Major League Soccer (MLS) is an American soccer league that started in 1996. As of the current 2024 season, 29 teams play in the league. One other team plans to join in 2025. The commissioner of the league (the person in charge) is Don Garber.
MLS, founded in the United States, is a fully professional league with 29 teams, three of which are based in Canada. The United States Soccer Federation (USSF or U.S. Soccer), which runs soccer in that country, considers MLS to be the country's top men's league. The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), which runs soccer in Canada, considers the Canadian Premier League as its top men's league, but MLS has much greater Canadian media coverage and is seen as having a higher level of play. Referees are approved by U.S. Soccer and the CSA. In turn, both national governing bodies are members of FIFA, which governs all play between national teams and sets the rules for the sport along with the national governing bodies of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
MLS was formed in 1993 as a professional league, with play starting with 10 teams in 1996. The MLS regular season starts in late February and ends in November, with each team playing 34 games. The regular season is followed by a 14-team playoff tournament to decide the league champion.
Teams
Current
| Team
|
City
|
Stadium
|
Founded
|
Joined
|
Conference
|
Head Coach
|
| Atlanta United FC
|
Atlanta, Georgia
|
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
|
2014
|
2017
|
Eastern Conference
|
 Rob Valentino (interim)
|
| Austin FC
|
Austin, Texas
|
Q2 Stadium
|
2019
|
2021
|
Western Conference
|
 Nico Estévez
|
| C.F. Montréal
|
Montreal, Quebec
|
Saputo Stadium
|
2010
|
2012
|
Eastern Conference
|
 Laurent Courtois
|
| Charlotte FC
|
Charlotte, North Carolina
|
Bank of America Stadium
|
2019
|
2022
|
Eastern Conference
|
 Dean Smith
|
| Chicago Fire FC
|
Chicago, Illinois
|
Soldier Field
|
1997
|
1998
|
Eastern Conference
|
Gregg Berhalter
|
| Colorado Rapids
|
Commerce City, Colorado
|
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
|
1995
|
1996
|
Western Conference
|
Chris Armas
|
| Columbus Crew
|
Columbus, Ohio
|
Lower.com Field
|
1994
|
1996
|
Eastern Coference
|
Wilfried Nancy
|
| D.C. United
|
Washington, D.C.
|
Audi Field
|
1994
|
1996
|
Eastern Conference
|
Troy Lesesne
|
| FC Cincinnati
|
Cincinnati, Ohio
|
TQL Stadium
|
2018
|
2019
|
Eastern Conference
|
Pat Noonan
|
| F.C. Dallas
|
Frisco, Texas
|
Toyota Stadium
|
1995
|
1996
|
Western Conference
|
Eric Quill
|
| Houston Dynamo
|
Houston, Texas
|
Shell Energy Stadium
|
2005
|
2006
|
Western Conference
|
Ben Olsen
|
| Inter Miami CF
|
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
|
Chase Stadium
|
2018
|
2020
|
Eastern Conference
|
 Javier Mascherano
|
| Los Angeles FC
|
Los Angeles, California
|
BMO Stadium
|
2014
|
2018
|
Western Conference
|
Steve Cherundolo
|
| Los Angeles Galaxy
|
Carson, California
|
Dignity Health Sports Park
|
1994
|
1996
|
Western Conference
|
Greg Vanney
|
| Minnesota United FC
|
Saint Paul, Minnesota
|
Allianz Field
|
2015
|
2017
|
Western Conference
|
 Eric Ramsey
|
| Nashville SC
|
Nashville, Tennessee
|
Geodis Park
|
2017
|
2020
|
Eastern Conference
|
B. J. Callaghan
|
| New England Revolution
|
Foxborough, Massachusetts
|
Gillette Stadium
|
1994
|
1996
|
Eastern Conference
|
Caleb Porter
|
| New York City F.C.
|
New York City, New York
|
Yankee Stadium
|
2013
|
2015
|
Eastern Conference
|
Vacant
|
| New York Red Bulls
|
Harrison, New Jersey
|
Red Bull Arena
|
1994
|
1996
|
Eastern Conference
|
 Sandro Schwarz
|
| Orlando City SC
|
Orlando, Florida
|
Inter&Co Stadium
|
2013
|
2015
|
Eastern Conference
|
 Óscar Pareja
|
| Philadelphia Union
|
Chester, Pennsylvania
|
Subaru Park
|
2008
|
2010
|
Eastern Conference
|
Vacant
|
| Portland Timbers
|
Portland, Oregon
|
Providence Park
|
2009
|
2011
|
Western Conference
|
Phil Neville
|
| Real Salt Lake
|
Sandy, Utah
|
America First Field
|
2004
|
2005
|
Western Conference
|
Pablo Mastroeni
|
| St. Louis City SC
|
St. Louis, Missouri
|
CityPark
|
2019
|
2023
|
Western Conference
|
 Olof Mellberg
|
| San Jose Earthquakes
|
San Jose, California
|
PayPal Park
|
1994
|
1996
|
Western Conference
|
Bruce Arena
|
| Seattle Sounders F.C.
|
Seattle, Washington
|
Lumen Field
|
2007
|
2009
|
Western Conference
|
Brian Schmetzer
|
| Sporting Kansas City
|
Kansas City, Kansas
|
Children's Mercy Park
|
1995
|
1996
|
Western Conference
|
Peter Vermes
|
| Toronto F.C.
|
Toronto, Ontario
|
BMO Field
|
2005
|
2007
|
Eastern Conference
|
Vacant
|
| Vancouver Whitecaps
|
Vancouver, British Columbia
|
BC Place
|
2009
|
2011
|
Western Conference
|
Vacant
|
Future teams
MLS Cup winners
Related pages
References
