About MLS Tied
Major League Soccer (MLS) stands as the foremost professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup, MLS has since grown exponentially in both popularity and talent, reflecting the steadily increasing interest in soccer across North America. The league, which began its inaugural season in 1996 with just ten teams, has expanded to include 27 clubs as of 2021, with plans for further expansion in the near future. MLS operates on a franchise system and is unique among major U.S. leagues for its structure and operational model, which includes a single entity where teams and player contracts are centrally owned by the league.
In MLS, teams are divided into two conferences: the Eastern and Western Conferences. The regular season, running from late February or early March to October, sees each team play a set number of games, competing for the top spots in their respective conferences, which guarantees them a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The season culminates in the MLS Cup, the league's championship game, which has become a celebrated event in the North American sports calendar. Unlike many soccer leagues around the world, MLS does not feature promotion or relegation, maintaining a fixed set of teams each season, though this is a point of ongoing debate among fans and stakeholders.
The league's growth is also evident in its player composition and competitive level. Initially viewed as a retirement destination for aging European stars, MLS has transformed into a league that nurtures homegrown talent while also attracting promising international players. This shift has elevated the quality of play and global prestige of the league. The introduction of Designated Player Rule in 2007, allowing teams to sign players whose wages do not count towards the salary cap, has been instrumental in bringing high-profile players to MLS. This rule has seen the likes of David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and more recently, stars like Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Vela, gracing the league, thereby enhancing its appeal to a global audience. MLS’s commitment to growing soccer in North America, coupled with its community engagement and youth development initiatives, continues to solidify its place as a significant player on the global soccer stage.
