MLS Soccer Teams List

The MLS (Major League Soccer) was founded in 1996 and currently has 28 members competing in the league. There are 25 teams in the United States and three teams in Canada. The league will expand to 29 teams in 2023, with the addition of St. Louis City SC. The MLS is divided into two conferences, the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference. Get ready to learn everything you’ll need to know about each team.

Major League Soccer Teams

• Atlanta United FC
• Austin FC
• CF Montreal
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire
• Colorado Rapids
• Columbus Crew
• D.C. United
• FC Cincinnati
• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo
• Inter Miami FC
• LA Galaxy
• Los Angeles FC
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• New England Revolution
• New York City FC
• New York City Red Bulls
• Orlando City SC
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers
• Real Salt Lake
• San Jose Earthquakes
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Sporting Kansas City
• St. Louis City SC
• Toronto FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps

Atlanta United FC

• City: Atlanta, Georgia
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 2014

Atlanta United became a part of the MLS as the 22nd team in 2017 and won the MLS Cup quickly after in 2018. In 2019, Atlanta United won the U.S. Open Cup and the Campeones Cup. They play at home in Mercedes-Benz Stadium and have a reputation for crazy amounts of fans in attendance. Atlanta United is among the top teams in the league for average attendance.

Austin FC

• City: Austin, Texas
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Date Joined: 2018

Austin FC is one of the most recent expansion teams, beginning MLS play in the 2021 season. They are the first major professional sports team to play in the city of Austin, playing their home games in Q2 Stadium. Columbus Crew SC was originally slated to be rebranded as Austin FC, but a buyout later prevented that move from happening.

CF Montréal

• City: Montreal, Quebec
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2010

CF Montréal is one of the few Canadian teams in the MLS. They were founded in 2012 as an expansion team, then called the Montreal Impact, and play in Saputo Stadium. They won the Canadian Championship in 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2021. 

Charlotte FC

• City: Charlotte, North Carolina
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Date Joined: 2019

Charlotte FC was recently added to the MLS, making its debut in 2022. They play their home games in Bank of America Stadium, the same venue where the Carolina Panthers of the NFL play. After multiple unsuccessful bids, Charlotte was finally awarded an MLS franchise in 2019. They currently hold the record for the highest attendance at an MLS game, with 74,479 fans attending their first home game.

Chicago Fire FC

• City: Chicago, Illinois
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 1997

Chicago Fire joined the MLS in 1998 on the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. The Fire went on to win the MLS Cup in their first season. They have been a relatively successful team since their inception, winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2000, 2003, and 2006. They play at Soldier Field in eastern Chicago, and their logo is meant to resemble that of a firefighter badge.

Colorado Rapids

• City: Commerce City, Colorado
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 1995

The Colorado Rapids were one of the first teams added to the MLS in its first 1996 season. They won the MLS Cup in 2010 and play at home at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. 

Columbus Crew

• City: Columbus, Ohio
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 2
• Founded: 1994

The Columbus Crew was one of the charter teams for the MLS, starting play in 1996. They played in Mapfre stadium for over 20 years before changing their home stadium to Lower.com Field. They won the MLS cup in 2008 and 2020 and were the runners-up in 2015. The Columbus Crew won the U.S. Open Cup in 2002 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2004, 2008, and 2009.

D.C. United

• City: Washington D.C.
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 4
• Founded: 1994

D.C. United was an original member of the MLS, joining in its first season in 1996. The team experienced most of its success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2018, they moved from their long-time home stadium, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, to their current home, Audi Field. D.C. United has won a total of four MLS Cups, winning in 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2004.

FC Cincinnati

• City: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2015

FC Cincinnati joined the MLS in 2019 as an expansion team after being promoted from the USL. Their own soccer-specific home stadium, TQL Stadium, was opened in 2021 after two years of the team playing at Nippert Stadium. The team has experienced some struggles in coaching and on-field performance in its first few years, but has a bright future ahead of it.

FC Dallas

• City: Frisco, Texas
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 1995

FC Dallas entered the MLS in its first season in 1996. They have yet to win an MLS Cup but were the runners-up in 2010. However, FC Dallas have won the U.S. Open Cup twice, in 1997 and 2016. They have played in Toyota Stadium since 2005.

Houston Dynamo FC

• City: Houston, Texas
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 2
• Founded: 2005

The Houston Dynamo joined MLS soccer in 2006 after moving from San Jose, California, to Houston, Texas. They play at PNC Stadium and are nicknamed the “Orange Crush.” They won the MLS Cup in their first two seasons in 2006 and 2007 and won the U.S. Open Cup in 2018.

Inter Miami CF

• City: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2018

Inter Miami joined the MLS in 2020 as an expansion team. They play in DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami’s largest signing in their short history is Gonzalo Higuain, an Argentinian player who was extremely successful in Europe’s top flights, including La Liga and Serie A. The president of the club is famous soccer player David Beckham. 

LA Galaxy

• City: Carson, California
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 5
• Founded: 1994

The LA Galaxy were founded in 1994 and were a charter member of the MLS during its inaugural season in 1996. They have won a total of five MLS Cups, making them the most successful MLS team in the league. They play at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Los Angeles FC

• City: Los Angeles, California  
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2014

LAFC played its first MLS game in 2018, coached by ex-USA National team coach Bob Bradley. While they have not yet won an MLS Cup, they have been a high-performing team in the years since their founding. They play at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.

Minnesota United FC

• City: Saint Paul, Minnesota
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2015

Minnesota United joined MLS soccer in 2017 and have played at home in Allianz Field since 2019. Their mascot is the Loon, and while they have not won an MLS Cup, they are a strong-performing team in the Western Conference.

Nashville SC

• City: Nashville, Tennessee
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2016

Nashville joined the MLS in 2020 as another expansion team, alongside Inter Miami CF. The team was promoted to its MLS status as a continuation of the former USL team, also known as Nashville SC. They play their home games at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.

New England Revolution

• City: Foxborough, Massachusetts
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 1996

The Revolution have been a part of Major League Soccer since its foundation in 1996. While they have never won an MLS Cup, they have participated in five finals: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2014, and they won the U.S. Open Cup in 2007. The New England Revolution’s home field is Gillette Stadium, shared with the New England Patriots of the NFL, and located just outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

New York City FC

• City: New York City, New York
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 2013

New York City FC entered the MLS in 2015 as an expansion team. They play at Yankee Stadium and are a part of the Eastern Conference. They are nicknamed “The Pigeons.” In 2021, New York City FC became MLS Champions for the first time by beating the Portland Timbers.

New York Red Bulls

• City: Harrison, New Jersey
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 1994

The Red Bulls have been a part of MLS Soccer since it started in 1996. They were originally named the New Jersey MetroStars but were sold and renamed in 2006. Their home field is at Red Bull Arena, and they were the runners-up in the 2008 MLS Cup after losing to the Columbus Crew. 

Orlando City SC

• City: Orlando, Florida
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2013

Orlando City joined the MLS in 2015 when they were promoted from the USL. They play at Exploria Stadium in Downtown Orlando and made it to the finals in the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. 

Philadelphia Union

• City: Chester, Pennsylvania
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2008

The Union joined the MLS in 2010 as an expansion team. They play at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. They have never won an MLS Cup but were runners-up three times in the US Open Cup. They also won the MLS Supporters Shield in 2020.

Portland Timbers

• City: Portland, Oregon
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 2009

The Portland Timbers became a part of the MLS in 2011 as an expansion team. They won the MLS cup in 2015, becoming the first MLS team in Cascadia to do so. They also won the MLS is Back tournament in 2020. They play in Providence Park in downtown Portland.

Real Salt Lake

• City: Sandy, Utah
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 2005

Real Salt Lake joined the MLS in 2005 as an expansion team. They play at home in Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. They won the MLS Cup in 2009 and were runners-up in the 2013 MLS Cup.

San Jose Earthquakes

• City: San Jose, California
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 2
• Founded: 1994

The San Jose Earthquakes have been a part of MLS since its foundation in 1996. They were originally named the San Jose Clash but were renamed the Earthquakes in 1999. They have won two MLS Cups (2001 and 2003) and currently play at Earthquakes Stadium in San Jose, California.

Seattle Sounders FC

• City: Seattle, Washington
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 2
• Founded: 1994

The Sounders became a soccer club in MLS in 2009 as an expansion team for the league. They play at Lumen Field and have won the MLS Cup twice, in 2016 and 2019. They have qualified for the MLS playoffs eleven times since their first season.

Sporting Kansas City

• City: Kansas City, Kansas
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 2
• Founded: 1995

Sporting KC joined MLS in 1996 as one of its first teams. When they started, they were called the Kansas City Wizards, but they changed their name in 2010. Sporting KC has won the U.S. Open Cup four times in 2004, 2012, 2015, and 2017. They play at Children’s Mercy Park and have won the MLS Cup twice, first in 2000 and then in 2013.

St. Louis City SC

• City: St. Louis, Missouri
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2019

St. Louis City SC is a team founded in 2019 that will officially begin play in the 2023 MLS season. They will play their home games in Centene Stadium, a brand new venue built specifically for the franchise. They were slated to join the MLS at the same time as USL Championship team Sacramento Republic FC, but the latter had their bid indefinitely postponed.

Toronto FC

• City: Toronto, Ontario
• Conference: East
• MLS Cup Wins: 1
• Founded: 2005

Toronto joined the MLS in 2007 as its first Canadian expansion team. Nicknamed “The Reds,” they play their home games at BMO Field. Their first MLS Cup win came in 2017. The Reds also won the Canadian Championship and Supporters’ Shield that same year. They have been runners-up in the MLS Cup twice–first in 2016 and then in 2019. They have won the Canadian Championship eight times.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

• City: Vancouver, British Columbia
• Conference: West
• MLS Cup Wins: 0
• Founded: 2009

The Whitecaps joined the MLS in 2011 as one of the three Canadian teams in the league. They went on to become the first Canadian team to qualify for the MLS Cup in 2012. The Whitecaps won the Canadian Championship in 2015. Their home field is at BC Place, and they are nicknamed “The Village.”

MLS Eastern Conference Teams

• Atlanta United FC
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire FC
• FC Cincinnati
• Columbus Crew
• D.C. United
• Inter Miami FC
• CF Montréal
• New England Revolution
• New York City FC
• New York Red Bulls
• Orlando City SC
• Philadelphia Union
• Toronto FC

MLS Western Conference Teams

• Austin FC
• Colorado Rapids
• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo FC
• LA Galaxy
• Los Angeles FC
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• Portland Timbers
• Real Salt Lake
• San Jose Earthquakes
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Sporting Kansas City
• St. Louis City SC
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC

FAQ