Remember when MLS almost went bust in the early 2000s? Fast forward to today, and we've got Lionel Messi playing in Miami while the league prepares for its 31st season. It's been quite a ride since 1996.
The league started with just 10 teams back when the San Jose Clash faced D.C. United in that first game. This weekend, 30 teams will kick off their seasons. That's not just growth – that's explosive expansion.
Here's the wild part: MLS only exists because it was required as part of landing the 1994 World Cup. Talk about turning an obligation into an opportunity. Now the league is preparing to showcase itself during the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
"This jet has been running for 30 years, and it's going to run for another 30," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. He's not wrong to be confident.
The Vision That Almost Didn't Happen
Doug Logan, MLS's first commissioner, says he always knew the league would attract world-class players. But even he admits it took longer and cost more than anyone expected. The league nearly collapsed when Philip Anschutz had to own six of the 10 clubs just to keep things afloat.
Some teams didn't make it – Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, and Chivas USA all folded. But the vision stayed alive because people like the Hunt family (yes, the Kansas City Chiefs owners) believed in soccer's potential in America.
Now we're seeing that belief pay off in spectacular fashion. Brazil's national team will train at Red Bull New York's new $120 million facility during the World Cup. That's more expensive than most early MLS stadiums cost to build.
What This Means Going Forward
The 2026 World Cup will be massive – 48 teams for the first time ever. Cities like Kansas City will host training camps for Algeria, Argentina, England, and the Netherlands. The global exposure will be enormous.
For bettors and fans alike, this matters. MLS had 37 players at the 2022 World Cup – more than any other league in the Western Hemisphere. That number should jump even higher in 2026. Watch for players to boost their profiles during the tournament, which could impact club form afterward.
The league's attendance numbers are already second globally behind only the Premier League. Adding Messi in 2023 helped, but the growth was happening anyway. Over 43,000 kids now play in MLS NEXT development programs with sophisticated training technology.
MLS is also shifting to a summer-to-spring schedule in 2027 to align with European leagues. That's huge for potential transfers and could make the league more attractive to international stars considering their next move.
The Hunt family and other owners are banking on World Cup hosting countries getting a significant boost in domestic league interest. If even a fraction of casual World Cup viewers convert to MLS fans, the league's trajectory could skyrocket.
Young American talent like Alex Freeman, Obed Vargas, and Cavan Sullivan are already making moves to top European clubs. The pathway works both ways now – players develop in MLS and move to Europe, while established stars like Messi come to America.
This World Cup isn't just a celebration – it's an inflection point. MLS has 30 years of foundation-building behind it. What comes next could be truly special.
