|archivedate=January 28, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Ally announces multi-year agreement with Charlotte MLS soccer |date=December 17, 2019 |publisher=Charlotte MLS 2021 |url=https://charlottemls2021.com/ally-announces-multi-year-agreement-with-charlotte-mls-soccer/ |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218021035/https://charlottemls2021.com/ally-announces-multi-year-agreement-with-charlotte-mls-soccer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite web |last=chicagofirefc |title=Chicago Fire FC Kicks Off Multi-Year Partnership with Carvana as Official Online Auto Retailer and Front of Kit Sponsor {{!}} Chicago Fire FC |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-kicks-off-multi-year-partnership-with-carvana-as-official-online |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=chicagofirefc |language=en}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Colorado Rapids and UCHealth launch health-focused initiative as part of multi-year jersey rights deal |publisher=Colorado Rapids |url=https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/colorado-rapids-and-uchealth-launch-health-focused-initiative-as-part-of-multi-y |access-date=November 15, 2022 |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114190116/https://www.coloradorapids.com/news/colorado-rapids-and-uchealth-launch-health-focused-initiative-as-part-of-multi-y |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2015/03/rapids-partner-transamerica-major-jersey-sponsorship |title=Rapids partner with Transamerica for major jersey sponsorship |publisher=www.coloradorapids.com|date= March 18, 2015|accessdate=March 18, 2015}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
	|]
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news | title=Crew SC partners with Acura in historic sponsorship agreement | url=https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2017/02/24/crew-sc-partners-acura-historic-sponsorship-agreement | work=MLS | date=February 24, 2017 | accessdate=February 24, 2017 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225130140/https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/post/2017/02/24/crew-sc-partners-acura-historic-sponsorship-agreement | archivedate=February 25, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|$3 million<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Crew announces jersey sponsorship deal with Nationwide |publisher=The Columbus Dispatch |url=https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200227/crew-announces-jersey-sponsorship-deal-with-nationwide |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227212720/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200227/crew-announces-jersey-sponsorship-deal-with-nationwide |url-status=dead }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />The Fruitist (game - sleeve)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2024 |title=D.C. United Announce Multi-Year Front-of-Kit Partnership with Guidehouse, a DMV-Based Global Consultancy |publisher=D.C United |url=https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-announce-multi-year-front-of-kit-partnership-with-guidehouse |access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/02/leidos-becomes-official-sponsor-of-dc-united |title=Leidos becomes official sponsor of D.C. United |publisher=dcunited.com |date=February 24, 2014 |accessdate=February 24, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312053330/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2014/02/leidos-becomes-official-sponsor-of-dc-united |archivedate=March 12, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=FC Cincinnati sign jersey sponsorship deal pending MLS acceptance |date=November 14, 2017 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/14/fc-cincinnati-sign-jersey-sponsorship-deal-pending-mls-acceptance |access-date=January 1, 2019 |archive-date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102050357/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/14/fc-cincinnati-sign-jersey-sponsorship-deal-pending-mls-acceptance |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game - main)<br />] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|]
	|Undisclosed<ref name=jersey>{{cite news | title=FC Dallas signs multi-year, multi-million dollar jersey deal with AdvoCare | url=http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2012/06/fc-dallas-signs-multi-year-multi-million-dollar-jersey-deal-advocare | work=MLS | date=June 27, 2012 | accessdate=June 27, 2012 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630105811/http://www.fcdallas.com/news/2012/06/fc-dallas-signs-multi-year-multi-million-dollar-jersey-deal-advocare | archivedate=June 30, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref name="jersey">{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2023 |title=FC Dallas Announces Partnership with Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-dallas-announce-new-jersey-sponsors-ahead-of-2023-season |access-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111230924/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-dallas-announce-new-jersey-sponsors-ahead-of-2023-season |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)
	|]
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news | title=Houston Dynamo find shared business, community values with new jersey sponsor BHP Billiton | url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/01/houston-dynamo-find-shared-business-community-values-new-jersey-sponsor-bhp- | work=MLS | date=July 1, 2014 | accessdate=July 1, 2014 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701193300/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/07/01/houston-dynamo-find-shared-business-community-values-new-jersey-sponsor-bhp- | archivedate=July 1, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 28, 2018 |title=MD Anderson, Houston Dynamo team up for one goal: end cancer |work=MLS |url=https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/11/28/md-anderson-houston-dynamo-team-one-goal-end-cancer |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013110/https://www.houstondynamo.com/post/2018/11/28/md-anderson-houston-dynamo-team-one-goal-end-cancer |url-status=live }}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)<br />Fracht Group (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2024 |title=South Florida Proud: Royal Caribbean Takes Center Stage on Inter Miami CF's Iconic Jerseys |work=Inter Miami CF |url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/south-florida-proud-royal-caribbean-takes-center-stage-on-inter-miami-cf-s-iconi |access-date=February 25, 2024}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|]
	|$4.4&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite news | title=Herbalife Renews Sponsorship With MLS Galaxy for a Record 10 Years, $44M | url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/03/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Galaxy.aspx | work=Sports Business Daily | date=March 16, 2012 | accessdate=March 16, 2012 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317190410/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/03/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Galaxy.aspx | archivedate=March 17, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|{{sort|4.4|$4.4&nbsp;million}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 16, 2012 |title=Herbalife Renews Sponsorship With MLS Galaxy for a Record 10 Years, $44M |work=Sports Business Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/03/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Galaxy.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317190410/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/03/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Galaxy.aspx |archive-date=March 17, 2012}}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 2021 |title=LAFC Announces FLEX Power Tools As Official Jersey Sponsor |work=LAFC |url=https://www.lafc.com/post/2021/03/26/lafc-announces-flex-power-tools-official-jersey-sponsor |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326160510/https://www.lafc.com/post/2021/03/26/lafc-announces-flex-power-tools-official-jersey-sponsor |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
	|]
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/19/target-becomes-official-mls-partner-lands-minnesota-united-jersey-front|title=Target becomes official MLS partner-Lands-Minnesota United jersey front|publisher=www.mlssoccer.com|date=January 19, 2017|accessdate=January 19, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125155127/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/19/target-becomes-official-mls-partner-lands-minnesota-united-jersey-front|archivedate=January 25, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Target becomes official MLS partner-Lands-Minnesota United jersey front |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/19/target-becomes-official-mls-partner-lands-minnesota-united-jersey-front |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125155127/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/19/target-becomes-official-mls-partner-lands-minnesota-united-jersey-front |archive-date=January 25, 2017}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|US$4 million<ref>{{cite news | title=BMO sign multi-million deal with Montreal Impact | url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bmo_sign_multi-million_deal_with_montreal_impact/ | date=June 15, 2011 | accessdate=July 7, 2014 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232321/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bmo_sign_multi-million_deal_with_montreal_impact/ | archivedate=July 14, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|{{sort|4|US$4 million}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 15, 2011 |title=BMO sign multi-million deal with Montreal Impact |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bmo_sign_multi-million_deal_with_montreal_impact/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232321/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/bmo_sign_multi-million_deal_with_montreal_impact/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />Vanderbilt Health (prematch)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2020 |title=Nashville SC Unveils First Major League Soccer Jersey |work=NashvilleSC.com |publisher=Nashville SC Communications |url=https://www.nashvillesc.com/post/2020/01/18/nashville-sc-unveils-first-major-league-soccer-jersey |access-date=January 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229165041/https://www.nashvillesc.com/post/2020/01/18/nashville-sc-unveils-first-major-league-soccer-jersey |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />Socios.com (prematch)
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110422005176/en/UnitedHealthcare-England-Revolution-Announce-Partnership |title=UnitedHealthcare, New England Revolution Announce Partnership |publisher=Businesswire.com |date=April 22, 2011 |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819001721/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110422005176/en/UnitedHealthcare-England-Revolution-Announce-Partnership |archivedate=August 19, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=UnitedHealthcare, New England Revolution Announce Partnership |date=April 22, 2011 |publisher=UnitedHealthcare |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110422005176/en/UnitedHealthcare-England-Revolution-Announce-Partnership |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819001721/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110422005176/en/UnitedHealthcare-England-Revolution-Announce-Partnership |archive-date=August 19, 2011 |via=] |url-status=live}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br /> Capital Rx (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
	|]
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news|title=New York City Football Club Takes Flight with Etihad Airways Partnership |url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2014/11/12/new-york-city-football-club-takes-flight-etihad-airways-partnership |work=New York City FC |date=November 13, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113184154/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2014/11/12/new-york-city-football-club-takes-flight-etihad-airways-partnership |archivedate=November 13, 2014 |accessdate=November 13, 2014 |df= }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 13, 2014 |title=New York City Football Club Takes Flight with Etihad Airways Partnership |work=New York City FC |url=http://www.nycfc.com/post/2014/11/12/new-york-city-football-club-takes-flight-etihad-airways-partnership |url-status=dead |access-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113184154/http://www.nycfc.com/post/2014/11/12/new-york-city-football-club-takes-flight-etihad-airways-partnership |archive-date=November 13, 2014}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main)<br />Oanda (game – sleeve)
	|Owns club		|Owns club
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main)<br />Exploria (game – sleeve)
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/11/18/orlando_city_locks_i.html |title=Orlando City locks in Orlando Health as healthcare partner and jersey sponsor for MLS |publisher=mynews13.com |date=November 18, 2013 |accessdate=February 27, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305091505/http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/11/18/orlando_city_locks_i.html |archivedate=March 5, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orlando City locks in Orlando Health as healthcare partner and jersey sponsor for MLS |url=http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/11/18/orlando_city_locks_i.html |date=November 18, 2013 |publisher=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305091505/http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2013/11/18/orlando_city_locks_i.html |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|$3&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20110111_Union_soccer_team_wins_sponsorship_from_Bimbo_bakery.html |title=Union soccer team wins sponsorship from Bimbo bakery |publisher=Philly.com |date=January 11, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115021621/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20110111_Union_soccer_team_wins_sponsorship_from_Bimbo_bakery.html |archivedate=January 15, 2011 |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |df= }}</ref>		|{{sort|3|$3&nbsp;million}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Union soccer team wins sponsorship from Bimbo bakery |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20110111_Union_soccer_team_wins_sponsorship_from_Bimbo_bakery.html |date=January 11, 2011 |website=Philadelphia Daily News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115021621/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20110111_Union_soccer_team_wins_sponsorship_from_Bimbo_bakery.html |archive-date=January 15, 2011 |access-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timbers.com/news/portland-timbers-unveil-tillamook-as-jersey-partner | title=Portland Timbers unveil Tillamook as jersey partner }}</ref>
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news |author=Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2010/09/timbers_announce_alaska_airlin.html |title=Timbers announce Alaska Airlines as sponsor for MLS jerseys |publisher=Oregonlive.com |date=September 2, 2010 |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104193930/http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2010/09/timbers_announce_alaska_airlin.html |archivedate=November 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Real Salt Lake & Utah Royals FC Unveil Major Long-Term "Community-Focused" Partnership With Intermountain Health |work=Real Salt Lake |url=https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/news/real-salt-lake-utah-royals-fc-unveil-major-long-term-community-focused-partnersh|access-date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
	|$3&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite news | title=Real Salt Lake signs one of top MLS jersey deals | url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/10/28/Franchises/Real-Salt-Lake.aspx | work=Sports Business Journal | date=October 28, 2013 | accessdate=October 28, 2013 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210947/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/10/28/Franchises/Real-Salt-Lake.aspx | archivedate=October 29, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite news |last=Finley |first=Ryan |date=July 18, 2024 |title=San Diego FC announces jersey sponsor ahead of first Major League Soccer season |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/07/18/san-diego-fc-announces-jersey-sponsor-ahead-of-first-major-league-soccer-season/ |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |accessdate=July 18, 2024}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|Intermedia Cloud Communications (game – main)<br />] (prematch)
	|]
	|Undisclosed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2016/01/26/earthquakes-sign-exclusive-healthcare-and-official-jersey-partnership-agreement |title=Earthquakes Sign Exclusive Healthcare and Official Jersey Partnership Agreement With Sutter Health |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date= |accessdate=January 26, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129071355/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2016/01/26/earthquakes-sign-exclusive-healthcare-and-official-jersey-partnership-agreement |archivedate=January 29, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite web |title=NEWS: San Jose Earthquakes Score Big with Intermedia Cloud Communications Partnership |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2020/01/22/news-san-jose-earthquakes-score-big-intermedia-cloud-communications-partnership |website=Earthquakes Communications |access-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713033836/https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2020/01/22/news-san-jose-earthquakes-score-big-intermedia-cloud-communications-partnership |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)<br />] (prematch)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Sounders announce partnership with Providence Swedish. Here's a look at the new jerseys. |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-announce-partnership-with-providence-swedish-heres-a-look-at-the-new-jerseys/ |access-date=January 22, 2023 |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120222151/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-announce-partnership-with-providence-swedish-heres-a-look-at-the-new-jerseys/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|$4&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D90UVCNGA.html |title=Sounders FC gets big-name sponsor for MLS team: Microsoft and Xbox 360 Live |agency=Associated Press |date=May 29, 2008 |accessdate=August 21, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041449/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D90UVCNGA.html |archivedate=September 24, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}{{subscription required|via=Highbeam}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
	|]
	|$2.5&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/mls/2013/1/17/3887686/sporting-kc-shirt-sponsor-ivy-funds |title=Sporting KC sign shirt sponsor deal with Ivy Funds |publisher=Sbnation.com |date= |accessdate=January 17, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120061938/http://www.sbnation.com/mls/2013/1/17/3887686/sporting-kc-shirt-sponsor-ivy-funds |archivedate=January 20, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>		|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carp |first=Sam |date=February 11, 2022 |title=Sporting Kansas City name Compass Minerals as shirt sponsor in expanded deal |work=] |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-shirt-sponsor-compass-minerals-2028/ |access-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211235255/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-shirt-sponsor-compass-minerals-2028/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
			|-
			|]
			|] (game – main)<br />] (game – sleeve)
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite press release |title=A partnership born and bred in St. Louis. |date=March 31, 2021 |publisher=St.Louis City SC |url=https://www.stlcitysc.com/purina/ |access-date=March 31, 2021 |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426151919/https://www.stlcitysc.com/purina/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
	|]		|] (game – main and sleeve) <br /> ] (game – sleeve)
	|C$4&nbsp;million+<ref>{{cite news| title=Toronto FC keeps bank's name on jerseys| url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/06/20100628/This-Weeks-News/Toronto-FC-Keeps-Banks-Name-On-Jerseys.aspx| work=Sports Business Journal| date=October 28, 2013| accessdate=July 7, 2014| deadurl=no| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508214245/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/06/20100628/This-Weeks-News/Toronto-FC-Keeps-Banks-Name-On-Jerseys.aspx| archivedate=May 8, 2014| df=mdy-all}}</ref>		|{{sort|4|C$4&nbsp;million+}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Toronto FC keeps bank's name on jerseys |work=Sports Business Journal |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/06/20100628/This-Weeks-News/Toronto-FC-Keeps-Banks-Name-On-Jerseys.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508214245/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2010/06/20100628/This-Weeks-News/Toronto-FC-Keeps-Banks-Name-On-Jerseys.aspx |archive-date=May 8, 2014}}</ref>
	|-		|-
	|]		|]
			|] (game – main)
	|]
			|Undisclosed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=JJ |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Whitecaps get a new look and new sponsor as new season looms |work=The Province |url=http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Whitecaps+beat+Lions/4460075/story.html |access-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424024250/http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Whitecaps+beat+Lions/4460075/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
	|C$4&nbsp;million+<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/deals/_a/vancouver_whitecaps_secure_major_shirt_sponsorship/ |title=Vancouver Whitecaps secure major shirt sponsorship |publisher=Sportspromedia.com |date= |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614110046/http://www.sportspromedia.com/deals/_a/vancouver_whitecaps_secure_major_shirt_sponsorship/ |archivedate=June 14, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	|}		|}
	In early 2005, MLS signed a 10-year, $150&nbsp;million sponsorship deal with Adidas.<ref name="nytimes" /> In 2007, MLS teams started selling ad space on the front of jerseys to go along with the league-wide sponsorship partners who had already been advertising on the back of club jerseys, following the practice of international sport, specifically soccer. MLS established a floor of $500,000 per shirt sponsorship, with the league receiving a flat fee of $200,000 per deal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weinbach |first=John |title=Major League Soccer to sell ad space on jerseys |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=September 28, 2006 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |accessdate=May 11, 2008 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428093129/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |archivedate=April 28, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As of July 2014, sixteen teams had signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their jerseys (and another team is directly owned by its shirt sponsor), and the league average from jersey sponsors was about $2.4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html|title=Crew catching up financially to rest of MLS|author=Steve Wartenberg|work=The Columbus Dispatch|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031064036/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html|archivedate=October 31, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> All MLS teams have had jersey sponsors since February 2016.		In early 2005, MLS signed a 10-year, $150&nbsp;million sponsorship deal with Adidas for its jerseys and other equipment.<ref name="nytimes" /> In 2007, MLS teams started selling ad space on the front of jerseys to go along with the league-wide sponsorship partners who had already been advertising on the back of club jerseys, following the practice of international sport, specifically soccer. MLS established a floor of $500,000 per shirt sponsorship, with the league receiving a flat fee of $200,000 per deal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinbach |first=John |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Major League Soccer to sell ad space on jerseys |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428093129/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |archive-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> As of July 2014, sixteen teams had signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their jerseys (and another team is directly owned by its shirt sponsor), and the league average from jersey sponsors was about $2.4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crew catching up financially to rest of MLS |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html |last=Wartenberg |first=Steve |website=The Columbus Dispatch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031064036/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Sleeve sponsorship was introduced to MLS in the 2020 season, with the teams able to sell a {{convert|2|by|2|in|mm|adj=on}} section on the right arm where the league logo patch is normally positioned.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 24, 2018 |title=MLS to add jersey sleeve advertisements in 2020 |work=NBC Sports |publisher=NBCUniversal |agency=Associated Press |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/mls-to-add-jersey-sleeve-advertisements-in-2020/ |access-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150213/https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/mls-to-add-jersey-sleeve-advertisements-in-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
	The Los Angeles Galaxy made a profit in 2003 in their first season at The Home Depot Center,<ref name=profit/> and FC Dallas turned a profit after moving into Pizza Hut Park in 2005.<ref name=thriving/> For each season between 2006 and 2009, two to three MLS clubs (generally clubs with a soccer-specific stadium) were reported as profitable by the league.<ref name=thriving>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |title=Beckham Arrives to Find a Sport Thriving in Its Own Way |work=The New York Times |date=July 8, 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |accessdate=May 11, 2008 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611010332/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |archivedate=June 11, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams |publisher=Forbes.com |date=September 9, 2008 |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |first1=Peter J. |last1=Schwartz |first2=Kurt |last2=Badenhausen |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925152556/http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |archivedate=September 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html|title=Sounders FC's success resonates globally|work=The Seattle Times|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060935/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html|archivedate=February 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		The Los Angeles Galaxy made a profit in 2003 in their first season at The Home Depot Center,<ref name=profit/> and FC Dallas turned a profit after moving into Pizza Hut Park in 2005.<ref name=thriving/> For each season between 2006 and 2009, two to three MLS clubs (generally clubs with a soccer-specific stadium) were reported as profitable by the league.<ref name="thriving">{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 8, 2007 |title=Beckham Arrives to Find a Sport Thriving in Its Own Way |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611010332/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |archive-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Peter J. |last2=Badenhausen |first2=Kurt |date=September 9, 2008 |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925152556/http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |archive-date=September 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sounders FC's success resonates globally |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html |website=The Seattle Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060935/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> In November 2013, '']'' published a report that revealed that ten of the league's nineteen teams earned an operating profit in 2012, while two broke even and seven had a loss. Forbes estimated that the league's collective annual revenues were $494&nbsp;million, and that the league's collective annual profit was $34 million. Forbes valued the league's franchises to be worth $103&nbsp;million on average, almost three times as much as the $37&nbsp;million average valuation in 2008. The Seattle Sounders FC franchise was named the most valuable at $175&nbsp;million, a 483% gain over the $30 million league entrance fee it paid in 2009.<ref name="forbes.com" />
			The trend in increased team values has continued with MLS teams seeing a strong 52% increase in franchise values from 2012 to 2014. In August 2015 ''Forbes'' updated its MLS franchise values with the most profitable team measuring $245 million and the least $105 million. The average value jumped from $103 to $157 million.<ref name="forbes-2015-08" /> In 2018, ''Forbes'' estimated Atlanta United FC is the most valuable MLS team, worth $330 million, while the Colorado Rapids are the lowest value, at $155 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Chris |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2018: Atlanta United Debuts On Top |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/11/14/mls-most-valuable-teams-2018/?src=rss |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130031806/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/11/14/mls-most-valuable-teams-2018/?src=rss |url-status=live }}</ref> These valuations do not include the value of stadiums or training facilities owned by the respective clubs. A '']'' ranking of club valuations in 2024 placed 20 MLS teams in the top 50 globally, with ] the most valuable at $1.15&nbsp;billion (15th overall).<ref>{{cite news |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2024: Man United Leads, Top 50 Worth $80B |url=https://www.sportico.com/feature/worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-football-club-1234721285/ |work=] |accessdate=May 8, 2024}}</ref>
	By 2012 the league had shown a marked improvement in its financial health. In November 2013, '']'' published a report that revealed that ten of the league's nineteen teams earned an operating profit in 2012, while two broke even and seven had a loss. Forbes estimated that the league's collective annual revenues were $494&nbsp;million, and that the league's collective annual profit was $34&nbsp;million. Forbes valued the league's franchises to be worth $103&nbsp;million on average, almost three times as much as the $37&nbsp;million average valuation in 2008. The Seattle Sounders FC franchise was named the most valuable at $175&nbsp;million, a 483% gain over the $30&nbsp;million league entrance fee it paid in 2009.<ref name="forbes.com"/>
			Prior to the ], MLS teams typically used commercial flights to transport players and staff between matches, with only four ]s allowed under league rules.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karstens-Smith |first=Gemma |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps voice concerns about Major League Soccer travel woes |work=] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-montreal-impact-vancouver-whitecaps-voice-concerns-about-major-league/ |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426141803/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-montreal-impact-vancouver-whitecaps-voice-concerns-about-major-league/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These commercial flights were often non-direct, requiring transfers and layovers, and contributed to long travel days.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruthven |first=Graham |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Window or aisle, Zlatan? Why MLS teams still fly commercial |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/01/mls-flights-commercial-travel-soccer |work=The Guardian |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref> The number of charters allowed for league matches was increased to eight legs prior to the 2020 season and lifted entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 6, 2020 |title=MLS players take off: charter flights, sharing media rights |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2020/02/06/mls-players-agree-to-new-contract/41149717/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Patrick |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Whitecaps' COVID-19 'benefit?' Charters, for starters, give club a road lift |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/covid-19-benefit-charters-for-starters-give-club-a-road-lift |work=] |location=Vancouver |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref> ] has provided charter service to MLS teams since 2020 and became the league's official carrier in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sitaramiah |first=Gita |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Sun Country Airlines to be official carrier of Major League Soccer |url=https://www.startribune.com/sun-country-airlines-to-be-official-carrier-of-major-league-soccer/600110383/ |work=Star-Tribune |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}</ref>
	The trend in increased team values has continued with MLS teams seeing a strong 52% increase in franchise values from 2012 to 2014. In August 2015 Forbes updated its MLS franchise values with the most profitable team measuring $245 million and the least $105 million. The average value jumped from $103 to $157 million.<ref name="forbes-2015-08"/>
	From 2015 to 2016 the league saw an increase of 18% of the average value of the MLS franchises. The most profitable one measured $285 million and the least $110 million. The average value in 2016 is $185 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2016/09/07/forbes-releases-2016-mls-team-valuations/#3e29a4c3ad17|title=Forbes Releases 2016 MLS Team Valuations|first=Forbes Corporate|last=Communications|publisher=|accessdate=September 8, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908221751/http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2016/09/07/forbes-releases-2016-mls-team-valuations/#3e29a4c3ad17|archivedate=September 8, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	===Rules and officials===		===Rules and officials===
			When the league began play, it tried to gain popularity by "Americanizing" the game: the game clock counted down in each half and stopped for certain dead ball situations and games level at the end of regulation were resolved with a running penalty shootout.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/then-and-now-how-mls-has-changed-1996-0 |title=Then and Now: How MLS Has Changed Since 1996 &#124; San Jose Earthquakes |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110184902/https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/then-and-now-how-mls-has-changed-1996-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Now MLS follows the ] of the ] (IFAB).
	MLS follows the ] of the ] (IFAB).
	The playoff extra time structure follows IFAB standards: two full 15-minute periods, followed by a ] if necessary.		Since 2005, the playoff extra time structure follows IFAB standards: two full 15-minute periods, followed by a ] if necessary.
	Away goals apply to the playoff stage of the competition, but do not apply to ] in the second leg of any two-legged playoff series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Competition Rules and Regulations|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/competition-rules-and-regulations|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=March 17, 2014|date=March 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317065925/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/competition-rules-and-regulations|archivedate=March 17, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			] hired the first full-time professional referees in league history in 2007 as part of the league's "Game First" initiatives.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2007 |title='Game First' initiatives enhance on-field product |publisher=Major League Soccer Communications |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426134827/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |archive-date=April 26, 2008}}</ref>
			Major League Soccer has been implementing fines and suspensions since the 2011 season for simulation (diving) through its Disciplinary Committee, which reviews plays after the match. The first player fined under the new rule was ], fined $1,000 for intentionally deceiving match officials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Davies for dive vs. RSL |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation |date=June 24, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230231605/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
			MLS uses the list of banned substances published by the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010445/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/sports/soccer/contract-has-strict-drug-policy.html |date=January 29, 2019 }} – Jack Bell, The New York Times, March 29, 2005</ref>
			===Branding===
			The current MLS logo debuted in 2014, ahead of the league's 20th season, replacing an earlier logo that featured a stylized boot and ball. The current logo is a simple crest with a diagonal stripe, the MLS wordmark, and three stars that represent "community, club, and country". The logo was designed to be remixed in different color schemes that match teams when used on merchandise and jerseys.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=September 17, 2014 |title=Ahead of 20th season, MLS unveils new logo, branding to alter look |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/17/new-mls-logo-crest-shield-major-league-soccer |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228043904/https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/17/new-mls-logo-crest-shield-major-league-soccer |url-status=live }}</ref>
			The first MLS anthem was unveiled in 2007 and was composed by ]. The current league anthem debuted in 2020 and was composed by film score composer ]. It will be used during league broadcasts and as a prelude to kickoff at stadiums.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Chris |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer reveals epic new anthem by legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4060719/major-league-soccer-reveals-epic-new-anthem-by-legendary-hollywood-composer-hans-zimmer |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226183128/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4060719/major-league-soccer-reveals-epic-new-anthem-by-legendary-hollywood-composer-hans-zimmer |url-status=live }}</ref>
	] hired the first full-time professional referees in league history in 2007 as part of the league's "Game First" initiatives.<ref>{{cite news|title='Game First' initiatives enhance on-field product |publisher=Major League Soccer Communications |date=April 2, 2007 |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |accessdate=May 11, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426134827/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |archivedate=April 26, 2008 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>
	Major League Soccer has been implementing fines and suspensions since the 2011 season for simulation (diving) through its Disciplinary Committee, which reviews plays after the match. The first player fined under the new rule was ], fined $1,000 for intentionally deceiving match officials.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation|title=MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Davies for dive vs. RSL|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230231605/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation|archivedate=December 30, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	===Team names===		====Team names====
	:''For more information on MLS team names, see the individual team entries.''		{{for-text|more information on MLS team names|the individual team entries}}
	Originally, in the style of other U.S. sports leagues, teams were given nicknames at their creation. Examples include the ], the ] and the ]. Several of the club names in MLS originated with earlier professional soccer clubs, such as the 1970s-era ] team names ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346|title=Toye: Fans are delighted the old NASL names, Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps and Quakes were saved|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202155940/http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346|archivedate=February 2, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		In the early years of MLS, teams were typically given official nicknames in the style of other U.S. sports leagues (e.g., ], ], ]). Several club names in MLS originated with previous professional soccer clubs, such as the 1970s-era ] team names ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toye: Fans are delighted the old NASL names, Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps and Quakes were saved |url=http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202155940/http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	] and ] were the only two MLS teams to adopt European naming conventions during the 1990s.<ref name="dc united name">{{cite book|last=Dure|first=Beau|title=Long Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer|year=2010|publisher=Potomac Books|location=Dulles, Virginia|isbn=978-1-59797-509-4|pages=21–23}}</ref> However, European-style names have increased in MLS, with expansion teams such as ], ], ] and ] in addition to 2015 entrants ] and ], along with several re-brandings such as the Dallas Burn (now ]) and Kansas City Wizards (now ]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all|title=Will the Kansas City Wizards become Sporting Kansas City?|date=November 16, 2010|work=Kansas City Business Journal|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822033753/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all|archivedate=August 22, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		] was the only MLS team to adopt European naming conventions during the 1990s.<ref name="dc united name">{{Cite book |last=Dure |first=Beau |title=Long Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer |publisher=Potomac Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-59797-509-4 |location=Dulles, Virginia |pages=21–23}}</ref> In more recent years, European-style names have become increasingly common in MLS, with expansion teams such as ], ], ], ], ], and ], along with rebrandings such as ] (formerly the Dallas Burn),<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Glenn |date=August 12, 2004 |title=On Soccer: Dallas Burn nickname about to become history |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/on-soccer-dallas-burn-nickname-about-to-become-1974994.php |work=] |accessdate=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713045533/https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/on-soccer-dallas-burn-nickname-about-to-become-1974994.php |url-status=live }}</ref> ] (formerly the Kansas City Wizards),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will the Kansas City Wizards become Sporting Kansas City? |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all |date=November 16, 2010 |website=Kansas City Business Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822033753/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> and ] (formerly the Montreal Impact).
	The beverage company ] owns the ] as well as other sports teams.<ref name="nytimes.com"/>		Austrian beverage company ] owns and sponsors the ] as well as other sports teams outside the U.S.<ref name="nytimes.com" />
	==Media coverage==		==Media coverage==
	{{Main article|Major League Soccer on television}}		{{Main|Major League Soccer on television}}
	{{See also|List of current Major League Soccer broadcasters}}		{{See also|List of current Major League Soccer broadcasters}}
			===MLS Season Pass on Apple TV===
			Since 2023, all MLS and ] matches, as well as certain matches from ] and ], are streamed worldwide on ] via ]. This agreement ended the previous regional sports network-based system.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |title=MLS, Apple Partner on New 10-Year Media Rights Deal |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/06/14/mls-apple-partner-broadcast-tv-rights-media-deal |access-date=2022-06-14 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614162215/https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/06/14/mls-apple-partner-broadcast-tv-rights-media-deal |url-status=live }}</ref> The contract allows for some broadcasts on linear television. ESPN and Univision exited negotiations, apparently because MLS would not allow them to stream via their own platforms or use their own commentators.<ref name="Gostomelsky"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=SBJ Media: Univision not close on MLS deal |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2022/07/25.aspx |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006162428/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2022/07/25.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Following their departures, Fox Sports joined Apple as MLS's linear broadcast partners in the U.S., with ]'s ] and ] doing so in Canada.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Major League Soccer, FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN & RDS Announce Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements |date=December 13, 2022 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-fox-sports-televisaunivision-tsn-rds-announce-multi-year-lin |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229074017/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-fox-sports-televisaunivision-tsn-rds-announce-multi-year-lin |url-status=live }}</ref>
	===United States===		===United States===
			From 2012 to 2014, MLS matches were broadcast by ], with 40 matches per year—primarily on ], and select matches broadcast on the NBC network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2011 |title=MLS, NBC announce three-year broadcast deal |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025033032/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal |archive-date=October 25, 2011 |access-date=October 11, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com}}</ref> The move from ] to the more widely distributed NBCSN caused viewership numbers to double for the 2012 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Analyzing NBC's ratings in its first season of broadcasting Major League Soccer |work=Philadelphia Daily News |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Analyzing-NBCs-ratings-in-its-first-season-of-broadcasting-Major-League-Soccer.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015092025/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Analyzing-NBCs-ratings-in-its-first-season-of-broadcasting-Major-League-Soccer.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref>
	As of the 2015 season, MLS matches are broadcast nationally by ] networks and ] in English, and ] networks in Spanish under an eight-year contract. Each broadcaster has a window for national regular season matches, with ] airing a game on Friday nights in Spanish and additional matches on ], and ] and ] airing games on Sunday evenings in English. ESPN, FS1, and Univision share in coverage of the playoffs, while ESPN and FS1 alternate broadcasting the MLS Cup final in English. In total, at least 125 matches are aired per-season across all three networks. The three contracts have an average estimated value of $90 million per season—five times larger than the average $18 million value of the previous contracts with ESPN, Univision, and ].<ref name=philly-espnfs1mls>{{cite web|title=NBC to end MLS deal in 2015; ESPN, Fox pay $70 million per year for new rights package|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NBC-to-lose-MLS-rights-in-2015-ESPN-Fox-likely-to-share-new-deal.html|work=The Goalkeeper|publisher=Philly.com|accessdate=February 3, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114221044/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NBC-to-lose-MLS-rights-in-2015-ESPN-Fox-likely-to-share-new-deal.html|archivedate=January 14, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="John">{{cite news|title=Here's more evidence that Americans are growing fond of soccer|url=http://qz.com/208672/heres-more-evidence-that-americans-are-growing-fond-of-soccer/#/h/68308,1/|accessdate=May 18, 2014|newspaper=Quartz|date=May 12, 2014|author=John McDuling|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517021121/http://qz.com/208672/heres-more-evidence-that-americans-are-growing-fond-of-soccer/#/h/68308,1/|archivedate=May 17, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="John" /><ref name=sbj-bigplay>{{cite web|title=MLS's big play|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2014/05/12/Media/MLS-TV.aspx?_ga=1.45967076.1328930521.1404086578|website=''Sports Business Journal''|accessdate=June 30, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715015235/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2014/05/12/Media/MLS-TV.aspx?_ga=1.45967076.1328930521.1404086578|archivedate=July 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=nyt-newcontract>{{cite news|title=M.L.S. and TV Networks Reach Deal to Set Weekly Slots for Games|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-and-tv-networks-reach-deal-to-set-weekly-slots-for-games.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|accessdate=May 13, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513214511/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-and-tv-networks-reach-deal-to-set-weekly-slots-for-games.html?_r=0|archivedate=May 13, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=mls-newdeal2015>{{cite web|title=ESPN, Fox and Univision promise new emphasis to domestic game, MLS in landmark eight-year TV deal|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/espn-fox-and-univision-promise-new-emphasis-domestic-game-mls-landmark-eight|work=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=May 13, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513163155/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/espn-fox-and-univision-promise-new-emphasis-domestic-game-mls-landmark-eight|archivedate=May 13, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 7.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/08/23/2632284/business-off-the-pitch-breakdown-of-major-league-soccers|title=Business Off The Pitch: Breakdown of Major League Soccer's Broadcast Partners|work=Goal.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216190536/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/08/23/2632284/business-off-the-pitch-breakdown-of-major-league-soccers|archivedate=February 16, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
			Soccer United Marketing partnered with Google and Bedrocket Media Ventures in 2012 to launch "KickTV", a premium ] channel with original soccer programming.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=May 1, 2012 |title=KickTV Is on the 'Air' on YouTube |work=The New York Times |url=https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/kicktv-is-on-the-air-on-youtube/ |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122081342/https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/kicktv-is-on-the-air-on-youtube/ |url-status=live }}</ref> KickTV was sold to ] in 2015 to form its American branch.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=MLS announces sale of KICKTV YouTube channel & soccer media platform to Copa90 |date=January 29, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/01/29/mls-announces-sale-kicktv-youtube-channel-soccer-media-platform-copa90 |access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref> In 2020, Soccer United Marketing signed a multi-year agreement with ] to produce content and highlights for MLS and the U.S. national teams through the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Settimi |first=Christina |date=August 17, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer Signs Content Deal With Bleacher Report; Streaming Deal Could Be Next |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/08/17/major-league-soccer-signs-deal-with-bleacher-report-invites-company-to-bid-on-broadcast-rights/#3ae14c224b39 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415164608/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/08/17/major-league-soccer-signs-deal-with-bleacher-report-invites-company-to-bid-on-broadcast-rights/#3ae14c224b39 |url-status=live }}</ref>
			From 2015 to 2022, MLS matches were broadcast nationally by ] networks and ] in English, and ] networks in Spanish under an eight-year contract. Each broadcaster had a window for national regular season matches, with ] airing a game on Friday nights in Spanish and additional matches on ], and ] and ] airing games on Sunday evenings in English. ESPN, FS1, and Univision shared coverage of the playoffs, while ABC and Fox alternated broadcasting the MLS Cup final in English. In total, at least 125 matches were aired per-season across all three networks. The three contracts have an average estimated value of $90 million per season—five times larger than the average $18 million value of the previous contracts with ESPN, Univision, and ].<ref name="philly-espnfs1mls">{{Cite web |title=NBC to end MLS deal in 2015; ESPN, Fox pay $70 million per year for new rights package |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NBC-to-lose-MLS-rights-in-2015-ESPN-Fox-likely-to-share-new-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114221044/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NBC-to-lose-MLS-rights-in-2015-ESPN-Fox-likely-to-share-new-deal.html |archive-date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |website=The Goalkeeper|date=January 9, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="nyt-newcontract">{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Andrew |date=May 12, 2014 |title=M.L.S. and TV Networks Reach Deal to Set Weekly Slots for Games |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-and-tv-networks-reach-deal-to-set-weekly-slots-for-games.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513214511/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-and-tv-networks-reach-deal-to-set-weekly-slots-for-games.html?_r=0 |archive-date=May 13, 2014}}</ref><ref name="mls-newdeal2015">{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2014 |title=ESPN, Fox and Univision promise new emphasis to domestic game, MLS in landmark eight-year TV deal |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/espn-fox-and-univision-promise-new-emphasis-domestic-game-mls-landmark-eight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513163155/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/espn-fox-and-univision-promise-new-emphasis-domestic-game-mls-landmark-eight |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com}}</ref>
	Matches not televised nationally are broadcast regionally, often by ] like ], ], ] and ], and sometimes by terrestrial stations like ], ], ] anad ].<ref name="latimes1"/>
			Matches not televised nationally were broadcast regionally, often by ] like ], ], ] and ], and sometimes by terrestrial stations like ], ] and ].<ref name="latimes1" /> Regionally televised matches were available outside their local markets on ], which replaced MLS Live from 2018 until 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2018 |title=ESPN+ launching on April 12; MLS LIVE games moving to platform |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/13/mls-live-be-added-espn-lineup-spring-free-fans-until-espn |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040419/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/13/mls-live-be-added-espn-lineup-spring-free-fans-until-espn |url-status=live }}</ref>
	From 2012 to 2014, MLS matches were previously broadcast by ], with 40 matches per year—primarily on ], and select matches broadcast on the NBC network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal |title=MLS, NBC announce three-year broadcast deal |publisher=MLSsoccer.com |date=August 10, 2011 |accessdate=October 11, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025033032/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal |archivedate=October 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The move from ] to the more widely distributed NBCSN proved successful, with viewership numbers doubling for the 2012 season over those of Fox Soccer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Analyzing NBC's ratings in its first season of broadcasting Major League Soccer|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Analyzing-NBCs-ratings-in-its-first-season-of-broadcasting-Major-League-Soccer.html|accessdate=May 18, 2014|newspaper=Philly.com|date=November 29, 2012|author=Jonathan Tannenwald|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015092025/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Analyzing-NBCs-ratings-in-its-first-season-of-broadcasting-Major-League-Soccer.html|archivedate=October 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	===Canada===		===Canada===
	] hosting ] (August 2012).]]		] hosting ] (August 2012).]]
	Coverage of MLS expanded into Canada in 2007 with the addition of Toronto FC.		Coverage of MLS expanded into Canada in 2007 with the addition of Toronto FC.
	Currently, English-language national MLS broadcast rights in Canada are held by the ] networks through a five-year deal first renewed in 2017. The networks will primarily broadcast matches involving the league's Canadian franchises, in combination with separate "regional" rights deals giving TSN exclusive rights to all ] and ] matches.<ref name=bell-mlsprwhitecaps>{{cite web|title=Every Game, All Season Long: MLS ON TSN Kicks Off its Complete Coverage of Vancouver Whitecaps FC This Saturday|url=http://www.bellmediapr.ca/Network/TSN/Press/Every-Game-All-Season-Long-MLS-ON-TSN-Kicks-Off-its-Complete-Coverage-of-Vancouver-Whitecaps-FC-This-Saturday-|publisher=Bell Media|accessdate=April 5, 2014}}</ref><ref name=tsn-whitecapsdeal>{{cite web|title=TSN to broadcast all Whitecaps FC games beginning in 2014 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439310 |work=TSN.ca |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201161233/http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439310 |archivedate=February 1, 2014 |accessdate=January 21, 2014 |df= }}</ref><ref name="mls-canadiantv17"/> A limited number of matches will also be carried by ].<ref name="mls-canadiantv17"/>		Currently, English-language national MLS broadcast rights in Canada are held by the ] networks through a five-year deal first renewed in 2017. The networks primarily broadcast matches involving the league's Canadian franchises, in combination with separate "regional" rights deals giving TSN exclusive rights to all ] and ] matches.<ref name="bell-mlsprwhitecaps">{{Cite web |title=Every Game, All Season Long: MLS ON TSN Kicks Off its Complete Coverage of Vancouver Whitecaps FC This Saturday |url=http://www.bellmediapr.ca/Network/TSN/Press/Every-Game-All-Season-Long-MLS-ON-TSN-Kicks-Off-its-Complete-Coverage-of-Vancouver-Whitecaps-FC-This-Saturday- |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140405171947/http://www.bellmediapr.ca/Network/TSN/Press/Every-Game-All-Season-Long-MLS-ON-TSN-Kicks-Off-its-Complete-Coverage-of-Vancouver-Whitecaps-FC-This-Saturday- |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="tsn-whitecapsdeal">{{Cite web |title=TSN to broadcast all Whitecaps FC games beginning in 2014 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439310 |publisher=The Sports Network |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201161233/http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439310 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2014}}</ref><ref name="mls-canadiantv17" /> A limited number of matches are also carried by ].<ref name="mls-canadiantv17" />
	] holds exclusive French-language rights to MLS in Canada as of the 2017 season. As part of a separate "regional" rights deal, it also holds exclusive rights to all ] games.<ref name="mls-canadiantv17">{{cite web|title=Canadian national broadcast schedule for 2017 revealed; CTV to air 7 games|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/09/canadian-national-broadcast-schedule-2017-revealed-ctv-air-7-games|website=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=February 22, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155844/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/09/canadian-national-broadcast-schedule-2017-revealed-ctv-air-7-games|archivedate=February 11, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/14/impact-sign-multimedia-deal-name-tva-sports-broadcaster|title=Impact sign multimedia deal, name TVA Sports broadcaster|first=Yvan|last=Delia-Lavictoire|work=MLSsoccer.com|date=July 14, 2011|accessdate=August 7, 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817051921/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/14/impact-sign-multimedia-deal-name-tva-sports-broadcaster|archivedate=August 17, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		] holds exclusive French-language rights to MLS in Canada as of the 2017 season. As part of a separate "regional" rights deal, it also holds exclusive rights to all ] games.<ref name="mls-canadiantv17">{{Cite web |title=Canadian national broadcast schedule for 2017 revealed; CTV to air 7 games |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/09/canadian-national-broadcast-schedule-2017-revealed-ctv-air-7-games |date=February 9, 2017 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155844/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/09/canadian-national-broadcast-schedule-2017-revealed-ctv-air-7-games |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Impact sign multimedia deal, name TVA Sports broadcaster |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/14/impact-sign-multimedia-deal-name-tva-sports-broadcaster |last=Delia-Lavictoire |first=Yvan |date=July 14, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817051921/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/14/impact-sign-multimedia-deal-name-tva-sports-broadcaster |archive-date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=August 7, 2011}}</ref>
			In 2018, online streaming service ] obtained Major League Soccer's digital out-of-market service MLS Live with live and on-demand streaming of matches featuring U.S. teams (matches with Canadian teams are only available after a 48-hour delay to protect the league's main rightsholders TSN and TVA Sports).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Laura |date=March 2, 2018 |title=MLS partners with DAZN to live stream U.S. matches for Canadian soccer fans |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2018/03/02/mls-partners-with-dazn-to-live-stream-us-matches-for-canadian-soccer-fans.html |access-date=March 4, 2018 |issn=0319-0781 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303214646/https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2018/03/02/mls-partners-with-dazn-to-live-stream-us-matches-for-canadian-soccer-fans.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
	===International===		===International===
			MLS also entered into a four-year contract with ] to broadcast two MLS matches per week in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 2015 to 2019.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=MLS and Sky Sports Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Broadcast MLS in the United Kingdom |date=February 25, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-broadcast-mls-united-kingdom |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024406/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-broadcast-mls-united-kingdom |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the agreement, Sky Sports broadcast at least two MLS regular-season matches each week, as well as the MLS All-Star Game, every MLS Cup Playoff game, and the MLS Cup final. The matches appeared across Sky's family of networks. It also carried weekly MLS highlights across various platforms, including Sky Sports News and SkySports.com. Sky Sports also broadcast at least one match from MLS's "Decision Day" – the final day of the MLS regular season. Many of the matches on Decision Day every year are expected to determine the final spots for the MLS Cup Playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS and British broadcaster Sky Sports announce groundbreaking partnership |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/02/25/mls-and-british-broadcaster-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership |date=February 25, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002140559/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/02/25/mls-and-british-broadcaster-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2017}}</ref>
			], owned by ], will televise league matches in India beginning in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=February 6, 2017 |title=Discovery launches sports channel DSPORT in India |work=] |location=Mumbai |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/discovery-launches-sports-channel-dsports-in-india/articleshow/56997525.cms |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207124304/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/discovery-launches-sports-channel-dsports-in-india/articleshow/56997525.cms |archive-date=February 7, 2017}}</ref>
	MLS also entered into a four-year contract with ] to broadcast two MLS matches per week in the UK and Ireland from 2015 to 2019.<ref>{{cite press release |date=February 25, 2015 |title=MLS and Sky Sports Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Broadcast MLS in the United Kingdom |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-broadcast-mls-united-kingdom |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=January 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024406/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-broadcast-mls-united-kingdom |archivedate=February 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As part of the new agreement, Sky Sports will broadcast at least two MLS regular-season matches each week, as well as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, every MLS Cup Playoff game, and the MLS Cup final. The matches will appear across Sky's family of networks. The UK-based broadcaster will also carry weekly MLS highlights across various platforms, including Sky Sports News and SkySports.com.
	Sky Sports will also broadcast at least one match from MLS's new "Decision Day" – the recently announced format change for the final day of the MLS regular season, during which all Eastern Conference games will be played simultaneously at 5 pm ET (9 pm UK time) followed by all Western Conference games at 7 pm ET (11 pm UK time). Many of the matches are expected to determine the final spots for the MLS Cup Playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/02/25/mls-and-british-broadcaster-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership|title=MLS and British broadcaster Sky Sports announce groundbreaking partnership|date=February 25, 2015|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=January 23, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002140559/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/02/25/mls-and-british-broadcaster-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership|archivedate=October 2, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	] will also broadcast MLS between 2015 and 2019, with four matches per week being screened live to its continental audience.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cushnan|first1=David|title=Eurosport signs four-year deal to broadcast MLS|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/eurosport_signs_four_year_deal_to_broadcast_mls|website=sportspromedia.com|publisher=SportsPro|accessdate=March 6, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144534/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/eurosport_signs_four_year_deal_to_broadcast_mls|archivedate=April 2, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	] to televise league matches live across Southeast Asia and Australia. The agreement runs from the 2015 to 2018 seasons in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, and Thailand. At least two MLS regular season matches will be aired per week, as well as the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, at least two matches from the newly created Decision Day, all MLS Cup Playoff games and MLS Cup. In addition, beIN SPORTS will carry highlights, player features, and other MLS content across its digital platforms.<ref>{{cite web|title=MLS and beIN SPORTS Announce Partnership to Broadcast MLS across Southeast Asia and Australia {{!}} PRESS BOX|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-bein-sports-announce-partnership-broadcast-mls-across-southeast-asia-and-australia|website=pressbox.mlssoccer.com|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919105940/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-bein-sports-announce-partnership-broadcast-mls-across-southeast-asia-and-australia|archivedate=September 19, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
	], owned by ], will televise league matches in India beginning in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=February 6, 2017 |title=Discovery launches sports channel DSPORT in India |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/discovery-launches-sports-channel-dsports-in-india/articleshow/56997525.cms |work=] |location=Mumbai |accessdate=March 4, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207124304/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/discovery-launches-sports-channel-dsports-in-india/articleshow/56997525.cms |archivedate=February 7, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
	===Video games===		===Video games===
	Major League Soccer is a playable league in both the ] and the '']'' series. The league made its video game debut in 1999 with ]. In 2001, ] released ], which, to date, is the only soccer title to be based solely on MLS. The league made its first appearance in the management series '']'' in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Football Manager signs with MLS|url=http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=905|publisher=Sports Interactive|accessdate=September 20, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040714083312/http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=905|archivedate=July 14, 2004 |date=May 13, 2004}}</ref>		Major League Soccer is a playable league in the ] series, the ] series, and the ] series. The league made its video game debut in 1999 with ]. Kids video game company ] had the rights to teams and players for their game, ] and for Backyard Soccer 2004. In 2000, ] released '']'', and two years later, they released its sequel, '']''. The league made its first appearance in the management series '']'' in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football Manager signs with MLS |url=http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=905 |date=May 13, 2004 |publisher=Sports Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040714083312/http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=905 |archive-date=July 14, 2004 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	==Player records==		==Player records==
	{{See also|Major League Soccer records and statistics|2017 Major League Soccer season#Player statistics}}		{{See also|Major League Soccer records and statistics|2024 Major League Soccer season#Player statistics|List of Major League Soccer players with 100 or more goals|List of Major League Soccer players with 400 or more games played}}
	Statistics below are for all-time leaders. Statistics are for regular season only. '''Bold''' indicates active MLS players.		Statistics below are for all-time leaders. Statistics are for regular season only. '''Bold''' indicates active MLS players.
			{{updated|1 July 2024|<ref name="mls stats">{{Cite web |title=MLS Statistics: All-Time |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/alltime |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009213142/http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/alltime |url-status=live }}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 MLS Fact and Record Book.pdf |url=https://mlssoccer.app.box.com/s/xvks2sfia70gsowb4qyh61c7ytqpbnht |publisher=MLS Soccer |access-date=18 July 2024}}</ref>
	{{Updated|October 23, 2017|<ref name="mls stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/alltime|title=All-Time|publisher=}}</ref>}}
	{{Col-begin}}		{{Col-begin}}
	{{Col-2}}		{{Col-2}}
Line 760:		Line 947:
	!Goals		!Goals
	|-		|-
	|align=center|1		!align=center|1
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
			|align=center|{{nowrap|2005–2021}}
			|align=center|171
			|-
			!align=center|2
			|{{flagicon|SLE}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2006–2013 <br/>2015–2020<br/>2022–present
			|align=center|146
			|-
			!align=center|3
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2001–14; 2016		|align=center|2001–2014<br />2016
	|align=center|145		|align=center|145
	|-		|-
			!align=center|4
	|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|2
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1998–2011		|align=center|1998–2011
	|align=center|134		|align=center|134
	|-		|-
			!align=center|5
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
			|{{flagicon|BOL}} ]
	|align=center|2005–present
	|align=center|134
	|-
	|align=center|4
	|{{flagicon|BOL}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2010		|align=center|1996–2010
	|align=center|133		|align=center|133
	|-		|-
	|align=center|5		!align=center|6
			|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]
			|align=center|2013–2021
			|align=center|117
			|-
			!align=center|7
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2000; 2001–09		|align=center|1996–2000<br />2001–2009
	|align=center|114		|align=center|114
	|-		|-
	|align=center|6		!align=center|8
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2007		|align=center|1996–2007
	|align=center|108		|align=center|108
	|-		|-
	|align=center|7		!align=center|9
			|{{flagicon|VEN}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2017–present
			|align=center|108
			|-
			!align=center|10
	|{{flagicon|CAN}} ]		|{{flagicon|CAN}} ]
	|align=center|2001–2014		|align=center|2001–2014
	|align=center|104		|align=center|104
	|-
	|align=center|8
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2002–2010
	|align=center|101
	|-
	|align=center|9
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2001–10; 2012–15
	|align=center|100
	|-
	|align=center|10
	|{{flagicon|SLE}} ''']'''
	|align=center|2006–13; 2015–present
	|align=center|98
	|-
	|}		|}
			{{Col-2}}
	{{Col-2}}
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"		{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
	|+ <big>'''Assists'''</big>		|+ <big>'''Assists'''</big>
Line 819:		Line 1,006:
	!Assists		!Assists
	|-		|-
	|align=center|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2001–2014; 2016		|align=center|2001–2014<br />2016
	|align=center|136		|align=center|136
	|-		|-
	|align=center|2		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2010		|align=center|1996–2010
	|align=center|135		|align=center|135
	|-		|-
	|align=center|3		!align=center|3
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2002–2016		|align=center|2002–2016
	|align=center|123		|align=center|123
	|-		|-
	|align=center|4		!align=center|4
	|{{flagicon|COL}} ]		|{{flagicon|COL}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2002		|align=center|1996–2002
	|align=center|114		|align=center|114
	|-		|-
	|align=center|5		!align=center|5
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2005		|align=center|1996–2005
	|align=center|112		|align=center|112
	|-		|-
	|align=center|6		!align=center|6
	|{{flagicon|BOL}} ]		|{{flagicon|BOL}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2010		|align=center|1996–2010
	|align=center|102		|align=center|102
	|-		|-
	|align=center|7		!align=center|7
	|{{flagicon|BOL}} ]		|{{flagicon|BOL}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2003		|align=center|1996–2003
	|align=center|101		|align=center|101
	|-		|-
	|align=center|8		!align=center|8
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
			|align=center|2006–2010<br />{{nowrap|2015–2022}}
			|align=center|99
			|-
			!align=center rowspan="2"|9
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2007		|align=center|1996–2007
	|align=center|91		|align=center rowspan="2"|91
	|-
	| align=center|9
	|{{flagicon|JAM}} ]
	|align=center|1998–2011
	|align=center|86
	|-
	| align=center|10
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
	|align=center|2006–10; 2015–present
	|align=center|84
	|-		|-
			|{{flagicon|ARG}} ]
			|align=center|2013–2021
	|}		|}
	{{Col-end}}		{{Col-end}}
	{{Col-begin}}		{{Col-begin}}
	{{Col-2}}		{{Col-2}}
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"		{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
	|+ <big>'''Shutouts'''</big>		|+ <big>'''Shutouts''' (clean sheets)</big> <!--Shutout is the term used by MLS, please do not change-->
	!Rank		!Rank
	!Player		!Player
Line 882:		Line 1,065:
	!Shutouts <!-- Do not rename this category. "Shutouts" is the official term used by MLS. -->		!Shutouts <!-- Do not rename this category. "Shutouts" is the official term used by MLS. -->
	|-		|-
	| align=center|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2000–present		|align=center|2000–2019
	|align=center|137		|align=center|154
	|-		|-
	| style="text-align:center;"|2		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1997–2013		|align=center|1997–2013
	|align=center|112		|align=center|112
	|-		|-
	|align=center|3		!align=center|3
			|{{flagicon|SUI}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2009–present
			|align=center|105
			|-
			!align=center|4
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2010–present
			|align=center|96
			|-
			!align=center|5
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1999–2002; 2003–13		|align=center|1999–2013
	|align=center|86		|align=center|86
	|-		|-
	|align=center|4		!align=center|6
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2002–2015		|align=center|2002–2015
	|align=center|83		|align=center|83
	|-		|-
	|align=center|5		!align=center|7
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
			|align=center|2009–2022
			|align=center|80
			|-
			!align=center|8
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2012–present
			|align=center|78
			|-
			!align=center|9
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2011		|align=center|1996–2011
	|align=center|76		|align=center|76
	|-		|-
	|align=center|6		!align=center|10
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1998–2013		|align=center|1998–2013
	|align=center|75		|align=center|75
	|-
	|align=center|7
	|{{flagicon|CAN}} ]
	|align=center|2003–2011
	|align=center|64
	|-
	|align=center|8
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2006
	|align=center|62
	|-
	|align=center|9
	|{{flagicon|SWI}} ''']'''
	|align=center|2009–present
	|align=center|59
	|-
	|align=center|10
	| {{flagicon|JAM}} ]
	|align=center|2009–2015
	|align=center|56
	|-		|-
	|}		|}
			{{Col-2}}
	{{Col-2}}
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"		{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
	|+ <big>'''Games Played'''</big>		|+ <big>'''Games played'''</big>
	!Rank		!Rank
	!Player		!Player
Line 942:		Line 1,125:
	!Games		!Games
	|-		|-
	| style="text-align:center;"|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2000–present		|align=center|2000–2019
	|align=center|452		|align=center|514
	|-		|-
	| style="text-align:center;"|2		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2000–present		|align=center|2000–2020
			|align=center|498
			|-
			!align=center|3
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2006–present
			|align=center|478
			|-
			!align=center|4
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
			|align=center|2005–2020
			|align=center|437
			|-
			!align=center|5
			|{{flagicon|SLE}} ''']'''
			|align=center|2006–2013<br />2015–2020<br />2022–present
	|align=center|432		|align=center|432
	|-		|-
	| style="text-align:center;"|3		!align=center|6
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1997–2013		|align=center|1997–2013
	|align=center|416		|align=center|416
	|-		|-
	|align=center|4		!align=center|7
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2002–2016		|align=center|2005–2021
	|align=center|392		|align=center|413
	|-		|-
	|align=center|5		!align=center|8
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1996–2010		|align=center|2005–2022
	|align=center|378		|align=center|411
	|-		|-
			!align=center|9
	|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|6
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2003–2017		|align=center|2004–2019
	|align=center|371		|align=center|409
	|-
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
	|align=center|2004–present
	|align=center|371
	|-
	|align=center|8
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|2005–2017
	|align=center|366
	|-
	|align=center|9
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|1998–2011
	|align=center|365
	|-		|-
	|align=center|10		!align=center|10
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ''']'''		|{{Flagicon|USA}} ''']'''
	|align=center|2005–present		|align=center|2011–present
	|align=center|361		|align=center|402
	|}		|}
	{{Col-end}}		{{Col-end}}
	===Player records (active)===		===Player records (active)===
	Statistics below are for all-time leaders who are still playing. Statistics are for regular season only.		Statistics below are for all-time leaders who are still playing. Statistics are for regular season only.
	{{Updated|November 9, 2017|<ref name="mls stats"/>}}		{{updated|July 1, 2024|<ref name="mls stats" />}}
	{{Col-begin}}		{{Col-begin}}
	{{Col-4}}		{{Col-4}}
Line 1,005:		Line 1,188:
	!Goals		!Goals
	|-		|-
	| align=center|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|134
	|-
	| align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|SLE}} ]		|{{flagicon|SLE}} ]
	|align=center|98		|align=center|146
	|-		|-
	| align=center|3		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|ENG}} ]		|{{flagicon|VEN}} ]
	|align=center|86		|align=center|108
	|-		|-
	| align=center|4		!align=center|3
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|71		|align=center|103
	|-		|-
			!align=center|4
	|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|5
	|{{flagicon|GHA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|63		|align=center|89
	|-
	|{{flagicon|ESP}} ]
	|align=center|63
	|-		|-
			!align=center|5
			|{{flagicon|COL}} ]
			|align=center|85
	|}		|}
			{{Col-4}}
	{{Col-4}}
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"		{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
	|+ <big>'''Assists'''</big>		|+ <big>'''Assists'''</big>
Line 1,037:		Line 1,216:
	!Assists		!Assists
	|-		|-
	| align=center|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|URU}} ]
	|align=center|84		|align=center|78
	|-		|-
	| align=center|2		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|ARG}} ]
	|align=center|56		|align=center|72
	|-		|-
	| align=center|3		!align=center|3
	|{{flagicon|ARG}} ]
	|align=center|53
	|-
	| align=center|4
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|51		|align=center|71
	|-		|-
	| align=center|5		!align=center|4
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|URU}} ]
	|align=center|50		|align=center|67
			|-
			!align=center|5
			|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
			|align=center|65
	|-		|-
	|}
			|}
	{{Col-4}}		{{Col-4}}
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"		{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
	|+ <big>'''Shutouts'''</big> <!-- Do not rename this category. "Shutouts" is the standard term in North American English and is officially used by MLS.-->		|+ <big>'''Shutouts'''</big> <!-- Do not rename this category. "Shutouts" is the standard term in North American English and is officially used by MLS.-->
Line 1,066:		Line 1,246:
	!Shutouts <!-- Do not rename this category. "Shutouts" is the official term used by MLS. -->		!Shutouts <!-- Do not rename this category. "Shutouts" is the official term used by MLS. -->
	|-		|-
	| align=center|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|SUI}} ]
	|align=center|137		|align=center|102
	|-		|-
	|align=center|2		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|SWI}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|59		|align=center|96
	|-		|-
	|align=center|3		!align=center|3
	| {{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	| style="text-align:center;"|49		|align=center|80
	|-		|-
	|align=center|4		!align=center|4
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	| style="text-align:center;"|43		|align=center|76
	|-
	|align=center|5
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	| style="text-align:center;"|39
	|-		|-
			!align=center|5
			|{{flagicon|JAM}} ]
			|align=center|71
	|}		|}
	{{Col-4}}		{{Col-4}}
Line 1,095:		Line 1,274:
	!Games		!Games
	|-		|-
	| align=center|1		!align=center|1
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|452		|align=center|478
	|-		|-
	|align=center|2		!align=center|2
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|SLE}} ]
	|align=center|432		|align=center|432
	|-		|-
	|align=center|3		!align=center|3
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|371		|align=center|402
	|-		|-
	|align=center|4		!align=center|4
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]		|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|361		|align=center|374
	|-
	|align=center|5
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
	|align=center|357
	|-		|-
			!align=center|5
			|{{flagicon|SUI}} ]
			|align=center|368
	|}		|}
	{{Col-end}}		{{Col-end}}
	==MLS awards==		==MLS awards==
	At the conclusion of each season, the league presents several awards for outstanding achievements, mostly to players, but also to coaches, referees, and teams. The finalists in each category are determined by voting from MLS players, team employees, and the media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-2013-awards-finalists|title=MLS Announces 2013 Awards Finalists|publisher=|accessdate=September 20, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903042624/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-2013-awards-finalists|archivedate=September 3, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		At the conclusion of each season, the league presents several awards for outstanding achievements, mostly to players, but also to coaches, referees, and teams. The finalists in each category are determined by voting from MLS players, team employees, and the media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLS Announces 2013 Awards Finalists |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-2013-awards-finalists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903042624/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-2013-awards-finalists |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
	{{colbegin}}		{{div col}}
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	{{colend}}		{{div col end}}
			==Notes==
			{{Notelist-ua}}
	==See also==		==See also==
	{{Portal|Association football|Soccer in the United States|Sport in Canada}}		{{Portal|Association football|Sports|United States|Canada}}
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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist|30em}}		{{Reflist}}
			{{Notelist}}
			{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Sister project links|d=Q18543|c=Category:Major League Soccer|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|q=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
	{{Commons category|Major League Soccer}}
			* {{Official website}}
	<!-- Do not add fan sites/forums -->
	*{{official website|http://www.mlssoccer.com/|mobile=http://m.mlssoccer.com/}}
			{{Division 1 Soccer | Prev = ] | Years = 1996–present | Next = current league}}
	{{Major League Soccer}}
			{{Major League Soccer|state=expanded}}
			{{Navboxes
			|titlestyle = background:#ccccff
			|list =
	{{Major League Soccer seasons}}		{{Major League Soccer seasons}}
	{{Soccer in the United States}}		{{Soccer in the United States}}
	{{Soccer in Canada}}		{{Soccer in Canada}}
	{{CONCACAF Leagues}}		{{CONCACAF Leagues}}
			{{Top sport leagues in the United States}}
	{{Major Leagues}}
			}}
	{{Top level men's association football leagues around the world}}
			{{Authority control}}
	{{Division 1 Soccer | Prev=] | Years=1996–present | Next=Current League}}
	]
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Latest revision as of 16:31, 10 January 2025

Professional soccer league in the United States and Canada "MLS" redirects here. For other uses, see MLS (disambiguation).

Football league

Major League Soccer

Founded	December 17, 1993; 31 years ago (1993-12-17)
First season	1996
Countries	United States (27 teams) Canada (3 teams)
Confederation	CONCACAF
Conferences	Eastern Conference Western Conference
Number of clubs	30
Level on pyramid	1
Domestic cup(s)	U.S. Open Cup Canadian Championship
International cup(s)	CONCACAF Champions Cup Campeones Cup Leagues Cup
Current MLS Cup	LA Galaxy (6th title) (2024)
Current Supporters' Shield	Inter Miami CF (1st shield) (2024)
Most MLS Cups	LA Galaxy (6 titles)
Most Supporters' Shields	D.C. United LA Galaxy (4 shields each)
Most appearances	Nick Rimando (514)
Top goalscorer	Chris Wondolowski (171)
TV partners	MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) United States: Fox/FS1 Fox Deportes Canada: TSN RDS International: See list
Website	MLSsoccer.com
Current: 2025 Major League Soccer season

Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. It comprises 30 teams, with 27 in the United States and 3 in Canada. MLS is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. The league is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.

The predecessor of MLS was the North American Soccer League (NASL), which existed from 1968 until 1984. MLS was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

The inaugural season took place in 1996 with ten teams. MLS experienced financial and operational struggles in its first few years, losing millions of dollars and folding two teams in 2002. Since then, developments such as the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums around the league, the implementation of the Designated Player Rule allowing teams to sign star players such as David Beckham and Lionel Messi, and national TV contracts have made MLS profitable.

In 2022, with an average attendance of over 21,000 per game, MLS had the fourth-highest average attendance of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, behind the National Football League (NFL) with over 69,000 fans per game, Major League Baseball (MLB) with over 26,000 fans per game, and the Canadian Football League (CFL) with over 21,700 fans per game. MLS was the eighth-highest attended professional soccer league worldwide by 2018.

The MLS regular season typically starts in late February or early March and runs through mid-October, with each team playing 34 games; the team with the best record is awarded the Supporters' Shield. Eighteen teams compete in the postseason MLS Cup playoffs in late October and November, culminating in the league's championship game, the MLS Cup.

Instead of operating as an association of independently owned clubs, MLS is a single entity in which each team is owned by the league and individually operated by the league's investors. The league has a fixed membership like most sports leagues in the United States and Canada and Mexico's Liga MX which makes it one of the few soccer leagues that does not use a promotion and relegation process.

The LA Galaxy have the most MLS Cups, with six. They are tied with D.C. United for most Supporters' Shields, with four each.

Competition format

See also: Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup, and MLS Cup playoffs

Major League Soccer's regular season runs from late February or early March to October. Teams are geographically divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences, playing 34 games in an unbalanced schedule. With 30 teams in 2025, each team plays two games, home and away, against every team in its conference and one game against all but four or five of the teams in the opposite conference. The 2020 season was the first season in league history in which teams did not play against every other team in the league. At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total is awarded the Supporters' Shield and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Teams break for the annual All-Star Game midway through the season, an exhibition game containing the league's best players. The format of the All-Star Game has changed several times since the league's inception; 2020 was the first year in which the MLS All-Stars were planned to play against an all-star team from Mexico's Liga MX, before the event's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2015, the final matchday of the season has been branded as "Decision Day" and has almost all matches played between intra-conference teams kicking off simultaneously during two windows—one for each conference.

Unlike most major soccer leagues around the world, but similar to other leagues in the Americas, the MLS regular season is followed by a postseason knockout tournament to determine the league champion. As of 2023, eighteen teams participate in the MLS Cup Playoffs in October and November, which concludes with the MLS Cup championship game in early December. The 2023 playoff format includes a pair of single-elimination play-in matches for the two lowest-ranked teams in each conference ahead of a best-of-three round; the round is followed by more single-elimination rounds that lead up to the MLS Cup final.

Major League Soccer's spring-to-fall schedule results in scheduling conflicts with the FIFA calendar and with summertime international tournaments such as the World Cup and the Gold Cup, causing some players to miss league matches. While MLS has looked into changing to a fall-to-spring format, there are no current plans to do so. Were the league to change its schedule, a winter break would be necessary to accommodate teams located in harsh winter climates. It would also have to compete with the popularity and media presence of the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL), which all run on fall-to-spring schedules.

Other competitions

See also: MLS performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Campeones Cup, Leagues Cup, and American soccer clubs in international competitions

MLS teams also play in other international and domestic competitions. Each season, up to ten MLS teams play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (CCC) against other clubs from the CONCACAF region. Four MLS teams qualify based on regular-season results from the previous year: the Supporters' Shield champion, the team with the highest point total from the opposite conference, and the next two clubs in the Supporters' Shield rankings. The fifth MLS team to qualify is the reigning MLS Cup champion. An additional U.S.-based MLS team can qualify by winning the U.S. Open Cup. Starting in 2024, the league will send eight teams to participate in the U.S. Open Cup instead of every U.S.-based club, with MLS Next Pro teams as representatives for some teams. MLS had announced their intention to remove itself from the tournament entirely, but reached a compromise with U.S. Soccer to send representatives from clubs that were not participating in the Champions Cup, with the exception of the defending Open Cup champions. The last three teams to qualify are the champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher of the Leagues Cup. Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver compete against other Canadian sides in the Canadian Championship for the one CONCACAF Champions Cup berth allocated to Canada. All three Canadian clubs may also qualify through MLS or the Leagues Cup. If a team qualifies through multiple berths, or they are taken by a Canadian MLS team, the berth is reallocated to the next best team in the overall table. If the U.S. Open Cup winner qualifies through multiple methods, the runner-up fills the slot; should the runner-up qualify, the next best team in the overall table earns the slot. If the Leagues Cup champion wins the MLS Cup, the MLS Cup runner-up qualifies to the round of 16; should a Leagues Cup slot already qualify, MLS is awarded with one additional slot given to the next best non-qualified team in the overall table. Seattle Sounders FC became the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup under the competition's updated format in 2022.

Since 2018, the reigning MLS Cup champion plays in the Campeones Cup, a Super Cup-style single game against the Campeón de Campeones from Liga MX, hosted by the MLS team in September. The inaugural edition saw Tigres UANL defeat Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto in 2018.

Another inter-league competition with Liga MX, the Leagues Cup, was established in 2019. The 2020 edition of the tournament was originally planned to pair eight MLS clubs against eight Liga MX clubs in a single-elimination tournament hosted in the United States, reviving an inter-league rivalry that previously took place in the now-defunct North American Superliga, before its cancelation. Beginning with the 2023 edition all MLS and Liga MX teams participate in the competition, which functions as the regional cup for the North American zone of CONCACAF.

Clubs

See also: Expansion of Major League Soccer, Major League Soccer defunct clubs, and List of Major League Soccer coaches Atlanta Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Columbus D.C. Miami Montreal Nashville New
England NYCFC NYRB Orlando Philadelphia Toronto Austin Colorado Dallas Houston Kansas City LA Galaxy LAFC Minnesota Portland Salt
Lake San Diego San
Jose Seattle St. Louis Vancouver

The 30 clubs of Major League Soccer are divided between the Eastern and Western conferences. MLS has regularly expanded since the 2005 season, most recently with the addition of San Diego FC is planned for the 2025 season.

The league features numerous rivalry cups that are contested by two or more teams, quite often geographic rivals. Each trophy is awarded to the team with the best record in matches during the regular season involving the participating teams. The concept is comparable to rivalry trophies played for by American college football teams.

MLS features some of the longest travel distances for a domestic soccer league, with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Inter Miami CF the furthest apart teams at 2,801 miles (4,508 km). During the 2018 season, the team with the shortest distance traveled over the entire regular schedule was Toronto FC at 25,891 miles (41,668 km), while the longest was Vancouver at 51,178 miles (82,363 km).

Overview of MLS clubs

Conference	Club	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Joined	Head coach
Eastern	Atlanta United FC	Atlanta, Georgia	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	42,500	2017	Ronny Deila
	Charlotte FC	Charlotte, North Carolina	Bank of America Stadium	38,000	2022	Dean Smith
	Chicago Fire FC	Chicago, Illinois	Soldier Field	24,995	1998	Gregg Berhalter
	FC Cincinnati	Cincinnati, Ohio	TQL Stadium	26,000	2019	Pat Noonan
	Columbus Crew	Columbus, Ohio	Lower.com Field	20,371	1996	Wilfried Nancy
	D.C. United	Washington, D.C.	Audi Field	20,000	1996	Troy Lesesne
	Inter Miami CF	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	Chase Stadium	21,550	2020	Javier Mascherano
	CF Montréal	Montreal, Quebec	Saputo Stadium	19,619	2012	Laurent Courtois
	Nashville SC	Nashville, Tennessee	Geodis Park	30,000	2020	B.J. Callaghan
	New England Revolution	Foxborough, Massachusetts	Gillette Stadium	20,000	1996	Caleb Porter
	New York City FC	The Bronx, New York	Yankee Stadium	30,321	2015	Pascal Jansen
	New York Red Bulls	Harrison, New Jersey	Sports Illustrated Stadium	25,000	1996	Sandro Schwarz
	Orlando City SC	Orlando, Florida	Inter&Co Stadium	25,500	2015	Óscar Pareja
	Philadelphia Union	Chester, Pennsylvania	Subaru Park	18,500	2010	Bradley Carnell
	Toronto FC	Toronto, Ontario	BMO Field	28,351	2007	Robin Fraser
Western	Austin FC	Austin, Texas	Q2 Stadium	20,738	2021	Nico Estévez
	Colorado Rapids	Commerce City, Colorado	Dick's Sporting Goods Park	18,061	1996	Chris Armas
	FC Dallas	Frisco, Texas	Toyota Stadium	19,096	1996	Eric Quill
	Houston Dynamo FC	Houston, Texas	Shell Energy Stadium	22,039	2006	Ben Olsen
	LA Galaxy	Carson, California	Dignity Health Sports Park	27,000	1996	Greg Vanney
	Los Angeles FC	Los Angeles, California	BMO Stadium	22,000	2018	Steve Cherundolo
	Minnesota United FC	Saint Paul, Minnesota	Allianz Field	19,400	2017	Eric Ramsay
	Portland Timbers	Portland, Oregon	Providence Park	25,218	2011	Phil Neville
	Real Salt Lake	Sandy, Utah	America First Field	20,213	2005	Pablo Mastroeni
	San Diego FC	San Diego, California	Snapdragon Stadium	35,000	2025	Mikey Varas
	San Jose Earthquakes	San Jose, California	PayPal Park	18,000	1996	Bruce Arena
	Seattle Sounders FC	Seattle, Washington	Lumen Field	37,722	2009	Brian Schmetzer
	Sporting Kansas City	Kansas City, Kansas	Children's Mercy Park	18,467	1996	Peter Vermes
	St. Louis City SC	St. Louis, Missouri	Energizer Park	22,423	2023	Olof Mellberg
	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	Vancouver, British Columbia	BC Place	22,120	2011	Vacant

Former clubs

Former MLS clubs

Club	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Joined	Final season
Tampa Bay Mutiny	Tampa, Florida	Raymond James Stadium	65,657	1996	2001
Miami Fusion	Fort Lauderdale, Florida	Lockhart Stadium	17,417	1998	2001
Chivas USA	Carson, California	StubHub Center	18,800	2005	2014

Notes

 Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium

 Standard reduced capacity for soccer; can be increased

Timeline

History

Main article: History of Major League Soccer See also: Soccer in Canada and Soccer in the United States

Major League Soccer is the most recent of a series of men's premier professional national soccer leagues established in the United States and Canada. The predecessor of MLS was the North American Soccer League (NASL), which existed from 1968 until 1984. The United States did not have a truly national top-flight league with FIFA-sanctioning until the creation of the NASL. The first league to have U.S. and Canadian professional clubs, the NASL struggled until the mid-1970s when the New York Cosmos, the league's most prominent team, signed a number of the world's best players including Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer. Pelé's arrival attracted other well-known international stars to the league including Johan Cruyff, Gerd Müller, Eusébio, Bobby Moore, and George Best. Despite dramatic increases in attendance (with some matches drawing over 70,000 fans such as Soccer Bowl '78, the highest attendance to date for any club soccer championship in the United States) over-expansion, the economic recession of the early 1980s, and disputes with the players union ultimately led to the collapse of the NASL following the 1984 season, leaving the United States without a top-level soccer league until MLS.

Establishment and shootout era

In 1988, in exchange for FIFA awarding the right to host the 1994 World Cup, U.S. Soccer promised to establish a Division 1 professional soccer league. In 1993, U.S. Soccer selected Major League Professional Soccer (the precursor to MLS) as the exclusive Division 1 professional soccer league. Major League Soccer was officially formed in February 1995 as a limited liability company.

Tab Ramos was the first player signed by MLS, on January 3, 1995, and was assigned to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. MLS began play in 1996 with ten teams. The first game was held on April 6, 1996, as the San Jose Clash defeated D.C. United before 31,000 fans at Spartan Stadium in San Jose in a game broadcast on ESPN. The league had generated some buzz by managing to lure some marquee players from the 1994 World Cup to play in MLS—including U.S. stars such as Alexi Lalas, Tony Meola and Eric Wynalda, and foreign players such as Mexico's Jorge Campos and Colombia's Carlos Valderrama. D.C. United won the MLS Cup in three of the league's first four seasons. The league added its first two expansion teams in 1998—the Miami Fusion and the Chicago Fire; the Chicago Fire won its first title in its inaugural season.

After its first season, MLS suffered from a decline in attendance. The league's low attendance was all the more apparent in light of the fact that eight of the original ten teams played in large American football stadiums. One aspect that had alienated fans was that MLS experimented with rules deviations in its early years in an attempt to "Americanize" the sport. The league implemented the use of shootouts to resolve tie games. MLS also used a countdown clock and halves ended when the clock reached 0:00. The league realized that the rule changes had alienated some traditional soccer fans while failing to draw new American sports fans, and the shootout and countdown clock were eliminated after the 1999 season. The league's quality was cast into doubt when the U.S. men's national team, which was made up largely of MLS players, finished in last place at the 1998 World Cup.

Major League Soccer lost an estimated $250 million during its first five years, and more than $350 million between its founding and 2004. The league's financial problems led to Commissioner Doug Logan being replaced by Don Garber, a former NFL executive, in August 1999. Following decreased attendance and increased losses by late 2001, league officials planned to fold but were able to secure new financing from owners Lamar Hunt, Philip Anschutz, and the Kraft family to take on more teams. MLS announced in January 2002 that it had decided to contract the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion, leaving the league with ten teams.

Despite the financial problems, though, MLS did have some accomplishments that would set the stage for the league's resurgence. Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as Historic Crew Stadium, was built in 1999, becoming MLS's first soccer-specific stadium. This began a trend among MLS teams to construct their own venues instead of leasing American football stadiums, where they would not be able to generate revenue from other events. In 2000, the league won an antitrust lawsuit, Fraser v. Major League Soccer, that the players had filed in 1996. The court ruled that MLS's policy of centrally contracting players and limiting player salaries through a salary cap and other restrictions were a legal method for the league to maintain solvency and competitive parity since MLS was a single entity and therefore incapable of conspiring with itself.

Resurgence

The 2002 FIFA World Cup, in which the United States unexpectedly made the quarterfinals, coincided with a resurgence in American soccer and MLS. MLS Cup 2002 drew 61,316 spectators to Gillette Stadium, the largest attendance in an MLS Cup final until 2018. MLS limited teams to three substitutions per game in 2003, and adopted International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules in 2005.

MLS underwent a transition in the years leading up to the 2006 World Cup. After marketing itself on the talents of American players, the league lost some of its homegrown stars to prominent European leagues. For example, Tim Howard was transferred to Manchester United for $4 million in one of the most lucrative contract deals in league history. Many more American players did make an impact in MLS. In 2005, Jason Kreis became the first player to score 100 career MLS goals.

The league's financial stabilization plan included teams moving out of large American football stadiums and into soccer-specific stadiums. From 2003 to 2008, the league oversaw the construction of six additional soccer-specific stadiums, largely funded by owners such as Lamar Hunt and Phil Anschutz, so that by the end of 2008, a majority of teams were now in soccer-specific stadiums.

It was also in this era that MLS expanded for the first time since 1998. Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA began play in 2005, with Chivas USA becoming the second club in Los Angeles. By 2006 the San Jose Earthquakes owners, players and a few coaches moved to Texas to become the expansion Houston Dynamo, after failing to build a stadium in San Jose. The Dynamo became an expansion team, leaving their history behind for a new San Jose ownership group that formed in 2007.

Arrival of Designated Players

In 2007, the league expanded beyond the United States' borders into Canada with the Toronto FC expansion team. Major League Soccer took steps to further raise the level of play by adopting the Designated Player Rule, which helped bring international stars into the league. The 2007 season witnessed the MLS debut of David Beckham. Beckham's signing had been seen as a coup for American soccer, and was made possible by the Designated Player Rule. Players such as Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) and Juan Pablo Ángel (New York Red Bulls), are some of the first Designated Players who made major contributions to their clubs. The departures of Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, coupled with the return of former U.S. national team stars Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride, highlighted the exchange of top prospects to Europe for experienced veterans to MLS.

By 2008, San Jose had returned to the league under new ownership, and in 2009, the expansion side Seattle Sounders FC began play in MLS. The Sounders set a new average attendance record for the league, with 30,943 spectators per match, and were the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs since 1998. The 2010 season ushered in an expansion franchise in the Philadelphia Union and their new PPL Park stadium (now known as Subaru Park). The 2010 season also brought the opening of the New York Red Bulls' soccer-specific stadium, Red Bull Arena, and the debut of French striker Thierry Henry.

The 2011 season brought further expansion with the addition of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the second Canadian MLS franchise, and the Portland Timbers. Real Salt Lake reached the finals of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League. During the 2011 season, the Galaxy signed another international star in Republic of Ireland all-time leading goalscorer Robbie Keane. MLS drew an average attendance of 17,872 in 2011, higher than the average attendances of the NBA and NHL. In 2012, the Montreal Impact became the league's 19th franchise and the third in Canada, and made their home debut in front of a crowd of 58,912, while the New York Red Bulls added Australian all-time leading goalscorer Tim Cahill.

Expansion of the league

Main article: Expansion of Major League Soccer

In 2012, with an average attendance of over 18,000 per game, MLS had the third highest average attendance of any sports league in the U.S. after the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), and was the seventh highest attended professional soccer league worldwide as of 2013.

In 2013, MLS introduced New York City FC as its 20th team, and Orlando City Soccer Club as its 21st team, both of which would begin playing in 2015.

In 2013, the league implemented its "Core Players" initiative, allowing teams to retain key players using retention funds instead of losing the players to foreign leagues. Among the first high-profile players re-signed in 2013 using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars Graham Zusi and Matt Besler. Beginning in summer of 2013 and continuing in the run up to the 2014 World Cup, MLS began signing U.S. stars based abroad, including Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones, and Michael Bradley from Europe; and DaMarcus Beasley from Mexico's Liga MX. By the 2014 season, fifteen of the nineteen MLS head coaches had previously played in MLS. By 2013, the league's popularity had increased to the point where MLS was as popular as Major League Baseball among 12- to 17-year-olds, as reported by the 2013 Luker on Trends ESPN poll, having jumped in popularity since the 2010 World Cup.

In 2014, the league announced Atlanta United FC as the 22nd team to start playing in 2017. Even though New York City FC and Orlando City were not set to begin play until 2015, each team made headlines during the summer 2014 transfer window by announcing their first Designated Players—Spain's leading scorer David Villa and Chelsea's leading scorer Frank Lampard to New York, and Ballon d'Or winner Kaká to Orlando. The 2014 World Cup featured 21 MLS players on World Cup rosters and a record 11 MLS players playing for foreign teams—including players from traditional powerhouses Brazil (Júlio César) and Spain (David Villa); in the U.S. v. Germany match the U.S. fielded a team with seven MLS starters.

On September 18, 2014, MLS unveiled their new logo as part of a branding initiative. In addition to the new crest logo, MLS teams display versions in their own colors on their jerseys. Chivas USA folded following the 2014 season, while New York City FC and Orlando City SC joined the league in 2015 as the 19th and 20th teams. Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference in 2015 to make two 10-team conferences.

In early 2015, the league announced that two teams—Los Angeles FC and Minnesota United FC—would join MLS in either 2017 or 2018. The 20th season of MLS saw the arrivals of several players who have starred at the highest levels of European club soccer and in international soccer: Giovanni dos Santos, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba, David Villa, and Sebastian Giovinco. MLS confirmed in August 2016 that Minnesota United would begin play in 2017 along with Atlanta United FC.

In April 2016, the league's commissioner Don Garber reiterated the intention of the league to expand to 28 teams, with the next round of expansion "likely happening in 2020". In December 2016, he updated the expansion plans stating that the league will look to approve the 25th and 26th teams in 2017 and to start play in 2020. In January 2017, the league received bids from 12 ownership groups.

In July 2017, it was reported that Major League Soccer had rejected an offer by MP & Silva to acquire all television rights to the league following the conclusion of its current contracts with Fox, ESPN, and Univision, where MP & Silva insisted that the deal would be conditional on Major League Soccer adopting a promotion and relegation system. The league stated that it rejected the offer due to the exclusive periods that the current rightsholders have to negotiate extensions to their contracts. Additionally, media noted that Major League Soccer has long-opposed the adoption of promotion and relegation, continuing to utilize the fixed, franchise-based model used in other U.S. sports leagues. Furthermore, MP & Silva founder Riccardo Silva also owned Miami FC of the NASL, which stood to benefit from such a promotion and relegation system.

In October 2017, Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt announced plans to move the franchise to Austin, Texas by 2019. The announcement spawned a league-wide backlash and legal action against the league by the Ohio state government. On August 15, 2018, the Austin City Council voted to approve an agreement with Precourt to move Crew SC to Austin, and on August 22, 2018, the club's new name, Austin FC, was announced. After negotiations between Precourt and Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, were announced, MLS made it clear that Austin would receive an expansion team only after a deal to sell Columbus to a local buyer had completed. The purchase of Crew SC by Haslam's group was finalized in late December 2018, and on January 15, 2019, Austin FC was officially announced as a 2021 MLS entry.

MLS announced on December 20, 2017, that it would be awarding an expansion franchise to Nashville, Tennessee, to play in a yet-to-be-built 27,000-seat soccer-specific stadium, Nashville Fairgrounds Stadium, and would join MLS in 2020. The management of the Nashville franchise announced in February 2019 that the MLS side would assume the Nashville SC name then in use by the city's USL Championship team.

On January 29, 2018, MLS awarded Miami an expansion team, led by David Beckham. Inter Miami CF started MLS play on March 1, 2020, and plan on opening the proposed 25,000-seat stadium sometime in the near future. An expansion team was awarded to Cincinnati, Ohio on May 29, 2018, to the ownership group of USL's FC Cincinnati. The team, which assumed the existing FC Cincinnati name, started MLS play in 2019 and moved to the new 26,000-seat TQL Stadium in 2021.

The league planned to expand to 30 teams with the addition of Austin FC in 2021, Charlotte in 2022, and Sacramento and St. Louis in 2023; however, this was reduced to 29 after Sacramento Republic FC's bid was placed on indefinite hold. Commissioner Don Garber has suggested that another round of expansion could lead to 32 teams in MLS.

The league suspended its 2020 season on March 12, 2020, after two weeks, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and other U.S.-based sports leagues did the same. The 2020 season resumed in July with the MLS is Back Tournament, a competition in which 24 out of the 26 teams competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando for a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. In September 2020, the league announced the formation of MLS Next, an academy league for MLS academy teams from the under-13 to under-19 level.

In 2022, the league signed a $2.5 billion, 10-year deal with Apple Inc. that made Apple TV the primary broadcaster for all MLS games beginning in 2023. The agreement also included MLS and Leagues Cup games shared across the streaming service. Subscriptions were provided for free for season ticket holders of clubs and certain matches were made free to all users. The schedule was adjusted as a result of the deal, with start times generally at 7:30 p.m. local time on Wednesdays and Saturdays rather than staggered across the matchday.

In May 2023, the league announced it would expand to 30 teams with the addition of San Diego FC for the 2025 season.

Expansion fees

In 2005, Toronto FC's ownership paid $10 million (about $15.6 million in today's dollars) to join the league in 2007; San Jose paid $20 million the next year, and the fee had risen to $30 million when Sounders FC paid the fee in 2007 to join the league in 2009. In 2013, New York City FC agreed to pay a record $100 million expansion fee for the right to join MLS in 2015. This record was surpassed by the ownership groups of FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC, which each paid $150 million to join MLS 2019 and 2020, respectively. Despite being announced in January 2018, Inter Miami CF only paid a $25 million expansion fee due to a clause in part-owner David Beckham's original playing contract signed in 2007. $150 million was paid as an effective entrance fee by a group that bought Columbus Crew in 2018, which led to that team's previous operator receiving rights to Austin FC, which joined MLS in 2021. In 2019, Charlotte FC agreed to a reported $325 million expansion fee. The most recent expansion team, San Diego FC paid a record $500 million fee in 2023.

League championships

See also: List of MLS Cup finals and Supporters' Shield

As of the 2024 season, 32 different clubs have competed in the league, with 15 having won at least one MLS Cup, and 16 winning at least one Supporters' Shield. The two trophies have been won by the same club in the same year on eight occasions (two clubs have accomplished the feat twice). Of these teams only one, Toronto FC have also won their national elite knockout tournament (In Toronto FC's case, the Canadian Championship) in the same year for a domestic treble.

MLS Cup titles and Supporters' Shield wins

Team	MLS Cups	Years won	Supporters' Shields	Years won	Total combined	MLS seasons
LA Galaxy	6	2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024	4	1998, 2002, 2010, 2011	10	29
D.C. United	4	1996, 1997, 1999, 2004	4	1997, 1999, 2006, 2007	8	29
Columbus Crew	3	2008, 2020, 2023	3	2004, 2008, 2009	6	29
San Jose Earthquakes	2	2001, 2003	2	2005, 2012	4	27
Sporting Kansas City	2	2000, 2013	1	2000	3	29
Seattle Sounders FC	2	2016, 2019	1	2014	3	16
Houston Dynamo FC	2	2006, 2007	0	–	2	19
Los Angeles FC	1	2022	2	2019, 2022	3	7
Chicago Fire FC	1	1998	1	2003	2	27
Toronto FC	1	2017	1	2017	2	18
Real Salt Lake	1	2009	0	–	1	20
Colorado Rapids	1	2010	0	–	1	29
Portland Timbers	1	2015	0	–	1	14
Atlanta United FC	1	2018	0	–	1	8
New York City FC	1	2021	0	–	1	10
New York Red Bulls	0	–	3	2013, 2015, 2018	3	29
Tampa Bay Mutiny	0	–	1	1996	1	6
Miami Fusion	0	–	1	2001	1	4
FC Dallas	0	–	1	2016	1	29
Philadelphia Union	0	–	1	2020	1	15
New England Revolution	0	–	1	2021	1	29
FC Cincinnati	0	–	1	2023	1	6
Inter Miami CF	0	–	1	2024	1	5

1. ^ Franchise folded after completion of the 2001 season

Organization

Ownership

See also: Major League Soccer owners

Major League Soccer operates under a single-entity structure in which teams and player contracts are centrally owned by the league. Each team has an investor-operator that is a shareholder in the league. In order to control costs, MLS shares revenues and holds players contracts instead of players contracting with individual teams. In Fraser v. Major League Soccer, a lawsuit filed in 1996 and decided in 2002, the league won a legal battle with its players in which the court ruled that MLS was a single entity that can lawfully centrally contract for player services. The court also ruled that even absent their collective bargaining agreement, players could opt to play in other leagues if they were unsatisfied.

Having multiple clubs operated by a single investor was a necessity in the league's first ten years. At one time, Phil Anschutz's AEG operated six MLS franchises and Lamar Hunt's Hunt Sports operated three franchises. In order to attract additional investors, in 2002 the league announced changes to the operating agreement between the league and its teams to improve team revenues and increase the incentives to be an individual club operator. These changes included granting operators the rights to a certain number of players they develop through their club's academy system each year, sharing the profits of Soccer United Marketing, and being able to sell individual club jersey sponsorships.

As MLS appeared to be on the brink of overall profitability in 2006 and developed significant expansion plans, MLS announced that it wanted each club to have a distinct operator. The league has attracted new investors that have injected more money into the league. Examples include Red Bull's purchase of the MetroStars from AEG in 2006 for over $100 million. For the 2014 season, the league assumed control of the former Chivas USA club, which had suffered from mismanagement and poor financial results under its individual operator relationship. The league eventually dissolved the team, in favor of awarding rights to a second soccer club in the Los Angeles area to a new investor group on October 30, 2014.

The league now has 30 investor-operators for its 30 current clubs, with no member of any club's investor group having a stake in that of any other club. Since December 2015, when AEG sold its remaining 50% interest in the Houston Dynamo, the former multiple-team operators AEG and Hunt Sports, with the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas respectively, now only control one franchise.

League executives

Don Garber has been the commissioner of Major League Soccer since 1999, serving as the league's chief executive. The league's first commissioner was Doug Logan, who served in the role from 1995 to 1999.

Mark Abbott, a former MLS business partner, has served as the league's president and Deputy Commissioner since 2006.

Player acquisition and salaries

In 2016, the average salary for MLS players was $373,094, lower than the average salaries in England's second-tier EFL Championship ($420,000 in 2015), the Netherlands' Eredivisie ($445,000), or Mexico's Liga MX ($418,000 in 2015). The league's minimum player salary increased in 2017 to $65,000 for most players, and roster players #25–30 saw their minimum salary increased to $53,000.

MLS salaries are limited by a salary cap, which MLS has had in place since the league's inception in 1996. The purpose of the salary cap is to prevent the team's owners from unsustainable spending on player salaries and to prevent a competitive imbalance among teams. The salary cap survived a legal challenge by the players in the Fraser v. Major League Soccer lawsuit. The 2017 salary cap increased to $3.845 million per team. Each team is allowed up to 30 players on its first team roster. All 30 players are eligible for selection to each 18-player game-day squad during the regular season and playoffs.

Teams may augment their squads by signing players from other leagues. MLS has two transfer windows—the primary pre-season transfer window lasts three months from mid February until mid May, and the secondary mid season transfer window runs one month from early July to early August. When an MLS club sells one of its players overseas, the club and the league split the transfer revenues, with the club retaining from 33% to 75% depending on the player's status and tenure. MLS teams have a limited number of international roster slots that they can use to sign non-domestic players. However, MLS teams often obtain green cards for their non-domestic players in order to qualify them for domestic status and thus free up international roster slots. In 2015, 49% of MLS players were born outside of the U.S. and Canada, with players from 58 countries represented.

MLS has a set of pool goalkeepers who are signed to a contract with the league and are loaned to teams during emergencies in which they are missing a goalkeeper due to injuries or suspensions. The pool goalkeeper trains with an MLS club or an affiliated team when not assigned to a team; some pool goalkeepers, including Tim Melia, have gone on to be signed to permanent contract with their assigned teams. In the past, when rosters were smaller, there were multiple goalkeepers signed to the pool, however, in recent years only one or two keepers are signed as team rosters are much larger.

Designated Players and allocation money

MLS has also introduced various initiatives and rules intended to improve quality of players while still maintaining the salary cap. Rules concerning Designated Players and allocation money allow for additional wage spending that is exempt from the salary cap. These initiatives have brought about an increase in on-field competition.

The designated player (DP) rule allows teams to sign a limited number of players whose salary exceeds the maximum cap; in 2017, each DP player only counted as $480,625 (the maximum non-DP salary) against the cap. Instituted in 2007, England's David Beckham was the first signing under the DP rule. The DP rule has led to large income inequality in MLS with top DPs earning as much as 180 times more than a player earning the league minimum. In the 2013 season, 21% of the league's wage spending went to just five players; this stretched to 29% on the top 6 players in the 2014 season.

The league's "Core Players" initiative allows teams to re-sign players using retention funds that do not count against the salary cap. Retention funds were implemented in 2013 as a mechanism for MLS to retain key players; among the first high-profile players re-signed using retention funds were U.S. national team regulars Graham Zusi and Matt Besler. MLS teams can also obtain allocation money, which is money that the team can use on player salaries that does not count against the cap, and teams can earn allocation money in several ways, such as from the transfer fees earned by selling players to teams in other leagues. MLS teams can also use Targeted Allocation Money (often referred to as TAM), an initiative announced in 2015. Teams can use TAM funds to attract high-profile players by "buying down" contracts of players to below the Designated Player level. High-profile players for which TAM funds were used include Hector Villalba, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Giorgio Chiellini.

Youth development

See also: MLS Next Pro and Homegrown Player Rule (Major League Soccer)

MLS has introduced various initiatives and rules intended to develop young players. Rules concerning Generation Adidas players and home grown players provide incentives for clubs to develop and retain young players.

MLS has required all of its teams to operate youth development programs since 2008. MLS roster rules allow teams to sign an unlimited number of players straight from their academies and bypassing the draft process. There is also supplementary salary budget made by MLS only for homegrown players that are registered using senior roster slots called homegrown player funds. One of the most prominent and lucrative examples of success in "home-grown" development was Jozy Altidore, who rose to prominence as a teenager in MLS before his record transfer fee $10 million move to Villarreal in Spain in 2008. The various MLS teams' development academies play matches in a U.S. Soccer developmental league against youth academies from other leagues such as the North American Soccer League (NASL), which had been a Division II league prior to 2018, and USL Pro, originally a Division III league but now the Division II USL Championship.

The league operates a Generation Adidas program, which is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer that encourages young American players to enter MLS. The Generation Adidas program has been in place since 1997, and has introduced players such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Michael Bradley into MLS. Players under the Home Grown Player rule are signed to Generation Adidas contracts, all players on Generation Adidas contracts are "off budget players" and their salaries do not count against the cap.

MLS has operated reserve leagues, which give playing time to players who were not starters for their MLS teams, during two different periods. The MLS Reserve League was formed in 2005, and operated through 2014 (with the exception of the 2009 & 2010 seasons). MLS began integrating its Reserve League with the league then known as USL Pro in 2013, and after the 2014 season folded the Reserve League, with MLS then requiring all teams to either affiliate with a USL team or field their own reserve side in that league. However, this requirement was never strictly enforced, and MLS eventually relaunched its reserve league in 2022 under the banner of MLS Next Pro. In the inaugural 2022 season, 19 of the league's then-current clubs, plus future club St. Louis City SC, fielded reserve sides in Next Pro. In the 2023 season, the only MLS teams that will not field Next Pro sides are CF Montréal and D.C. United.

Following the folding of the Development Academy, MLS announced its own development league in 2020. It includes all of the MLS team academies as well as 95 clubs across the country; many of which were a part of the Development Academy.

Stadiums

See also: Soccer-specific stadium and List of Major League Soccer stadiums

Since 1999, the league has overseen the construction of twelve stadiums specifically designed for soccer. The development of soccer-specific stadiums owned by the teams has generated a better gameday experience for the fans. The soccer-specific stadiums have yielded positive financial results as teams were no longer required to pay to rent out facilities and gained control over revenue streams such as concessions, parking, naming rights, and the ability to host non-MLS events. Several teams have doubled their season tickets following the team's move into a soccer-specific stadium. The establishment of soccer-specific stadiums is considered the key to the league and the ability of teams to turn a profit. In 2006, Tim Leiweke, then CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, described the proliferation of soccer-specific stadiums as the turning point for MLS.

Columbus Crew owner Lamar Hunt started this trend in 1999 by constructing Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as Historic Crew Stadium, as MLS's first soccer-specific stadium. The Los Angeles Galaxy followed four years later with the opening of the Home Depot Center, now Dignity Health Sports Park, in 2003. FC Dallas opened Pizza Hut Park, now Toyota Stadium, in 2005, and the Chicago Fire began playing their home games in Toyota Park, now SeatGeek Stadium, in 2006. The 2007 season brought the opening of Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the Colorado Rapids and BMO Field for Toronto FC.

Near the end of the 2008 season, Rio Tinto Stadium (now known as America First Field) became the home of Real Salt Lake, which meant that for the first time in MLS history a majority of MLS's teams (8 out of 14) played in soccer-specific stadiums. Red Bull Arena, the new home of the New York Red Bulls opened for the start of the 2010 season, and the Philadelphia Union opened PPL Park, now Subaru Park, in June 2010, midway through their inaugural season.

The following season, in 2011, the Portland Timbers made their MLS debut in a newly renovated Jeld-Wen Field, now renamed Providence Park, which was originally a multi-purpose venue but turned into a soccer-specific facility. Also in 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to new Livestrong Sporting Park, now Children's Mercy Park. The Houston Dynamo relocated to their new home at BBVA Compass Stadium, now Shell Energy Stadium, in 2012. In the same year, the Montreal Impact joined the league in an expanded Stade Saputo, which reopened in June 2012, when renovations pushed the seating capacity to over 20,000. The Impact has used Olympic Stadium for early season matches and for games that require a larger capacity. The San Jose Earthquakes, who had played at Buck Shaw Stadium from 2008 until 2014, opened their new Avaya Stadium (now PayPal Park) before the 2015 season. Orlando City SC intended to begin constructing its soccer-specific stadium, now known as Exploria Stadium, in 2014 to be completed in 2015. Delays caused by changes to the stadium plans pushed back the new venue's opening, first to late 2016 and finally to the start of the 2017 season. Orlando City played at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, now Camping World Stadium, while awaiting the construction of their new venue through the 2016 season. Exploria Stadium hosted its first MLS match on March 5, 2017, against New York City FC as Orlando City Stadium.

The development of additional MLS stadiums has continued to progress. D.C. United had played their home games at former NFL and Major League Baseball venue RFK Stadium. In 2013, D.C. United announced the signing of a public-private partnership term sheet to build a new soccer stadium in Washington, D.C., and a final deal was reached in late 2014. In late February 2017, D.C. United finally broke ground on their new stadium, Audi Field. After 21 years of playing at RFK Stadium, DC United played their first game at Audi field in July 2018.

Two teams have announced their desire to build a soccer-specific stadium, although these teams have not finalized the stadium site and received all necessary government approvals. New York City FC play home games at Yankee Stadium, a Major League Baseball venue, although they intend to move into a soccer-specific stadium in the future. The New England Revolution play home games at Gillette Stadium which is an NFL Stadium also owned by the Revolution's owner, Robert Kraft. The team are currently in discussion with the City of Boston regarding a potential soccer-specific stadium in South Boston.

Several remaining clubs play in stadiums not originally built for MLS and have not announced plans to move. The Seattle Sounders FC play at Lumen Field, a dual-purpose facility used for both American football and soccer. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined the league with Portland in 2011 and temporarily held matches at Empire Field before moving into the refurbished BC Place in October 2011, a retractable-roof stadium that hosts Canadian football as well as soccer.

Of the three teams that made their MLS debuts in 2017 and 2018, one opened a soccer-specific stadium in 2019, a second is playing in a shared football stadium, and the last opened a soccer-specific stadium for its inaugural 2018 season. Minnesota United FC, which debuted in 2017, built Allianz Field in St. Paul which hosted its inaugural game against New York City FC on April 13, 2019. Until that time, the team played in Minneapolis at TCF Bank Stadium (now Huntington Bank Stadium), home to University of Minnesota football. Atlanta United FC began play in 2017 at a college football facility, Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium, before moving into its permanent home at the retractable-roof Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which it shares with the NFL's Atlanta Falcons; the two teams share a common owner and the stadium is equipped with screens to cordon off the upper tiers for most matches. Los Angeles FC, which began play in 2018, opened Banc of California Stadium (now BMO Stadium) on the former site of the Los Angeles Sports Arena in April of its inaugural season.

FC Cincinnati made its MLS debut in 2019 at Nippert Stadium, the football home of the University of Cincinnati. The stadium had been home to FCC's USL Championship predecessor for all of its three seasons of play. The club moved within Cincinnati to the new TQL Stadium in 2021. Inter Miami began play in 2020 at Inter Miami CF Stadium, now known as Chase Stadium, at the former site of Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale before opening Miami Freedom Park in the future. Nashville SC played the 2020 and 2021 seasons at an NFL facility, the Tennessee Titans' Nissan Stadium, before opening Geodis Park in 2022. Austin FC opened Q2 Stadium for its first season in 2021. St. Louis City SC opened CityPark in November 2022, a few months before the club's first season in 2023. Construction of Eleven Park was tied to an application for an Indianapolis-based MLS team, initialized in 2024.

In October 2024 it was published that with an average crowd of 17,000 per game and over 11 million fans who attended MLS league games, a new attendance record was set.

Profitability and revenues

See also: Major League Soccer defunct clubs and List of professional sports leagues by revenue

Average franchise valuations

Year	Value
2008	$37 million
2013	$103 million
2015	$157 million
2016	$185 million
2017	$223 million
2018	$240 million
2019	$313 million
2021	$550 million
2022	$582 million
2023	$678 million

Major League Soccer began to demonstrate positive signs of long-term profitability as early as 2004 with the single-entity ownership structure, salary cap, and the media and marketing umbrella Soccer United Marketing (SUM) all contributing towards MLS's financial security. As soccer-specific stadiums are built, ownership expands, and television coverage increases, MLS has seen its revenues increase while controlling costs.

Television coverage and revenue have increased since the league's early years. In 2006, MLS reached an 8-year TV deal with ESPN spanning the 2007–2014 seasons, and marked the first time that MLS earned rights fees, reported to be worth $7–8 million annually. In September 2012 the league extended its distribution agreement with London-based Media rights agency MP & Silva until 2014 in a deal worth $10 million annually. Total league TV revenues are over $40 million annually. In 2011, MLS earned $150 million when it sold a 25% stake in SUM.

Jersey sponsorships

Team	Sponsor	Annual value
Atlanta United FC	AmFam (game – main) Piedmont Hospital (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
Austin FC	Yeti (game – main) Netspend (game – sleeve) St. David's Healthcare (prematch)	Undisclosed
Charlotte FC	Ally (game – main) Centene (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
Chicago Fire FC	Carvana (game – main)	Undisclosed
Colorado Rapids	UCHealth (game – main)	Undisclosed
Columbus Crew	Nationwide (game – main) Tipico (game – sleeve) Ohio Health (prematch)	$3 million
D.C. United	Guidehouse (game – main) The Fruitist (game - sleeve)	Undisclosed
FC Cincinnati	Mercy Health (game – main) Kroger (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
FC Dallas	Children's Health (game - main) UT Southwestern (game – main) AdvoCare (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
Houston Dynamo FC	MD Anderson Cancer Center (game – main)	Undisclosed
Inter Miami CF	Royal Caribbean (game – main) Fracht Group (game – sleeve) AutoNation (prematch)	Undisclosed
LA Galaxy	Herbalife (game – main) Honey (game – sleeve)	$4.4 million
Los Angeles FC	Bank of Montreal (game – main) Ford (game – sleeve) Rockstar (prematch)	Undisclosed
Minnesota United FC	Target (game – main) Allianz (game – sleeve) Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (prematch)	Undisclosed
CF Montréal	Bank of Montreal (game – main) Telus (game – sleeve)	US$4 million
Nashville SC	Renasant (game – main) Hyundai (game – sleeve) Vanderbilt Health (prematch)	Undisclosed
New England Revolution	UnitedHealthcare (game – main) Santander (game – sleeve) Socios.com (prematch)	Undisclosed
New York City FC	Etihad Airways (game – main) Capital Rx (game – sleeve) NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital (prematch)	Undisclosed
New York Red Bulls	Red Bull (game – main) Oanda (game – sleeve)	Owns club
Orlando City SC	Orlando Health (game – main) Exploria (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
Philadelphia Union	Bimbo Bakeries USA (game – main) Independence Blue Cross (game – sleeve)	$3 million
Portland Timbers	Tillamook (game – main) TikTok (game – sleeve) Dutch Brothers Coffee (prematch)	Undisclosed
Real Salt Lake	Select Health (game – main) Intermountain Health (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
San Diego FC	DirecTV (game – main)	Undisclosed
San Jose Earthquakes	Intermedia Cloud Communications (game – main) Udemy (prematch)	Undisclosed
Seattle Sounders FC	Providence (game – main) Emerald Queen Casino (game – sleeve) CHI Franciscan (prematch)	Undisclosed
Sporting Kansas City	Compass Minerals (game – main) Children's Mercy (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
St. Louis City SC	Purina (game – main) BJC HealthCare (game – sleeve)	Undisclosed
Toronto FC	Bank of Montreal (game – main and sleeve) GE Appliances (game – sleeve)	C$4 million+
Vancouver Whitecaps FC	Telus (game – main)	Undisclosed

In early 2005, MLS signed a 10-year, $150 million sponsorship deal with Adidas for its jerseys and other equipment. In 2007, MLS teams started selling ad space on the front of jerseys to go along with the league-wide sponsorship partners who had already been advertising on the back of club jerseys, following the practice of international sport, specifically soccer. MLS established a floor of $500,000 per shirt sponsorship, with the league receiving a flat fee of $200,000 per deal. As of July 2014, sixteen teams had signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their jerseys (and another team is directly owned by its shirt sponsor), and the league average from jersey sponsors was about $2.4 million. Sleeve sponsorship was introduced to MLS in the 2020 season, with the teams able to sell a 2-by-2-inch (51 by 51 mm) section on the right arm where the league logo patch is normally positioned.

The Los Angeles Galaxy made a profit in 2003 in their first season at The Home Depot Center, and FC Dallas turned a profit after moving into Pizza Hut Park in 2005. For each season between 2006 and 2009, two to three MLS clubs (generally clubs with a soccer-specific stadium) were reported as profitable by the league. In November 2013, Forbes published a report that revealed that ten of the league's nineteen teams earned an operating profit in 2012, while two broke even and seven had a loss. Forbes estimated that the league's collective annual revenues were $494 million, and that the league's collective annual profit was $34 million. Forbes valued the league's franchises to be worth $103 million on average, almost three times as much as the $37 million average valuation in 2008. The Seattle Sounders FC franchise was named the most valuable at $175 million, a 483% gain over the $30 million league entrance fee it paid in 2009.

The trend in increased team values has continued with MLS teams seeing a strong 52% increase in franchise values from 2012 to 2014. In August 2015 Forbes updated its MLS franchise values with the most profitable team measuring $245 million and the least $105 million. The average value jumped from $103 to $157 million. In 2018, Forbes estimated Atlanta United FC is the most valuable MLS team, worth $330 million, while the Colorado Rapids are the lowest value, at $155 million. These valuations do not include the value of stadiums or training facilities owned by the respective clubs. A Sportico ranking of club valuations in 2024 placed 20 MLS teams in the top 50 globally, with Los Angeles FC the most valuable at $1.15 billion (15th overall).

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLS teams typically used commercial flights to transport players and staff between matches, with only four charter flights allowed under league rules. These commercial flights were often non-direct, requiring transfers and layovers, and contributed to long travel days. The number of charters allowed for league matches was increased to eight legs prior to the 2020 season and lifted entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sun Country Airlines has provided charter service to MLS teams since 2020 and became the league's official carrier in 2022.

Rules and officials

When the league began play, it tried to gain popularity by "Americanizing" the game: the game clock counted down in each half and stopped for certain dead ball situations and games level at the end of regulation were resolved with a running penalty shootout. Now MLS follows the rules and standards of the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Since 2005, the playoff extra time structure follows IFAB standards: two full 15-minute periods, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

U.S. Soccer hired the first full-time professional referees in league history in 2007 as part of the league's "Game First" initiatives. Major League Soccer has been implementing fines and suspensions since the 2011 season for simulation (diving) through its Disciplinary Committee, which reviews plays after the match. The first player fined under the new rule was Charlie Davies, fined $1,000 for intentionally deceiving match officials.

MLS uses the list of banned substances published by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Branding

The current MLS logo debuted in 2014, ahead of the league's 20th season, replacing an earlier logo that featured a stylized boot and ball. The current logo is a simple crest with a diagonal stripe, the MLS wordmark, and three stars that represent "community, club, and country". The logo was designed to be remixed in different color schemes that match teams when used on merchandise and jerseys.

The first MLS anthem was unveiled in 2007 and was composed by Audiobrain. The current league anthem debuted in 2020 and was composed by film score composer Hans Zimmer. It will be used during league broadcasts and as a prelude to kickoff at stadiums.

Team names

For more information on MLS team names, see the individual team entries.

In the early years of MLS, teams were typically given official nicknames in the style of other U.S. sports leagues (e.g., Columbus Crew, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution). Several club names in MLS originated with previous professional soccer clubs, such as the 1970s-era NASL team names San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps.

D.C. United was the only MLS team to adopt European naming conventions during the 1990s. In more recent years, European-style names have become increasingly common in MLS, with expansion teams such as Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC, New York City FC, Atlanta United FC, Minnesota United FC, and FC Cincinnati, along with rebrandings such as FC Dallas (formerly the Dallas Burn), Sporting Kansas City (formerly the Kansas City Wizards), and CF Montréal (formerly the Montreal Impact).

Austrian beverage company Red Bull GmbH owns and sponsors the New York Red Bulls as well as other sports teams outside the U.S.

Media coverage

Main article: Major League Soccer on television See also: List of current Major League Soccer broadcasters

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Since 2023, all MLS and Leagues Cup matches, as well as certain matches from MLS Next Pro and MLS Next, are streamed worldwide on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. This agreement ended the previous regional sports network-based system. The contract allows for some broadcasts on linear television. ESPN and Univision exited negotiations, apparently because MLS would not allow them to stream via their own platforms or use their own commentators. Following their departures, Fox Sports joined Apple as MLS's linear broadcast partners in the U.S., with Bell Media's TSN and RDS doing so in Canada.

United States

From 2012 to 2014, MLS matches were broadcast by NBC Sports, with 40 matches per year—primarily on NBCSN, and select matches broadcast on the NBC network. The move from Fox Soccer to the more widely distributed NBCSN caused viewership numbers to double for the 2012 season.

Soccer United Marketing partnered with Google and Bedrocket Media Ventures in 2012 to launch "KickTV", a premium YouTube channel with original soccer programming. KickTV was sold to Copa90 in 2015 to form its American branch. In 2020, Soccer United Marketing signed a multi-year agreement with Bleacher Report to produce content and highlights for MLS and the U.S. national teams through the 2022 season.

From 2015 to 2022, MLS matches were broadcast nationally by ESPN networks and Fox Sports in English, and Univision networks in Spanish under an eight-year contract. Each broadcaster had a window for national regular season matches, with UniMás airing a game on Friday nights in Spanish and additional matches on Univision Deportes Network, and ESPN and Fox Sports 1 airing games on Sunday evenings in English. ESPN, FS1, and Univision shared coverage of the playoffs, while ABC and Fox alternated broadcasting the MLS Cup final in English. In total, at least 125 matches were aired per-season across all three networks. The three contracts have an average estimated value of $90 million per season—five times larger than the average $18 million value of the previous contracts with ESPN, Univision, and NBC Sports.

Matches not televised nationally were broadcast regionally, often by regional sports networks like Bally Sports, NBC Sports Regional Networks, Spectrum Sports and Root Sports, and sometimes by terrestrial stations like KTXA, WGN and KMYU. Regionally televised matches were available outside their local markets on ESPN+, which replaced MLS Live from 2018 until 2022.

Canada

Coverage of MLS expanded into Canada in 2007 with the addition of Toronto FC. Currently, English-language national MLS broadcast rights in Canada are held by the TSN networks through a five-year deal first renewed in 2017. The networks primarily broadcast matches involving the league's Canadian franchises, in combination with separate "regional" rights deals giving TSN exclusive rights to all Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC matches. A limited number of matches are also carried by CTV.

TVA Sports holds exclusive French-language rights to MLS in Canada as of the 2017 season. As part of a separate "regional" rights deal, it also holds exclusive rights to all CF Montréal games.

In 2018, online streaming service DAZN obtained Major League Soccer's digital out-of-market service MLS Live with live and on-demand streaming of matches featuring U.S. teams (matches with Canadian teams are only available after a 48-hour delay to protect the league's main rightsholders TSN and TVA Sports).

International

MLS also entered into a four-year contract with Sky Sports to broadcast two MLS matches per week in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 2015 to 2019. As part of the agreement, Sky Sports broadcast at least two MLS regular-season matches each week, as well as the MLS All-Star Game, every MLS Cup Playoff game, and the MLS Cup final. The matches appeared across Sky's family of networks. It also carried weekly MLS highlights across various platforms, including Sky Sports News and SkySports.com. Sky Sports also broadcast at least one match from MLS's "Decision Day" – the final day of the MLS regular season. Many of the matches on Decision Day every year are expected to determine the final spots for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

DSport, owned by Discovery Communications, will televise league matches in India beginning in 2017.

Video games

Major League Soccer is a playable league in the EA Sports FC series, the eFootball series, and the Football Manager series. The league made its video game debut in 1999 with FIFA 2000. Kids video game company Humongous Entertainment had the rights to teams and players for their game, Backyard Soccer MLS Edition and for Backyard Soccer 2004. In 2000, Konami released ESPN MLS GameNight, and two years later, they released its sequel, ESPN MLS ExtraTime 2002. The league made its first appearance in the management series Football Manager 2005 in 2004.

Player records

See also: Major League Soccer records and statistics, 2024 Major League Soccer season § Player statistics, List of Major League Soccer players with 100 or more goals, and List of Major League Soccer players with 400 or more games played

Statistics below are for all-time leaders. Statistics are for regular season only. Bold indicates active MLS players.

As of 1 July 2024

Goals Rank Player Years Goals 1 Chris Wondolowski 2005–2021 171 2 Kei Kamara 2006–2013 2015–2020 2022–present 146 3 Landon Donovan 2001–2014 2016 145 4 Jeff Cunningham 1998–2011 134 5 Jaime Moreno 1996–2010 133 6 Bradley Wright-Phillips 2013–2021 117 7 Ante Razov 1996–2000 2001–2009 114 8 Jason Kreis 1996–2007 108 9 Josef Martínez 2017–present 108 10 Dwayne De Rosario 2001–2014 104

Assists Rank Player Years Assists 1 Landon Donovan 2001–2014 2016 136 2 Steve Ralston 1996–2010 135 3 Brad Davis 2002–2016 123 4 Carlos Valderrama 1996–2002 114 5 Preki 1996–2005 112 6 Jaime Moreno 1996–2010 102 7 Marco Etcheverry 1996–2003 101 8 Sacha Kljestan 2006–2010 2015–2022 99 9 Cobi Jones 1996–2007 91 Diego Valeri 2013–2021

Shutouts (clean sheets) Rank Player Years Shutouts 1 Nick Rimando 2000–2019 154 2 Kevin Hartman 1997–2013 112 3 Stefan Frei 2009–present 105 4 Sean Johnson 2010–present 96 5 Joe Cannon 1999–2013 86 6 Jon Busch 2002–2015 83 7 Bill Hamid 2009–2022 80 8 Brad Guzan 2012–present 78 9 Zach Thornton 1996–2011 76 10 Matt Reis 1998–2013 75

Games played Rank Player Years Games 1 Nick Rimando 2000–2019 514 2 Kyle Beckerman 2000–2020 498 3 Dax McCarty 2006–present 478 4 Jeff Larentowicz 2005–2020 437 5 Kei Kamara 2006–2013 2015–2020 2022–present 432 6 Kevin Hartman 1997–2013 416 7 Chris Wondolowski 2005–2021 413 8 Drew Moor 2005–2022 411 9 Chad Marshall 2004–2019 409 10 Darlington Nagbe 2011–present 402

Player records (active)

Statistics below are for all-time leaders who are still playing. Statistics are for regular season only.

As of July 1, 2024

Goals Rank Player Goals 1 Kei Kamara 146 2 Josef Martinez 108 3 Gyasi Zardes 103 4 C. J. Sapong 89 5 Fredy Montero 85

Assists Rank Player Assists 1 Nicolás Lodeiro 78 2 Luciano Acosta 72 3 Dax McCarty 71 4 Diego Fagúndez 67 5 Julian Gressel 65

Shutouts Rank Player Shutouts 1 Stefan Frei 102 2 Sean Johnson 96 3 Bill Hamid 80 4 Brad Guzan 76 5 Andre Blake 71

Games played Rank Player Games 1 Dax McCarty 478 2 Kei Kamara 432 3 Darlington Nagbe 402 4 Sean Johnson 374 5 Stefan Frei 368

MLS awards

At the conclusion of each season, the league presents several awards for outstanding achievements, mostly to players, but also to coaches, referees, and teams. The finalists in each category are determined by voting from MLS players, team employees, and the media.

• MLS Best XI
• Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award
• MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award
• MLS Defender of the Year Award
• MLS Fair Play Award (individual)
• MLS Fair Play Award (team)
• MLS Goal of the Year Award
• MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award
• MLS Golden Boot
• MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award
• Landon Donovan MVP Award
• MLS Newcomer of the Year Award
• MLS Referee of the Year Award
• MLS Young Player of the Year Award
• MLS Save of the Year Award

Notes

1. Spanish audio/broadcast
2. French audio/broadcast

See also

• MLS SuperDraft
• List of Major League Soccer seasons
• List of American and Canadian soccer champions
• List of Major League Soccer stadiums
• Major League Soccer attendance
• MLS Players Association
• National Women's Soccer League
• United States soccer league system

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External links

• Official website

Preceded byNASL (1968–1984)

Division 1 soccer league in the United States 1996–present

Succeeded bycurrent league

v t e Major League Soccer
Seasons 2025 season Records and statistics 400 or more appearances 100 or more goals Hat-tricks Players Association Rivalry cups History Timeline Expansion U.S. Soccer Canada Soccer
Eastern Conference	Atlanta United FC Charlotte FC Chicago Fire FC FC Cincinnati Columbus Crew D.C. United Inter Miami CF CF Montréal Nashville SC New England Revolution New York City FC New York Red Bulls Orlando City SC Philadelphia Union Toronto FC
Western Conference	Austin FC Colorado Rapids FC Dallas Houston Dynamo FC Sporting Kansas City LA Galaxy Los Angeles FC Minnesota United FC Portland Timbers Real Salt Lake San Diego FC San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC St. Louis City SC Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Former teams	Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996–2001) Miami Fusion (1998–2001) Chivas USA (2005–2014)
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Categories:

• Major League Soccer
• 1993 establishments in the United States
• Multi-national professional sports leagues
• Professional soccer leagues in the United States
• Soccer leagues in Canada
• Sports leagues established in 1993
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• Multi-national sports leagues in North America