MLS 2023-24

26 Feb 2022 - 9 Oct 2022
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami keen on signing 23-year-old Argentine ace as new coach Javier Mascherano seeks reinforcements: Reports Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami keen on signing 23-year-old Argentine ace as new coach Javier Mascherano seeks reinforcements: Reports
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami keen on signing 23-year-old Argentine ace as new coach Javier Mascherano seeks reinforcements: Reports
1d
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami seal move to sign ex-USMNT forward who now represents Haiti: Reports Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami seal move to sign ex-USMNT forward who now represents Haiti: Reports
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami seal move to sign ex-USMNT forward who now represents Haiti: Reports
Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate named most valuable player of MLS alongside Inter Miami star ahead of winter window: Reports Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate named most valuable player of MLS alongside Inter Miami star ahead of winter window: Reports
Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate named most valuable player of MLS alongside Inter Miami star ahead of winter window: Reports
“I’m not sure if Messi is the GOAT" - When David Beckham picked the 4 greatest footballers “I’m not sure if Messi is the GOAT" - When David Beckham picked the 4 greatest footballers
“I’m not sure if Messi is the GOAT" - When David Beckham picked the 4 greatest footballers
Inter Miami eye LaLiga star to bolster attack led by Lionel Messi - Reports Inter Miami eye LaLiga star to bolster attack led by Lionel Messi - Reports
Inter Miami eye LaLiga star to bolster attack led by Lionel Messi - Reports 
When will Lionel Messi's Inter Miami make move to sign Neymar Jr.? Report provides update When will Lionel Messi's Inter Miami make move to sign Neymar Jr.? Report provides update
When will Lionel Messi's Inter Miami make move to sign Neymar Jr.? Report provides update
Premier League giants want to sign Lionel Messi on six-month loan deal; David Beckham will not block transfer: Reports Premier League giants want to sign Lionel Messi on six-month loan deal; David Beckham will not block transfer: Reports
Premier League giants want to sign Lionel Messi on six-month loan deal; David Beckham will not block transfer: Reports
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami eyeing up move for veteran Argentina star as backup to key player: Reports Lionel Messi's Inter Miami eyeing up move for veteran Argentina star as backup to key player: Reports
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami eyeing up move for veteran Argentina star as backup to key player: Reports
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami handed transfer boost as target's current club manager drops player exit hint Lionel Messi's Inter Miami handed transfer boost as target's current club manager drops player exit hint
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami handed transfer boost as target's current club manager drops player exit hint
Inter Miami handed boost in Neymar chase as Lionel Messi eyes reunion - Reports Inter Miami handed boost in Neymar chase as Lionel Messi eyes reunion - Reports
Inter Miami handed boost in Neymar chase as Lionel Messi eyes reunion - Reports
"First time Messi passed the ball to me I just froze there" - Inter Miami star recalls first training session with Lionel Messi "First time Messi passed the ball to me I just froze there" - Inter Miami star recalls first training session with Lionel Messi
"First time Messi passed the ball to me I just froze there" - Inter Miami star recalls first training session with Lionel Messi
“He would’ve scored more goals” - Ex-Manchester United star explains why Cristiano Ronaldo would outscore Lionel Messi in MLS “He would’ve scored more goals” - Ex-Manchester United star explains why Cristiano Ronaldo would outscore Lionel Messi in MLS
“He would’ve scored more goals” - Ex-Manchester United star explains why Cristiano Ronaldo would outscore Lionel Messi in MLS

About MLS 2023-24

Major League Soccer (MLS 2022)

2013 MLS Cup - Real Salt Lake v Sporting Kansas City

The MLS is one of the fastest-growing leagues in America despite heavy competition from the NHL, NFL, and whatnot. With the league attracting hordes of European stars to the United States, interest in football (or soccer as it is known in these parts) has peaked over the past few years. What was previously perceived as a ‘retirement home’ for global superstars to wind down their careers is now playing host to multitudes of big-name players in their primes on a week in week out basis. Let us take a closer look at what MLS really is.

1. MLS Format

The MLS comprises of 24 teams, 21 from the United States and 3 from Canada, each of whom are subsequently congregated into the Eastern and Western conferences depending upon their locations. Each team in the league tallies 34 games over the course of a season that runs from March to October.

Every team from a particular conference engages in battle with its fellow members twice, once at home and once away, totaling 24 games. Also, every team plays one game against a team from the opposite conference adding 10 more games to the already present total of 24.

International Champions Cup 2017 - AS Roma v Juventus

The team with the highest points in each conference takes home the Supporters’ shield. A postseason knockout tournament called the MLS cup is held with 14 teams, 7 from each conference, participating in it on the basis of the regular-season points tally. The top seed from each zone is given a bye to the semifinals and the other 12 teams, separated into brackets of 6 each, sweat it out in order to make the semis. The winner of the final, which is a two-legged tie is then awarded the MLS cup.

2. MLS Rules

The MLS is unlike the European footballing leagues in the aspect that it has a different set of rules governing its operation. Each team in the league can possess a squad of up to 30 members. In addition there a few other rules:

Club Tijuana v Los Angeles Galaxy: Quarterfinal - 2019 Leagues Cup

a. Salary Cap: The league sets a cap on player wages in order to establish a level playing field for all those involved.

b. Designated Player Rule: The Designated Player Rule, or the Beckham rule as it is informally known, allows MLS teams to sign up to three players outside their salary cap. Unsurprisingly, David Beckham was the first player to be signed under this rule.

c. International slots: Every team in the MLS is allocated eight international slots, meaning they can recruit eight players from anywhere around the world. The other slots will have to be filled by domestic players based in the United States or Canada.

d. Allocation Money: On top of the salary budget, each team is given some additional money, called allocation money which is sort of considered as the transfer budget for the team. This money is put to use in obtaining the signature of players or in order to allocate the salary cap.

e. Allocation Ranking: This system is applicable for current or former USMNT players returning to the country to take part in the MLS. Teams in the league are awarded an allocation ranking which depends on their position in the table and this ranking dictates the priority in which these players can be picked by the teams.

f. Trades: Clubs can trade players amongst themselves as long as all squad criteria are met after the trade

3. MLS 2019 Winners

Atlanta United FC v New York Red Bulls: Eastern Conference Finals - Leg 2

Currently, the title of defending champions for both, the MLS Cup and the eastern conference winners belongs to Atlanta United FC, while the western conference’s bragging rights are within the hands of Portland Timbers. D.C. United holds the record for the most titles within the Eastern spectrum and L.A. Galaxy possesses the same on the other side with 5 and 8 respectively. The team from Los Angeles also happen to hold the record number of MLS cups, tallying 5 in their years of existence.

Last Modified Dec 21, 2024 15:30 GMT
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications