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Major League Soccer

By Erica_Edwards

  • League Conception Date

    League Conception Date
    In 1988, in exchange for the right to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup, U.S. Soccer promised to establish a Division 1 professional league. In 1993, U.S. Soccer selected Major League Professional Socccer as an exclusive Division 1 professional league.

  • First Recruited Players

    First Recruited Players
    The MLS recruited Alexi Lalas, Tony Meola, Eric Wynalda, Jorge Campos, and Carlos Valderrama from the 2004 World Cup.

  • League's First Television Rights Deal

    League's First Television Rights Deal
    Without any teams, players, or coaches in place, the MLS with ESPN and ABC announced the league's first television rights deal.

  • First Game

    First Game
    On April 6th, 1996 the first MLS game was held. The San Jose Clash defeated D.C. United in front of 31,000 fans at Spartan Stadium in San Jose in a game brodcast on ESPN. The first ten teams in the MLS were the Columbus Crew, D.C. United, New Englad Revolution, NY/NJ MetroStars, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burns, Kansas City Wiz, Los Angeles Galaxy, and the San Jose Clash.

  • D.C. United Dynasty

    D.C. United Dynasty
    D.C. United was the first team to win the MLS Cup in a close 2-3 game against the Las Angeles Galaxy. The team wins the cup the next year and then again in 1999.

  • MLS Adds Two New Teams

    MLS Adds Two New Teams
    In 1998, the MLS announced two expansion teams the Miami Fusion and the Chicago Fire.

  • U.S. National Team Eliminated From World Cup

    U.S. National Team Eliminated From World Cup
    In France 98', the U.S. National team was eliminated by Iran, most of the players on the team played for the MLS. The MLS lost many supporters to the incompetance of the league.

  • First Soccer Specific Stadium

    First Soccer Specific Stadium
    The first soccer specific stadium was built in Columbus, Ohio, costing about $28.5 million. The stadium was named "Crew Stadium."

  • First MLS SuperDraft

    First MLS SuperDraft
    Steve Shak, from UCLA, was the first person drafted to the NY/NJ MetroStars in 2000.

  • Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion

    Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion
    MLS announced in January 2002 that it had decided to contract the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion, leaving the league with ten teams.

  • MLS Attendance Record

    MLS Attendance Record
    At the MLS cup 2002, MLS set and attendance record of 61,316 spectators at Gillette Stadium.

  • First Allstar Game Against a Foreign Team

    First Allstar Game Against a Foreign Team
    On October 2, 2003 the MLS Allstar played against its first foreign team, the Guadalajara and won 3-1.

  • MLS Goes Into Debt

    MLS Goes Into Debt
    Between the founding of the MLS and 2004 the league had lost $350 million.

  • First Candian Team Founded

    First Candian Team Founded
    Toronto F.C. was the first Canadian team founded in the MLS, they became the 14th team.

  • David Beckham Signs to L.A. Galaxy

    David Beckham Signs to L.A. Galaxy
    Famous European soccer player, David Backham signs to the L.A. Galaxy in 2007 bringing attention to the MLS.

  • Portland Timbers Join the MLS

    Portland Timbers Join the MLS
    In 2011, the Portland Timbers join the MLS, they have the largest support and attendance in the league.

  • Target Market

    Target Market
    Age: 20-30
    Ethnicity: Caucasian
    Occupation: College Students, Educated, Part-Time
    Income: $35,000-$40,000
    Gender: Male