Today, we’ll be sharing the list of the current MLS teams.
MLS is one of the most popular sport leagues in USA and in Canada. It is made up of 26 teams. 23 in USA, and 3 in Canada.
These teams are divided into the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The Eastern Conference has 14 teams while the Western Conference has 12 teams.
Below are the MLS Teams listed Alphabetically
- Atlanta United FC
- Chicago Fire FC
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew SC
- D.C. United
- FC Cincinnati
- FC Dallas
- Houston Dynamo
- Inter Miami CF
- LA Galaxy
- Los Angeles FC
- Minnesota United FC
- Montreal Impact
- Nashville SC
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City SC
- Philadelphia Union
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Sporting Kansas City
- Toronto FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Teams in Eastern Conference
- Atlanta United FC – Atlanta, Georgia
- Chicago Fire – Bridgeview, Illinois
- Columbus Crew SC – Columbus, Ohio
- D.C. United – Washington, D.C.
- FC Cincinnati – Cincinnati, Ohio
- Inter Miami CF – Miami, Florida
- Montreal Impact – Montreal, Quebec
- Nashville SC – Nashville, Tennessee
- New England Revolution – Foxborough, Massachusetts
- New York City FC – New York City, New York
- New York Red Bulls – Harrison, New Jersey
- Orlando City SC – Orlando, Florida
- Philadelphia Union – Chester, Pennsylvania
- Toronto FC – Toronto, Ontario
Teams in the Western Conference
Colorado Rapids – Commerce City, Colorado
FC Dallas – Frisco, Texas
Houston Dynamo – Houston, Texas
LA Galaxy – Carson, California
Los Angeles FC – Los Angeles, California
Minnesota United FC – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Portland Timbers – Portland, Oregon
Real Salt Lake – Sandy, Utah
San Jose Earthquakes – San Jose, California
Seattle Sounders FC – Seattle, Washington
Sporting Kansas City – Kansas City, Kansas
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Vancouver, British Columbia
Other Sports Team List
- List of National Football League (NFL) Teams
- List of WNBA Teams by City, State, Conference
- List Of NBA Teams By Division
- List Of Major League Baseball (MLB) Teams
- List of National Hockey League NHL Teams
FAQs About Major League Soccer (MLS) Teams
These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of Major League Soccer, covering the league’s structure, teams, competitions, and key facts that are essential for fans and newcomers to understand.
1. What is Major League Soccer (MLS)?
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It features teams from various cities across both countries, competing annually for the MLS Cup and other honors.
2. How many teams are in Major League Soccer (MLS)?
As of the 2024 season, MLS has 29 teams, with 26 teams based in the United States and 3 in Canada. The league is divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences.
3. Which cities have MLS teams?
MLS teams are located in major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Miami, and Seattle, among others.
4. What are the most successful MLS teams?
Some of the most successful MLS teams in terms of MLS Cup wins include LA Galaxy, D.C. United, and Seattle Sounders FC. LA Galaxy has won the MLS Cup five times, making them the most successful club in the league’s history.
5. What is the MLS Cup?
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, determining the league champion for the season. It is contested by the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference playoffs.
6. How are MLS teams divided?
MLS teams are divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Teams play the majority of their games against conference rivals, with some inter-conference matches as well.
7. What is the Supporters’ Shield in MLS?
The Supporters’ Shield is an annual award given to the MLS team with the best regular-season record. It is recognized as a significant achievement, as it reflects the team’s consistent performance over the course of the entire season.
8. How does the MLS playoff system work?
The MLS playoffs consist of teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The top teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs, which follow a knockout format leading up to the MLS Cup final.
9. What is the Designated Player Rule in MLS?
The Designated Player Rule, also known as the “Beckham Rule,” allows MLS teams to sign up to three players whose salary can exceed the league’s salary cap. This rule was introduced to attract high-profile international players to the league.
10. Who are some of the most famous players in MLS history?
Famous players who have played in MLS include David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Wayne Rooney. These players have had a significant impact on the league, raising its profile globally.
11. What are expansion teams in MLS?
Expansion teams are new teams that join the league as it grows. Recent expansion teams include Charlotte FC, Austin FC, and Inter Miami CF. MLS continues to expand, with plans for more teams in the future.
12. How do MLS teams qualify for international competitions?
MLS teams can qualify for international competitions like the CONCACAF Champions League by winning the MLS Cup, the Supporters’ Shield, or the U.S. Open Cup. These competitions give teams the opportunity to compete against top clubs from other countries in North and Central America.
13. What is the MLS All-Star Game?
The MLS All-Star Game is an annual event that features a team of the league’s best players, often competing against a top international club or all-star teams from other leagues. It is a showcase event celebrating the talent within MLS.
14. Which MLS teams have the biggest rivalries?
Some of the biggest rivalries in MLS include the “El Tráfico” between LA Galaxy and LAFC, the “Cascadia Cup” between Seattle Sounders FC, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the “Hudson River Derby” between New York City FC and New York Red Bulls.
15. What is the average attendance for MLS games?
MLS games typically attract strong attendance, with average crowds ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 fans per game, depending on the team and stadium. Teams like Atlanta United FC have set attendance records, regularly drawing over 50,000 fans.
16. How can I watch MLS games?
MLS games are broadcast on various platforms, including ESPN, FOX Sports, and regional sports networks. Additionally, the league offers a streaming service called MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, which provides live coverage of all games.
17. What is the homegrown player rule in MLS?
The homegrown player rule allows MLS teams to sign local players from their own youth academies directly to the senior team roster without the player entering the MLS SuperDraft. This rule encourages the development of young talent within the league.
18. What is the MLS SuperDraft?
The MLS SuperDraft is an annual event where teams select players from college soccer or other eligible sources. The draft helps teams acquire new talent and build their rosters for the upcoming season.
19. How has MLS grown over the years?
MLS has grown significantly since its inception in 1996, expanding from 10 teams to 29 teams and attracting high-profile international talent. The league has also seen increased investment in soccer-specific stadiums, youth development, and fan engagement.
20. What are soccer-specific stadiums in MLS?
Soccer-specific stadiums are venues built primarily for soccer, offering a more intimate and fan-friendly atmosphere. Many MLS teams have built or are planning to build their own soccer-specific stadiums to enhance the game-day experience.
