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Major League Soccer

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Article Genealogy
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Major League Soccer
Current season2024 Major League Soccer season
SportAssociation football
Founded17 December 1993
Inaugural1996
Teams29
CountryUnited States, Canada
ConfedCONCACAF
ChampionColumbus Crew (3rd title)
Most champsLA Galaxy (5 titles)
CeoDon Garber

Major League Soccer. It is a professional men's association football league representing the sport's highest level in the United States and Canada. Sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation and Canada Soccer, the league comprises 29 clubs and is a member of the CONCACAF. Since its first season in 1996, it has become a significant part of the North American sports landscape, with teams competing for the MLS Cup and the Supporters' Shield.

History

The league was founded on December 17, 1993, as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The inaugural 1996 season featured ten teams, including the DC United and the LA Galaxy, with the first championship match held at Foxboro Stadium. Early years were marked by financial struggles and unique rules like the shootout, but stability grew with the construction of soccer-specific stadiums like the Columbus Crew Stadium. Key milestones include the arrival of global stars like David Beckham in 2007, which ushered in the "Designated Player Rule" era, and significant expansion, adding clubs such as Seattle Sounders FC and Atlanta United FC. The league's growth was further cemented by landmark media rights deals and the establishment of the Leagues Cup competition with Liga MX.

Organization and structure

The league operates as a single-entity structure, where the league owns all player contracts and clubs are owned by their individual investors. This model, overseen by Commissioner Don Garber, is designed to ensure cost control and competitive balance. Each club is granted territorial rights, and expansion is approved by the MLS Board of Governors. Key administrative partners include the Professional Referee Organization for officiating and the MLS Players Association, which negotiates the collective bargaining agreement. The league's commercial arm, Soccer United Marketing, manages broad media and sponsorship assets, while individual clubs control local revenues.

Competition format

The regular season follows a double round-robin format within conferences, with each team playing 34 matches. The league is split into the Eastern and Western Conferences. The team with the best regular-season record wins the Supporters' Shield. The postseason, known as the MLS Cup Playoffs, involves 18 teams in a single-elimination tournament culminating in the MLS Cup final. Clubs also compete in domestic cup competitions, primarily the U.S. Open Cup and the Canadian Championship, which offer berths to the continental CONCACAF Champions Cup. The mid-season Leagues Cup tournament involves all MLS and Liga MX clubs.

Clubs

The league currently has 29 clubs: 26 in the United States and 3 in Canada, including Toronto FC, CF Montréal, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Recent expansion teams include St. Louis City SC and soon-to-debut San Diego FC. Among the most successful clubs are the LA Galaxy, with five MLS Cup titles, and D.C. United, with four. Other notable organizations include the Seattle Sounders FC, known for its massive fan support at Lumen Field, and Atlanta United FC, which set attendance records at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Future expansion is planned for cities like Las Vegas.

Media coverage

Domestic broadcast rights are held by Apple through a ten-year partnership with MLS Season Pass, which streams every match globally. Linear television coverage in the United States is provided by Fox Sports, ESPN, and Univision. In Canada, matches are broadcast on TSN and CTV in English and TVA Sports in French. The league has extensive radio partnerships and a significant digital presence through its own platforms and social media. This media strategy represents a major shift from previous deals with ESPN and Fox Soccer.

Player development and recognition

Player acquisition occurs through mechanisms like the MLS SuperDraft, international signings, and the MLS Homegrown Player Rule, which incentivizes clubs to develop talent from their own academies. The MLS Designated Player Rule allows teams to sign high-profile stars like Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović outside salary cap constraints. The annual MLS All-Star Game features the league's best against international clubs. Individual honors include the Landón Donovan MVP Award, the MLS Golden Boot, and the MLS Defender of the Year Award. Many players have used the league as a springboard to European clubs or as a finale to illustrious careers.

Category:Major League Soccer Category:Soccer leagues in the United States Category:Soccer leagues in Canada Category:Professional sports leagues in North America