Major League Soccer#Ownership

{{See also|Supporters' Shield|MLS Cup|MLS Cup playoffs}}

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 30 teams in 2025, each team plays two games (home and away) against the others teams within their conference, and six games against teams from 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.{{cite news |last1=Mather |first1=victor |title=In M.L.S., the Pandemic Changes the Playoff Math |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/sports/soccer/mls-playoffs.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029172215/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/sports/soccer/mls-playoffs.html |archive-date=2020-10-29 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The New York Times|date=October 29, 2020 }} 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.{{Cite web|date=August 21, 2013|title=A case for the Supporters Shield|url=http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/8/21/4634894/a-case-for-the-supporters-shield|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031044518/http://www.brotherlygame.com/2013/8/21/4634894/a-case-for-the-supporters-shield|archive-date=October 31, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2014|website=Brotherly Game}}

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.{{Cite web |title=MLS All-Star Game creates opportunities for Portland, U.S. soccer: Editorial |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/mls_all-star_game_creates_oppo.html |date=August 3, 2014 |website=The Oregonian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811214656/http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/08/mls_all-star_game_creates_oppo.html |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}{{cite press release |date=May 19, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer Provides Updates on All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/major-league-soccer-provides-updates-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221123106/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/major-league-soccer-provides-updates-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup |url-status=live }} Since 2015, the final matchday of the season has been branded as "Decision Day" and has almost all matches played between intra-conference teams kicking off simultaneously during two windows—one for each conference.{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Sounders have plenty to play for as Decision Day looms Sunday |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-have-plenty-to-play-for-as-decision-day-looms-sunday/ |work=The Seattl eTimes |accessdate=December 23, 2024}}

Unlike most major soccer leagues around the world, but similar to other leagues in the Americas,{{Cite web |title=How the MLS Playoff Format Punishes Ambitious Teams |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zachslaton/2012/10/15/how-the-mls-playoff-format-punishes-ambitious-teams/ |date=October 15, 2012 |website=Forbes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806183526/http://www.forbes.com/sites/zachslaton/2012/10/15/how-the-mls-playoff-format-punishes-ambitious-teams/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} the MLS regular season is followed by a postseason knockout tournament to determine the league champion.{{cite news |last=Yardley |first=Jonathan |date=October 22, 2015 |title=Playoffs Around the World: Global leagues use variety of different formats to determine champions |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/playoffs-around-world-global-leagues-use-variety-different-formats-determine |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221202928/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/playoffs-around-world-global-leagues-use-variety-different-formats-determine |url-status=live }} {{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.{{cite press release |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Major League Soccer Announces Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs Format and Schedule |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-audi-2023-mls-cup-playoffs-format-and-schedule |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222131030/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-audi-2023-mls-cup-playoffs-format-and-schedule |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web|title=MLS announces new playoff format for 2023 season|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-new-playoff-format-for-2023-season|access-date=February 21, 2023|archive-date=February 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221201512/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-announces-new-playoff-format-for-2023-season|url-status=live}}

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,{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Michael |date=June 19, 2010 |title=FIFA president Blatter says MLS needs to adopt int'l calendar to compete |work=Daily News |location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_fifa_president_sepp_blatter.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629083851/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_fifa_president_sepp_blatter.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011}} causing some players to miss league matches.{{Cite web |title=MLS May Change Its Schedule To Help The US's World Cup Bid |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-22/sports/30041416_1_summer-schedule-mls-teams-don-garber |date=November 22, 2010 |website=Business Insider |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113134122/http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-11-22/sports/30041416_1_summer-schedule-mls-teams-don-garber |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |access-date=October 24, 2011}} 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.{{Cite news |date=November 22, 2011 |title=MLS looks at switching to international schedule |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-11-21-2487717250_x.htm |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107134551/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-11-21-2487717250_x.htm |archive-date=January 7, 2012}}{{Cite press release |title=Playoffs expand to 10 teams, more changes ahead |date=November 22, 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227160017/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/playoffs-expand-10-teams-more-changes-ahead |archive-date=December 27, 2010 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2011 |title=MLS' Garber: No plans for international calendar |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2011-02-14-garber-mls-schedule_N.htm |url-status=live |access-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107114514/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/mls/2011-02-14-garber-mls-schedule_N.htm |archive-date=January 7, 2012}} 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.

{{See also|MLS performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup |Campeones Cup |Leagues Cup|American soccer clubs in international 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.{{Cite web |title=Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920220525/http://www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} Starting 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,{{cite news |last=Floyd |first=Thomas |date=December 15, 2023 |title=MLS to skip U.S. Open Cup, nation's oldest soccer tournament |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/12/15/mls-us-open-cup/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=December 16, 2023 |url-access=limited}} 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.{{cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=March 1, 2024 |title=U.S. Open Cup revamp to feature just 8 MLS first teams |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39631836/us-open-cup-revamp-feature-just-8-mls-first-teams |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=March 1, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=March 1, 2024 |title=MLS is back in the U.S. Open Cup, but not every club will participate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/03/01/mls-us-open-cup-participation/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=March 1, 2024}} The last three teams to qualify are the champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher of the Leagues Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/champions-league/news/concacaf-announces-qualification-criteria-for-confederation-s-expanded-champions-league-starting-in-2024/ |title=Concacaf announces qualification criteria for Confederation's expanded Champions League starting in 2024 |work=CONCACAF |orig-date=First published June 1, 2022 |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=November 13, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601153122/https://www.concacaf.com/en/champions-league/news/concacaf-announces-qualification-criteria-for-confederation-s-expanded-champions-league-starting-in-2024/ |archive-date=June 1, 2022}} Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver compete against other Canadian sides in the Canadian Championship for the one CONCACAF Champions Cup berth allocated to Canada.{{Cite web |title=Canada Soccer announces move to new timeframe for future Amway Canadian Championships |url=http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-annonce-un-nouveau-calendrier-pour-les-prochaines-éditions-du-championnat-canadien-amway-p156082&language=en |date=March 21, 2014 |publisher=Canada Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016060453/http://www.canadasoccer.com/canada-soccer-annonce-un-nouveau-calendrier-pour-les-prochaines-%C3%A9ditions-du-championnat-canadien-amway-p156082%26language%3Den |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=August 1, 2014}} All three Canadian clubs may also qualify through MLS or the Leagues Cup. If a team qualifies through multiple berths, or they are taken by a Canadian MLS team, 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.{{cite web |title=2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Regulations |url=https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/atwi3fxa/2024-concacaf-champions-cup-regulations-eng.pdf |website=Concacaf |access-date=November 1, 2023 |pages=14–19 |date=October 25, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026041930/https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/atwi3fxa/2024-concacaf-champions-cup-regulations-eng.pdf |archive-date=October 26, 2023}} Seattle Sounders FC became the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup under the competition's updated format in 2022.{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Jayda |date=May 4, 2022 |title=One for the history books: Sounders clinch MLS' first CCL title in front of record crowd in Seattle |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/one-for-the-history-books-sounders-clinch-mls-first-ccl-title-in-front-of-record-crowd-in-seattle/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505044010/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/one-for-the-history-books-sounders-clinch-mls-first-ccl-title-in-front-of-record-crowd-in-seattle/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Creditor |first=Avi |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Seattle Ends MLS's CCL Futility, Routs Pumas to Win Concacaf's Title |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/05/05/seattle-sounders-pumas-unam-ccl-final-video-highlights |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505015303/https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/05/05/seattle-sounders-pumas-unam-ccl-final-video-highlights |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite press release |title=Major League Soccer and Liga MX Fuel Rivalry with New Partnership |date=March 13, 2018 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/13/major-league-soccer-and-liga-mx-fuel-rivalry-new-partnership |access-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023824/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/03/13/major-league-soccer-and-liga-mx-fuel-rivalry-new-partnership |url-status=live }} The inaugural edition saw Tigres UANL defeat Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto in 2018.{{Cite news |last=Shoalts |first=David |date=September 19, 2018 |title=Mexico's Tigres get a little payback, defeat Toronto FC in Campeones Cup |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-mexicos-tigres-get-a-little-payback-defeat-toronto-fc-in-campeones/ |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109081517/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-mexicos-tigres-get-a-little-payback-defeat-toronto-fc-in-campeones/ |url-status=live }}

Another inter-league competition with Liga MX, the Leagues Cup, was established in 2019.{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Tom |date=May 29, 2019 |title=MLS and Liga MX announce Leagues Cup |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3863630/mls-and-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123025944/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3863630/mls-and-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite press release |date=May 19, 2020 |title=MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup canceled for 2020 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/mls-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup-canceled-2020 |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529164623/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/05/19/mls-all-star-game-leagues-cup-and-campeones-cup-canceled-2020 |url-status=live }} Beginning with the 2023 edition all MLS and Liga MX teams participated in the competition, which functions as the regional cup for the North American zone of CONCACAF.{{cite news |date=September 21, 2021 |title=Historic reimagined Leagues Cup starting in 2023 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/historic-reimagined-leagues-cup-starting-in-2023 |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921202059/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/historic-reimagined-leagues-cup-starting-in-2023 |url-status=live }} As of the 2025 edition, only 18 MLS clubs will take part.{{Cite web |last=Bogert |first=Tom |date=2025-01-28 |title=MLS sets US Open Cup, Leagues Cup and Champions Cup update |url=https://www.givemesport.com/mls-sets-us-open-cup-leagues-cup-and-champions-cup-update/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=GiveMeSport |language=en}}

{{See also|Expansion of Major League Soccer|Major League Soccer defunct clubs|List of Major League Soccer coaches}}

{{MLS labeled map}}

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 in 2025.{{cite press release |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Major League Soccer awards expansion team to San Diego |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-to-san-diego-x9222 |publisher=Major League Soccer |accessdate=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518175919/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-to-san-diego-x9222 |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |title=Derby or Rivalry in MLS? |date=January 27, 2014 |url=http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/2014/01/derby-or-rivalry-in-mls.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20170525155859/https://ussoccerplayers.com/2014/01/derby%2Dor%2Drivalry%2Din%2Dmls.html |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014 }}

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 {{convert|2,801|mi|km}}.{{cite news |last=Rosenblatt |first=Ryan |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Baseball fields, playoffs, snow and All-Star Games: What new things await Lionel Messi in MLS? |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37839435/mls-quirks-await-messi-inter-miami-playoffs-baseball-fields-snow-turf |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=March 3, 2024}} During the 2018 season, the team with the shortest distance traveled over the entire regular schedule was Toronto FC at {{convert|25,891|mi|km}}, while the longest was Vancouver at {{convert|51,178|mi|km}}.{{cite news |last=Baer |first=Benjamin |date=January 5, 2018 |title=Which team will have to travel the most, least in 2018? |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/which-team-will-have-travel-most-least-2018 |work=MLSsoccer.com |accessdate=March 3, 2024}}

Notes

:{{note label|1|1|| Shared facility; not a soccer-specific stadium}}

:{{note label|2|2|| Standard reduced capacity for soccer; can be increased}}

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bar:4 color:Full from:1996 till:2005 text:Dallas Burn (1996–2004)

bar:4 color:Full from:2005 till:end text:FC Dallas (2005–present)

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bar:6 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:Los Angeles Galaxy (1996–present)

bar:7 color:Full from:1996 till:end text:New England Revolution (1996–present)

bar:8 color:Full from:1996 till:2006 text:New York/New Jersey MetroStars; MetroStars (1996–2005)

bar:8 color:Full from:2006 till:end text:New York Red Bulls (2006–present)

bar:9 color:Full from:1996 till:2000 text:San Jose Clash (1996–1999)

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bar:16 color:Full from:2007 till:end text:Toronto FC (2007–present)

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bar:17 color:Full from:2009 till:end text:Seattle Sounders FC (2009–present)

bar:18 color:Full from:2010 till:end text:Philadelphia Union (2010–present)

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bar:24 color:Other from:2010 till:2012 text:D-2 (2010)

bar:24 color:Other from:2012 till:2017 text:NASL (2011-16)

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bar:25 color:Full from:2017 till:end text:Atlanta United FC (2017–present)

bar:26 color:Full from:2018 till:end text:Los Angeles FC (2018–present)

bar:27 color:Other from:2016 till:2019 text:USL (2016–18)

bar:27 color:Full from:2019 till:end text:FC Cincinnati (2019–present)

bar:28 color:Full from:2020 till:end text:Inter Miami CF (2020–present)

bar:29 color:Other from:2018 till:2020 text: USL / USLC

bar:29 color:Full from:2020 till:end text:Nashville SC (2020–present)

bar:30 color:Full from:2021 till:end text:Austin FC (2021–present)

bar:31 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:Charlotte FC (2022–present)

bar:32 color:Full from:2023 till:end align:right anchor:till text:St. Louis City SC (2023–present)

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{{Main|History of Major League Soccer}}

{{See also|Soccer in Canada|Soccer in the United States}}

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.{{cite web| title= North American Soccer League Statistics| url= http://www.nasljerseys.com/Stats/Standings.htm| publisher= nasljerseys.com| access-date= January 17, 2014| archive-date= October 15, 2014| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141015082808/http://www.nasljerseys.com/Stats/Standings.htm| url-status= live}} 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.{{cite magazine |last1=Reed |first1=J. D. |title=It's Time for Trimming Sails in the NASL |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1980/12/01/its-time-for-trimming-sails-in-the-nasl-three-franchises-are-on-the-verge-of-going-under-as-the-league-grapples-with-the-effects-of-overexpansion-the-recession-and-union-troubles |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=October 18, 2021 |date=December 1, 1980 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018142640/https://vault.si.com/vault/1980/12/01/its-time-for-trimming-sails-in-the-nasl-three-franchises-are-on-the-verge-of-going-under-as-the-league-grapples-with-the-effects-of-overexpansion-the-recession-and-union-troubles |url-status=live }}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-OGcs9eQW0sC&q=north%2520american%2520soccer%2520league | isbn=9781136380648 | title=Marketing and Football | date=May 23, 2012 | publisher=Routledge | access-date=July 24, 2023 | archive-date=July 24, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724233054/https://books.google.com/books?id=-OGcs9eQW0sC&q=north%2520american%2520soccer%2520league | url-status=live }}

File:D.C. United trophy case.jpg, CONCACAF Champions Cup, Interamerican Cup, MLS Supporters' Shield, and U.S. Open Cup.]]

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.{{Cite web |title=FRASER v. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER |url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/200022797FSupp2d130_1215 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222131955/http://www.leagle.com/decision/200022797FSupp2d130_1215 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=First MLS player in league history: US soccer legend Tab Ramos |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/03/first-mls-player-league-history-us-soccer-legend-tab-ramos |date=January 3, 2020 |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229232819/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/03/first-mls-player-league-history-us-soccer-legend-tab-ramos |url-status=live }} 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 in front of 31,000 fans at Spartan Stadium in San Jose in a game broadcast on ESPN.{{Cite web |title=MLS kicks off to festive crowd, mixed on-field reviews |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/04/9/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLS-KICKS-OFF-TO-FESTIVE-CROWD-MIXED-ON-FIELD-REVIEWS.aspx?hl=MLS&sc=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403003646/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/04/9/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLS-KICKS-OFF-TO-FESTIVE-CROWD-MIXED-ON-FIELD-REVIEWS.aspx?hl=MLS&sc=0 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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."19 Teams with 1 Goal: A Spotlight on Major League Soccer", June 10, 2014.

D.C. United won the MLS Cup in three of the league's first four seasons.{{Cite web |title=Trophy Case |url=http://www.dcunited.com/club/trophy-case |date=May 19, 2011 |website=D.C. United |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622185524/https://www.dcunited.com/club/trophy-case |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014 }} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS 3.0 Series: A History of MLS 1.0 |url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/25/mls-3-0-series-history-mls-1-0/ |date=July 25, 2014 |website=Last Word on Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045941/http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/25/mls-3-0-series-history-mls-1-0/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

After its first season, MLS suffered from a decline in attendance.{{Cite web |title=Resurgence and Expansion of the MLS |url=https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/world-cup-2014/usa-soccer-and-world-cup-2014/resurgence-and-expansion-of-the-mls/ |date=November 25, 2013 |website=Soccer Politics / The Politics of Football |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209173530/https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/world-cup-2014/usa-soccer-and-world-cup-2014/resurgence-and-expansion-of-the-mls/ |archive-date=December 9, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014 }} 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.{{Cite magazine |title=Shootout banned; TV lineup changed |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1999/11/18/wednesday_teleconference/ |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221144053/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1999/11/18/wednesday_teleconference/ |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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 out of the 32 teams at the 1998 World Cup.

The league lost an estimated $250 million during its first five years, and more than $350 million between its founding and 2004.{{Cite news |last=Holmes |first=Stanley |date=November 22, 2004 |title=Soccer: Time To Kick It Up A Notch |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer:%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628194808/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer%3A%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2005 |title=For M.L.S., the Sport's Future Is in the Eye of the Beholder |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/soccer/11soccer.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220211629/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/11/sports/soccer/11soccer.html |archive-date=December 20, 2013}}{{Cite web |title=MLS fans in several cities wait nervously for contraction decision |url=http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/dec27.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115539/http://www.soccertimes.com/wagman/2001/dec27.htm |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}{{Cite web |title=MLS considering weight-loss program |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/s/2000/1228/977891.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211173513/http://espn.go.com/soccer/s/2000/1228/977891.html |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

The league's financial problems led to Commissioner Doug Logan being replaced by Don Garber, a former NFL executive, in August 1999.{{Cite web |title=Mls Boots Commissioner, Turns To Nfl For Successor |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/08/04/mls-boots-commissioner-turns-to-nfl-for-successor/ |website=Chicago Tribune |date=August 4, 1999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505072549/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-08-04/sports/9908040033_1_nfl-international-sunil-gulati-doug-logan |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=December 5, 2015 |title=MLS goes from near extinction to remarkable success |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html |access-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831050155/https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html |url-status=live }} MLS announced in January 2002 that it had decided to contract the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion, leaving the league with ten teams.{{Cite web |title=The Throw-In: Did eliminating Tampa, Miami save MLS? |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/throw-did-eliminating-tampa-miami-save-mls |date=January 5, 2012 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918025920/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/05/throw-did-eliminating-tampa-miami-save-mls |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

File:Mapfre Stadium (Columbus, Ohio) - aerial photo.jpg (the home of the Columbus Crew until 2021) was the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS.]]

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.{{Cite web |title=Columbus Crew history |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/columbus |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030033126/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/club/columbus |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite journal|last1=Strutner|first1=Matthew|last2=Parrish|first2=Charles|last3=Nauright|first3=John|date=2014|title=Making Soccer "Major League" in the USA and Beyond: Major League Soccer's First Decade|url=https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/shr/45/1/article-p23.xml|journal=Sport History Review|volume=45|issue=1|pages=23–36|doi=10.1123/shr.2012-0017|issn=1087-1659|doi-access=free|access-date=May 2, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803143255/https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/shr/45/1/article-p23.xml|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=March 23, 2002 |title=Making Big Plans to Build Stadiums, and Interest |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/23/sports/soccer-making-big-plans-to-build-stadiums-and-interest.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220064025/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/23/sports/soccer-making-big-plans-to-build-stadiums-and-interest.html |url-status=live }} 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.Fraser v. Major League Soccer, 97 F.Supp.2d 130 (D. Mass 2000)

The 2002 FIFA World Cup, in which the United States made the quarterfinals, coincided with a resurgence in American soccer and MLS,{{Cite web |title=Learn about MLS |url=http://www.nycfc.com/Fans/Learn-about-MLS |publisher=New York City FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720230433/http://www.nycfc.com/fans/learn-about-mls |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |access-date=January 23, 2017}} with MLS Cup 2002 drawing 61,316 spectators to Gillette Stadium, the largest attendance in an MLS Cup final until 2018.{{Cite web |title=MLS Cup 2002 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/mlscup/2002 |date=October 20, 2002 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516201220/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/mlscup/2002 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=March 16, 2012}} MLS limited teams to three substitutions per game in 2003, and adopted International Football Association Board (IFAB) rules in 2005.{{Cite web |title=Formatting MLS, Part 4: Global Tradition, American Appeal |url=http://exittheforest.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/formatting-mls-part-4-global-tradition-american-appeal/ |date=September 7, 2012 |website=Waldlichtung |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814155539/http://exittheforest.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/formatting-mls-part-4-global-tradition-american-appeal/ |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Tim Howard club career |url=http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players&id=11 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008055145/http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=players&id=11 |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}{{Cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Americans in the Premier League – why have numbers dropped recently? |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2331121/americans-in-the-premier-league----why-have-numbers-dropped-recently |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202013152/http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2331121/americans-in-the-premier-league----why-have-numbers-dropped-recently |archive-date=February 2, 2017}} Many more American players did make an impact in MLS. In 2005, Jason Kreis became the first player to score 100 career MLS goals.{{Cite web |title=Jason Kreis still has something to prove |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6435726/rsl-jason-kreis-to-prove |publisher=ESPN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224105448/http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6435726/rsl-jason-kreis-to-prove |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA – Expansion rivalry a history lesson |url=http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/9/27/3415314/real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa-expansion-rivalry-a-history-lesson |date=September 28, 2012 |website=RSL Soapbox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043328/http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/9/27/3415314/real-salt-lake-vs-chivas-usa-expansion-rivalry-a-history-lesson |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Quakes History |url=http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history#2006 |website=San Jose Earthquakes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923142115/http://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/history#2006 |archive-date=September 23, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

File:Red Bull Arena on the First Day.jpg.]]

In 2007, the league expanded beyond the United States' borders into Canada with the Toronto FC expansion team.{{Cite web |title=MLS 101: MLS Expansion Draft and Allocation Money |url=https://www.timbers.com/news/mls-101-mls-expansion-draft-and-allocation-money |date=November 22, 2010 |publisher=Portland Timbers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213229/http://www.timbers.com/news/2010/11/mls-101-mls-expansion-draft-and-allocation-money |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Has The 'Beckham Rule' Worked For MLS? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2012/08/05/has-the-beckham-rule-worked-for-mls/ |last=McMahon |first=Bobby |website=Forbes |date=August 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164245/http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2012/08/05/has-the-beckham-rule-worked-for-mls/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}

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.{{Cite magazine |last=Lalas |first=Greg |date=April 17, 2007 |title=Foreign exchange program |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421234847/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |archive-date=April 21, 2007}}

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.{{Cite web |title=A brief guide to Major League Soccer |url=http://tbrfootball.com/a-brief-guide-to-major-league-soccer/ |date=June 8, 2012 |website=The Boot Room |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510025120/http://tbrfootball.com/a-brief-guide-to-major-league-soccer/ |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Sounders success story, by the numbers |page=C3 |work=The Seattle Times |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html |access-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108012102/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2010203684_soundersnumbers05.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=New York Red Bulls sign international star Thierry Henry |url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry |date=July 14, 2010 |website=New York Red Bulls |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716223438/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |access-date=July 14, 2010 }}

The 2011 season brought further expansion with the addition of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the second Canadian MLS franchise, and the Portland Timbers.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta expansion signifies changing landscape ahead for Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer |date=April 18, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904090602/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} Real Salt Lake reached the finals of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League.{{Cite web |title=Real Salt Lake: Monterrey wins CONCACAF Champions League, 3–2 on aggregate |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700130691/Real-Salt-Lake-Monterrey-wins-CONCACAF-Champions-League-3-2-on-aggregate.html?pg=all |date=April 27, 2011 |website=Deseret News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630203252/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700130691/Real-Salt-Lake-Monterrey-wins-CONCACAF-Champions-League-3-2-on-aggregate.html?pg=all |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

During the 2011 season, the Galaxy signed another international star in Republic of Ireland all-time leading goalscorer Robbie Keane.{{Cite news |date=August 16, 2011 |title=Spurs striker Robbie Keane joins MLS side LA Galaxy |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14525931.stm |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822220337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14525931.stm |archive-date=August 22, 2011}} MLS drew an average attendance of 17,872 in 2011, higher than the average attendances of the NBA and NHL.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=November 18, 2011 |title=MLS steadily builds toward goal of profitability |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-xpm-2011-nov-18-la-sp-mls-finances-20111119-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214215450/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/18/sports/la-sp-mls-finances-20111119 |archive-date=December 14, 2014}} 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,{{Cite news |date=March 17, 2012 |title=Fire tie Impact in MLS opener |publisher=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/chicagofire/post/_/id/2396/fire-tie-impact-in-mls-opener |url-status=live |access-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201123730/http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagofire/post/_/id/2396/fire-tie-impact-in-mls-opener |archive-date=February 1, 2013}} while the New York Red Bulls added Australian all-time leading goalscorer Tim Cahill.

{{Main|Expansion of Major League Soccer}}

File:Sounders FC Inaugural Game Starting Lineup.jpg (2009)]]

File:LA Galaxy Game 10-16-11 024.jpg (2011)]]

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),{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1290390-nba-and-nhl-get-the-boot-mls-is-the-3rd-most-attended-sports-league-in-america | title=NBA and NHL Get the Boot: MLS Is the 3rd Most Attended Sports League in America | date=August 8, 2012 | access-date=November 14, 2023 | first=Jed | last=Hughes | website=Bleacher Report | archive-date=November 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114160317/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1290390-nba-and-nhl-get-the-boot-mls-is-the-3rd-most-attended-sports-league-in-america | url-status=live }} and was the seventh highest attended professional soccer league worldwide {{as of|2013|lc=y}}.{{cite web |work=MLSsoccer.com |title=The expansion, refs, Cascadia: MLS Commissioner Don Garber covers it all in annual address |date=February 27, 2013 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/27/expansion-refs-cascadia-commissioner-garber-covers-it-all-march-soccer-addre |access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322043641/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/27/expansion-refs-cascadia-commissioner-garber-covers-it-all-march-soccer-addre |url-status=dead }}

In 2013, MLS introduced New York City FC{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer announces New York expansion team: New York City Football Club |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football |date=May 21, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607111330/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/21/major-league-soccer-announces-new-york-expansion-team-new-york-city-football |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013}} as its 20th team, and Orlando City Soccer Club{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer Awards Expansion Team to Orlando |url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2013/11/18/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-orlando |date=November 19, 2013 |publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313012930/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2013/11/18/major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-orlando |archive-date=March 13, 2015 |access-date=November 20, 2013}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Retention funds explained: MLS reveals list of 14 players like Graham Zusi re-signed under initiative |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/retention-funds-explained-mls-reveals-list-14-players-graham-zusi-re-signed-unde |date=August 2, 2013 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821010506/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/08/02/retention-funds-explained-mls-reveals-list-14-players-graham-zusi-re-signed- |archive-date=August 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title="FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo waits on US internationals: "More players are coming"" |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/30/fc-dallas-technical-director-fernando-clavijo-waits-us-internationals-more-p |date=January 30, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909160833/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/01/30/fc-dallas-technical-director-fernando-clavijo-waits-us-internationals-more-p |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} By the 2014 season, fifteen of the nineteen MLS head coaches had previously played in MLS.{{Cite web |title=The Throw-In: Enjoy MLS in 2014, because this league will never be the same again |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/throw-enjoy-mls-2014-because-league-will-never-be-same-again |date=March 15, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910081417/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/14/throw-enjoy-mls-2014-because-league-will-never-be-same-again |archive-date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS equals MLB in popularity with kids |url=http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1740529/mls-catches-mlb-espn-sports-poll?cc=5901 |last=Bennett |first=Roger |date=March 7, 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528121913/http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1740529/mls-catches-mlb-espn-sports-poll?cc=5901 |archive-date=May 28, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}{{Cite web |title=2013 poll results: MLS equal to MLB in "avid interest" popularity among adolescents – SIDELINE |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/03/07/2013-poll-results-mls-equal-mlb-avid-interest-popularity-among-children |last=Edwards |first=Andy |date=March 7, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914183653/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/03/07/2013-poll-results-mls-equal-mlb-avid-interest-popularity-among-children |archive-date=September 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

In 2014, the league announced Atlanta United FC as the 22nd team to start playing in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer names Atlanta as 22nd franchise, set for 2017 debut |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/16/major-league-soccer-names-atlanta-22nd-franchise-set-2017-debut |date=April 16, 2014 |work=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503163618/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/16/major-league-soccer-names-atlanta-22nd-franchise-set-2017-debut |archive-date=May 3, 2014 |access-date=May 2, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=De George: New clubs raising the stakes in MLS |date=July 6, 2014 |url=http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20140706/de-george-new-clubs-raising-the-stakes-in-mls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910203145/http://www.delcotimes.com/sports/20140706/de-george-new-clubs-raising-the-stakes-in-mls |archive-date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=USMNT 0, Germany 1, FIFA World Cup, Group G Match Recap |url=http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-26-usa-vs-germany/recap |date=June 26, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com MatchCenter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901220234/http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2014-06-26-usa-vs-germany/recap |archive-date=September 1, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Vaccaro |first=Adam |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Major League Soccer Unveils New Logo |work=Boston.com |url=https://www.boston.com/news/business/2014/09/18/major-league-soccer-unveils-new-logo |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008232251/https://www.boston.com/news/business/2014/09/18/major-league-soccer-unveils-new-logo |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=October 27, 2014 |title=MLS shuts down Chivas USA, realigns conferences |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/MLS-to-shut-down-Chivas-USA-realign-conferences.html |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008204704/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/MLS-to-shut-down-Chivas-USA-realign-conferences.html |url-status=live }} Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference in 2015 to make two 10-team conferences.{{Cite web |title=MLS announces new strategy for Los Angeles market, 2015 conference alignment |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market |date=October 27, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028032910/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/27/mls-announces-new-strategy-los-angeles-market |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}

In early 2015, the league announced that two teams—Los Angeles FC and Minnesota United FC—would join MLS in either 2017 or 2018.{{Cite news |last=Stejskal |first=Sam |date=March 25, 2015 |title=MLS Commissioner Don Garber: Minneapolis represents everything that is spurring growth of MLS |work=MLS |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-minneapolis-represents-everything-spurring-growt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328124447/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/25/mls-commissioner-don-garber-minneapolis-represents-everything-spurring-growt |archive-date=March 28, 2015}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=August 23, 2015 |title=MLS develops a buzz with international influx of talent |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20150823-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831013103/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20150823-story.html |archive-date=August 31, 2015}} MLS confirmed in August 2016 that Minnesota United would begin play in 2017 along with Atlanta United FC.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota United FC to join MLS in 2017, debuting at TCF Bank Stadium |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-fc-join-mls-2017-debuting-tcf-bank-stadium |last=Stejskal |first=Sam |date=August 19, 2016 |website=MLSSoccer |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822124523/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-fc-join-mls-2017-debuting-tcf-bank-stadium |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 20, 2016}}

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".{{Cite web |title=Commissioner Garber: Next round of MLS expansion "likely happening in 2020" |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020 |date=April 14, 2016 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026024829/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/14/commissioner-garber-next-round-mls-expansion-likely-happening-2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati set to welcome Commissioner Don Garber in push for MLS expansion |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/15/cincinnati-set-welcome-commissioner-don-garber-push-mls-expansion |date=November 15, 2016 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116232548/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/11/15/cincinnati-set-welcome-commissioner-don-garber-push-mls-expansion |archive-date=November 16, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2016}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS announces expansion process and timeline |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-announces-expansion-process-and-timeline |last=Couch |first=Ben |date=December 15, 2016 |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203212031/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-announces-expansion-process-and-timeline |url-status=live }} In January 2017, the league received bids from 12 ownership groups.{{Cite magazine |date=January 31, 2017 |title=MLS receives 12 applications by expansion submission deadline |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/31/mls-expansion-deadline-12-teams-cities |access-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231092659/https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/31/mls-expansion-deadline-12-teams-cities |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |title=MLS rebuffs rich offer tied to relegation |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/07/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx |website=Sports Business Daily |date=July 24, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213135916/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/07/24/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS.aspx |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Pro/rel component made $4B bid for MLS media rights a non-starter |publisher=ESPN FC |url=http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3164341/was-$4b-bid-for-mls-media-rights-tied-to-adopting-pro-rel-grandstanding |access-date=July 25, 2017 |archive-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204183923/http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3164341/was-$4b-bid-for-mls-media-rights-tied-to-adopting-pro-rel-grandstanding |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |last=Erickson |first=Andrew |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Without a Downtown stadium, Crew likely to bid adieu |work=The Columbus Dispatch |url=http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20171018/without-downtown-stadium-crew-likely-to-bid-adieu |access-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620065110/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20171018/without-downtown-stadium-crew-likely-to-bid-adieu |url-status=dead }} The announcement spawned a league-wide backlash and legal action against the league by the Ohio state government.{{Cite news |last=Jeffery |first=James |date=May 27, 2018 |title=Columbus Crew: Two US cities fight over one football team |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44259849 |access-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529055524/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44259849 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |title=City's MLS Franchise to be Dubbed Austin FC |url=https://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/city-mls-franchise-dubbed-austin/NKsuids1tKnXyrbwozIOiP/ |access-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105659/https://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/city-mls-franchise-dubbed-austin/NKsuids1tKnXyrbwozIOiP/ |url-status=dead }} 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.{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2018 |title=Cleveland Browns owners emerge as potential buyers of Columbus Crew SC |work=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/12/cleveland-browns-owners-emerge-potential-buyers-columbus-crew-sc |access-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109003242/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/12/cleveland-browns-owners-emerge-potential-buyers-columbus-crew-sc |url-status=live }} The purchase of Crew SC by Haslam's group was finalized in late December 2018,{{Cite news |last=Axelrod |first=Ben |date=December 28, 2018 |title=Haslam family and ownership group finalize agreement to buy Columbus Crew |publisher=WKYC |location=Cleveland |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/haslam-family-and-ownership-group-finalize-agreement-to-buy-columbus-crew/95-8eefcae1-17a4-4363-95ef-0db963c6e8dc |access-date=February 11, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515110516/https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/haslam-family-and-ownership-group-finalize-agreement-to-buy-columbus-crew/95-8eefcae1-17a4-4363-95ef-0db963c6e8dc |url-status=live }} and on January 15, 2019, Austin FC was officially announced as a 2021 MLS entry.{{cite press release |title=Austin FC to Begin Play in MLS in 2021 |date=January 15, 2019 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/01/15/austin-fc-begin-play-mls-2021 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |work=MLSsoccer.com |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212123739/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/01/15/austin-fc-begin-play-mls-2021 |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |title=Nashville awarded MLS expansion club |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/20/nashville-awarded-mls-expansion-club |last=Rosano |first=Nicholas |date=December 20, 2017 |website=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=December 21, 2017 |archive-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220230933/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/20/nashville-awarded-mls-expansion-club |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Nashville MLS expansion team unveils name, crest |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-expansion-team-unveils-name-crest |date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001158/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-expansion-team-unveils-name-crest |url-status=live }}

File:FCC 02 (46722198394).jpg

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.{{Cite news |title=MLS finally awards Miami team to Beckham |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami |access-date=March 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228134028/http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite press release |title=Cincinnati awarded MLS expansion club, will start play in 2019 |date=May 29, 2018 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/29/fc-cincinnati-named-26th-mls-team-starting-play-2019 |access-date=May 29, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612112808/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/29/fc-cincinnati-named-26th-mls-team-starting-play-2019 |url-status=live }}

The league planned to expand to 30 teams with the addition of Austin FC in 2021, Charlotte in 2022,{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=David |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Charlotte gets MLS' 30th franchise for record $325 million |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4015203/charlotte-gets-mls-30th-franchise-for-record-$325-million |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613142150/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4015203/charlotte-gets-mls-30th-franchise-for-record-$325-million |url-status=live }} and Sacramento and St. Louis in 2023; however, this was reduced to 29 after Sacramento Republic FC's bid was placed on indefinite hold.{{Cite press release |title=Major League Soccer awards expansion team to St. Louis |date=August 20, 2019 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/20/mls-awards-expansion-team-st-louis |last1=Bogert |first1=Tom |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=MLSsoccer.com |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216175809/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/20/mls-awards-expansion-team-st-louis |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Hunn|first=David|title=St. Louis hailed as 'great soccer city,' but MLS vote on expansion is a ways off|url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/st-louis-hailed-as-great-soccer-city-but-mls-vote-on-expansion-is-a-ways/article_c2b23429-904a-5854-93a3-69c1f574c76b.html|website=STLtoday.com|date=December 14, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803161344/https://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/st-louis-hailed-as-great-soccer-city-but-mls-vote-on-expansion-is-a-ways/article_c2b23429-904a-5854-93a3-69c1f574c76b.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=April 18, 2019 |title=MLS announces plans to expand to 30 teams |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/04/18/mls-announces-plans-expand-30-teams |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419091453/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/04/18/mls-announces-plans-expand-30-teams |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=April 18, 2019 |work=MLSSoccer.com}}{{cite web|last=Carlisle|first=Jeff|title=Sacramento MLS team on indefinite hold after investor pulls out of deal|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4324773/sacramento-mls-team-on-indefinite-hold-after-main-investor-pulls-out-of-deal|website=ESPN.com|date=February 26, 2021|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603180553/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4324773/sacramento-mls-team-on-indefinite-hold-after-main-investor-pulls-out-of-deal|url-status=live}} Commissioner Don Garber has suggested that another round of expansion could lead to 32 teams in MLS.{{Cite news |last=Blum |first=Ronald |date=December 5, 2019 |title=MLS hopes to put 30th team in Charlotte, North Carolina |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/84dd3404b33318e07d4ce5d5323fad49 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170053/https://apnews.com/84dd3404b33318e07d4ce5d5323fad49 |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=March 12, 2020 |title=MLS suspends matches for 30 days because of coronavirus outbreak |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/03/12/mls-schedule-suspended-coronavirus/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316092920/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/03/12/mls-schedule-suspended-coronavirus/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=March 13, 2020 |title=MLS, U.S. national teams and European soccer leagues shut down because of coronavirus |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-mls-suspends-season-major-league-soccer-philadelphia-union-20200312.html |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318061840/https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-mls-suspends-season-major-league-soccer-philadelphia-union-20200312.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Torres |first=Luis |date=March 19, 2020 |title=MLS extends suspension, eyes playing MLS Cup in December |work=Pro Soccer USA |url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/mls-season-suspended-coronavirus/ |access-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319184202/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/mls-season-suspended-coronavirus/ |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |last1=Carrick |first1=Buzz |title=MLS Next launches as US Development Academy replacement |url=https://3rddegree.net/mls-next-launches-as-us-development-academy-replacement |website=3rd Degree |access-date=September 12, 2020 |date=September 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929225922/https://3rddegree.net/mls-next-launches-as-us-development-academy-replacement |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |last=Gostomelsky |first=Adam |date=2022-06-23 |title=A breakdown of Apple's Major League Soccer deal |url=https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2022/06/apple-mls-deal-questions-breakdown/ |access-date=2022-07-18 |website=Sports Media Watch |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623110755/https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2022/06/apple-mls-deal-questions-breakdown/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last=Rueter |first=Jeff |date=November 16, 2022 |title=MLS, Apple announce details of new deal: What to make of pricing, later kickoff times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3904200/2022/11/16/mls-apple-tv-details/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |accessdate=December 5, 2024}}

In May 2023, the league announced it would expand to 30 teams with the addition of San Diego FC for the 2025 season.{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Cesar |date=May 18, 2023 |title=San Diego awarded 30th MLS team, will debut in 2025 |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37676377/mls-names-san-diego-30th-team-debut-2025 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525183116/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37676377/mls-names-san-diego-30th-team-debut-2025 |url-status=live }} The 2024 season broke attendance records, with an average of 23,240 per match and over 11 million total spectators. The presence of Lionel Messi and other star players was credited with contributing to the record crowds, which included several matches moved to larger venues.{{Cite web |last=Barton |first=Jamie |date=2024-10-09 |title=Major League Soccer sets all-time attendance record in Lionel Messi's first full season |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/09/sport/mls-attendance-record-lionel-messi-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=CNN |language=en}}

In 2005, Toronto FC's ownership paid $10 million (about $16 million in 2024){{Inflation-fn|US}} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/its-official-seattle-to-get-mls-team-in-2009/ | title=It's official: Seattle to get MLS team in 2009 | date=November 13, 2007 | access-date=November 14, 2023 | archive-date=March 26, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326231212/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/its-official-seattle-to-get-mls-team-in-2009/ | url-status=live }} In 2013, New York City FC agreed to pay a record $100 million expansion fee for the right to join MLS in 2015.{{Cite news |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Sacramento awarded latest MLS expansion franchise |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3969740/sacramento-awarded-latest-mls-expansion-franchise |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231115850/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3969740/sacramento-awarded-latest-mls-expansion-franchise |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |date=December 16, 2016 |title=MLS to expand to 28 teams with huge jump in fees for new entrants |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2016/12/16/mls-to-expand-to-28-teams-with-150m-entry-fee-for-newcomers/95511822/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318061840/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2016/12/16/mls-to-expand-to-28-teams-with-150m-entry-fee-for-newcomers/95511822/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |date=January 29, 2018 |title=MLS announces David Beckham's expansion team in Miami |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami?src=com |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202012431/http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3361118/mls-finally-announces-david-beckhams-expansion-team-in-miami?src=com |url-status=live }} $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.{{Cite news |last=Bench |first=Emily |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Columbus Crew's proposed buyers pledging $645M total investment |work=Columbus Business First |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/12/06/columbus-crews-proposed-buyers-pledging-645m-total.html |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515110515/https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/12/06/columbus-crews-proposed-buyers-pledging-645m-total.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Salazar |first=Daniel |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Austin and PSV finalize soccer stadium deal; MLS team likely to kick off in 2021 |work=Austin Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/12/19/austin-and-psv-finalize-soccer-stadium-deal-mls.html |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621230908/https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/12/19/austin-and-psv-finalize-soccer-stadium-deal-mls.html |url-status=live }} In 2019, Charlotte FC agreed to a reported $325 million expansion fee.{{cite web |last1=Negley |first1=Cassandra |title=Charlotte's MLS expansion fee reportedly a record $325M — two-thirds more than recent expansions |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/charlotte-will-reportedly-become-30th-mls-franchise-for-record-325-m-twothirds-more-than-recent-expansions-212710659.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=January 17, 2021 |date=December 16, 2019}} The most recent expansion team, San Diego FC paid a record $500 million fee in 2023.

{{See also|List of MLS Cup finals|Supporters' Shield}}

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.{{Cite web |title=MLS Trophies – By Trophy |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/honors/trophies/trophy |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117183031/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/honors/trophies/trophy |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} The two trophies have been won by the same club in the same year on eight occasions (two clubs have accomplished the feat twice).{{Cite web |title=MLS guide: Learn more about Orlando's new pro league |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/11/19/mls-guide-learn-more-about-orlandos-new-pro-league/ |website=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 19, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715131354/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-11-19/sports/os-orlando-mls-soccer-facts-1120-20131119_1_mls-cup-mls-games-mls-teams |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.

{{notelist}}

{{See also|Major League Soccer owners}}

Major League Soccer operates under a single-entity structure in which teams and player contracts are centrally owned by the league.{{Cite web|date=August 26, 2013|title=Dempsey Transfer Highlights Influence of MLS Single-Entity Economic Structure|url=http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084436/http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/08/26/dempsey-transfer-highlights-mls-single-entity-economic-structure/|archive-date=August 12, 2014|access-date=September 20, 2014|website=Business of Soccer}}{{Cite web |title=Roundtable: Is MLS Single Entity Here To Stay? |url=http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay |date=February 28, 2014 |website=Hot Time in Old Town |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031111538/http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/2/28/5456444/roundtable-is-mls-single-entity-here-to-stay |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer Announces Elimination of Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion for 2002 Season |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082916/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/08/major-league-soccer-announces-elimination-of-tampa-bay-mutiny-and-miami-fusion-for-2002-season |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS' Don Garber Talks State of the League with the Daily |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228003815/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/04/Issue-135/MLS-Season-Preview/MLS-Don-Garber-Talks-State-Of-The-League-With-The-Daily.aspx?hl=FC%20Dallas&sc=0 |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.Los Angeles Times, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-29-sp-mls29-story.html "MLS Looks Way Down the Field"], March 29, 2006.The New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html?_r=0 "Red Bull Is New Owner, and Name, of MetroStars"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20140531232010/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/sports/soccer/10soccer.html|date=May 31, 2014 }}, March 10, 2006. 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.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=February 20, 2014 |title=Major League Soccer assumes ownership of Chivas USA |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-xpm-2014-feb-20-la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822080201/http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20/sports/la-sp-mls-chivas-20140221 |archive-date=August 22, 2014}} The league eventually dissolved the team,{{Cite web |title=Dear Fans and Friends |url=http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ |publisher=CD Chivas USA |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030005413/http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014}} in favor of awarding rights to a second soccer club in the Los Angeles area to a new investor group on October 30, 2014.{{Cite web |title=Major League Soccer awards new team to Los Angeles |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles |date=October 30, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101193554/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/10/30/major-league-soccer-awards-new-team-los-angeles |archive-date=November 1, 2014 |access-date=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.{{Cite news |date=September 6, 2007 |title=Chicago Fire sold to Andell Holdings |publisher=Chicago Fire Media Relations |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |url-status=live |access-date=August 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120024349/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/chicago-fire-sold-andell-holdings |archive-date=November 20, 2014}}{{Cite web |title=Group led by Gabriel Brener acquires AEG's ownership interests in Houston Dynamo |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |date=December 16, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216201123/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/15/group-led-gabriel-brener-acquires-aegs-ownership-interests-houston-dynamo |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015}}

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.{{Cite magazine |last=Wahl |first=Grant |author-link=Grant Wahl |date=December 3, 2014 |title=15 Years of The Don: Under Garber, MLS stayed afloat, has taken strides |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305192652/http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/12/03/don-garber-mls-commissioner-major-league-soccer |archive-date=March 5, 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Bissonette |first=Zac |date=December 5, 2014 |title=A sports league that's unprofitable—but hopeful |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305194831/http://www.cnbc.com/2014/12/05/major-league-soccer-mls-works-hard-to-become-a-profitable-business.html |archive-date=March 5, 2017}}

Mark Abbott, a former MLS business partner, has served as the league's president and Deputy Commissioner since 2006.{{Cite web |title=Mark Abbott |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |publisher=Bloomberg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305195054/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=32728860&privcapId=4312581 |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |access-date=March 4, 2017}}

File:David Beckham Nov 11 2007.jpg was the league's first Designated Player in 2007.]]

In 2016, the average salary for MLS players was $373,094,{{Cite web |title=Salary Guide |url=https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide |date=May 19, 2016 |publisher=MLS Players' Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615185627/https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2018}} lower than the average salaries in England's second-tier EFL Championship ($420,000 in 2015),{{cite web |url=https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-average-salary-in-theefl-championship-20210326-0022.html |title=EFL Championship: What is the average salary in England's second-tier? |website=bolavip.com |last=Alcheva |first=Martina |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814055611/https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-is-the-average-salary-in-theefl-championship-20210326-0022.html |url-status=live }} the Netherlands' Eredivisie ($445,000),{{Cite web |title=Dutch professional football continues financial improvement |url=http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820114358/http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/eredivisie_financial_improvement.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} or Mexico's Liga MX ($418,000 in 2015).{{Cite web |title=MLS confident new CBA will be done in time for March 6 season start |url=http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start |last=Carlisle |first=Jeff |date=January 7, 2015 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104757/http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2232135/mls-confident-new-cba-will-be-done-in-time-for-march-6-season-start |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS Players Union announces that it has ratified collective bargaining agreement |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |date=July 16, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022061339/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/07/16/mls-players-union-announces-it-has-ratified-collective-bargaining-agreement |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=October 25, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=2015 MLS Player Rules and Regulations Summary |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |website=MLS Press Box |publisher=Major League Soccer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424014409/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/roster-rules-and-regulations |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |access-date=May 1, 2015}}

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.{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2018 |title=MLS Roster Rules and Regulations |work=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations |access-date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226030351/https://www.mlssoccer.com/league/official-rules/mls-roster-rules-and-regulations |url-status=dead }} 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.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steve |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Israeli club ups offer for D.C. United's Steve Birnbaum, but |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510134413/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/08/02/israeli-club-ups-offer-for-d-c-uniteds-steve-birnbaum-but/ |archive-date=May 10, 2017}}

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.{{Cite web |title=ASN article: MLS Allure: Why Wages Are Only Part of the Story |url=http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916192944/http://americansoccernow.com/articles/mls-allure-why-wages-are-only-part-of-the-story |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015}} In 2015, 49% of MLS players were born outside of the U.S. and Canada, with players from 58 countries represented.{{Cite web |title=Recent analysis of foreign player pool in MLS reveals interesting numbers |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers |date=September 10, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912153409/http://www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2015/09/10/recent-analysis-foreign-player-pool-mls-reveals-interesting-numbers |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=MLS remains most diverse professional sports league in North America |url=http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america |date=April 23, 2015 |website=LA Galaxy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425222317/http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2015/04/mls-remains-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |access-date=April 24, 2015}}

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.{{cite news |last=Koczwara |first=Kevin |date=November 4, 2016 |title=On MLS's Most Star-Studded Team, Brian Rowe Is the Last Line of Defense |url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/kbd3ga/on-mlss-most-star-studded-team-brian-rowe-is-the-last-line-of-defense |work=Vice News |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-date=September 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905044535/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/kbd3ga/on-mlss-most-star-studded-team-brian-rowe-is-the-last-line-of-defense |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last=Brenner |first=Steve |date=June 25, 2019 |title=Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS 'Pool Goalkeeper' Who Can Play for Every Club |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842032-meet-charlie-lyon-the-mls-pool-goalkeeper-who-can-play-for-every-club |work=Bleacher Report |access-date=August 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020202459/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2842032-meet-charlie-lyon-the-mls-pool-goalkeeper-who-can-play-for-every-club |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://global.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3132935/billy-heavner-life-in-limbo-in-major-league-soccer-as-a-pool-goalkeeper|title=Billy Heavner's life in limbo in Major League Soccer as a 'pool goalkeeper'|date=May 24, 2017|first=Jeff|last=Carlisle|work=ESPN|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221094933/https://global.espn.com/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3132935/billy-heavner-life-in-limbo-in-major-league-soccer-as-a-pool-goalkeeper|url-status=live}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Pat |date=May 4, 2007 |title=MLS comes out of the gates strong in '07 |publisher=monstersandcritics.com |url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls/misc/mls_features_archive/mls_features_archive_050407.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=August 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524072946/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-mls%2Fmisc%2Fmls_features_archive%2Fmls_features_archive_050407.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2015}}{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019}}

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.{{Cite web |title=2014 MLS Player Salaries: April 1, 2014: By Club |url=http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201,%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |date=April 2, 2014 |publisher=Major League Soccer Players Union |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618064130/http://www.mlsplayers.org/files/April%201%2C%202014%20Salary%20Information%20-%20By%20Club.pdf |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Reese |first=Bill |date=January 30, 2014 |title=A Look at Income Inequality in MLS |work=Empire of Soccer |url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726234141/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/look-income-inequality-22820/ |archive-date=July 26, 2015}}{{Cite web |title=2014 MLS Salaries Visualized |url=http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |last=Fenn |first=Steve |date=April 11, 2014 |publisher=StatHunting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712170437/http://www.stathunting.com/2014/04/11/mls-salaries-visualized/ |archive-date=July 12, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}{{unreliable source?|date=October 2019}}

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.{{Cite web |title=The great allocation money chase |url=http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |date=June 26, 2012 |website=The Philly Soccer Page |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717212245/http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2012/06/26/the-great-allocation-money-chase/ |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2014}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Tomlich |first=Ryan |title=MLS approves large TAM increase, additional Homegrown Player spending |work=Soccer by Ives |url=http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211034629/http://sbisoccer.com/2015/12/mls-approves-large-tam-increase-additional-homegrown-player-spending |archive-date=December 11, 2015}} High-profile players for which TAM funds were used include Hector Villalba, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Giorgio Chiellini.

{{See also|MLS Next Pro|Homegrown Player Rule (Major League Soccer)}}

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.{{Cite web |title=MLS launches youth development initiative |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901 |date=November 10, 2006 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231220008/http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=391065&cc=5901 |archive-date=December 31, 2013}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS announces $37 million investment in Targeted Allocation Money, Homegrown Player funds for 2016–17 |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds |date=December 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131040701/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/12/09/mls-announces-37-million-investment-targeted-allocation-money-homegrown-player-funds |archive-date=January 31, 2016}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Spanish Soccer Team Strikes Deal for Altidore |work=The New York Times |location=United States |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517174541/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/sports/soccer/05altidore.html?ref=sports |archive-date=May 17, 2013}} 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.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2014–2015 |url=http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921020705/http://ussda.demosphere.com/Profiles/index_E.html |archive-date=September 21, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite web |title=US U-20 players headline 2006 class |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |date=January 11, 2006 |publisher=ESPN FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214081859/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=354854&cc=5901 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=September 15, 2013}} 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).MLSsoccer.com, [http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/commissioner-reveals-details-reserve-division "Commissioner reveals details of Reserve Division"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120213608/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/commissioner-reveals-details-reserve-division |date=November 20, 2010 }}, November 16, 2010. MLS began integrating its Reserve League with the league then known as USL Pro in 2013,{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2013 |title=MLS, USL Pro reach deal on restructured Reserve League |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126060258/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/01/23/mls-usl-pro-reach-deal-restructured-reserve-league |archive-date=January 26, 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.{{cite news |last1=Bonagura |first1=Kyle |title=Major League Soccer to launch development league in 2022 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4415507/major-league-soccer-to-launch-development-league-in-2022 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=ESPN |date=June 21, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216144436/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4415507/major-league-soccer-to-launch-development-league-in-2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/seven-mls-affiliated-clubs-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-2023 |title=Seven MLS-Affiliated Clubs to Join MLS Next Pro in 2023 |publisher=MLS Next Pro |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209024649/https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/seven-mls-affiliated-clubs-to-join-mls-next-pro-in-2023 |url-status=live }}

Following the folding of the Development Academy,{{Cite web|url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-soccer-ends-development-academy_aid47937|title=U.S. Soccer ends Development Academy | Club Soccer | Youth Soccer|website=TopDrawerSoccer.com|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804003325/https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/us-soccer-ends-development-academy_aid47937|url-status=live}} MLS announced its own development league in 2020.{{Cite web |last= |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer launches new elite competition for youth academies {{!}} MLSSoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-launches-new-elite-competition-youth-academies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204013928/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-launches-new-elite-competition-youth-academies |archive-date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |title=MLS Unveils New Youth Development Program Details |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/05/14/mls-youth-academy-development-program-us-soccer |via=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |date=May 14, 2020 |language=en-us}}

File:Columbus crew stadium mls allstars 2005.jpg's first stadium was MLS' first soccer-specific stadium]]

{{See also|Soccer-specific stadium|List of Major League Soccer 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 New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html?_r=0 "M.L.S. Continues to Bolster Growing Brand With New Stadium in Houston"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118143116/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-keeps-moving-up-as-houston-dynamo-open-stadium.html|date=January 18, 2017 }}, May 12, 2012. 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.Sports Business Journal, [http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx "MLS club presidents on the season ahead"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105726/http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/04/In-Depth/Presidents.aspx |date=December 22, 2015 }}, March 4, 2013. The establishment of soccer-specific stadiums is considered the key to the league and the ability of teams to turn a profit.Sports Business Journal, [http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx "Soccer's visionary: Phil Anschutz"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223021304/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx |date=February 23, 2014 }}, June 5, 2006. 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.{{Cite web |title=StubHub Center – About |url=http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915033548/http://www.stubhubcenter.com/about/about-stub-hub-center |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Executives |url=http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723035047/http://www.squidelephantdesign.com/sumworld/about/ |url-status=dead }}

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.{{Cite web |title=Rio Tinto Stadium Set To Open |url=http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |date=October 4, 2008 |website=Connecticut Sports Law |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021135738/http://ctsportslaw.com/2008/10/04/rio-tinto-stadium-set-to-open/ |url-status=dead }} Red Bull Arena, the new home of the New York Red Bulls opened for the start of the 2010 season,{{Cite web |title=About Major League Soccer |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210834/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/about-major-league-soccer |archive-date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} and the Philadelphia Union opened PPL Park, now Subaru Park, in June 2010, midway through their inaugural season.{{Cite web |title=Opinion: Is NYC FC's stadium deal a black eye for MLS? |url=http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |date=April 22, 2014 |website=Once A Metro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042050/http://www.onceametro.com/2014/4/22/5639350/nyc-fc-stadium-deal-is-a-black-eye-for-mls |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Portland Timbers, Jeld-Wen joined at the right time on stadium naming rights |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |date=February 11, 2014 |website=The Oregonian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814085900/http://www.oregonlive.com/playbooks-profits/index.ssf/2014/02/portland_timbers_jeld-wen_join.html |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} Also in 2011, Sporting Kansas City moved to new Livestrong Sporting Park, now Children's Mercy Park.{{Cite web |title=Sporting Kansas City's Sporting Park will serve as host of MLS Cup |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |date=November 24, 2013 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906141345/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/11/23/sporting-kansas-citys-sporting-park-will-serve-host-mls-cup |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=The State of Soccer in Montreal |url=http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |date=July 17, 2012 |website=Last Word on Sports |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050229/http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/17/whats-wrong-with-saputo-stadium/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=February 27, 2015 |title=Avaya Stadium: Breaking down Earthquakes' new digs |work=The Mercury News |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318062047/https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/02/27/avaya-stadium-breaking-down-earthquakes-new-digs/ |url-status=live }} Orlando City SC intended to begin constructing its soccer-specific stadium, now known as Exploria Stadium, in 2014 to be completed in 2015.{{Cite news |last=Schlueb |first=Mark |date=January 7, 2014 |title=Orlando officials, Orlando City Lions to brainstorm design for MLS stadium |work=Orlando Sentinel |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107,0,4518538.story |url-status=dead |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107205220/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-mls-soccer-stadium-orlando-20140107%2C0%2C4518538.story |archive-date=January 7, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Your City Your Stadium: Update on Proposed Stadium Opening |url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |date=January 13, 2016 |publisher=Orlando City Soccer Club |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114235507/http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/01/13/your-city-your-stadium-update-proposed-stadium-opening |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 13, 2016}} 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.

File:Soundersfcqwestfield.jpg, home of Seattle Sounders FC]]

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.{{Cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=December 17, 2014 |title=D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing field in MLS in many ways |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |access-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728112000/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ |url-status=live }} After 21 years of playing at RFK Stadium, D.C. 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.Boston Globe,{{Cite web |title=Kraft family looks to build soccer stadium in Boston |website=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |date=November 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121103133/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/11/18/krafts-exploring-soccer-stadium-boston/s7p5krvDeH1J7UgjlEIFtM/story.html |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=November 18, 2014}}

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,{{Cite web |title=Vancouver Whitecaps History |url=http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |date=October 11, 2010 |website=Vancouver Whitecaps FC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924082207/http://www.whitecapsfc.com/history |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} a retractable-roof stadium that hosts Canadian football as well as soccer.{{Cite web |title=How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |last=Charles Bennett |website=Bleacher Report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815204706/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could |archive-date=August 15, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Greder |first=Andy |date=July 28, 2016 |title=MLS expansion: Atlanta is lock for 2017, Minnesota expected to join them |work=Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730213051/http://www.twincities.com/2016/07/28/mls-expansion-atlanta-is-lock-for-2017-minnesota-expected-to-join-them/ |archive-date=July 30, 2016}}{{Cite news |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Minnesota United officials say 'big dig' at stadium site will begin in spring |work=Star Tribune |url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213212815/http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-to-hold-ceremonial-groundbreaking-for-st-paul-stadium/406049026/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016}} Until that time, the team played in Minneapolis at TCF Bank Stadium (now Huntington Bank Stadium), home to University of Minnesota football.{{Cite news |last=Quarstad |first=Brian |date=August 19, 2016 |title=Minnesota United to play inaugural MLS season at new home: TCF Bank Stadium |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |url-status=live |access-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823133049/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/08/19/minnesota-united-play-inaugural-mls-season-new-home-tcf-bank-stadium |archive-date=August 23, 2016}} 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.{{Cite press release |title=Atlanta United to Start MLS Season in March 2017 at Georgia Tech's Historic Bobby Dodd Stadium |date=October 5, 2016 |publisher=Atlanta United FC |url=http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175304/http://www.atlutd.com/post/2016/10/05/atlanta-united-start-mls-season-march-2017-georgia-tech-s-historic-bobby-dodd |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=December 18, 2017 |title=LAFC's stadium is coming together ahead of schedule |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |access-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201004212/http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-20171218-story.html |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite press release |title=It's official: Major League Soccer awards expansion team to Miami |date=January 29, 2018 |publisher=MLS Digital |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |access-date=November 25, 2019 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303091243/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/29/its-official-major-league-soccer-awards-expansion-team-miami |url-status=live }} Nashville SC played the 2020 and 2021 seasons at an NFL facility, the Tennessee Titans' Nissan Stadium, before opening Geodis Park in 2022.{{Cite news |last=Deas |first=Tommy |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Nashville MLS team to open play in 2020 and play home games at Nissan Stadium |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2019/01/31/mls-nashville-soccer-nissan-stadium-2020/2669544002/ |access-date=February 11, 2019}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |title=With power restored at its stadium, here's when St. Louis City SC will host its first match there |first=Nathan |last=Rubbelke |publisher=KSDK |website=ksdk.com |language=en |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101034443/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-journal/st-louis-city-sc-host-first-match-citypark-stadium/63-94372f87-2a3d-43ca-9ad0-941898f0d83b |url-status=live }} Construction of Eleven Park was tied to an application for an Indianapolis-based MLS team, initialized in 2024.{{Cite news |newspaper=Mirror Indy |date=2024-04-25 |accessdate=2024-04-25 |url=https://mirrorindy.org/indy-eleven-soccer-park-indianapolis-keystone-mayor-joe-hogsett-keystone/ |title=Hogsett makes his soccer pitch for MLS, upending future of Eleven Park deal |first=Peter |last=Blanchard |language=en-US |department=Government}}

{{See also|Major League Soccer defunct clubs|List of professional sports leagues by revenue}}

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.{{Cite web |title=ESPN, MLS Reach Eight-Year TV Deal That Includes Rights Fees |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224183626/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2006/08/Issue-216/Sports-Media/ESPN-MLS-Reach-Eight-Year-TV-Deal-That-Includes-Rights-Fees.aspx |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS agrees golden deal with MP & Silva – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer |date=January 27, 2009 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930090527/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls_agrees_golden_deal_with_mp_silva |archive-date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}}{{Cite web |title=MP & Silva extends MLS deal – Sports Broadcast news – Soccer North America |date=September 13, 2012 |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007161729/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mp_silva_extends_mls_deal/ |archive-date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=September 15, 2013}} In 2011, MLS earned $150 million when it sold a 25% stake in SUM.

{{clear right}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Weinbach |first=John |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Major League Soccer to sell ad space on jerseys |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428093129/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |archive-date=April 28, 2008}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Crew catching up financially to rest of MLS |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html |last=Wartenberg |first=Steve |website=The Columbus Dispatch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031064036/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2012/09/13/scoring-goals.html |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} Sleeve sponsorship was introduced to MLS in the 2020 season, with the teams able to sell a {{convert|2|by|2|in|mm|adj=on}} section on the right arm where the league logo patch is normally positioned.{{Cite news |date=October 24, 2018 |title=MLS to add jersey sleeve advertisements in 2020 |work=NBC Sports |publisher=NBCUniversal |agency=Associated Press |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/mls-to-add-jersey-sleeve-advertisements-in-2020/ |access-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025150213/https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/10/24/mls-to-add-jersey-sleeve-advertisements-in-2020/ |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 8, 2007 |title=Beckham Arrives to Find a Sport Thriving in Its Own Way |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |url-status=live |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611010332/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |archive-date=June 11, 2015}}{{Cite news |last1=Schwartz |first1=Peter J. |last2=Badenhausen |first2=Kurt |date=September 9, 2008 |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925152556/http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html |archive-date=September 25, 2011}}{{Cite web |title=Sounders FC's success resonates globally |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html |website=The Seattle Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202060935/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/sounders/2013242565_soundersfc24.html |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Chris |title=Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Teams 2018: Atlanta United Debuts On Top |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/11/14/mls-most-valuable-teams-2018/?src=rss |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130031806/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/11/14/mls-most-valuable-teams-2018/?src=rss |url-status=live }} 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).{{cite news |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2024: Man United Leads, Top 50 Worth $80B |url=https://www.sportico.com/feature/worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams-football-club-1234721285/ |work=Sportico |accessdate=May 8, 2024}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Karstens-Smith |first=Gemma |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps voice concerns about Major League Soccer travel woes |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-montreal-impact-vancouver-whitecaps-voice-concerns-about-major-league/ |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426141803/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-montreal-impact-vancouver-whitecaps-voice-concerns-about-major-league/ |url-status=live }} These commercial flights were often non-direct, requiring transfers and layovers, and contributed to long travel days.{{cite news |last=Ruthven |first=Graham |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Window or aisle, Zlatan? Why MLS teams still fly commercial |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/01/mls-flights-commercial-travel-soccer |work=The Guardian |accessdate=December 19, 2023}} 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.{{cite news |date=February 6, 2020 |title=MLS players take off: charter flights, sharing media rights |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2020/02/06/mls-players-agree-to-new-contract/41149717/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Patrick |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Whitecaps' COVID-19 'benefit?' Charters, for starters, give club a road lift |url=https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/covid-19-benefit-charters-for-starters-give-club-a-road-lift |work=The Province |location=Vancouver |accessdate=December 19, 2023}} Sun Country Airlines has provided charter service to MLS teams since 2020 and became the league's official carrier in 2022.{{cite news |last=Sitaramiah |first=Gita |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Sun Country Airlines to be official carrier of Major League Soccer |url=https://www.startribune.com/sun-country-airlines-to-be-official-carrier-of-major-league-soccer/600110383/ |work=Star-Tribune |accessdate=December 19, 2023}}

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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/then-and-now-how-mls-has-changed-1996-0 |title=Then and Now: How MLS Has Changed Since 1996 | San Jose Earthquakes |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110184902/https://www.sjearthquakes.com/news/then-and-now-how-mls-has-changed-1996-0 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2007 |title='Game First' initiatives enhance on-field product |publisher=Major League Soccer Communications |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426134827/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |archive-date=April 26, 2008}}

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.{{Cite web |title=MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Davies for dive vs. RSL |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation |date=June 24, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230231605/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/24/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-davies-simulation |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

MLS uses the list of banned substances published by the World Anti-Doping Agency.[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/sports/soccer/contract-has-strict-drug-policy.html Contract Has Strict Drug Policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010445/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/sports/soccer/contract-has-strict-drug-policy.html |date=January 29, 2019 }} – Jack Bell, The New York Times, March 29, 2005

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.{{Cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |date=September 17, 2014 |title=Ahead of 20th season, MLS unveils new logo, branding to alter look |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/17/new-mls-logo-crest-shield-major-league-soccer |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228043904/https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/17/new-mls-logo-crest-shield-major-league-soccer |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Chris |date=February 26, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer reveals epic new anthem by legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4060719/major-league-soccer-reveals-epic-new-anthem-by-legendary-hollywood-composer-hans-zimmer |access-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226183128/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4060719/major-league-soccer-reveals-epic-new-anthem-by-legendary-hollywood-composer-hans-zimmer |url-status=live }}

{{for-text|more information on MLS team names|the individual team entries}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Toye: Fans are delighted the old NASL names, Sounders, Timbers, Whitecaps and Quakes were saved |url=http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202155940/http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/09/24/toye-fans-are-delighted-the-old-nasl-names-sounders-timbers-whitecaps-and-quakes-were-saved/71346 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

D.C. United was the only MLS team to adopt European naming conventions during the 1990s.{{Cite book |last=Dure |first=Beau |title=Long Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer |publisher=Potomac Books |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-59797-509-4 |location=Dulles, Virginia |pages=21–23}} 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),{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Glenn |date=August 12, 2004 |title=On Soccer: Dallas Burn nickname about to become history |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/on-soccer-dallas-burn-nickname-about-to-become-1974994.php |work=Houston Chronicle |accessdate=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713045533/https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/on-soccer-dallas-burn-nickname-about-to-become-1974994.php |url-status=live }} Sporting Kansas City (formerly the Kansas City Wizards),{{Cite web |title=Will the Kansas City Wizards become Sporting Kansas City? |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all |date=November 16, 2010 |website=Kansas City Business Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822033753/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2010/11/will-the-kansas-city-wizards-become.html?page=all |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}} 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.

{{Main|Major League Soccer on television}}

{{See also|List of current Major League Soccer broadcasters}}

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.{{Cite magazine |last=Straus |first=Brian |title=MLS, Apple Partner on New 10-Year Media Rights Deal |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/06/14/mls-apple-partner-broadcast-tv-rights-media-deal |access-date=2022-06-14 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614162215/https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/06/14/mls-apple-partner-broadcast-tv-rights-media-deal |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=SBJ Media: Univision not close on MLS deal |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2022/07/25.aspx |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006162428/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2022/07/25.aspx |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite press release |title=Major League Soccer, FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN & RDS Announce Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements |date=December 13, 2022 |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-fox-sports-televisaunivision-tsn-rds-announce-multi-year-lin |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=MLSSoccer.com |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229074017/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/major-league-soccer-fox-sports-televisaunivision-tsn-rds-announce-multi-year-lin |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2011 |title=MLS, NBC announce three-year broadcast deal |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025033032/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/10/mls-nbc-sports-agree-three-year-broadcast-deal |archive-date=October 25, 2011 |access-date=October 11, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com}} The move from Fox Soccer to the more widely distributed NBCSN caused viewership numbers to double for the 2012 season.{{Cite news |last=Tannenwald |first=Jonathan |date=November 29, 2012 |title=Analyzing NBC's ratings in its first season of broadcasting Major League Soccer |work=Philadelphia Daily News |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Analyzing-NBCs-ratings-in-its-first-season-of-broadcasting-Major-League-Soccer.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015092025/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Analyzing-NBCs-ratings-in-its-first-season-of-broadcasting-Major-League-Soccer.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}

Soccer United Marketing partnered with Google and Bedrocket Media Ventures in 2012 to launch "KickTV", a premium YouTube channel with original soccer programming.{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=May 1, 2012 |title=KickTV Is on the 'Air' on YouTube |work=The New York Times |url=https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/kicktv-is-on-the-air-on-youtube/ |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122081342/https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/kicktv-is-on-the-air-on-youtube/ |url-status=live }} KickTV was sold to Copa90 in 2015 to form its American branch.{{Cite press release |title=MLS announces sale of KICKTV YouTube channel & soccer media platform to Copa90 |date=January 29, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/01/29/mls-announces-sale-kicktv-youtube-channel-soccer-media-platform-copa90 |access-date=August 17, 2020}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Settimi |first=Christina |date=August 17, 2020 |title=Major League Soccer Signs Content Deal With Bleacher Report; Streaming Deal Could Be Next |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/08/17/major-league-soccer-signs-deal-with-bleacher-report-invites-company-to-bid-on-broadcast-rights/#3ae14c224b39 |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415164608/https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/08/17/major-league-soccer-signs-deal-with-bleacher-report-invites-company-to-bid-on-broadcast-rights/#3ae14c224b39 |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite web |title=NBC to end MLS deal in 2015; ESPN, Fox pay $70 million per year for new rights package |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NBC-to-lose-MLS-rights-in-2015-ESPN-Fox-likely-to-share-new-deal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114221044/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/NBC-to-lose-MLS-rights-in-2015-ESPN-Fox-likely-to-share-new-deal.html |archive-date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2014 |website=The Goalkeeper|date=January 9, 2014 }}{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Andrew |date=May 12, 2014 |title=M.L.S. and TV Networks Reach Deal to Set Weekly Slots for Games |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-and-tv-networks-reach-deal-to-set-weekly-slots-for-games.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513214511/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/13/sports/soccer/mls-and-tv-networks-reach-deal-to-set-weekly-slots-for-games.html?_r=0 |archive-date=May 13, 2014}}{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2014 |title=ESPN, Fox and Univision promise new emphasis to domestic game, MLS in landmark eight-year TV deal |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/espn-fox-and-univision-promise-new-emphasis-domestic-game-mls-landmark-eight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513163155/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/05/12/espn-fox-and-univision-promise-new-emphasis-domestic-game-mls-landmark-eight |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |website=MLSsoccer.com}}

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.{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2018 |title=ESPN+ launching on April 12; MLS LIVE games moving to platform |work=MLSsoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/13/mls-live-be-added-espn-lineup-spring-free-fans-until-espn |access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040419/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/13/mls-live-be-added-espn-lineup-spring-free-fans-until-espn |url-status=live }}

File:2012 Impact Montreal Stade Saputo.jpg hosting D.C. United (August 2012).]]

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.{{Cite web |title=Every Game, All Season Long: MLS ON TSN Kicks Off its Complete Coverage of Vancouver Whitecaps FC This Saturday |url=http://www.bellmediapr.ca/Network/TSN/Press/Every-Game-All-Season-Long-MLS-ON-TSN-Kicks-Off-its-Complete-Coverage-of-Vancouver-Whitecaps-FC-This-Saturday- |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140405171947/http://www.bellmediapr.ca/Network/TSN/Press/Every-Game-All-Season-Long-MLS-ON-TSN-Kicks-Off-its-Complete-Coverage-of-Vancouver-Whitecaps-FC-This-Saturday- |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2014 }}{{Cite web |title=TSN to broadcast all Whitecaps FC games beginning in 2014 |url=https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439310 |publisher=The Sports Network |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201161233/http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=439310 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |access-date=January 21, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Canadian national broadcast schedule for 2017 revealed; CTV to air 7 games |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/09/canadian-national-broadcast-schedule-2017-revealed-ctv-air-7-games |date=February 9, 2017 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155844/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/09/canadian-national-broadcast-schedule-2017-revealed-ctv-air-7-games |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |access-date=February 22, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Impact sign multimedia deal, name TVA Sports broadcaster |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/14/impact-sign-multimedia-deal-name-tva-sports-broadcaster |last=Delia-Lavictoire |first=Yvan |date=July 14, 2011 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817051921/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/14/impact-sign-multimedia-deal-name-tva-sports-broadcaster |archive-date=August 17, 2011 |access-date=August 7, 2011}}

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).{{Cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Laura |date=March 2, 2018 |title=MLS partners with DAZN to live stream U.S. matches for Canadian soccer fans |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2018/03/02/mls-partners-with-dazn-to-live-stream-us-matches-for-canadian-soccer-fans.html |access-date=March 4, 2018 |issn=0319-0781 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303214646/https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/2018/03/02/mls-partners-with-dazn-to-live-stream-us-matches-for-canadian-soccer-fans.html |url-status=live }}

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.{{Cite press release |title=MLS and Sky Sports Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Broadcast MLS in the United Kingdom |date=February 25, 2015 |publisher=Major League Soccer |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-broadcast-mls-united-kingdom |access-date=January 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024406/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-and-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership-broadcast-mls-united-kingdom |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web |title=MLS and British broadcaster Sky Sports announce groundbreaking partnership |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/02/25/mls-and-british-broadcaster-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership |date=February 25, 2015 |website=MLSsoccer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002140559/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/02/25/mls-and-british-broadcaster-sky-sports-announce-groundbreaking-partnership |archive-date=October 2, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2017}}

DSport, owned by Discovery Communications, began televising league matches in India in 2017.{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=February 6, 2017 |title=Discovery launches sports channel DSPORT in India |work=The Economic Times |location=Mumbai |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/discovery-launches-sports-channel-dsports-in-india/articleshow/56997525.cms |url-status=live |access-date=March 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207124304/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/discovery-launches-sports-channel-dsports-in-india/articleshow/56997525.cms |archive-date=February 7, 2017}}

SBS Sport Australia broadcast one MLS game per week in Australia from 2025.{{Cite web |title=How to watch 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season LIVE on SBS |date=March 1, 2025 |publisher=SBS |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/how-to-watch-2025-major-league-soccer-mls-season-live-on-sbs/v55m5n5on}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Football Manager signs with MLS |url=http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=905 |date=May 13, 2004 |publisher=Sports Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040714083312/http://www.sigames.com/news.php?type=view&article_id=905 |archive-date=July 14, 2004 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

{{See also|Major League Soccer records and statistics|2024 Major League Soccer season#Player statistics|List of Major League Soccer players with 100 or more goals|List of Major League Soccer players with 400 or more games played}}

Statistics below are for all-time leaders. Statistics are for regular season only. Bold indicates active MLS players.

{{updated|1 July 2024|{{Cite web |title=MLS Statistics: All-Time |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/alltime |website=MLSsoccer.com |publisher=MLS Digital |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009213142/http://www.mlssoccer.com/stats/alltime |url-status=live }}}}{{cite web |title=2024 MLS Fact and Record Book.pdf |url=https://mlssoccer.app.box.com/s/xvks2sfia70gsowb4qyh61c7ytqpbnht |publisher=MLS Soccer |access-date=18 July 2024}}

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Statistics below are for all-time leaders who are still playing. Statistics are for regular season only.

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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.{{Cite web |title=MLS Announces 2013 Awards Finalists |url=http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-2013-awards-finalists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903042624/http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/mls-announces-2013-awards-finalists |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

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• 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

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• 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

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