Who are the original MLS teams?

The MLS was founded in 1995, and just one year later, the first MLS season unfolded with only 10 original teams.

Most Major League Soccer fans know the MLS currently consists of 29 teams, divided into an Eastern Conference and Western Conference. The clubs represent cities across the United States, from New York City to Los Angeles, and three Canadian cities, including Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver. However, almost two-thirds of the current teams did not exist 29 years ago.

In fact, several of the original clubs entered the MLS with different logos and names that changed over time. Of the 10 teams, only one is no longer in the league.

Check out the clubs that helped build Major League Soccer throughout the last three decades.

Who are the original MLS teams?

Here are the ten original MLS teams:

• Colorado Rapids
• Columbus Crew
• Dallas Burn
• D.C. United
• Kansas City Whiz
• Los Angeles Galaxy
• New England Revolution
• New York/New Jersey MetroStars
• San Jose Clash
• Tampa Bay Mutiny

Despite the league's expansion, modernization, and overall growth, iconic teams like D.C. United, New England Revolution, and LA Galaxy still stand the test of time. Even the reigning MLS Cup Champions, Columbus Crew, can trace their history all the way back to the inaugural season of the MLS.

The Tampa Bay Mutiny are the only club in the original 10 that is not represented in today's MLS. There were rumors that Tampa Bay could win an expansion bid to bring a new era of soccer to the city, but league officials have yet to approve Tampa Bay returning to the MLS.

What is the newest team in the MLS?

Jumping forward 29 years, the newest team in the MLS is St. Louis City S.C. As of 2024, the Western Conference club became the 29th team in Major League Soccer, following other expansion teams like Inter Miami, Nashville SC, and Austin FC.

San Diego FC will be the next club officially joining the MLS in 2025, bringing the total number of MLS teams to 30.