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'{{Infobox football league | name = Major League Soccer | logo = MLS Logo.svg | pixels = 225 | country = {{Flagicon|USA}} [[United States Soccer Federation|United States]]<br />{{Flagicon|Canada}} [[Canadian Soccer Association|Canada]] | confed = [[CONCACAF]] | founded = [[1993 in football (soccer)|1993]] | conferences = [[Eastern Conference (MLS)|Eastern Conference]]<br />[[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference]] | teams = [[#Teams|16]] | levels = 1 | domest_cup = [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] | confed_cup = [[CONCACAF Champions League]]<br />[[North American SuperLiga|SuperLiga]] | mlscupchamps = [[Real Salt Lake]] (1st title) | mlscupseason = [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]] | shieldchamps = [[Columbus Crew]] (3rd shield) | shieldseason = [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]] | most_mlscups = [[D.C. United]] (4 titles) | most_shields = [[D.C. United]] (4 shields) | tv = [[ESPN Major League Soccer|ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes]]<br />[[Fox Soccer Channel]],<br />[[Fox Sports en Español]]<br />[[TeleFutura]], [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]],<br />[[Rogers Sportsnet]], [[GolTV (Canada)|GolTV Canada]]<br />[[Univision]]<br /> | website = [http://www.mlssoccer.com MLSsoccer.com] | current = [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010 MLS season]] }} '''Major League Soccer''' ('''MLS''') is a professional [[Association football|soccer]] league based in the [[United States]] and sanctioned by the [[United States Soccer Federation|United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer)]]. The league comprises 16 teams, 15 in the U.S. and one in [[Canada]], and is scheduled to include 18 teams for the 2011 season and 19 teams by 2012. MLS represents the top tier of the [[American soccer pyramid|American]] and [[Canadian soccer pyramid]]s. Major League Soccer was founded in 1993 as part of the United States' bid to host the [[1994 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title=About Major League Soccer |publisher=MLSnet |date=September 5, 2008 |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |accessdate=2008-09-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080625214719/http://web.mlsnet.com/about/ |archivedate = June 25, 2008}}</ref> The [[1996 Major League Soccer season|first season]] took place in 1996 beginning with 10 teams. Seasons run from late March or early April until November, with each team playing 30 games in the regular season. Eight teams compete in the postseason [[MLS Cup Playoffs]] culminating in the championship game, [[MLS Cup]]. == Competition format == The [[2010 Major League Soccer season]] runs from March 25 through November 21. The 16 teams in the league are evenly divided into the [[MLS Eastern Conference|Eastern]] and [[MLS Western Conference|Western]] Conferences. For 2010, each club competes against every other club twice, home and away, for a total of 30 games. For the 2011 season, MLS has announced that 34 regular-season matches will be played, although a format has not been specified yet<ref>http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-moves-34-game-schedule-2011</ref>. The team with the most total points at the end of the regular season is awarded the [[Supporters' Shield]]. Eight teams then proceed to the [[MLS Cup Playoffs]] ending with the [[MLS Cup]] championship final. <!-- The 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs will run from _ to _, culminating with [[MLS Cup 2010]] at _ in _. --> MLS has three automatic berths in the [[CONCACAF Champions League]] for its American clubs with an additional spot available via the [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]]; Canadian clubs in MLS qualify via the [[Canadian Championship]]. For the [[2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League]], the qualifying clubs are [[MLS Cup 2009]] champion [[Real Salt Lake]], Supporters' Shield winner [[Columbus Crew]], MLS Cup runner-up [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], [[2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2009 U.S. Open Cup]] winner [[Seattle Sounders FC]], and [[2010 Canadian Championship]] winner [[Toronto FC]]. MLS also has four berths in [[North American SuperLiga|SuperLiga]], a competition jointly organized by MLS and [[Mexico]]'s national football governing body, the [[Mexican Football Federation|FMF]]. The top four overall teams from the 2009 season, excluding those participating in the Champions League, will compete in the [[2010 North American SuperLiga|2010 SuperLiga]]—the [[Houston Dynamo]], the [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]], [[C.D. Chivas USA|Chivas USA]], and the [[New England Revolution]]. == History == === Establishment=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:right;font-size:85%;" |+'''MLS Major Trophy Winners''' !width="75"|Season !width="150"|[[MLS Cup]]<br />League Champion !width="150"|[[MLS Supporters' Shield]]<br />Best Regular <br />Season Record |- |[[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996]] |[[D.C. United]] |[[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] |- |[[1997 Major League Soccer season|1997]] |[[D.C. United]] |[[D.C. United]] |- |[[1998 Major League Soccer season|1998]] |[[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]] |[[Los Angeles Galaxy]] |- |[[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]] |[[D.C. United]] |[[D.C. United]] |- |[[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000]] |[[Kansas City Wizards]] |[[Kansas City Wizards]] |- |[[2001 Major League Soccer season|2001]] |[[San Jose Earthquakes]] |[[Miami Fusion F.C.]] |- |[[2002 Major League Soccer season|2002]] |[[Los Angeles Galaxy]] |[[Los Angeles Galaxy]] |- |[[2003 Major League Soccer season|2003]] |[[San Jose Earthquakes]] |[[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]] |- |[[2004 Major League Soccer season|2004]] |[[D.C. United]] |[[Columbus Crew]] |- |[[2005 Major League Soccer season|2005]] |[[Los Angeles Galaxy]] |[[San Jose Earthquakes]] |- |[[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006]] |[[Houston Dynamo]] |[[D.C. United]] |- |[[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007]] |[[Houston Dynamo]] |[[D.C. United]] |- |[[2008 Major League Soccer season|2008]] |[[Columbus Crew]] |[[Columbus Crew]] |- |[[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]] |[[Real Salt Lake]] |[[Columbus Crew]] |} In 1996, Major League Soccer's original ten teams, the [[Columbus Crew]], [[D.C. United]], the [[New England Revolution]], the [[New York Red Bulls|NY/NJ MetroStars]], the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]], the [[Colorado Rapids]], the [[FC Dallas|Dallas Burn]], the [[Kansas City Wizards|Kansas City Wiz]], the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] and the [[San Jose Earthquakes|San Jose Clash]], began play. The early years of the league gave rise to the [[Bruce Arena]]-led dynasty of D.C. United, winning the [[MLS Cup]] in three of the league's first four seasons. It took the expansion [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]] in 1998 to end United's stranglehold on the championship. Also joining the league in 1998 were the [[Miami Fusion F.C.|Miami Fusion]]. After its first season, MLS suffered from a decline in attendance. The league's quality was cast into doubt when the [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. men's national team]], [[1998_FIFA_World_Cup_squads#United_States|made up largely of MLS players]], was eliminated in the first round of the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] and finished in last place. The league began to market itself on the talents of American players, both experienced veterans and fresh talents. Breakout stars like [[DaMarcus Beasley]] and [[Landon Donovan]] began making names for themselves in MLS before breaking into and starring for the U.S. national team, while established players such as [[Brian McBride]], [[Eddie Pope]], and [[Clint Mathis]] continued to prove their value to both their MLS clubs and the U.S. national team. The league's ongoing financial problems led to the departure of Commissioner [[Doug Logan]] after the end of the 1998 season. [[Don Garber]], a former [[National Football League|NFL]] International chief, was hired in his place and his leadership became instrumental to shoring up the league's future. Construction of [[soccer-specific stadium]]s for the league's teams, largely funded by financiers such as [[Lamar Hunt]] and [[Phil Anschutz]], became a point of emphasis to bring fiscal health and ensure the league's survival. Hunt's [[Columbus Crew Stadium]], built in 1999, is often cited as a league model. On the field, the early wave of international players who had joined MLS at its inception drifted into retirement or moved on to clubs elsewhere in the world. The run-up to the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] saw a gradual shift in the league's philosophy toward the development of American talent, a move that would eventually lead to success for U.S. soccer. Despite this movement, declining attendances forced MLS to stop the bleeding by contracting the two Florida franchises, the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] and [[Miami Fusion F.C.]], just a few years after their establishment. This left the league with 10 teams, the same number as when MLS began. Also, the league reorganized back to the Eastern and Western Conference format after two seasons with the third [[Central Division (MLS)|Central Division]]. === Resurgence === The 2002 World Cup, in which the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] unexpectedly made the quarterfinals through wins against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] and [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]], triggered a resurgence in American soccer and MLS. The [[MLS Cup 2002]], held four months after the 2002 World Cup final, set an attendance record as a sellout crowd at [[Gillette Stadium]] saw the Los Angeles Galaxy win their first title. MLS drew international attention in 2004 with the debut of 14-year-old [[Freddy Adu]] for D.C. United, who entered the league with much fanfare and was heralded as one of the top prospects in American soccer history. MLS underwent a significant transition in the years leading up to the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]]. After marketing itself on the talents of American players, the league saw some of its homegrown stars depart for more prominent leagues in [[Europe]]. [[Tim Howard]], goalkeeper for the [[Red Bull New York|MetroStars]], was sold to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in one of the most lucrative contract deals in league history. DaMarcus Beasley of the Chicago Fire left for [[PSV Eindhoven]], while Landon Donovan, on loan from [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]], was recalled to Germany. Donovan's stint in Germany was brief; before the start of the [[2005 Major League Soccer season|2005 MLS season]] he was sold back to MLS to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Many more American players, though they factored little in the U.S. national team picture, did make an impact in MLS. In 2005, [[Jason Kreis]] of expansion club [[Real Salt Lake]] became the first player to score at least 100 career MLS goals. In 2005, the now-defunct [[MLS Reserve Division]] was created, with each reserve squad playing 12 games, providing valuable playing time to develop non-starters on team rosters. It was also in this era that MLS expanded for the first time since the contraction of 2001. [[Real Salt Lake]] and [[Club Deportivo Chivas USA|Chivas USA]] began play in 2005, with Chivas USA becoming the second club in Los Angeles, sharing [[The Home Depot Center]] with the Galaxy. Chivas USA also became the first team in MLS to be directly connected to a foreign club, their sister club of [[Club Deportivo Guadalajara|Guadalajara]]. By 2006 the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] owners, players and coaches moved to Texas, becoming the [[Houston Dynamo]], after funding for stadium could not be found in San Jose. The Dynamo became an expansion team, leaving their history behind for a new San Jose ownership group that would materialize in 2007. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left:1em; float:right; font-size:85%;" |+ '''Total MLS Cup Records''' ! Team ! Titles ! Last Title !Appearances |- | align=center | [[D.C. United]] | 4 | 2004 |5 |- | align=center | [[Houston Dynamo]] | 2 |2007 | 2 |- | align=center | [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] | 2 |2005 |6 |- | align=center | [[San Jose Earthquakes]] | 2 |2003 |2 |- | align=center | [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]] | 1 |1998 |3 |- | align=center | [[Kansas City Wizards]] | 1 |2000 |2 |- | align=center | [[Columbus Crew]] | 1 |2008 |1 |- | align=center | [[Real Salt Lake]] | 1 |2009 |1 |- | align=center | [[New England Revolution]] | 0 | |4 |- | align=center | [[Colorado Rapids]] | 0 | |1 |- | align=center | [[New York Red Bulls]] | 0 | |1 |} === 2007–present === Since 2007, Major League Soccer's leadership has taken steps to further internationalize the league in an effort to raise the level of play. Among the first moves in this regard was the [[Designated Player Rule]], which helped MLS bring international stars into the league, despite the relatively meager MLS salary cap, and the creation of the [[North American SuperLiga|SuperLiga]], which places top MLS clubs against top Mexican clubs in an effort to provide more meaningful competition for both leagues. MLS changed the rules regarding foreign players in the league to allow a total of 8 per team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Steve |title=Desire to maintain quality drives foreign player rule |publisher=ESPNsoccernet |date=December 26, 2007 |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=493683&cc=4716 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> This period also saw expansion reach beyond the United States' borders into Canada, beginning with [[Toronto FC]]. The [[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007 season]] witnessed the MLS debut of [[David Beckham]], whose signing had been seen as a coup for American soccer. Beckham's contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy was made possible by the Designated Player Rule. Players such as [[Cuauhtémoc Blanco]] of [[Club América]] signed for the Chicago Fire, and [[Juan Pablo Ángel]], who moved from [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] to the [[New York Red Bulls]], are some of the first Designated Players who have made major contributions to their clubs. The departures of [[Clint Dempsey]] and [[Jozy Altidore]], coupled with the return of former U.S. national team stars [[Claudio Reyna]] and [[Brian McBride]] to New York and Chicago, respectively, highlight the exchange of top prospects to Europe for experienced veterans to MLS. Several other well-known foreign players have followed Beckham and Blanco to MLS, including [[Guillermo Barros Schelotto]] to Columbus and [[Fredrik Ljungberg|Freddie Ljungberg]] to Seattle.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lalas |first=Greg |title=Foreign exchange program |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=2007-04-17 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/greg_lalas/04/17/mls.signings/index.html |accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref> By 2008 San Jose had returned to the league under new ownership. In 2009 expansion side [[Seattle Sounders FC]] opened to a crowd of 32,523 at [[Qwest Field]]. The 2010 season ushered in the expansion franchise [[Philadelphia Union]] and the opening of New York's soccer-specific stadium, [[Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)|Red Bull Arena]]. That same summer the saw the opening of Philadelphia's own new stadium, [[PPL Park]] and the debut of New York Red Bulls' striker [[Thierry Henry]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry|title=New York Red Bulls sign international star Thierry Henry|work=New York Red Bulls|date=14 July 2010 |accessdate=14 July 2010}}</ref>, the leading all-time goalscorer of [[Arsenal FC]] and [[France national football team]]. The start of the 2011 season will see further expansion with the addition of the [[Portland Timbers (MLS)|Portland Timbers]] and [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver Whitecaps FC]]. [[Vancouver]] will become the second Canadian city to have been awarded a team in MLS. == Organization == CANADA IS GAY Recently "expansion" and "rebranding" have become buzzwords for the league and its fans. The league has renewed its emphasis on improving the quality of play by its teams via initiatives such as the Designated Player Rule and the creation of a league-wide youth development system.<ref name= youth>{{cite news |title=MLS launches Youth Development Initiative |publisher=Major League Soccer Communications |date=November 10, 2006 |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_events_news.jsp?ymd=20061110&content_id=78269&vkey=mlscuppr2006&fext=.jsp}}</ref> === Ownership === MLS operates under a single-entity structure in which teams are centrally controlled by the league. In order to keep costs under control, revenues are shared throughout the league, player contracts are negotiated by the league, and ultimately players are contracted not with individual teams but with the league itself. The league fought a bitter legal battle with its players over its economic system, but this was eventually resolved with the players gaining some improved benefits in return for accepting the single entity structure. A court had also ruled that even absent their [[collective bargaining agreement]], players could opt to play in other leagues if they were unsatisfied. The league's cost-controlling measures have attracted new ownership that have injected more money into the league, improving it and focusing the league's resources on fewer clubs. Examples include the [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]]'s sale of the MetroStars to [[Red Bull GmbH|Red Bull]]<!--"Red Bull" directs to the energy drink.-->, for an "excess of $100 million," according to the ''New York Times''. Commissioner Garber said to the ''Los Angeles Times'' that, "the sale was part of a plan to have AEG decrease its holdings in MLS. We're pushing Hunt Sports to do the same thing." Commissioner Garber has stated that having multiple clubs owned by a single owner was a necessity in the first 10 years of MLS, but now that the league appears to be on the brink of overall profitability and has significant expansion plans, he wants each club to have a distinct owner. In order to help bring this about, the league is now giving more incentive to be an individual club owner, with all owners now having 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. At one time AEG owned six clubs in MLS, and have since sold the Colorado Rapids, the MetroStars, D.C. United and the Chicago Fire to new owners. AEG's remaining teams are the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chicago Fire sold to Andell Holdings |publisher=Chicago Fire Media Relations |date=September 6, 2007 |url=http://www.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070906&content_id=115581&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> The other major owner-investor in MLS has been [[Lamar Hunt#Major League Soccer|Hunt Sports]], which owns the Columbus Crew and FC Dallas, having sold the Kansas City Wizards to a [[OnGoal|local ownership group]] in 2006. The league now has 17 owners for their 19 clubs (including the [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver]] and [[Portland Timbers (MLS)|Portland]] teams entering in 2011 and the [[Montreal MLS 2012|Montreal]] team that is confirmed to be entering in 2012). ===Game First=== The 2006-2007 MLS offseason has been considered by some to be the most productive in the history of the league,<ref>{{cite news |last=Martin |irst=Pat |title=MLS comes out of the gates strong in '07 |publisher=monstersandcritics.com |date=May 4, 2007 |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/sport/soccer/article_1300505.php/MLS_comes_out_of_the_gates_strong_in_07 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> and there were a number of changes made to the league, which have brought about an increase in the league's ability to compete financially as well as on the field. The league announced a youth development initiative,<ref name= youth /> which will require youth development programs for all of the league's teams. The hope is that by being able to sign up to two of its own youth players to the senior team each year that the league's teams will have an incentive to improve the quality of the league's talent in an organic way that will also benefit the league through transfer fees for outgoing players. Perhaps the first example of a success in "home-grown" talent development was New York's [[Jozy Altidore]], who rose to prominence as one of the league's most skilled young strikers before fetching the league's record transfer fee in his move to [[Villarreal C.F.|Villarreal]] in 2008. The league also announced "Game First", a series of initiatives aimed at improving the league in several ways. One of the most immediate changes is that [[United States Soccer Federation|U.S. Soccer]] hired the first full-time professional referees in league history.<ref>{{cite news |title='Game First' initiatives enhance on-field product |publisher=Major League Soccer Communications |date=April 2, 2007 |url=http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |accessdate=2008-05-11 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080426134827/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20070402&content_id=87043&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp |archivedate = April 26, 2008}}</ref> Another part of "Game First" was the creation of an official league anthem similar to other competitions from around the world. There are two versions of the MLS Anthem, an [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QdaHBxGVRA orchestral version] that is performed before every regular season game and an orchestral chorus version that is played before the [[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star Game]] and [[MLS Cup]]. === Stadiums === <!--The plural of stadium is BOTH stadiums and stadia. This article is based on a sports league in the United States and Canada, and North American English more commonly uses "stadiums". Please consult WP:ENGVAR--> {{Main|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}} [[File:Columbus crew stadium mls allstars 2005.jpg|thumb|240px|left|Columbus Crew Stadium, home of the Columbus Crew and MLS' first soccer-specific stadium]]Since [[1999 Major League Soccer season|1999]], the league has overseen the construction and completion of nine venues specifically designed for soccer. Lamar Hunt broke new ground in this endeavor by financing the construction of MLS's first [[soccer-specific stadium]], [[Columbus Crew Stadium]]. The Los Angeles Galaxy followed four years later with the opening of [[The Home Depot Center]] in [[2003 Major League Soccer season|2003]]. Chivas USA has shared this venue with the Galaxy since their expansion season in [[2004 Major League Soccer season|2004]]. It also played host to two consecutive [[MLS Cup]]s, until FC Dallas opened [[Pizza Hut Park]] in [[2005 Major League Soccer season|2005]] and hosted the next two championships. The Chicago Fire began playing their home games in [[Toyota Park (Bridgeview)|Toyota Park]] in [[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006]]. [[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007]] saw the opening of [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] for the Colorado Rapids and [[BMO Field]] for Toronto FC. Near the end of the [[2008 Major League Soccer season|2008 season]], [[Rio Tinto Stadium]] became the home of Real Salt Lake. [[Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)|Red Bull Arena]], the new home of the New York Red Bulls, began construction in December 2007 and opened for the start of the [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010 season]]. [[Philadelphia Union]] opened [[PPL Park]], midway through their inaugural season, in June 2010. Other stadiums are currently under construction. In 2011, the Kansas City Wizards are expected to move into their [[Wizards Stadium Complex at Village West|new stadium]], and the [[Portland Timbers (MLS)|Portland Timbers]] hope to make their MLS debut in a newly renovated [[PGE Park]]. [[Image:Qwest seattle sounders pregame.jpg|thumb|right|[[Qwest Field]], home of Seattle Sounders FC]]Five remaining clubs play in stadiums not originally built for MLS. The New England Revolution play home games at an [[National Football League|NFL]] venue, [[Gillette Stadium]]; and D.C. United play home games at a former NFL venue, [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]]. New England and D.C. are actively seeking to build their own soccer stadiums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1014772 |title=Revolution’s the goal: Somerville talks stadium with Krafts |author=Scott Van Voorhis |publisher=[[Boston Herald]] |date=2007-08-02}}</ref> Seattle Sounders FC play in a dual-purpose stadium, designed to be used for both American football and soccer. For Sounders matches, [[Qwest Field]] staff tarps off the upper bowl to provide a more intimate atmosphere. The Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes are in the planning stages for their own soccer venues replacing [[Robertson Stadium]] and [[Buck Shaw Stadium]]. Of the three confirmed future teams, all will play most or all of their home games in stadiums at least partially designed for soccer, although only one will play in a stadium originally designed for the sport. In 2011 [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver Whitecaps FC]], after beginning play at the temporary [[Empire Field]], will move into a refurbished [[BC Place Stadium|BC Place]], and will remain there until at least 2016, by which time the team hopes to complete construction on a planned waterfront soccer stadium. Both Empire Field and the renovated BC Place are designed to accommodate [[Canadian football]] as well as soccer. The Portland expansion team will play in [[PGE Park]], originally a multipurpose venue but currently being renovated to be soccer-only. The Montreal expansion team will play most of its home games in the soccer-specific [[Saputo Stadium]], built by the city's current [[USSF Division 2 Professional League|USSF 2]] team, the [[Montreal Impact]]. Although Saputo Stadium will be expanded to roughly 20,000 capacity for the team's MLS debut, it is expected that some games will require a larger capacity; nearby [[Olympic Stadium (Montreal)|Olympic Stadium]] will be used as a second home field. === Media coverage === At the outset, MLS signed deals for coverage on [[ESPN]], [[ESPN2]] and [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]], while [[Univision]], [[Galavisión (USA)|Galavision]], and [[TeleFutura]] broadcasted matches in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. The original Univision deal lapsed after a few years, leaving only the ABC/ESPN family of networks as the league's national broadcasters. [[Fox Soccer Channel|Fox Sports World]] (later renamed "[[Fox Soccer Channel]]" in 2005) and [[Fox Sports en Español]] began airing matches in 2003. The 2007 MLS season was the first season, however, for which television rights were sold to networks at a profit. Previously, MLS paid networks to broadcast its games. It is estimated MLS will receive about $30 million from TV revenue alone within the next eight years.<ref>{{cite news | first=Steve | last=Woodward | url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/cup2002/2002-06-26-usa-next.htm | work=[[USA Today]] | title=Sponsors, TV contracts next on USA's agenda | date=26 June 2002 | location=[[Yokohama]], [[Japan]] | accessdate=1 May 2008}}</ref> With the addition of Toronto FC, coverage of MLS expanded into Canada in 2007. The [[CBC Sports|CBC]], [[GolTV Canada]] and [[Rogers Sportsnet]] all broadcast Toronto matches nationwide, along with the MLS Cup playoffs. The league's [[MLS Direct Kick]] package, which broadcasts out-of-market matches, has been expanded to ensure that every league match is broadcast. Univision and its family of networks resumed MLS broadcasts in 2007 as well, with most matches airing on TeleFutura and [[Galavisión (USA)|Galavision]] on Sunday afternoons and evenings. The 2007 season was the first in the league's history in which every regular season match was telecast live, and many games were shown on national television. [[ESPN Major League Soccer|ESPN's]] coverage now features a live match each week, usually in primetime, and Fox Soccer Channel's ''MLS Saturday'' added a pregame and postgame show wrapped around their featured matches. Major League Soccer also offers streaming live video of some matches via its website. ''Sports Business Journal'' reported on December 23, 2008 that MLS and Soccer United Marketing had signed an international television broadcast contract with sports media company MP & Silva through 2013.<ref name="eight-figure">{{cite news | title=MLS in 'eight-figure deal' for foreign TV rights | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/soccer/12/22/mls.rights/index.html | work=[[Sports Illustrated]] | publisher=[[Goal.com]] | date=23 December 2008 | accessdate=23 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="SBJ-tv-rights">{{cite news | first=Tripp | last=Mickle | title=MLS sells international TV rights to MP & Silva | url=http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/61013 | work=Sports Business Journal | date=22 December 2008 | accessdate=23 December 2008}}</ref> The figure is reportedly an "eight-figure deal" that covers the "rights to all MLS games, tournaments and events, including MLS regular season, [[MLS Cup Playoffs]], [[MLS Cup]], and the international competitions [[North American SuperLiga|SuperLiga]], [[InterLiga]], and [[Pan-Pacific Championship]]."<ref name="eight-figure"/> InterLiga is the only non-MLS competition included in the deal. MP & Silva CEO Carlo Pozzali boasted that high profile, international players who were lured to MLS by the [[designated player (soccer)|designated player]] rule have raised the international awareness and potential for popularity of MLS in international markets.<ref name="SBJ-tv-rights"/> MP & Silva's package generally does not include ESPN-televised matches. [[ESPN International]] purchased the rights to broadcast MLS in [[ESPN (UK)|Great Britain and Ireland]] in 2009, and other ESPN networks around the world also broadcast games.<ref>{{Cite news |title=ESPN to show MLS, European soccer in U.K. |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/07/28/espn.uk.ap/index.html |work=[[CNN Sports Illustrated]] |agency=Associated Press |date=2009-07-28 |accessdate=2009-07-28}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Robin |last=Parker |title=ESPN channel takes shape with international fixtures |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/espn-channel-takes-shape-with-international-fixtures/5004036.article |work=[[Broadcast Now]] |date=2009-07-28 |accessdate=2009-07-28}}</ref> === Profitability === {| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:1em;float:right;font-size:85%;" |- |+ colspan="5"|Shirt sponsorships |- !Team !Sponsor !Value<ref>[http://branddunk.wordpress.com/2008/06/08/mls-jersey-sponsorship-deals/ Value]</ref> |- |[[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]] |[[Best Buy]] |$2.5M per year<ref>[http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3ibd29ae66455c7a70d458cd1b6cac6d90 AdWeek Chicago Fire Sponsorship]</ref> |- |[[C.D. Chivas USA|Chivas USA]] |[[Extra]] |{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} |- |[[Columbus Crew]] |[[Glidden (paints)|Glidden]] |$1M per year<ref>[http://www.glidden.com/press/CrewRelease.pdf Glidden release of sponsorship]</ref> |- |[[D.C. United]] |[[Volkswagen Group of America|Volkswagen]] |$2.8M per year<ref>[http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/media/e3ibd29ae66455c7a70d458cd1b6cac6d90 AdWeek D.C. United sponsorship]</ref> |- |[[Houston Dynamo]] |[[Amigo Energy]] |$1.9M per year<ref>[http://houston.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20070815&content_id=111551&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&team=t200 Houston press release for sponsorship]</ref> |- |[[Los Angeles Galaxy]] |[[Herbalife]] |$4M-$5M per year<ref>[http://la.galaxy.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20070323&content_id=86353&vkey=pr_lag&fext=.jsp&team=t106 LA Galaxy press release on sponsorship deal]</ref> |- |[[Portland Timbers (MLS)|Portland Timbers]] |[[Alaska Airlines]]<ref>http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2010/09/timbers_announce_alaska_airlin.html</ref> |{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} |- |[[Real Salt Lake]] |[[XanGo]] |$900K per year<ref>[http://www.sportspromedia.com/deals/_a/real_salt_lake_extend_history-making_partnership/ Real Salt Lake extend history-making partnership]</ref> |- |[[Red Bull New York]] |[[Red Bull GmbH|Red Bull]] |$100M*<ref>[http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20060309&content_id=53501&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp MLS release Red Bull purchase of NY franchise]</ref> |- |[[San Jose Earthquakes]] |[[Amway Global]] |$2–$3M per year<ref>[http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/01/amway-to-be-san-jose-jersey-sponsor.html Soccerbyives.net release of Amway kit sponsorship]</ref> |- |[[Seattle Sounders FC]] |[[Microsoft|Xbox 360 Live]] |$4M per year<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121194248966725139.html WSJ. Xbox sponsorship deal with Seattle Sounders FC]</ref> |- |[[Toronto FC]] |[[Bank of Montreal|BMO]] |C$4M-$5M per year<ref>[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/jersey-deal-a-measure-of-success-for-canadian-soccer/article1628096/ Jersey deal a measure of success for Canadian soccer]</ref> |- |[[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver Whitecaps FC]] |[[Bell Canada]]<ref>http://www.vancouvermls2011.com/news_and_events/archive/news06101001.aspx</ref> |$4M per year<ref>[http://www.sportspromedia.com/deals/_a/vancouver_whitecaps_secure_major_shirt_sponsorship/ Vancouver Whitecaps secure major shirt sponsorship]</ref> |- | colspan="5"|''*Includes club and stadium ownership'' |} Major League Soccer lost more than $350 million between its founding and the year 2004, according to a report by ''[[BusinessWeek]]'' released that year.<ref name=profit>{{cite news |last=Holmes |first=Stanley |title=Soccer: Time To Kick It Up A Notch |publisher=Businessweek |date=November 22, 2004 |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_47/b3909099.htm?campaign_id=search%20Soccer:%20Time%20To%20Kick%20It%20Up%20A%20Notch |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> However, there are some positive signs for profitability in the near future. As [[soccer-specific stadiums]] are built, ownership expands and television coverage increases, [[MLS]] has seen its revenues increase while minimizing costs. The 2003 season saw the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] make a profit in their first season at [[The Home Depot Center]],<ref name=profit/> while [[FC Dallas]] turned a profit in similar fashion after moving into [[Pizza Hut Park]] in 2005.<ref name=thriving/> Television coverage has consistently expanded throughout the league's history, as MLS brokered a deal with [[ESPN]] in 2006 for rights fees and a greater presence across its networks. The 2007 season saw the return of MLS to Univision and its Spanish-language networks. They joined [[Fox Soccer Channel]] and [[HDNet]] as the U.S. national outlets, and the league has mandated that every league game receive television coverage either nationally or locally in one or both teams' cities for broadcast on its [[MLS Direct Kick|''Direct Kick'']] package. 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. The league has established a floor of $500,000 per shirt sponsorship, with the league receiving a flat fee of $200,000 per deal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weinbach |first=John |title=Major League Soccer to sell ad space on jerseys |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=September 28, 2006 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06271/725842-28.stm |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> Online gambling and hard liquor sponsorships are prohibited. As of April, 2010, twelve of the league's sixteen teams have signed sponsorship deals to have company logos placed on the front of their team jerseys. MLS Commissioner [[Don Garber]] said on May 11, 2006 that he expects the league's clubs to be profitable by 2010 overall. He reported that [[FC Dallas]] and the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] are already profitable, with several other clubs nearing profitability. A year later, he revealed that the [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]], the [[Colorado Rapids]], and [[Toronto FC]] were on track for profitability by 2008.<ref name=thriving>{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |title=Beckham Arrives to Find a Sport Thriving in Its Own Way |publisher=''The New York Times'' |date=July 8, 2007 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/sports/soccer/08beckham.html?ex=1186372800&en=8ac84814e27d5891&ei=5070 |accessdate=2008-05-11}}</ref> However in 2008 there were only three profitable MLS franchises; [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], [[Toronto FC]] and [[FC Dallas]] [http://www.forbes.com/2008/09/09/mls-soccer-beckham-biz-sports-cz_kb_0909mlsvalues.html]. According to the League, in 2009 there were only two profitable MLS franchises, [[Seattle Sounders FC]] and [[Toronto FC]]. [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jSQCcafJF-Um5BBTVzxjsGEqG7-wD9EKIRE80] === Rule changes === MLS experimented with deviations from [[Laws of the Game (association football)|IFAB rules and standards]] in its early years. Some of these changes had been used in the [[North American Soccer League|NASL]] and continue to be used in [[college soccer]] and many [[National Federation of State High School Associations|high school associations]]. Among them was the use of a countdown clock, rather than a standard progressive clock, with time paused for dead ball situations at a referee's discretion. Halves ended when the clock reached 0:00, rather than at the whistle of the referee as was customary elsewhere. Also implemented was the use of shootouts to resolve tie games. These best-of-five contests placed a player 35 yards from goal with five seconds to put the ball past the opposing goalkeeper; if needed the shootout progressed into extra frames. A winning team received one standings point (as opposed to three for the regulation win). While [[International Football Association Board|IFAB]] rules allow teams to substitute three players during games, MLS allowed a fourth, goalkeeper-only substitute. MLS discarded the rule after 2003 and adopted the IFAB standard, prompted in part by a match in which then MetroStars coach and current U.S. national head coach [[Bob Bradley]] used a loophole to insert an outfield player as a fourth substitute. MLS eventually conceded that the rules changes, particularly the shootout, had alienated some traditional soccer fans while failing to draw new American sports fans as hoped. The shootout and countdown clock were eliminated after the 1999 season. MLS continued to experiment with the settling of tie games in regular season play. In 2000, a 10-minute [[golden goal]] period replaced the shootout for tied games. It was abandoned after 2003. The golden-goal overtime remained through 2004 for playoff matches, where it had been used since the league's inception. In 2005 the league adopted a playoff extra time structure that followed new IFAB standards for such situations: two full 15-minute periods, followed by kicks from the penalty mark if necessary. The [[away goals rule]] is not used in any playoff round. == Teams == {{MLS Labelled Map}} There are 16 MLS teams divided between the [[Eastern Conference (MLS)|Eastern Conference]] and [[Western Conference (MLS)|Western Conference]]. Each club is allowed 24 players on its full roster. Before its maiden season and [[1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft|inaugural draft]], MLS [[allocation (MLS)|allocated]] four marquee players across the initial ten teams. These [[1996 MLS Inaugural Allocations|inaugural allocations]] consisted of key U.S. national team and international players such as [[Eric Wynalda]] and [[Hugo Sánchez]]. By the [[1998 Major League Soccer season|1998 season]], the league added its first two [[expansion team]]s: the [[Miami Fusion F.C.|Miami Fusion]] and the [[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]]. The [[2000 Major League Soccer season|2000 season]] saw the league divide into three conferences with teams in either the Eastern, Western, or [[Central Division (MLS)|Central Division]]. However, following the [[2001 Major League Soccer season|2001 season]], Miami and the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]] were disbanded and MLS returned to ten teams in two conferences. Since the [[2004 Major League Soccer season|2004 season]], the league has expanded with six new clubs: [[Real Salt Lake]] and [[Chivas USA]] in [[2005 Major League Soccer season|2005]], the [[Houston Dynamo]] in [[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006]], and [[Toronto FC]] in [[2007 Major League Soccer season|2007]]. After relocating as an expansion team to Houston in 2006, the [[San Jose Earthquakes]] returned from hiatus in [[2008 Major League Soccer season|2008]]. Continued growth has seen [[Seattle Sounders FC]] join in [[2009 Major League Soccer season|2009]] and the [[Philadelphia Union]] in [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]]. As of 2010, MLS has had eighteen different clubs over the years, but only eight have won [[MLS Cup]]. Of the league's fourteen seasons, only five have seen the [[MLS Supporters' Shield|Supporters' Shield]] winner become league champion. {{-}} For the 2010 season, teams are aligned as follows: {| class="navbox wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:left" ! style="background:white; width:22%" | Team ! style="background:white; width:19%" | City ! style="background:white; width:23%" | Stadium ! style="background:white; width:10%" | Founded ! style="background:white; width:10%" | Joined ! style="background:white; width:16%" | Head Coach |- ! style=background-color:blue colspan=6 | <font color=white>[[MLS Eastern Conference|Eastern Conference]]</font> |- | '''[[Chicago Fire S.C.|Chicago Fire]]''' | [[Bridgeview, Illinois|Bridgeview]], [[Illinois|IL]] | [[Toyota Park (Bridgeview)|Toyota Park]] | align=center | 1997 | align=center | 1998 | [[Carlos de los Cobos]] |- | '''[[Columbus Crew]]''' | [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Ohio|OH]] | [[Columbus Crew Stadium]] | align=center | 1994 | align=center | 1996 | [[Robert Warzycha]] |- | '''[[D.C. United]]''' | [[Washington, D.C.]] | [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]] ¹ | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Ben Olsen]] (interim) |- | '''[[Kansas City Wizards]]''' | [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]], [[Kansas|KS]] | [[CommunityAmerica Ballpark]] ^{1 2} | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Peter Vermes]] |- | '''[[New England Revolution]]''' | [[Foxborough, Massachusetts|Foxborough]], [[Massachusetts|MA]] | [[Gillette Stadium]] ¹ | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Steve Nicol]] |- |'''[[New York Red Bulls]]''' | [[Harrison, New Jersey|Harrison]], [[New Jersey|NJ]] | [[Red Bull Arena (Harrison)|Red Bull Arena]] | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Hans Backe]] |- |'''[[Philadelphia Union]]''' | [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]], [[Pennsylvania|PA]] | [[PPL Park]] | align=center | 2008 | align=center | 2010 | [[Piotr Nowak]] |- | '''[[Toronto FC]]''' | [[Toronto]], [[Ontario|ON]] | [[BMO Field]] | align=center | 2006 | align=center | 2007 | [[Nick Dasovic]] (interim) |- ! style=background-color:orange colspan=6 | <font color=white>[[MLS Western Conference|Western Conference]]</font> |- | '''[[C.D. Chivas USA]]''' | [[Carson, California|Carson]], [[California|CA]] | [[The Home Depot Center]] | align=center | 2004 | align=center | 2005 | [[Martin Vasquez]] |- | '''[[Colorado Rapids]]''' | [[Commerce City, Colorado|Commerce City]], [[Colorado|CO]] | [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Gary Smith (footballer born 1968)|Gary Smith]] |- | '''[[FC Dallas]]''' | [[Frisco, Texas|Frisco]], [[Texas|TX]] | [[Pizza Hut Park]] | align=center | 1996 | align=center | 1996 | [[Schellas Hyndman]] |- | '''[[Houston Dynamo]]''' | [[Houston]], [[Texas|TX]] | [[Robertson Stadium]] ^{1 2} | align=center | 2005 | align=center | 2006 | [[Dominic Kinnear]] |- | '''[[Los Angeles Galaxy]]''' | [[Carson, California|Carson]], [[California|CA]] | [[The Home Depot Center]] | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Bruce Arena]] |- | '''[[Real Salt Lake]]''' | [[Sandy, Utah|Sandy]], [[Utah|UT]] | [[Rio Tinto Stadium]] | align=center | 2004 | align=center | 2005 | [[Jason Kreis]] |- | '''[[San Jose Earthquakes]]''' | [[Santa Clara, California|Santa Clara]], [[California|CA]] | [[Buck Shaw Stadium]] ² | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | [[Frank Yallop]] |- | '''[[Seattle Sounders FC]]''' | [[Seattle]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|WA]] | [[Qwest Field]] ¹ | align=center | 2007 | align=center | 2009 | [[Sigi Schmid]] |- ! style=background-color:black colspan=6 | <font color=white>Future Franchises |- | '''[[Portland Timbers (MLS)|Portland Timbers]] | [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon|OR]] | [[PGE Park]] ¹ ³ | align=center | 2009 | align=center | 2011 | [[John Spencer (footballer)|John Spencer]] |- | '''[[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver Whitecaps FC]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=0bcc3956-e887-4b2d-8a56-b3d34f3e4bf9 |title=Vancouver team decides not to play any games with the Whitecaps' name as life in Major League Soccer approaches |accessdate=2009-11-25 |publisher=Canada.com |date=2009-11-25 }}</ref> | [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia|BC]] | [[Empire Field]] (start of 2011 season)¹<br />[[BC Place Stadium]] (mid to late 2011)^{1 2} | align=center | 2009 | align=center | 2011 | [[Teitur Thordarson]] |- | '''[[Montreal MLS 2012|Montreal Impact]]''' | [[Montreal]], [[Quebec|QC]] | [[Saputo Stadium]] | align=center | 2010 | align=center | 2012 | ''TBA'' |- |} ; Notes <div class="references-small"> # Not a soccer-specific stadium # To be replaced by a soccer-specific stadium # Being renovated into a soccer-specific stadium </div> {| class="navbox wikitable" style="width:100%; text-align:left" ! style="background:white; width:22%" | Team ! style="background:white; width:14%" | City ! style="background:white; width:23%" | Stadium ! style="background:white; width:10%" | Founded ! style="background:white; width:10%" | Joined ! style="background:white; width:21%" | Ceased Operations |- ! style=background-color:gray colspan=6 | <font color=white>Defunct Franchises</font> |- | '''[[Miami Fusion F.C.|Miami Fusion]]''' | [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], [[Florida|FL]] | [[Lockhart Stadium]] | align=center | 1997 | align=center | 1998 | align=center | 2001 |- | '''[[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]''' | [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida|FL]] | [[Tampa Stadium|Houlihan's Stadium]](from 1996–1998)<br />[[Raymond James Stadium]] (from 1999–2001) | align=center | 1995 | align=center | 1996 | align=center | 2001 |- |} === Expansion === {{Main|Expansion of Major League Soccer}} MLS will expand to 18 clubs in 2011 with [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)|Vancouver]] and [[Portland Timbers (MLS)|Portland]] joining the league. The new MLS club in Vancouver, Canada, will replace the second division [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC|Vancouver Whitecaps]]; it was expected that the MLS team would keep some form of the "Whitecaps" name,<ref>{{cite news | title=MLS expected to announce Vancouver expansion club |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2009/03/17/sp-whitecaps-expansion.html |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=2009-03-17}}</ref><ref>http://www.canada.com/sports/Vancouver+soccer+team+decides+keep+name/2264139/story.html</ref> which proved to be the case. Because renovations at [[BC Place Stadium]] to replace the original fixed roof with a retractable roof and to include a soccer-specific configuration will not be complete before the 2011 season, Vancouver will start its first season at the temporary [[Empire Field]]. The Vancouver ownership group hopes a new soccer-specific stadium will be approved for construction on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vancouvermls2011.com/facilities/waterfront-stadium.aspx |title=Vancouver waterfront stadium |publisher=Whitecaps FC |accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> Similarly, Portland's new MLS club will replace the second division [[Portland Timbers (USL)|Portland Timbers]] while keeping the name of the original team. The Timbers will play at [[PGE Park]], currently being renovated as a soccer-specific stadium for the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portlandtimbers.com/newsroom/headlines/index.html?article_id=1108 |title=MLS awards team to Portland for 2011 |publisher=Portland Timbers |date=2009-03-20 |accessdate=2009-03-20}}</ref> An expansion for 2012 will also take place in Montreal with their current team, the [[Montreal Impact|Impact]]. The official announcement of the expansion to Montreal for the 2012 season was made on May 7, 2010 during a press conference by the Montreal Impact and MLS Commissioner Don Garber.<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/07/1931176/mls-adds-montreal.html Montreal will join MLS in 2012]</ref> MLS hopes to add a 20th team by 2012 or shortly thereafter. A number of options are under consideration, including Detroit and placing a second team in the New York area as a rival to the Red Bulls. The [[New York Cosmos]] returned and aim to become the 20th team in Major League Soccer as soon as their soccer-specific-stadium will be ready in New York. === Team names === {{Main|Football club names}} : ''For more information on MLS team names, see the individual team entries.'' Originally, in the style of other U.S. sports, teams were given nicknames at their creation such as the [[Columbus Crew]], the [[San Jose Earthquakes|San Jose Clash]] or the [[Tampa Bay Mutiny]]. Two exceptions to this were [[D.C. United]] and [[Miami Fusion F.C.]], adopting naming conventions usually seen in European clubs. However, new teams such as [[Real Salt Lake]] and [[Toronto FC]] continued this trend along with the Dallas Burn renaming themselves as [[FC Dallas]]. Some of the club names have their origins in defunct American professional soccer leagues like the [[North American Soccer League|NASL]], such as the 1970s-era [[San Jose Earthquakes (1974–1988)|San Jose Earthquakes]], [[Seattle Sounders (1974–1983)|Seattle Sounders]], [[Portland Timbers (NASL)|Portland Timbers]] and [[Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)|Vancouver Whitecaps]]. [[Sports club|C.D.]] Chivas USA is the only MLS club whose name does not specify a city, state, or region. The club is named for the Mexican team [[C.D. Guadalajara]], who are often known by their nickname "''Chivas''," which translates to "Goats". The Mexican club, based in [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara, Mexico]], and Chivas USA share the same ownership. Though Real Salt Lake was not originally affiliated with [[Real Madrid]], in 2006 the two clubs signed an agreement to play friendly matches every two years, and to co-sponsor a soccer academy and training facility in Utah.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20060902/ai_n16711063 Real Madrid will be back in '08]</ref> The beverage company [[Red Bull GmbH|Red Bull]] owns the [[New York Red Bulls]] as well as [[Red Bull GmbH#Sport ownership|teams in other leagues and sports]]. === Rivalry cup competitions === {{Main|MLS rivalry cups}} * [[Atlantic Cup (United States)|Atlantic Cup]] — D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls * [[Brimstone Cup]] — Chicago Fire vs FC Dallas * [[California Clasico]] — Los Angeles Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes <!-- * [[Cascadia Cup]] — Seattle Sounders FC vs Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps --> * [[Heritage Cup (MLS)|Heritage Cup]] — San Jose Earthquakes vs Seattle Sounders FC * [[Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup]], pre-season — Columbus Crew vs FC Dallas * [[Rocky Mountain Cup]] — Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake * [[Honda SuperClasico|SuperClasico]] — Chivas USA vs Los Angeles Galaxy * [[Texas Derby]] — FC Dallas vs Houston Dynamo * [[Trillium Cup]] — Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC <!-- List of the current rivalry cups in league as of today. Future rivalries to be added when they begin competition. --> == Supporters groups == All teams in the league have independent [[supporters groups]] {{Major League Soccer Supporters Groups}} == Players == '''Bold''' indicates active MLS players. === All Time Regular Season Leaders === {{Col-begin}} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" :Left |+ <big>'''Goals'''</big><br/><small>''Regular Season only''</small> !Rank !Player !G |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Jeff Cunningham]]''' |align=center|132 |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|BOL}} '''[[Jaime Moreno]]''' |align=center|132 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ante Razov]] |align=center|114 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jason Kreis]] |align=center|108 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Landon Donovan]]''' |align=center|103 |- |align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Taylor Twellman]]''' |align=center|101 |- |align=center|7 |{{Flagicon|GUA}} [[Carlos Ruíz (football)|Carlos Ruíz]] |align=center|89 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Roy Lassiter]] |align=center|88 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Edson Buddle]]''' |align=center|88 |- |align=center|10 |{{Flagicon|SLV}} [[Raul Diaz Arce]] |align=center|82 |} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Goals Against Average'''</big><br /><small>''Regular Season only, 1500+ MINS''</small> !Rank !Player !GAA |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|CAN}} '''[[Pat Onstad]]''' |align=center|1.05 |- |rowspan=2 align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|SEN}} '''[[Bouna Coundoul]]''' |align=center|1.18 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[William Hesmer]]''' |align=center|1.18 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Matt Pickens]]''' |align=center|1.19 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Jon Busch]]''' |align=center|1.20 |- |align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Troy Perkins]]''' |align=center|1.22 |- |align=center|7 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Kevin Hartman]]''' |align=center|1.24 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Zach Thornton]]''' |align=center|1.25 |- |align=center|9 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Matt Reis]]''' |align=center|1.27 |- |align=center|10 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Nick Rimando]]''' |align=center|1.31 |} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Games Played'''</big><br /><small>''Regular Season only''</small> !Rank !Player !GP |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Ralston]] |align=center|378 |- |align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Kevin Hartman]]''' |align=center|333 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Chris Klein (soccer)|Chris Klein]]''' |align=center|322 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jesse Marsch]] |align=center|321 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|BOL}} '''[[Jaime Moreno]]''' |align=center|319 |- |rowspan=2 align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Jeff Cunningham]]''' |align=center|317 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Henderson]] |align=center|317 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jay Heaps]] |align=center|314 |- |align=center|9 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Cobi Jones]] |align=center|306 |- |align=center|10 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jason Kreis]] |align=center|305 |} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Minutes Played'''</big><br /><small>''Regular Season only''</small> !Rank !Player !MINS |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Ralston]] |align=center|33,143 |- |align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Kevin Hartman]]''' |align=center|29,835 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jay Heaps]] |align=center|27,363 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Henderson]] |align=center|26,242 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Chris Klein (soccer)|Chris Klein]]''' |align=center|25,946 |- |align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jesse Marsch]] |align=center|25,645 |- |align=center|7 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jason Kreis]] |align=center|25,242 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Cobi Jones]] |align=center|25,157 |- |align=center|9 |{{Flagicon|BOL}} '''[[Jaime Moreno]]''' |align=center|24,889 |- |align=center|10 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Mike Petke]]''' |align=center|24,738 |} {{Col-4}} {{Col-end}} [http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-time-leaders-stats Last Updated October 25, 2009] === All Time Playoff Leaders === {{Col-begin}} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Goals'''</big><br/><small>''Playoffs only''</small> !Rank !Player !G |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Landon Donovan]]''' |align=center|17 |- |align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|GUA}} [[Carlos Ruíz (footballer)|Carlos Ruíz]] |align=center|16 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Roy Lassiter]] |align=center|13 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|BOL}} '''[[Jaime Moreno]]''' |align=center|12 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ante Razov]] |align=center|11 |- |rowspan=3 align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Brian McBride]]''' |align=center|10 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Preki]] |align=center|10 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Taylor Twellman]]''' |align=center|10 |- |rowspan=2 align=center|9 |{{Flagicon|SLV}} [[Raúl Díaz Arce]] |align=center|8 |- |{{Flagicon|TRI}} [[Stern John]] |align=center|8 |} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Goals Against Average'''</big><br /><small>''Playoffs only, 300+ MINS''</small> !Rank !Player !GAA |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Adin Brown]] |align=center|0.66 |- |align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|JAM}} '''[[Donovan Ricketts]]''' |align=center|0.74 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Jon Conway]]''' |align=center|0.75 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Jon Busch]]''' |align=center|0.81 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Matt Reis]]''' |align=center|0.86 |- |align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Cassar]] |align=center|0.89 |- |align=center|7 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Matt Pickens]]''' |align=center|0.94 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|MEX}} [[Jorge Campos]] |align=center|0.99 |- |rowspan=2 align=center|9 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Danny Cepero]] |align=center|1.00 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Brad Guzan]] |align=center|1.00 |} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Games Played'''</big><br /><small>''Playoffs only''</small> !Rank !Player !GP |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Cobi Jones]] |align=center|45 |- |align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Kevin Hartman]]''' |align=center|44 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Diego Gutiérrez (soccer)|Diego Gutiérrez]] |align=center|40 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Agoos]] |align=center|39 |- |rowspan=2 align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Armas]] |align=center|37 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jesse Marsch]] |align=center|37 |- |rowspan=4 align=center|7 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[C. J. Brown]]''' |align=center|35 |- |{{Flagicon|SLV}} [[Mauricio Cienfuegos]] |align=center|35 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ante Razov]] |align=center|35 |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Zach Thornton]]''' |align=center|35 |} {{Col-4}} {| class="wikitable" |+ <big>'''Minutes Played'''</big><br /><small>''Playoffs only''</small> !Rank !Player !MINS |- |align=center|1 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Kevin Hartman]]''' |align=center|4,042 |- |align=center|2 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Cobi Jones]] |align=center|3,938 |- |align=center|3 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Agoos]] |align=center|3,557 |- |align=center|4 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Armas]] |align=center|3,383 |- |align=center|5 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Diego Gutiérrez (soccer)|Diego Gutiérrez]] |align=center|3,270 |- |align=center|6 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Jesse Marsch]] |align=center|3,228 |- |align=center|7 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[C.J. Brown]]''' |align=center|3,221 |- |align=center|8 |{{Flagicon|USA}} '''[[Zach Thornton]]''' |align=center|3,193 |- |align=center|9 |{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Ralston]] |align=center|3,164 |- |align=center|10 |{{Flagicon|SLV}} [[Mauricio Cienfuegos]] |align=center|2,992 |} {{Col-4}} {{Col-end}} [http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/history/alltime_ps_leaders.jsp As of MLS Cup 2009] == MLS commissioners == * [[Doug Logan]] (1996–99) * [[Don Garber]] (1999–present) == MLS awards == There are 10 awards given out by the Major League Soccer each year. # [[Major League Soccer MVP Award]] # [[MLS Best XI]] # [[MLS Coach of the Year Award]] # [[MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award]] # [[MLS Cup#MLS Scudetto|MLS Scudetto]] # [[MLS Defender of the Year Award]] # [[MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award]] # [[MLS Golden Boot]] # [[MLS Newcomer of the Year Award]] # [[MLS Rookie of the Year Award]] == See also == {{Too many see alsos}} {{Portal box|Association football|Soccer in the United States}} * [[United States men's national soccer team]] * [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada]] * [[Generation Adidas]] * [[List of professional sports teams in the United States and Canada]] * [[List of current MLS players]] * [[List of current MLS players with national team caps]] * [[List of foreign MLS players]] * [[List of MLS seasons]] * [[Major League Soccer Players Union]] * [[Major League Soccer records and statistics]] * [[MLS Central Division]] * [[MLS Reserve Division]] * [[MLS Direct Kick]] * [[MLS ExtraTime]] * [[MLS Expansion]] * [[MLS Hall of Fame Game]] * [[MLS Primetime Thursday]] * [[MLS Soccer Saturday]] * [[MLS Saturday]] * [[MLS Game of the Week]] * [[Carolina Challenge Cup]] * [[MLS Wrap]] * [[Sueño MLS]] * [[Top Attendance in United States Soccer]] * [[World Series of Soccer (MLS)]] ==References== {{Reflist|3}} ==External links== <!-- Do not add fan sites/forums --> * [http://www.mlssoccer.com/ Major League Soccer official site] * [http://www.ussoccer.com/ U.S. Soccer official site] * [http://multimedia.foxsports.com/soccer/major-league-soccer.htm Major League Soccer Video at FoxSports Video Archive] {{Major League Soccer}} {{USSoccer}} {{Canada Soccer}} {{CONCACAF Leagues}} {{Division 1 Soccer | Prev=[[A-League (American)|APSL]] | Years=1996&ndash;present | Next=Current League}} [[Category:1993 establishments]] [[Category:Major League Soccer| ]] [[Category:National association football premier leagues]] [[Category:Professional sports leagues]] [[Category:Summer association football leagues]] [[Category:Soccer leagues in the United States|1]] [[Category:Soccer leagues in Canada|1]] [[ang:Major League Soccer]] [[ca:Major League Soccer]] [[cs:Major League Soccer]] [[da:Major League Soccer]] [[de:Major League Soccer]] [[es:Major League Soccer]] [[eo:Grandliga Futbalo]] [[fa:لیگ برتر فوتبال آمریکا]] [[fr:Ligue majeure de soccer]] [[ko:메이저 리그 사커]] [[hr:Major League Soccer]] [[id:Major League Soccer]] [[it:Major League Soccer]] [[he:MLS]] [[lt:Major League Soccer]] [[hu:Észak-amerikai labdarúgó-bajnokság (első osztály)]] [[nl:Major League Soccer]] [[ja:メジャーリーグサッカー]] [[no:Major League Soccer]] [[nn:Major League Soccer]] [[pl:Major League Soccer]] [[pt:Major League Soccer]] [[ro:Major League Soccer]] [[ru:MLS]] [[simple:Major League Soccer]] [[fi:Major League Soccer]] [[sv:Major League Soccer]] [[th:เมเจอร์ลีกซอกเกอร์]] [[tr:Major League Soccer]] [[zh:美國職業足球大聯盟]]'