Major League Soccer USA
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional men’s soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport at its highest level in the United States. The league currently has 28 teams in the U.S. and three in Canada. It plans to expand to 29 teams by 2023. In the meantime, the league is known for its high-energy games and thrilling fan experiences. Regardless of your age or gender, you’re sure to find a team to cheer for in the stadium.
The MLS’s new look and branding has drawn a lot of attention. For instance, the “Core Players” initiative allows teams to re-sign key players with the money they receive from the sale of their own players. The initiative was implemented in 2013, allowing teams to keep key players while reducing their spending by the salary cap. The first players re-signed with retention funds were U.S. national team regulars. MLS teams also have the option of earning allocation money, which they can use to pay player salaries.
In addition to the regular season schedule, MLS also features an exhibition All-Star Game that is held midway through the season. This game is previously played between teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences. Nowadays, it’s an exhibition match between the league and a club that has been invited to play in the competition. Fans vote for the players, and the manager/commissioner selects the starting lineup. Famous international teams have participated in the exhibition game.