About This Competition
As footballing federations go, the USA MLS is a relative newcomer having been first founded in 1993. There are currently 24 teams in the league. The MLS (Major League Soccer) is the top tier of professional football (soccer) in the United States. Football in the USA works in a different way to European football. Instead of the independently owned teams we have in Europe, the USA MLS is a single “unit or entity” in which each team is owned by the league's investors. Promotion to and from this league is decided on a financial and license basis. As such, there is no regular promotion or relegation. Teams are ranked in the League by points, the same way that the European leagues are. The domestic trophy for the MLS is the U.S. Open Cup, but teams in the league also play for the CONCACAF Champions League, Campeones Cup, and the Leagues Cup. The 24 teams are divided by geographical location between the Eastern and Western Conferences. The MLS regular season of 34 games is followed by a postseason knockout tournament. Each of the fourteen teams participates in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Participating teams
Atlanta United
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Austin FC
Q2 Stadium, Austin
Charlotte FC
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Chicago Fire
Soldier Field, Chicago
Colorado Rapids
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City
Columbus Crew
Lower.com Field, Columbus
D.C. United
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington D.C.
FC Cincinnati
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati
FC Dallas
Toyota Stadium, Dallas
Houston Dynamo
PNC Stadium, Houston, Texas
Inter Miami CF
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
LA Galaxy
StubHub Center, Carson
Los Angeles FC
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles
Minnesota United
TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Montreal Impact
Saputo Stadium, Montreal
Nashville S.C.
Nissan Stadium, Nashville
New England Revolution
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
New York City FC
Yankee Stadium, New York
New York Red Bulls
Red Bull Arena, New Jersey
Orlando City SC
Orlando City Stadium, Orlando
Philadelphia Union
PPL Park, Chester
Portland Timbers
Providence Park, Portland, Oregon
Real Salt Lake
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
San Jose Earthquakes
Avaya Stadium, San Jose
Seattle Sounders
CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Sporting Kansas City
Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City
St. Louis City SC
CityPark, St. Louis, Missouri
Toronto FC
BMO Field, Toronto
Vancouver Whitecaps
BC Place, Vancouver
