All MLS Expansion Teams To Date

In the early years of the MLS competition, the League was subject to folding up, but now you can notice that the MLS is more lucrative than ever.

You see, the MLS is now into team expansion due to gains that have always been made. Over the years, the MLS has made a lot of money from team expansion and has also structured a way for every participating club to thrive and profit.

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All MLS Expansion Teams From 1998 To 2023

  1. St. Louis City SC (2023)

St. Louis City SC is an expansion team scripted to play in 2023. The MLS Authorities had turned down the club’s offer to participate in the elite soccer league in America due to how the club lacked many requirements to play in the MLS.

St. Louis SC was however approved on August 20, 2019.

  1. Charlotte FC (2022)

Charlotte FC is one of the newest clubs to have its expansion in the MLS league. The club however gained its place in the league after it was approved in 2019.

  1. Austin FC (2021)

After being established in 2018, Austin FC has its place as the 27th expanded club in the MLS league. Austin FC competes in Major league soccer as a member of the western conference.

  1. Nashville SC (2020)

Nashville SC based in Nashville, Tennessee was founded in 2017 and joined the league in 2020 as a member of the Eastern Conference.

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  1. Inter Miami FC (2020)

Inter Miami FC whose full name is Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami was founded in 2018. Inter Miami is one of the biggest franchises in the league and is owned by Manchester United legend, David Beckham. They had their approval to compete in the major league in 2020.

Inter Miami also competes as a member of the Eastern Conference.

  1. FC Cincinnati  (2019)

FC Cincinnati is the franchise that the MLS chiefs awarded a place in the league in 2018, and they started playing in 2019. The club now competes in the major league as a member of the Eastern Conference.

  1. Los Angeles FC – (2018)

After all the struggles to get approved by the MLS chiefs, Los Angeles FC finally got approval in 2017 and started playing in the major league in 2018. As of today, Los Angeles FC is one of the biggest franchises in the league.

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  1. Minnesota United FC – (2017)

Minnesota United FC, competing as a member of the Western Conference in the MLS league, had early approval to play in the major league in 2016, although this project was announced in 2014.

  1. Atlanta United FC – (2017)

After withdrawing a bid in 2009, Atlanta United FC finally joined the major league to compete as a member of the Eastern Conference and also as an expansion team.

  1. Orlando City SC – (2015)

Orlando City SC is formerly known as Austin Aztez FC. The change happened in 2008 when Austin Aztez FC moved to Orlando and then became the Orlando City Soccer Club.

In 2010, the club announced its plan to compete in the major league, and in 2015 its plan was executed.

  1. New York City FC – (2015)

The New York City FC which is owned by the Manchester City owners, City Football Group, and Yankee Global Enterprises competes in the major league as a member of the Eastern Conference.

READ: List of all MLS teams in 2023, Nicknames, and Conferences

The New York City FC made its debut in the MLS in 2015.

  1. CF Montréal  (2012)

CF Montréal happens to be the third Canadian club to join the MLS franchise. The Canadian team now competes in the major league as a member of the Eastern Conference.

However, the former Montreal Impact made its debut in the league in 2012.

  1. Portland Timbers – (2011)

Portland Timbers happens to be one of the clubs to have taken a lot of years to successfully join the major league. The club made its debut in 2011.

  1. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – (2011)

Same as Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps joined the major league in 2011 after a lot of standards were considered.

  1. Philadelphia Union – (2010)

Philadelphia Union made its debut in the major league in 2010 after an agreement was reached. As of today, Philadelphia Union competes in the major league as a member of the Eastern Conference.

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  1. Seattle Sounders FC – (2009)

Seattle Sounders FC began to play in the major league as a member of the Western Conference and also as an expansion team of the MLS in 2009.

The club is said to have been part of the MLS Inaugural season but it was not included.

  1. San Jose Earthquakes – (2008)

San Jose Earthquakes were among the original MLS founders who went on hiatus then as San Jose Clash. However, after getting approval in 2007, San Jose Earthquakes joined the major league in 2008 as an expansion team.

  1. Toronto FC – (2007)

Being among the teams in the MLS Inaugural season, Toronto FC is considered to be the first Canadian side to join the MLS. It can be recalled that Toronto FC debuted in the MLS in 2007.

  1. Houston Dynamo – (2006)

Houston Dynamo played its first season in the league as a member of the Western Conference 2006 after a lot of considerations were made.

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  1. Chivas USA – (2005)

Having only been to Los Angeles, Chivas USA decided to grow US soccer in general. The club made a debut in 2005 joining the major league as a member of the Western Conference.

  1. Real Salt Lake – (2005)

Real Salt Lake gained its approval to compete in the major league immediately after its establishment. The club which was established in 2004, joined the major league in 2005.

  1. Chicago Fire FC (1998)

Chicago Fire FC is one of the first MLS expansion teams to play in 1998.

  1. Miami Fusion – (1998)

Miami Fusion and Chicago Fire FC are the two clubs that started the MLS expansion, although the clubs folded after four seasons in the league.

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Final Words

The aforementioned clubs in this article are the expansion clubs in Major League Soccer to date.