The following is a timeline of organizational changes in Major League Soccer (MLS), a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that began play in 1996 with 10 teams and by 2024 now has 29 teams. A 30th team, San Diego FC, will play by 2025. This article includes expansions, contractions, renamings of clubs and conference realignment.
Graphical timeline
Early years (1996–1999)
1996 (10 teams)
The league operated its first inaugural season in 1996 with 10 teams and two conferences.
1996 MLS teams | Eastern | Western |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | Dallas Burn |
| New England Revolution | Kansas City Wiz |
| NY/NJ MetroStars | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| Tampa Bay Mutiny | San Jose Clash |
1997 (10 teams)
Kansas City Wiz would be renamed to the Kansas City Wizards in the following season.
1998–1999: First expansion
1998–1999 (12 teams
The league expanded for the first time in 1998 with Miami Fusion and Chicago Fire. New York/New Jersey MetroStars would be renamed to MetroStars by the same season.
| Team's first season in MLS * |
2000–2001: Three divisions
2000–2001 (12 teams)
In 2000, the league realigned to three divisions, with a new division: the Central Division. The Eastern and Western Conferences were renamed to the Eastern and Western Divisions respectively. San Jose Clash would also rebrand to the San Jose Earthquakes.
| Team would fold after the 2001 season † |
2002–2006: League contraction
2002–2004 (10 teams)
Prior to the 2002 MLS season, Miami Fusion of the Eastern Division and Tampa Bay Mutiny of the Central Division folded. The league returned to the two-conference format for the season with a similar alignment to the 1997 season, only with Chicago Fire moving to the Eastern Conference.
| Team moved from the Central Division ‡ |
2005 (12 teams)
Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake were both added to the Western Conference for the 2005 expansion; The Kansas City Wizards were subsequently moved to the Eastern Conference to even the conferences out.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team switched conferences ‡ |
| Team folded after the 2005 season † |
2006 (12 teams)
The San Jose Earthquakes would relocate to Houston to become the Houston Dynamo.
| Team relocated to Houston |
2007–2014: Expansion into Canada
2007 (13 teams)
Toronto FC was added to the Eastern Conference during 2007 expansion, adding a team in Canada for the first time.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2008 (14 teams)
The San Jose Earthquakes returned to the Western Conference for the 2008 season after a 2-year hiatus.
2009 (15 teams)
Seattle Sounders FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2009 season, succeeding USL First Division team of the same name.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2010 (16 teams)
Philadelphia Union was added to the Eastern Conference for the 2010 season.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2011 (18 teams)
The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC were both added to the Western Conference with both teams being successors of USL teams. Houston Dynamo subsequently switched to the Eastern Conference to make both conferences even. Kansas City Wizards rebranded to Sporting Kansas City prior to this season.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team switched conferences ‡ |
2012–2014
Montreal Impact was added to the Eastern Conference for the 2012 season, succeeding a USL First Division team of the same name.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team folded after the 2014 season † |
2015–present: Rapid expansion
2015–2016 (20 teams)
New York City FC and Orlando City SC were both added to the Eastern Conference, the latter of which was a successor of a USL Pro team of the same name; subsequently Sporting Kansas City was relocated back to the Western Conference after 9 seasons to make both conferences even. Chivas USA would fold prior to the 2015 season.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team switched conferences ‡ |
2017 (22 teams)
Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC were added to the Eastern and Western Conferences respectively; the latter of which was the successor to the NASL team of the same name.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2018 (23 teams)
Los Angeles FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2018 season.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2019 (24 teams)
FC Cincinnati was added to the Eastern Conference after spending 3 years in the USL.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2020 (26 teams)
Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC were both added to the Eastern and Western Conferences for the 2020 season; due to scheduling difficulties due to Nashville SC not participating in the MLS is Back Tournament, the club moved to the Eastern Conference after the event. Chicago Fire SC rebranded to Chicago Fire FC.[1]
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team's first season in the MLS, then switched conferences midseason *‡ |
2021 (27 teams)
Austin FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2021 season. Montreal Impact rebranded to Club de Foot Montréal.[2]
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
2022 (28 teams)
Charlotte FC was added to the Eastern Conference for the 2022 season; Nashville SC subsequently relocated to the Western Conference to even the conferences.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team switched conferences ‡ |
2023–2024 (29 teams)
St. Louis City SC was added to the Western Conference for the 2023 season; Nashville SC relocated to the Eastern Conference for a second time.
| Team's first season in the MLS * |
| Team switched conferences ‡ |
2025: Future expansion
2025 (30 teams)
San Diego FC will be added to the Western Conference for the 2025 season.[3]
| Team will play its first season in 2025 * |
See also
References
- ^ "Nashville SC will compete in the Eastern Conference when play resumes in the MLS Is Back Tournament on July 8". Nashville SC. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ "Montreal MLS team rebrands as Club De Foot Montreal". CBC.ca. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
- ^ "San Diego FC: MLS expansion team unveil name, crest & brand identity". MLSsoccer.com. 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
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