MLS
Every expansion team in MLS history: LAFC, Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, NYCFC, San Diego...
It was confirmed on Thursday than the 30th MLS franchise will play in San Diego from 2025 onwards.
Major League Soccer continues to take big steps forward in an effort to help further grow American soccer, with it being confirmed on Thursday that San Diego would become the latest city in the United States to have a team in MLS. Commission Don Garber announced that the league’s 30th franchise would begin competing in 2025.
Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour has agreed to buy the expansion rights for the club, which will hope to have as big an impact as other recently-formed franchises, from Inter Miami to Charlotte FC and St. Louis City SC.
Since the MLS was founded in 1996, the league has undergone a significant number of changes, with several new expansion teams joining the league over the years, and others leaving. Despite MLS’ relative infancy, it has grown exponentially and has attracted the attention of onlookers from other countries.
Which 10 teams played in the inaugural MLS season?
MLS began in 1996 with 10 founding teams (Columbus Crew, DC United, New England Revolution, NY/NJ MetroStars, Tampa Bay Mutiny, Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz, LA Galaxy and San Jose Clash).
1998: Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion join MLS
However, it didn’t take long for the league to start spreading its wings, with Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion the first two expansion teams to join MLS.
While Chicago Fire are still going strong, Miami Fusion folded in 2001 after just four seasons, along with founders Tampa Bay Mutiny, a considerable blow for a competition that was looking to grow.
2005: MLS back to 12 teams
Chivas USA
Two new MLS franchises were announced in 2004, with Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake taking the league back up to 12 teams. The former were set up as a subsidiary of Liga MX club Chivas of Guadalajara, who were popular in the United States, especially in Los Angeles. But they too failed to last the distance, ceasing operations in 2014.
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake paid just $7.5 million for their place in MLS and, after a couple of difficult seasons, quickly began to make a big impact. They were MLS Cup champions in 2009, which earned them a place in the Concacaf Champions League for 2010-11. In their first appearance in the competition, they reached the final, losing to Mexican side Monterrey.
2007: MLS crosses over to Canada
Toronto FC
In 2005, MLS announced that it would be crossing the Canadian border for the first time, with Toronto paying $10 million to join the league in time for the 2007 season.
2008: MLS grows to 14 teams
San Jose Earthquakes return
After an enforced hiatus due to financial issues and being replaced by Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes shelled out $20 million in 2007 to get back into MLS for the following season, with their return taking the league up to 14 teams for the first time.
2009: Seattle Sounders arrive and prosper
Seattle Sounders
With the MLS starting to boom, potential new franchises had to pay considerably more to get into the league. For instance, Seattle Sounders expansion rights cost $30 million, a figure which would prove to be a bargain given that they are one of the most successful clubs in the United States, wining two MLS Cups and the Concacaf Champions League in 2022. No other MLS team has ever played in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union, the losing finalists in last year’s MLS Cup, started playing in MLS in 2010, following an announcement two years earlier. The Union would become the league’s 16th franchise and have been competitive throughout their time in the league, winning the Eastern Conference regular season on two occasions, as well as the Supporters’ Shield in 2020.
2011: Another venture into Canada
Vancouver Whitecaps
The second Canadian franchise made its debut in MLS in 2011 and has gone on to become a fairly consistent performer, as well producing players such as Alphonso Davies, who currently plays for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers also started competing in MLS in 2011 and in time have became one of the most competitive teams in the Western Conference. The league’s 18th franchise have played in the MLS Cup on three occasions, winning once.
2012: Canadian hat-trick completed
Montreal CF
The league’s 19th expansion team joined MLS when it was already in full swing, with a number of international stars having made the move to the United States, including David Beckham, Robbie Keane and more. Canada’s third team has reached the Concacaf Champions League final and had former Chelsea star Didier Drogba turning out for them for a year-and-a-half.
2015: The Big Apple and Florida get involved
NYCFC and Orlando City
A year after Chivas USA dropped out and MLS had returned to 18 teams, the arrivals of two new expansion franchises were announced, namely New York City FC and Orlando City. NYCFC in particular have enjoyed success since joining in 2015, winning the MLS Cup in 2021.
2017: MLS’ increasing expansion fees
Atlanta United and Minnesota United
Two well-supported teams joined MLS in 2017, with Atlanta United paying $70 million for their spot in the league before winning the MLS Cup in just their second ever season, with the help of former Mexico coach Gerardo Martino and star players Josef Martínez, who moved to Inter Miami, and Miguel Almiron, now of Premier League side Newcastle United.
Minnesota United became the league’s 23rd club and although they’ve not quite managed to become as successful as the city’s NFL team, the Vikings, president Nick Rodgers has been able to build a competitive side.
2018: LAFC challenge LA Galaxy
Los Angeles FC made a big splash in 2018, becoming the city’s second MLS team and taking some of the spotlight away from LA Galaxy, one of the league’s dominant forces for several years. LAFC weren’t about to stay in the shadows and signings such as Carlos Vela helped them win the MLS Cup in 2022.
2019: FC Cincinnati make it 24
In 2019, Cincinnati became MLS franchise number 24, although they struggled to make the same kind of impact as LAFC and Atlanta United in previous years. The struggle continues, although the 2022 season was considerably better than any of those that had come before it.
2020: David Beckham returns to MLS with Inter Miami
Inter Miami
The 2020 season marked the debut of David Beckham’s long-awaited franchise, Inter Miami. Due to the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star’s involvement, there has inevitably been plenty of fanfare around them ever since, especially in southern Florida and in the southern United States in general.
Nashville SC
Nashville also came along at the same time, in a rather more understated manner. However, they have kicked on impressively, building a new stadium since joining the league.
Recent expansion teams
St. Louis City, (2023) Charlotte FC (2022) and Austin FC (2021) are the league’s most recent expansion teams. While the first two are still finding their feet, Austin reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in just their second season.
2025: San Diego
How will San Diego fare as the newest member of the MLS family? We’ll have to wait until 2025 to find out.