MLS explained

The basics

•          20 teams based in the USA (17) and Canada (3)
•          An East and West Conference with 10 teams in each
•          Regular season fixtures (34 per team) run from March until October
•          Top six finishers in each Conference qualify for Playoffs
•          Playoffs held November and December to decide MLS Cup winner

A brief history

The MLS was founded in 1993 as part of the USA’s successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and officially began in April 1996. 

Mexico vs Ireland at 1994 World Cup 

Ten teams took part in the first season but the league struggled both financially and for crowds, often playing in half empty American Football stadiums.

Two teams were even forced to fold in 2002, but in the decade that followed the MLS secured national TV contracts and the game blossomed.

Average attendances have made soccer the third most watched sport in the continent now, surpassing crowds for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL).

Golden Balls wants his own team

Franchise system

Manchester City’s launch of New York City and David Beckham’s potential Miami team have dominated British headlines ahead of the new campaign.

The MLS, now in its 20^th season, has expanded to 20 teams this year with the inclusion of NYCFC and also Orlando SC – Beckham’s side are set to join in 2017.

Franchises apply to join the league and have to meet certain criteria before they are accepted by the MLS and drafted into a conference.

Unlike in the UK where promotions and relegations determine who plays in the top division, American sport clubs are deemed worthy of a place or not.

Soccer pyramid

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) governs the MLS with the league itself responsible for admitting new teams into the competition.

Raul signing for New York Cosmos in 2014

There are however three tiers of soccer in the USA, with a reformed 11-team NASL the second tier and the United Soccer League boasting 24 outfits the third.

NASL sides like New York Cosmos boast Real Madrid legend Raul and World Cup winner Ronaldo has said he may come out of retirement to play for Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Montreal Impact are the only franchise to make the transition from NASL to MLS so far and it may well be an option for several others in the division.

Conference system and playoffs

What all the fuss is about - the MLS Cup

Montreal joined the Eastern Conference as the 19^th MLS franchise in the 2012 season, making competition for the Supporters’ Shield even stiffer.

The Supporters’ Shield is awarded to the team with the highest point total at the end of the regular season – Seattle Sounders are the current holders.

Franchises play teams in their conference home and away, teams in the other conference once, either home or away, and then six of the nine other teams in their own conference for a third time.

Once completed the post season then begins with a playoff system used to determine the overall champion in the end of season MLS Cup – think Super Bowl but for soccer.

The winners of both the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup, LA Galaxy in 2014, then qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Like the UEFA Champions League the tournament pits teams from North and Central American against Caribbean sides with the overall winner entering the FIFA Club World Cup.

Images courtesy of Gabriel Perez, Timothy Hollywood Kahn, Canal Seis Noticians de Honduras and Dennis, with thanks.