Misplaced Pages

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

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 29 teams in 2023, 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.

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

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. 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 an MLS team qualifies through multiple methods, 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

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).

Former clubs

Notes

 Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium

 Standard reduced capacity for soccer; can be increased

Timeline

History

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

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

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

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.

1. Spanish audio/broadcast
2. French audio/broadcast
3. ^ Franchise folded after completion of the 2001 season

Organization

Ownership

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

References

1. Borg, Simon (December 17, 2010). "MLS celebrates 17th anniversary of formal debut". MLSSoccer.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
2. "About Major League Soccer". USSoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
3. ^ Fraser v. Major League Soccer, 01 F.3d 1296 (US 1st Cir. March 20, 2002).
4. "St. Louis City unveil new renderings of state-of-the-art stadium ahead of 2023 MLS debut". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
5. ^ "MLS announces plans to expand to 30 teams". MLSSoccer.com. April 18, 2019. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
6. ^ "By The Numbers... North American Soccer League vs Major League Soccer". February 11, 2013. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
7. "About Major League Soccer". MLSnet.com. September 5, 2008. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
8. "1996 Season Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
9. ^ "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams". Forbes. November 20, 2013. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
10. ^ Smith, Chris (August 19, 2015). "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2015". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 20, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
11. Broughton, David (April 10, 2023). "Attendance evolution since 2003". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
12. Strong, Gregory (May 19, 2023). "Intentional Grounding: CFL coverage to take hit with fewer reporters on the road". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
13. Poli, Raffaele; Ravenel, Loïc; Besson, Roger (April 2019). "Attendances in football stadia (2003–2018)" (PDF). International Centre for Sports Studies. p. 3. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
14. "MLS expands playoffs, adds 2 teams in 20th season". USA Today. January 7, 2015. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
15. "Major League Soccer unveils 2015 schedule, with Decision Day finale and expanded playoff format". Major League Soccer. January 7, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
16. "MLS Cup Playoffs 101: How the 2013 postseason works". Portland Timbers. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
17. ^ "MLS rebuffs rich offer tied to relegation". Sports Business Daily. July 24, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
18. Mather, victor (October 29, 2020). "In M.L.S., the Pandemic Changes the Playoff Math". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020.
19. "A case for the Supporters Shield". Brotherly Game. August 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
20. "MLS All-Star Game creates opportunities for Portland, U.S. soccer: Editorial". The Oregonian. August 3, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
21. "Major League Soccer Provides Updates on All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 19, 2020. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
22. ^ "MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup canceled for 2020" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 19, 2020. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
23. "How the MLS Playoff Format Punishes Ambitious Teams". Forbes. October 15, 2012. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
24. Yardley, Jonathan (October 22, 2015). "Playoffs Around the World: Global leagues use variety of different formats to determine champions". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
25. "Major League Soccer Announces Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Format and Schedule" (Press release). Major League Soccer. February 21, 2023. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
26. "MLS announces new playoff format for 2023 season". Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
27. Lewis, Michael (June 19, 2010). "FIFA president Blatter says MLS needs to adopt int'l calendar to compete". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
28. "MLS May Change Its Schedule To Help The US's World Cup Bid". Business Insider. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on January 13, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
29. "MLS looks at switching to international schedule". USA Today. November 22, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
30. "Playoffs expand to 10 teams, more changes ahead" (Press release). Major League Soccer. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
31. ^ "MLS' Garber: No plans for international calendar". USA Today. February 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
32. "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
33. Floyd, Thomas (December 15, 2023). "MLS to skip U.S. Open Cup, nation's oldest soccer tournament". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
34. Carlisle, Jeff (March 1, 2024). "U.S. Open Cup revamp to feature just 8 MLS first teams". ESPN. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
35. Goff, Steven (March 1, 2024). "MLS is back in the U.S. Open Cup, but not every club will participate". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
36. "Concacaf announces qualification criteria for Confederation's expanded Champions League starting in 2024". CONCACAF. June 30, 2022 . Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
37. "Canada Soccer announces move to new timeframe for future Amway Canadian Championships". Canada Soccer. March 21, 2014. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
38. "2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Regulations" (PDF). Concacaf. October 25, 2023. pp. 14–19. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
39. Evans, Jayda (May 4, 2022). "One for the history books: Sounders clinch MLS' first CCL title in front of record crowd in Seattle". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
40. Creditor, Avi (May 4, 2022). "Seattle Ends MLS's CCL Futility, Routs Pumas to Win Concacaf's Title". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
41. "Major League Soccer and Liga MX Fuel Rivalry with New Partnership" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 13, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
42. Shoalts, David (September 19, 2018). "Mexico's Tigres get a little payback, defeat Toronto FC in Campeones Cup". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
43. Marshall, Tom (May 29, 2019). "MLS and Liga MX announce Leagues Cup". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
44. "Historic reimagined Leagues Cup starting in 2023". MLSsoccer.com. September 21, 2021. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
45. "Major League Soccer awards expansion team to San Diego" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 18, 2023. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
46. ^ "Learn about MLS". New York City FC. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
47. "Derby or Rivalry in MLS?". January 27, 2014. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
48. Rosenblatt, Ryan (June 13, 2023). "Baseball fields, playoffs, snow and All-Star Games: What new things await Lionel Messi in MLS?". ESPN. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
49. Baer, Benjamin (January 5, 2018). "Which team will have to travel the most, least in 2018?". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
50. "North American Soccer League Statistics". nasljerseys.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
51. Reed, J. D. (December 1, 1980). "It's Time for Trimming Sails in the NASL". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
52. Marketing and Football. Routledge. May 23, 2012. ISBN 9781136380648. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
53. ^ "FRASER v. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
54. "First MLS player in league history: US soccer legend Tab Ramos". MLSsoccer.com. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
55. "MLS kicks off to festive crowd, mixed on-field reviews". Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
56. "19 Teams with 1 Goal: A Spotlight on Major League Soccer", June 10, 2014.
57. "Trophy Case". D.C. United. May 19, 2011. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
58. ^ "MLS 3.0 Series: A History of MLS 1.0". Last Word on Sports. July 25, 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
59. "Resurgence and Expansion of the MLS". Soccer Politics / The Politics of Football. November 25, 2013. Archived from the original on December 9, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
60. "Shootout banned; TV lineup changed". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
61. ^ Holmes, Stanley (November 22, 2004). "Soccer: Time To Kick It Up A Notch". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
62. ^ "For M.L.S., the Sport's Future Is in the Eye of the Beholder". The New York Times. November 11, 2005. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
63. "MLS fans in several cities wait nervously for contraction decision". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
64. "MLS considering weight-loss program". Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
65. "Mls Boots Commissioner, Turns To Nfl For Successor". Chicago Tribune. August 4, 1999. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
66. Baxter, Kevin (December 5, 2015). "MLS goes from near extinction to remarkable success". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
67. ^ "The Throw-In: Did eliminating Tampa, Miami save MLS?". MLSsoccer.com. January 5, 2012. Archived from the original on September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
68. ^ "Columbus Crew history". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
69. Strutner, Matthew; Parrish, Charles; Nauright, John (2014). "Making Soccer "Major League" in the USA and Beyond: Major League Soccer's First Decade". Sport History Review. 45 (1): 23–36. doi:10.1123/shr.2012-0017. ISSN 1087-1659. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
70. Bell, Jack (March 23, 2002). "Making Big Plans to Build Stadiums, and Interest". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
71. Fraser v. Major League Soccer, 97 F.Supp.2d 130 (D. Mass 2000)
72. "MLS Cup 2002". Major League Soccer. October 20, 2002. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
73. "Formatting MLS, Part 4: Global Tradition, American Appeal". Waldlichtung. September 7, 2012. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
74. "Tim Howard club career". Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
75. Carlisle, Jeff (March 24, 2015). "Americans in the Premier League – why have numbers dropped recently?". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
76. "Jason Kreis still has something to prove". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
77. "Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA – Expansion rivalry a history lesson". RSL Soapbox. September 28, 2012. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
78. "Quakes History". San Jose Earthquakes. Archived from the original on September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
79. ^ "MLS 101: MLS Expansion Draft and Allocation Money". Portland Timbers. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
80. ^ McMahon, Bobby (August 5, 2012). "Has The 'Beckham Rule' Worked For MLS?". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
81. Lalas, Greg (April 17, 2007). "Foreign exchange program". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
82. "A brief guide to Major League Soccer". The Boot Room. June 8, 2012. Archived from the original on May 10, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
83. Romero, José Miguel (November 5, 2009). "Sounders success story, by the numbers". The Seattle Times. p. C3. Archived from the original on November 8, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
84. "New York Red Bulls sign international star Thierry Henry". New York Red Bulls. July 14, 2010. Archived from the original on July 16, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
85. "Atlanta expansion signifies changing landscape ahead for Major League Soccer". MLSsoccer.com. April 18, 2014. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
86. "Real Salt Lake: Monterrey wins CONCACAF Champions League, 3–2 on aggregate". Deseret News. April 27, 2011. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
87. "Spurs striker Robbie Keane joins MLS side LA Galaxy". BBC Sport. August 16, 2011. Archived from the original on August 22, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
88. ^ Baxter, Kevin (November 18, 2011). "MLS steadily builds toward goal of profitability". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
89. "Fire tie Impact in MLS opener". ESPN. Associated Press. March 17, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
90. Hughes, Jed (August 8, 2012). "NBA and NHL Get the Boot: MLS Is the 3rd Most Attended Sports League in America". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
91. "The expansion, refs, Cascadia: MLS Commissioner Don Garber covers it all in annual address". MLSsoccer.com. February 27, 2013. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
92. "Major League Soccer announces New York expansion team: New York City Football Club". May 21, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
93. "Major League Soccer Awards Expansion Team to Orlando". Orlando City Soccer Club. November 19, 2013. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
94. ^ "Retention funds explained: MLS reveals list of 14 players like Graham Zusi re-signed under initiative". MLSsoccer.com. August 2, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
95. ""FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo waits on US internationals: "More players are coming""". MLSsoccer.com. January 30, 2014. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
96. "The Throw-In: Enjoy MLS in 2014, because this league will never be the same again". MLSsoccer.com. March 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
97. Bennett, Roger (March 7, 2014). "MLS equals MLB in popularity with kids". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
98. Edwards, Andy (March 7, 2014). "2013 poll results: MLS equal to MLB in "avid interest" popularity among adolescents – SIDELINE". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
99. "Major League Soccer names Atlanta as 22nd franchise, set for 2017 debut". MLSsoccer.com. April 16, 2014. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
100. "De George: New clubs raising the stakes in MLS". July 6, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
101. "USMNT 0, Germany 1, FIFA World Cup, Group G Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com MatchCenter. June 26, 2014. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
102. Vaccaro, Adam (September 18, 2014). "Major League Soccer Unveils New Logo". Boston.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
103. ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (October 27, 2014). "MLS shuts down Chivas USA, realigns conferences". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
104. "MLS announces new strategy for Los Angeles market, 2015 conference alignment". MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
105. Stejskal, Sam (March 25, 2015). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Minneapolis represents everything that is spurring growth of MLS". MLS. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015.
106. Baxter, Kevin (August 23, 2015). "MLS develops a buzz with international influx of talent". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
107. Stejskal, Sam (August 19, 2016). "Minnesota United FC to join MLS in 2017, debuting at TCF Bank Stadium". MLSSoccer. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
108. "Commissioner Garber: Next round of MLS expansion "likely happening in 2020"". MLSsoccer.com. April 14, 2016. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
109. "Cincinnati set to welcome Commissioner Don Garber in push for MLS expansion". MLSsoccer.com. November 15, 2016. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
110. Couch, Ben (December 15, 2016). "MLS announces expansion process and timeline". MLSsoccer.com. MLS Digital. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
111. "MLS receives 12 applications by expansion submission deadline". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
112. ^ "Pro/rel component made $4B bid for MLS media rights a non-starter". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
113. Erickson, Andrew (October 18, 2017). "Without a Downtown stadium, Crew likely to bid adieu". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
114. Jeffery, James (May 27, 2018). "Columbus Crew: Two US cities fight over one football team". BBC News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
115. "City's MLS Franchise to be Dubbed Austin FC". Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
116. "Cleveland Browns owners emerge as potential buyers of Columbus Crew SC". MLSsoccer.com. MLS Digital. October 12, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
117. Axelrod, Ben (December 28, 2018). "Haslam family and ownership group finalize agreement to buy Columbus Crew". Cleveland: WKYC. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
118. ^ "Austin FC to Begin Play in MLS in 2021". MLSsoccer.com (Press release). MLS Digital. January 15, 2019. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
119. Rosano, Nicholas (December 20, 2017). "Nashville awarded MLS expansion club". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
120. "Nashville MLS expansion team unveils name, crest". February 20, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
121. "MLS finally awards Miami team to Beckham". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
122. ^ "Cincinnati awarded MLS expansion club, will start play in 2019" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 29, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
123. Newton, David (December 17, 2019). "Charlotte gets MLS' 30th franchise for record $325 million". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
124. Bogert, Tom (August 20, 2019). "Major League Soccer awards expansion team to St. Louis". MLSsoccer.com (Press release). MLS Digital. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
125. Hunn, David (December 14, 2018). "St. Louis hailed as 'great soccer city,' but MLS vote on expansion is a ways off". STLtoday.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
126. Carlisle, Jeff (February 26, 2021). "Sacramento MLS team on indefinite hold after investor pulls out of deal". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
127. Blum, Ronald (December 5, 2019). "MLS hopes to put 30th team in Charlotte, North Carolina". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
128. Goff, Steven (March 12, 2020). "MLS suspends matches for 30 days because of coronavirus outbreak". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
129. Tannenwald, Jonathan (March 13, 2020). "MLS, U.S. national teams and European soccer leagues shut down because of coronavirus". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
130. Torres, Luis (March 19, 2020). "MLS extends suspension, eyes playing MLS Cup in December". Pro Soccer USA. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
131. Carrick, Buzz (September 8, 2020). "MLS Next launches as US Development Academy replacement". 3rd Degree. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
132. ^ Gostomelsky, Adam (June 23, 2022). "A breakdown of Apple's Major League Soccer deal". Sports Media Watch. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
133. Rueter, Jeff (November 16, 2022). "MLS, Apple announce details of new deal: What to make of pricing, later kickoff times". The Athletic. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
134. Hernandez, Cesar (May 18, 2023). "San Diego awarded 30th MLS team, will debut in 2025". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
135. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
136. "It's official: Seattle to get MLS team in 2009". November 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
137. Carlisle, Jeff (October 21, 2019). "Sacramento awarded latest MLS expansion franchise". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
138. "MLS to expand to 28 teams with huge jump in fees for new entrants". USA Today. Associated Press. December 16, 2016. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
139. "MLS announces David Beckham's expansion team in Miami". ESPN. January 29, 2018. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
140. Bench, Emily (December 6, 2018). "Columbus Crew's proposed buyers pledging $645M total investment". Columbus Business First. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
141. Salazar, Daniel (December 19, 2018). "Austin and PSV finalize soccer stadium deal; MLS team likely to kick off in 2021". Austin Business Journal. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
142. Negley, Cassandra (December 16, 2019). "Charlotte's MLS expansion fee reportedly a record $325M — two-thirds more than recent expansions". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
143. "San Diego named 30th MLS club; debut in '25". ESPN.com. May 18, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
144. "MLS Trophies – By Trophy". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
145. "MLS guide: Learn more about Orlando's new pro league". Orlando Sentinel. November 19, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
146. "Dempsey Transfer Highlights Influence of MLS Single-Entity Economic Structure". Business of Soccer. August 26, 2013. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
147. "Roundtable: Is MLS Single Entity Here To Stay?". Hot Time in Old Town. February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
148. ^ "About Major League Soccer". Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
149. ^ Los Angeles Times, "MLS Looks Way Down the Field", March 29, 2006.
150. ^ "Major League Soccer Announces Elimination of Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion for 2002 Season". Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
151. "MLS' Don Garber Talks State of the League with the Daily". Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
152. ^ The New York Times, "Red Bull Is New Owner, and Name, of MetroStars" Archived May 31, 2014, at archive.today, March 10, 2006.
153. Baxter, Kevin (February 20, 2014). "Major League Soccer assumes ownership of Chivas USA". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
154. "Dear Fans and Friends". CD Chivas USA. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
155. "Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles". MLSsoccer.com. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
156. "Chicago Fire sold to Andell Holdings". Chicago Fire Media Relations. September 6, 2007. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
157. "Group led by Gabriel Brener acquires AEG's ownership interests in Houston Dynamo". MLSsoccer.com. December 16, 2015. Archived from the original on December 16, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
158. Wahl, Grant (December 3, 2014). "15 Years of The Don: Under Garber, MLS stayed afloat, has taken strides". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
159. Bissonette, Zac (December 5, 2014). "A sports league that's unprofitable—but hopeful". CNBC. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
160. "Mark Abbott". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
161. "Salary Guide". MLS Players' Association. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
162. Alcheva, Martina (May 27, 2021). "EFL Championship: What is the average salary in England's second-tier?". bolavip.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
163. "Dutch professional football continues financial improvement". Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
164. Carlisle, Jeff (January 7, 2015). "MLS confident new CBA will be done in time for March 6 season start". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
165. ^ "MLS Players Union announces that it has ratified collective bargaining agreement". Major League Soccer. July 16, 2015. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
166. ^ "2015 MLS Player Rules and Regulations Summary". MLS Press Box. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
167. "MLS Roster Rules and Regulations". MLSsoccer.com. MLS Digital. March 2, 2018. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
168. Goff, Steve (August 2, 2016). "Israeli club ups offer for D.C. United's Steve Birnbaum, but". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
169. "ASN article: MLS Allure: Why Wages Are Only Part of the Story". Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
170. "Recent analysis of foreign player pool in MLS reveals interesting numbers". MLSsoccer.com. September 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
171. "MLS remains most diverse professional sports league in North America". LA Galaxy. April 23, 2015. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
172. Koczwara, Kevin (November 4, 2016). "On MLS's Most Star-Studded Team, Brian Rowe Is the Last Line of Defense". Vice News. Archived from the original on September 5, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
173. Brenner, Steve (June 25, 2019). "Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS 'Pool Goalkeeper' Who Can Play for Every Club". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
174. Carlisle, Jeff (May 24, 2017). "Billy Heavner's life in limbo in Major League Soccer as a 'pool goalkeeper'". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
175. ^ Martin, Pat (May 4, 2007). "MLS comes out of the gates strong in '07". monstersandcritics.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
176. "2014 MLS Player Salaries: April 1, 2014: By Club" (PDF). Major League Soccer Players Union. April 2, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 18, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
177. Reese, Bill (January 30, 2014). "A Look at Income Inequality in MLS". Empire of Soccer. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
178. Fenn, Steve (April 11, 2014). "2014 MLS Salaries Visualized". StatHunting. Archived from the original on July 12, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
179. "The great allocation money chase". The Philly Soccer Page. June 26, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
180. Tomlich, Ryan. "MLS approves large TAM increase, additional Homegrown Player spending". Soccer by Ives. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
181. "MLS launches youth development initiative". ESPN FC. November 10, 2006. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013.
182. "MLS announces $37 million investment in Targeted Allocation Money, Homegrown Player funds for 2016–17". December 9, 2015. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016.
183. Bell, Jack (June 5, 2008). "Spanish Soccer Team Strikes Deal for Altidore". The New York Times. United States. Archived from the original on May 17, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
184. "U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2014–2015". Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
185. "US U-20 players headline 2006 class". ESPN FC. January 11, 2006. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
186. MLSsoccer.com, "Commissioner reveals details of Reserve Division" Archived November 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, November 16, 2010.
187. "MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League". MLSsoccer.com. January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
188. Bonagura, Kyle (June 21, 2021). "Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
189. "Seven MLS-Affiliated Clubs to Join MLS Next Pro in 2023" (Press release). MLS Next Pro. August 4, 2022. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
190. "U.S. Soccer ends Development Academy | Club Soccer | Youth Soccer". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
191. "Major League Soccer launches new elite competition for youth academies | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. April 16, 2020. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
192. "MLS Unveils New Youth Development Program Details". Associated Press. May 14, 2020 – via Sports Illustrated.
193. ^ The New York Times, "M.L.S. Continues to Bolster Growing Brand With New Stadium in Houston" Archived January 18, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, May 12, 2012.
194. Sports Business Journal, "MLS club presidents on the season ahead" Archived December 22, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, March 4, 2013.
195. ^ Sports Business Journal, "Soccer's visionary: Phil Anschutz" Archived February 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, June 5, 2006.
196. "StubHub Center – About". Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
197. "Executives". Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
198. "Rio Tinto Stadium Set To Open". Connecticut Sports Law. October 4, 2008. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
199. "Opinion: Is NYC FC's stadium deal a black eye for MLS?". Once A Metro. April 22, 2014. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
200. "Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen joined at the right time on stadium naming rights". The Oregonian. February 11, 2014. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
201. "Sporting Kansas City's Sporting Park will serve as host of MLS Cup". MLSsoccer.com. November 24, 2013. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
202. "The State of Soccer in Montreal". Last Word on Sports. July 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
203. Almond, Elliott (February 27, 2015). "Avaya Stadium: Breaking down Earthquakes' new digs". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
204. Schlueb, Mark (January 7, 2014). "Orlando officials, Orlando City Lions to brainstorm design for MLS stadium". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
205. "Your City Your Stadium: Update on Proposed Stadium Opening". Orlando City Soccer Club. January 13, 2016. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
206. Goff, Steven (December 17, 2014). "D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing field in MLS in many ways". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
207. Boston Globe,"Kraft family looks to build soccer stadium in Boston". The Boston Globe. November 18, 2014. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
208. "Vancouver Whitecaps History". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. October 11, 2010. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
209. Charles Bennett. "How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on August 15, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
210. Greder, Andy (July 28, 2016). "MLS expansion: Atlanta is lock for 2017, Minnesota expected to join them". Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
211. Van Berkel, Jessie (December 12, 2016). "Minnesota United officials say 'big dig' at stadium site will begin in spring". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
212. Quarstad, Brian (August 19, 2016). "Minnesota United to play inaugural MLS season at new home: TCF Bank Stadium". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
213. "Atlanta United to Start MLS Season in March 2017 at Georgia Tech's Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium" (Press release). Atlanta United FC. October 5, 2016. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
214. Baxter, Kevin (December 18, 2017). "LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
215. "It's official: Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Miami". MLSSoccer.com (Press release). MLS Digital. January 29, 2018. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
216. Deas, Tommy (January 31, 2019). "Nashville MLS team to open play in 2020 and play home games at Nissan Stadium". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
217. Rubbelke, Nathan (October 27, 2022). "With power restored at its stadium, here's when St. Louis City SC will host its first match there". ksdk.com. KSDK. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
218. Blanchard, Peter (April 25, 2024). "Hogsett makes his soccer pitch for MLS, upending future of Eleven Park deal". Government. Mirror Indy. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
219. Barton, Jamie (October 9, 2024). "Major League Soccer sets all-time attendance record in Lionel Messi's first full season". CNN. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
220. "(2023) MLS Team Value Ranking List". January 24, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
221. "ESPN, MLS Reach Eight-Year TV Deal That Includes Rights Fees". Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
222. "MLS agrees golden deal with MP & Silva – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer". January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
223. "MP & Silva extends MLS deal – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer North America". September 13, 2012. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
224. "American Family Insurance to be Atlanta United's first jersey sponsor". MLSsoccer.com. July 12, 2016. Archived from the original on July 16, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
225. "Austin FC enter multi-year deal with YETI to be official jersey sponsor". MLSsoccer.com. February 10, 2020. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
226. "Ally announces multi-year agreement with Charlotte MLS soccer" (Press release). Charlotte MLS 2021. December 17, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
227. chicagofirefc. "Chicago Fire FC Kicks Off Multi-Year Partnership with Carvana as Official Online Auto Retailer and Front of Kit Sponsor | Chicago Fire FC". chicagofirefc. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
228. "Colorado Rapids and UCHealth launch health-focused initiative as part of multi-year jersey rights deal". Colorado Rapids. November 15, 2022. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
229. "Crew announces jersey sponsorship deal with Nationwide". The Columbus Dispatch. February 27, 2020. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
230. "D.C. United Announce Multi-Year Front-of-Kit Partnership with Guidehouse, a DMV-Based Global Consultancy". D.C United. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
231. "FC Cincinnati sign jersey sponsorship deal pending MLS acceptance" (Press release). Major League Soccer. November 14, 2017. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
232. "FC Dallas Announces Partnership with Children's Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center". January 11, 2023. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
233. "MD Anderson, Houston Dynamo team up for one goal: end cancer". MLS. November 28, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
234. "South Florida Proud: Royal Caribbean Takes Center Stage on Inter Miami CF's Iconic Jerseys". Inter Miami CF. January 23, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
235. "Herbalife Renews Sponsorship With MLS Galaxy for a Record 10 Years, $44M". Sports Business Daily. March 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
236. "LAFC Announces FLEX Power Tools As Official Jersey Sponsor". LAFC. March 26, 2021. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
237. "Target becomes official MLS partner-Lands-Minnesota United jersey front". MLSsoccer.com. January 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
238. "BMO sign multi-million deal with Montreal Impact". June 15, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
239. "Nashville SC Unveils First Major League Soccer Jersey". NashvilleSC.com. Nashville SC Communications. January 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
240. "UnitedHealthcare, New England Revolution Announce Partnership" (Press release). UnitedHealthcare. April 22, 2011. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011 – via Business Wire.
241. "New York City Football Club Takes Flight with Etihad Airways Partnership". New York City FC. November 13, 2014. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
242. "Orlando City locks in Orlando Health as healthcare partner and jersey sponsor for MLS". News 13 Orlando. November 18, 2013. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
243. "Union soccer team wins sponsorship from Bimbo bakery". Philadelphia Daily News. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
244. "Portland Timbers unveil Tillamook as jersey partner | PTFC".
245. "Real Salt Lake & Utah Royals FC Unveil Major Long-Term "Community-Focused" Partnership With Intermountain Health". Real Salt Lake. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
246. Finley, Ryan (July 18, 2024). "San Diego FC announces jersey sponsor ahead of first Major League Soccer season". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
247. "NEWS: San Jose Earthquakes Score Big with Intermedia Cloud Communications Partnership". Earthquakes Communications. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
248. Evans, Jayda (January 20, 2023). "Sounders announce partnership with Providence Swedish. Here's a look at the new jerseys". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
249. Carp, Sam (February 11, 2022). "Sporting Kansas City name Compass Minerals as shirt sponsor in expanded deal". Sportspro. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
250. "A partnership born and bred in St. Louis" (Press release). St.Louis City SC. March 31, 2021. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
251. "Toronto FC keeps bank's name on jerseys". Sports Business Journal. October 28, 2013. Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
252. Adams, JJ (February 16, 2023). "Whitecaps get a new look and new sponsor as new season looms". The Province. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
253. Weinbach, John (September 28, 2006). "Major League Soccer to sell ad space on jerseys". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on April 28, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
254. Wartenberg, Steve. "Crew catching up financially to rest of MLS". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
255. "MLS to add jersey sleeve advertisements in 2020". NBC Sports. NBCUniversal. Associated Press. October 24, 2018. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
256. ^ Longman, Jere (July 8, 2007). "Beckham Arrives to Find a Sport Thriving in Its Own Way". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
257. Schwartz, Peter J.; Badenhausen, Kurt (September 9, 2008). "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
258. "Sounders FC's success resonates globally". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
259. Smith, Chris. "Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2018: Atlanta United Debuts On Top". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
260. Badenhausen, Kurt (May 8, 2024). "Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2024: Man United Leads, Top 50 Worth $80B". Sportico. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
261. Karstens-Smith, Gemma (April 26, 2019). "Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps voice concerns about Major League Soccer travel woes". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
262. Ruthven, Graham (July 1, 2019). "Window or aisle, Zlatan? Why MLS teams still fly commercial". The Guardian. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
263. "MLS players take off: charter flights, sharing media rights". USA Today. Associated Press. February 6, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
264. Johnson, Patrick (August 9, 2022). "Whitecaps' COVID-19 'benefit?' Charters, for starters, give club a road lift". The Province. Vancouver. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
265. Sitaramiah, Gita (October 27, 2021). "Sun Country Airlines to be official carrier of Major League Soccer". Star-Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
266. "Then and Now: How MLS Has Changed Since 1996 | San Jose Earthquakes". Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
267. "'Game First' initiatives enhance on-field product". Major League Soccer Communications. April 2, 2007. Archived from the original on April 26, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
268. "MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Davies for dive vs. RSL". MLSsoccer.com. June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
269. Contract Has Strict Drug Policy Archived January 29, 2019, at the Wayback Machine – Jack Bell, The New York Times, March 29, 2005
270. Straus, Brian (September 17, 2014). "Ahead of 20th season, MLS unveils new logo, branding to alter look". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
271. Wright, Chris (February 26, 2020). "Major League Soccer reveals epic new anthem by legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
272. "Toye: Fans are delighted the old NASL names, Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps and Quakes were saved". Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
273. Dure, Beau (2010). Long Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books. pp. 21–23. ISBN 978-1-59797-509-4.
274. Davis, Glenn (August 12, 2004). "On Soccer: Dallas Burn nickname about to become history". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
275. "Will the Kansas City Wizards become Sporting Kansas City?". Kansas City Business Journal. November 16, 2010. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
276. Straus, Brian. "MLS, Apple Partner on New 10-Year Media Rights Deal". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
277. "SBJ Media: Univision not close on MLS deal". Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
278. "Major League Soccer, FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN & RDS Announce Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements". MLSSoccer.com (Press release). December 13, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
279. "MLS, NBC announce three-year broadcast deal". MLSsoccer.com. August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
280. Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 29, 2012). "Analyzing NBC's ratings in its first season of broadcasting Major League Soccer". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
281. Bell, Jack (May 1, 2012). "KickTV Is on the 'Air' on YouTube". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
282. "MLS announces sale of KICKTV YouTube channel & soccer media platform to Copa90" (Press release). Major League Soccer. January 29, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
283. Settimi, Christina (August 17, 2020). "Major League Soccer Signs Content Deal With Bleacher Report; Streaming Deal Could Be Next". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
284. "NBC to end MLS deal in 2015; ESPN, Fox pay $70 million per year for new rights package". The Goalkeeper. January 9, 2014. Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
285. Das, Andrew (May 12, 2014). "M.L.S. and TV Networks Reach Deal to Set Weekly Slots for Games". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
286. "ESPN, Fox and Univision promise new emphasis to domestic game, MLS in landmark eight-year TV deal". MLSsoccer.com. May 13, 2014. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
287. "ESPN+ launching on April 12; MLS LIVE games moving to platform". MLSsoccer.com. April 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
288. "Every Game, All Season Long: MLS ON TSN Kicks Off its Complete Coverage of Vancouver Whitecaps FC This Saturday". Archived from the original on April 5, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
289. "TSN to broadcast all Whitecaps FC games beginning in 2014". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
290. ^ "Canadian national broadcast schedule for 2017 revealed; CTV to air 7 games". MLSsoccer.com. February 9, 2017. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
291. Delia-Lavictoire, Yvan (July 14, 2011). "Impact sign multimedia deal, name TVA Sports broadcaster". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
292. Armstrong, Laura (March 2, 2018). "MLS partners with DAZN to live stream U.S. matches for Canadian soccer fans". Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
293. "MLS and Sky Sports Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Broadcast MLS in the United Kingdom" (Press release). Major League Soccer. February 25, 2015. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
294. "MLS and British broadcaster Sky Sports announce groundbreaking partnership". MLSsoccer.com. February 25, 2015. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
295. Laghate, Gaurav (February 6, 2017). "Discovery launches sports channel DSPORT in India". The Economic Times. Mumbai. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
296. "Football Manager signs with MLS". Sports Interactive. May 13, 2004. Archived from the original on July 14, 2004. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
297. ^ "MLS Statistics: All-Time". MLSsoccer.com. MLS Digital. Archived from the original on October 9, 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
298. "2024 MLS Fact and Record Book.pdf". MLS Soccer. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
299. "MLS Announces 2013 Awards Finalists". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.

External links

• Official website

Links to related articles

v t e Major League Soccer seasons 1990s 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010s 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020s 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 v t e Soccer in the United States U.S. Soccer Federation USASA USCS State Soccer Associations League system History First game College Hall of Fame Awards Clubs International competition Champions Venues (stadiums by capacity soccer-specific stadium) Women's Men's National teams Senior (results players) U23 U20 U18 U17 U15 Beach soccer Futsal indoor soccer Paralympic Outdoor leagues Professional MLS History Playoffs MLS Cup USL Championship USLC Final USL League One NISA MLS Next Pro Amateur USL League Two NISA Nation NPSL CSL EPSL EPLWA GCPL The League for Clubs MWPL OVPL SFSFL UPSL USLPA Defunct AFA (1884–1924) ALPF (1894) APSL (2015–2018) NAFL (1895–1898) ASL (1921–1933) ASL (1933–1983) NASFL (1946–47) USA (1967) NPSL (1967) NASL (1968–1984) USL (1984–85) LSSA (1987–1992) ASL (1988–89) WSA (1989) USL 2nd (1990–2010) APSL (1990–1996) A-League (1996–2004) USL 1st (2005–2009) D2 Pro (2010) PLA (2015–2017) NASL (2011–2017) Indoor leagues Current MASL MASL2 MASL3 MLIS NISL PASL WISL Defunct NASL (1975–76, 1979–1984) MISL (1978–1992) NPSL (1984–2001) CISL (1993–1997) EISL (1997–98) WISL (1998–2001) MISL (2001–2008) AISL (2003–2008) XSL (2008–09) MISL (2008–2014) Futsal leagues MLF PFL Cup competitions Current U.S. Open Cup USL Cup National Amateur Cup Hank Steinbrecher Cup U.S. Open (indoor) Defunct AAFA Cup American Cup Lewis Cup Women's National teams Senior (players) U23 U20 U19 U18 U17 U15 Futsal Deaf Outdoor leagues Professional NWSL NWSL Challenge Cup NWSL Shield Playoffs USL Super League WPSL PRO Amateur USL W League WPSL UWS OVPL Indoor leagues NISL PASL Futsal leagues MLF International competitions SheBelieves Cup Tournament of Nations Club competitions Women's Open Women's Amateur Defunct leagues W-League (1995–2015) WUSA (2001–2003) WPS (2009–2011) WPSL Elite (2012) Youth Leagues AYSO ECNL NFHS USYSA Super Y League MLS Next USL Academy Competitions US Youth Soccer National Championships By city Houston Los Angeles New York City Seattle St. Louis Other topics Most expensive American soccer transfers Broadcast rights Soccer America Category v t e Soccer in Canada Canadian Soccer Association League system Seasons Hall of Fame Clubs Champions Club honours Stadiums Women's soccer in Canada Player of the Year award Men's national teams Senior results players records and statistics U-23 (Olympic) U-20 U-17 Beach soccer Futsal Women's national teams Senior results players U-20 U-17 Men's outdoor leagues Tier 1 Canadian Premier League Playoffs Finals Major League Soccer Playoffs MLS Cup Tier 3 League1 Canada Alberta British Columbia Ontario Québec MLS Next Pro Below tier 3 USL League Two United Premier Soccer League Alberta Major Soccer League Ligue de soccer élite du Québec Manitoba Major Soccer League Ontario Soccer League Pacific Coast Soccer League Vancouver Metro Soccer League Non-FIFA Canadian Soccer League Finals Women's outdoor leagues Professional Northern Super League (planned for 2025) Pro-am League1 Canada Alberta British Columbia Ontario Québec United Women's Soccer Indoor and futsal competitions MASL Futsal Canadian Championship Cup competitions Pro / Semi-pro Canadian Championship Finals Voyageurs Cup Women's Inter-Provincial Championship Amateur National championships Challenge Trophy Jubilee Trophy Provincial championships BC NL ON Other competitions Soccer at the Canada Games Croatian-North American Soccer Tournament College and university soccer U Sports men's Championship U Sports women's Championship CCAA Soccer National Championship Defunct Canadian leagues Canadian Professional Soccer League (1983) Canadian Soccer League (1987–1992) National Soccer League Pacific Coast Soccer League (1939–1973) Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League Western Canada Soccer League Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League Defunct American leagues United Soccer Association National Professional Soccer League (1967) North American Soccer League (1968–1984) Soccer Bowl Western Soccer Alliance American Professional Soccer League A-League Finals USL First Division Finals USSF Division 2 Professional League North American Soccer League (2011–2017) Soccer Bowl North American Soccer Football League USL W-League Related American leagues USL Championship Finals USL League One Women's Premier Soccer League Defunct cup competitions Inter-Provincial Cup Mainland Cup Open Canada Cup Victoria Challenge Cup WFA Challenge Cup Women's Voyageurs Cup Other Canadian clubs in American leagues Canadian clubs in international competitions Associations AB BC MB NB NL NS NT NU ON PE QC SK YT Historical: DFA (1877–1881) WFA (1880–1940) v t e Top-level men's football leagues of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) Current Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Bonaire British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Costa Rica Cuba Curaçao Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador French Guiana Grenada Guadeloupe Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Montserrat Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis (Saint Kitts, Nevis) Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sint Maarten Suriname Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States U.S. Virgin Islands Non-recognized Saint Barthélemy Saint Pierre et Miquelon Sint Eustatius (defunct) Associated members v t e Top-level professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada Men's Majors Major League Baseball National Basketball Association National Football League National Hockey League Major League Soccer Canadian Football League Other top-flight leagues Major League Cricket Arena football (AF1 IFL) National Lacrosse League Premier Lacrosse League USA Rugby League Major League Rugby Premier Rugby Sevens Major Arena Soccer League Ultimate Frisbee Association National Volleyball Association Women's Majors Women's National Basketball Association National Women's Soccer League Professional Women's Hockey League Other top flight leagues Women's Football Alliance Women's Lacrosse League National Ringette League Women's Elite Rugby Premier Rugby Sevens Softball (WPF AFP AUSL) Ultimate (PUL WUL) Volleyball (PVF LOVB) Others Individual Professional Bowlers Association Professional Bull Riders PGA Tour Tennis Association of Tennis Professionals Women's Tennis Association Motorsports IndyCar Series NASCAR Cup Series Other Major League Eating Major League Gaming USA Canada

• 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
• Summer association football leagues
• Top level association football leagues in North America