The MLS: An uprising force
The MLS was founded in 1993 with only 10 teams in the league at the time. Now, 25 years later, the league plans to have over 30+ teams now expanding to Sacramento, St. Louis, Austin, and Miami. Don Garber, the Commissioner, hopes to land a few more teams to join the league in hopes to expand the popularity of the sport in the U.S.
David Beckham, former English legend, joined in the ownership pool by purchasing the brand new Florida team, Inter Miami. He has garnered the attention of many players and attempted to recruit world superstars like Barcelona’s Luis Suarez, Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale, while hiring former Rayados manager, Diego Alonso, as the club’s first ever manager.
Meanwhile, the L.A. Galaxy signed all-time leading scorer for Mexico, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez to a record contract that’s worth over 6 million dollars a year. The Mexican striker fills a big need for the club and makes the popularity and championship window even more reachable for the Galaxy..
The MLS’s goal is to grow future U.S. players and hope to be a force in the upcoming World Cups. Many players have high potential and play for the MLS such as Sporting KC’s Gianluca Busio, San Jose Earthquakes Jackson Yueill, and F.C. Dallas’s Jesus Ferreira. These players are the major products the future holds for the MLS and U.S. Soccer.
Many signings are not possible without the ownership pools that are involved. The MLS attracts stars like Houston Dynamo part-owner James Harden. Oscar winning actor, Matthew McConaughey, bought a stake in the newest expansion club, Austin F.C, which is set to play in 2021 as the 27th club.
Future signings that are going to make an immediate impact helps expand the union’s viewers. The season ticket prices continue to rise with Atlanta at its highest in the league. The league’s season tickets have increased in price and sales compared to the other years. So far, with new big signings emerging every year, the sales are projected to increase every year if fans or players are satisfied.
La Liga MX has bought into the hype and decided to bring their leagues best talent to co-host an MLS vs La Liga MX all-star game being hosted in L.A to compete for the bragging rights of which group of players are better from the leagues.
With the MLS celebrating its 25th anniversary, the league has never been this popular. Chicharito recently commented, “The MLS is more popular in Europe than La Liga MX is over here.” Which is one of the main reasons he stuck with the league instead of going to his hometown’s association. The peak hasn’t hit yet for the young league and hopefully, the future is bright for U.S. Soccer.
