Major League Soccer has grown in popularity over the years thanks to some high profile arrivals in the player department. This has seen the MLS structure become a lot stronger and more competitive, especially with more and more players from European leagues heading over to ply their trade. There are currently 22 teams split into two divisions, with 34 games played between March and October in the regular season; and the post season sees 12 teams go head to head in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Although the quality may not be Premier League standard, but there are still several stand out MLS clubs that reflect the potential of the league. We have selected five teams that give their fans performances that anyone would be proud of, in any of the best leagues in the world.
Toronto FC
Toronto FC, hailing from Canada, are the currently regarded as the best team in the MLS thanks to winning the Eastern Conference and the playoffs. In terms of quality in the playing staff, Toronto currently have the likes of Benoit Cheyrou, Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Chris Mavinga in their ranks. In the 2017 campaign they managed to win the Eastern Conference by 12 points, winning 20 from 34 games and only losing 5 times.
New York City FC
New York City FC are seen as one of the biggest outfits in Major League Soccer thanks to their links to Manchester City. They’re currently being coached by Patrick Vieira and have potentially the best player in the MLS in their ranks in David Villa. They finished this season as Eastern Conference runners up, as well as Conference semi-finalists; and are expected to be stronger next time around, having only been in operation since 2013.
Portland Timbers
The Portland Timbers are one of the Western Conferences’ most successful teams and once again proved themselves to be one of the best in Major League Soccer as they won the Western Conference once again, ahead of the Seattle Sounders. They’re an MLS side that has often recruited talent from elsewhere with quality players such as Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco and Liam Ridgewell amongst their playing staff. The club is very likely to retain their Western Conference title next season.
Seattle Sounders
The Seattle Sounders have been in operation for over a decade and won the MLS Cup back in 2016. The team is often in and around the right end of the Western Conference, and finished runners up to the Portland Timbers in 2017; whilst managing to reach the final of the playoffs. Their talisman since 2013 has been Clint Dempsey, who is now only 9 goals short of being their all-time top goal scorer. In addition to Dempsey, there is another MLS superstar Nicolas Lodeiro who is always impressive.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire are one of the oldest soccer teams in existence in the USA having been formed way back in 1997. Since joining the Eastern Conference in 2002, the club has won it 3 times; and finished 14 points adrift this time around. It is expected by both fans and pundits that Chicago Fire will improve and come back stronger in 2018; especially if we see club striker Nemanja Nikolics, who weighed in with an impressive 24 goals in 34 games this season, remaining fit and on form.
In the past few years, there is no doubt the quality of football seen in MLS has improved by leaps and bounds. This has been borne out by an increasing interest in the sport from both the locals and TV audiences all over the world. Therefore, it will be no surprise to see the sport in the US grow stronger and develop; so as to stand alongside the other top leagues in the world.
