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Oneida FC
Oneida Football Club of Boston was the first known soccer club in the United States. The game they played was known as the “Boston Game”, which was a mix of soccer and football. They were the first team to play football in the United States professionally, which helped them go undefeated because of the organization they had. They never played in a formal league, they just played pickup games throughout the city. -
Industrial Leagues
From 1876-1880, During the Industrial Revolution, different communities with textile mills, shipyards, quarries or mines developed unofficial soccer teams amongst its immigrant population all over the US. -
United States Soccer Federation (USSF)
Formerly known as the United States Football Association, the USSF was formed in April 5th, 1913, and granted full membership into FIFA August 15th, 1913. This was significant because the country was now officially a part of the world's biggest game. -
APSL
The 1st North American soccer league was born. it was known as the APSL (American Professional Soccer League). This league was geographically limited to the Northeast (between Boston and New York), but was very successful and was the 2nd most popular league in the country until it folded because of the Great Depression. -
Formation of NASL
In 1967, two professional soccer leagues started in the United States: the FIFA-sanctioned United Soccer Association, which consisted of entire European and South American teams brought to the U.S. and given local names, and the unsanctioned National Professional Soccer League. In December 1967, the team leagues joined to form the NASL. Its final season was the 1984 season. -
Pelé Signs with NY Cosmos
Pelé signed with the NY Cosmos (of the North American Soccer League) for $4.5 million. He was the most recognizable player in the world at the time and without him the NASL probably would’ve folded much earlier than it did. Wherever he went the fans followed, he drew record crowds everywhere, his presence increased America’s interest in the global game. Signing big names would become a trend later on in the MLS. -
US Granted 1994 World Cup
The U.S. bid for the '94 World Cup is accepted by FIFA, beating bids from Brazil and Morocco. FIFA was impressed with the stadiums in the U.S, as well as the U.S' ability to host the 1984 Olympic Soccer Tournament which had the three largest crowds ever for the sport at the time. A part of this agreement was that the US would found a new professional soccer league to debut after the World Cup, that league became the MLS. -
Formation of MLS
The MLS is founded making it the first Division 1 outdoor professional league since 1984 when the North American Soccer League ceased operations. The inagural season began three years later in 1996 with a total of ten teams in the league -
Estimated Loss
MLS has lost an estimated $350 million from when it was founded in 1993 to 2004. This shows that the league has gone though its far share of ups and downs and has not been as successful as other professional American Sports leagues. -
David Beckham signs with LA Galaxy
David Beckham signs a then record contract with the LA Galaxy (5 years $32.5 million). At the time it was the biggest signing for the MLS ever, which brought an extreme amount of growth to the league, and he was most well known foreign player in the MLS. He also became the leagues first ever designated player. -
NASL 2
Since Nike sold its stake in the USL to Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis of Atlanta-based NuRock Soccer Holdings, instead of the USL Team Owner's Association. Many of the USL owners were concerned with the future of the league so split off and formed their own league called NASL, to pay respect to the playersm coaches and leaders who were pioneers for men's professional soccer in North America. Has no affiliation with the previous NASL. -
More big names come to MLS
Thierry Henry, the french player who made his name playing for soccer clubs such as Arsenal and Barcelona signs with the New York Red Bulls in 2010. Soon followed the Irish international Robbie Keane in 2011 and Clint Dempsey on August 3rd, 2013. Recently, MLS has signed other big name players such as Michael Bradley on January 9th, 2014, and Jermaine Jones on August 24th, 2014. -
MLS's Rebrand
MLS unveils rebrand with new logo and new philosophy just in time for their 20th season. Ties to European Football with the crest, the three Stars = three Cs (Club, Community, and Country) which was inspired by US fans, the slash across middle represents the growth of the league, and the non usage of the soccer ball signifies the brand image the league is trying to produce. -
MLS expands to 20 teams
NYCFC and Orlando City FC set to join MLS, record 20 teams (conference realignment, 10 in the west, 10 in the east). Each team has signed star players which shows league is on the rise both financially and competitively, NYCFC has signed Frank Lampard (England) and David Villa (Spain) and Orlando City has signed Kaka (Brazil).
