Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer, or MLS, is the top soccer league in North America. It has 30 teams—27 in the United States and 3 in Canada. The league is watched over by the United States Soccer Federation and is one of the big sports leagues in both countries. Its main office is in New York City.

MLS started in 1996, after the North American Soccer League ended in 1984. At first, it had money problems, but it grew over time. Today, about 23,200 fans watch each game on average, making it one of the most watched leagues in North America.

The regular season starts in late February and ends in mid-October. Teams play 34 games. The team with the best record wins the Supporters' Shield. Eighteen teams go to the playoffs in late October and November, leading to the MLS Cup championship match. The LA Galaxy have won the most MLS Cups, and Inter Miami CF won their first title in 2025.

History

MLS is the top men's soccer league in the United States and Canada. Before MLS, the main league was the North American Soccer League (NASL). The NASL brought famous players like Pelé and brought soccer excitement to the U.S. The NASL stopped because of money problems.

MLS started in 1995 and began playing in 1996 with ten teams. The early years were hard, but the league grew. Famous players like David Beckham helped make the league more popular. Today, MLS is one of the best soccer leagues in North America, with plans to grow even more.

Clubs

MLS has 30 clubs split into the Eastern and Western conferences. Teams play in special stadiums made just for soccer. Some teams travel very far to play each other. For example, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Inter Miami CF are about 2,801 miles apart.

Fun Facts

• MLS teams sometimes play in special cups for teams that are close to each other.
• The league has grown since 2005 and added new teams like San Diego FC in 2025.
• MLS plans to change its schedule to start in mid-July and end in May starting in 2027.