MLS Origins
FIFA requested that the United States establish a Division 1 soccer league to host the 1994 World Cup.
That requirement gave birth to Major League Soccer. In 1993, the USSF selected MLS as the official Division 1 league. The plan was simple: launch with 12 teams. But, after delays, the league finally kicked off in 1996 with just 10.
It was a gamble. The U.S. wasn't exactly famous for a soccer culture, and many wondered if the league could survive. Fast forward to today, and MLS is not only alive but thriving—thanks in large part to MLS expansion teams that have kept the league growing, fresh, and relevant.
What Is an MLS Expansion Team?
Unlike European leagues, MLS doesn't use promotion and relegation. Take England, for example, where Wrexham AFC jumped from the fifth tier to the Championship in just two years. That type of rise doesn't exist in America. Here, if you want to be in the top flight, you buy your way in.
To become part of MLS, an ownership group has to present a detailed business plan that includes:
- A financially solid ownership group
- A stadium plan (with either a new build or a major upgrade)
- A strong local soccer fan base
- A promising market in terms of population and economy
This proposal is reviewed not only by the MLS expansion committee but also by outside consultants and even local government stakeholders. If everything checks out, the MLS Board of Governors votes.
Approval comes with a steep price tag—currently $500 million just to get through the door. And don't expect that number to stay there; MLS Commissioner Don Garber has already hinted the fee could rise to $600 million for future applicants.
One of the quirks of MLS compared to other leagues is that there's no strict cap on the number of teams. For instance, the English Premier League is locked at 20. The U.S. sports market is bigger, and leagues like the NFL and NHL run with 32 teams. The MLS has 30 clubs, after the addition of San Diego FC in 2025.
Will There Be More MLS Expansion Teams?
For now, the league has paused further expansion, but the conversation never really stops. Cities like Detroit, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Sacramento have been floating around MLS expansion rumors for years. Some even had bids on the table.
As Garber put it: "If there's a good market for us to expand in, if that market makes sense, if we have the right owner and the right stadium plan, I think, like any league, we will strongly consider expanding beyond the 30 teams we have now."
Translation? If there is money and infrastructure, don't be shocked to see the league push past 30 clubs in the next decade.
How New Clubs Are Changing the League
The Upside
Going from 10 teams in 1996 to 30 today has completely reshaped the landscape. Each new MLS expansion team has added energy, investment, and new fans. Cities that never had a strong soccer identity are now, week after week, filling modern stadiums.
The quality of play has also risen. Inter Miami, which joined in 2020, flipped the script on how expansion clubs operate. Instead of scraping together aging veterans, they brought in global stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, raising the bar for everyone else. It forced all MLS teams to rethink their roster strategies and invest in younger, more competitive talent.
Internationally, that shift has boosted the league's reputation. What was once considered a retirement league now has players in their prime. Serious scouting networks in South America and Europe, and a growing respect from global football fans. It's even caught the attention of the betting industry, so it's now common to see BetUS sportsbook promotions related to MLS.
The Downside
Not every expansion story is a success. The Miami Fusion, Tampa Bay Mutiny, and Chivas USA all folded after struggling to build consistent fan bases and sustainable operations. Even today, there's a risk that the financial burden of competing with the league's biggest clubs could sink smaller ones.
The pressure to sign big names creates economic disparity. Wealthier clubs can chase marquee players, while others risk falling behind. It's the eternal tension of growth: more markets mean more money, but also more challenges to keep things competitive.
MLS expansion teams are now the driving force behind the league's evolution, introducing new fans and raising the caliber of soccer in the U.S.
Whether the next cities on the list are Detroit, Las Vegas, or any other, one thing is for sure: Major League Soccer expansion is about defining the future of soccer in America.
