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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.
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The MLS recruited Alexi Lalas, Tony Meola, Eric Wynalda, Jorge Campos, and Carlos Valderrama from the 2004 World Cup.
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Without any teams, players, or coaches in place, the MLS with ESPN and ABC announced the league's first television rights deal.
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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.
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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.
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In 1998, the MLS announced two expansion teams the Miami Fusion and the Chicago Fire.
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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.
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The first soccer specific stadium was built in Columbus, Ohio, costing about $28.5 million. The stadium was named "Crew Stadium."
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Steve Shak, from UCLA, was the first person drafted to the NY/NJ MetroStars in 2000.
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MLS announced in January 2002 that it had decided to contract the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion, leaving the league with ten teams.
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At the MLS cup 2002, MLS set and attendance record of 61,316 spectators at Gillette Stadium.
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On October 2, 2003 the MLS Allstar played against its first foreign team, the Guadalajara and won 3-1.
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Between the founding of the MLS and 2004 the league had lost $350 million.
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Toronto F.C. was the first Canadian team founded in the MLS, they became the 14th team.
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Famous European soccer player, David Backham signs to the L.A. Galaxy in 2007 bringing attention to the MLS.
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In 2011, the Portland Timbers join the MLS, they have the largest support and attendance in the league.
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Age: 20-30
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Occupation: College Students, Educated, Part-Time
Income: $35,000-$40,000
Gender: Male
