Short answers, pulled from the story.
Major League Soccer was officially formed as a limited liability company in February 1995, with play beginning in 1996. It was created as part of a promise U.S. Soccer made to FIFA in 1988 in exchange for the right to host the 1994 World Cup.
MLS comprises 30 teams as of 2025, with 27 based in the United States and 3 in Canada. The most recent expansion team, San Diego FC, joined in 2025.
The Designated Player Rule, introduced in 2007, allows MLS clubs to sign a limited number of players whose salaries exceed the league's salary cap maximum. Only a capped portion of those salaries counts against the cap. David Beckham was the first player signed under the rule.
Chris Wondolowski holds the all-time MLS goalscoring record with 171 goals, scored between 2005 and 2021.
The LA Galaxy have won the most MLS Cups with six titles, won in 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2024.
After losing an estimated $250 million in its first five years, MLS was saved in late 2001 when owners Lamar Hunt, Philip Anschutz, and the Kraft family provided financing. The league contracted two teams in January 2002 and pivoted to building soccer-specific stadiums, starting with Columbus Crew Stadium in 1999, which gave clubs control over their own revenue streams.