There are quite a few opinions on the MLS from many managers and players around the world. We are going to take a glimpse at the MLS as an organisation and focus on individual Franchises that create the league. No matter what your view is of the MLS it has been a success in America and is continuing to grow every year with different Franchises joining the league. The MLS was formed in 1993 in preparation for the next few years world cup, this was a guarantee made to FIFA if they were awarded the world cup. It was thought that the game would rise slowly as it has huge competition from more recognised sports in America, but this league would give it a stiff foundation of where to begin. Every team started as a Franchise For Sale option across each city in America, extensive amounts of money was invested by sponsors and businessmen to get the Franchises started and to build a Home Based Franchise for each major city.

The very first game was kicked off in 1996 and the league comprised just 10 Home Based Franchise that were purchased by wealthy sponsors or businessmen as a Franchise For Sale opportunity. The turnout for the games were quite good and the overall picture looked decent. However, at the beginning, the sport never really took off and the quality on the pitch was quite weak, this coupled with the teams not being competitive gradually put pay to crowd levels. A Home Based Franchise would struggle with the travel and outlay that the league endured at the beginning, so the Franchises declined in the long run.

After the 2002 world cup where the USA go to the quarter-final stage there was a a boost in the popularity of the game. There was now a new commissioner in charge of expanding the MLS into a sporting brand for the Franchises and under his control the MLS started to see stars becoming attracted to the MLS.

The quality on the field still remains below the standard found at a top European league but the sum of stars that are attracted to the MLS, whether it be for the money or lifestyle is increasing. A Franchise For Sale in Toronto became accessible and this enlarged the leagues appeal to Canada, where football is more known.

We now take a short glimpse at the Chicago Fire franchise and how it has progressed over the years to become one of the most known Franchises in America.

The club was established on October 8, 1997. They are the most successful club in the modern U.S. Open Cup, winning the cup in 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Chicago’s main competitor is FC Dallas. Since 2001, the two Franchises contend annually for the Brimstone Cup (started by the fans of both teams), which goes to the winner in the season series between them. While FC Dallas remains the most historically heated opponent, recent years have promoted malice between the Fire and the New England Revolution with the clubs ending each other’s season every year since 2001. The Fire at first played at Soldier Field, but now have their own arena, Toyota Park at 71st and Harlem Avenue. Toyota Park is possessed by the Village of Bridgeview and managed by the owners of the Fire, Andell Holdings, who bought the team in 2007.

1. The Columbus Crew Organisation Have Been A Steady Player In The Soccer League, We Peek At Their History And That Of The MLS.
2. The Soccer League Of America Has Started A New Season, We Look At How The League Has Expanded And What Struggles The Teams Have Counting A Look At The Toronto FC Team
3. The Soccer League Of America Is Into It’s New Year And We Take A Detailed Look At How The League Was Formed And Look At The New England Revolution Club
4. The Major League Soccer Has Had Its Critics But We Take A Peek At The Business Side Of The Soccer League And At The Philadelphia Union Franchise
5. The San Jose Earthquakes Organisation Has Had A Variety Of Problems Over Modern Years With Investment And Ownership. We Look At The Problems Faced By The Teams Of The MLS.

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