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Expansion Sides
The statistics speak for themselves, Major League soccer is growing. Nearly 20 years ago, the USA's predominant division comprised a mere ten teams. In the near future, there could be as many as 28.
Between 2007 and 2017 a total 11 new clubs, dubbed 'expansion sides' have joined MLS. With the addition of FC Cincinnati, there will 24 teams competing in the league in 2019, while a further four are in the pipeline for the seasons after, with David Beckham's Inter Miami CF set to join in 2020.
This year's expansion side Los Angeles FC embody everything that is brilliant about the system. Not only has their addition instilled Los Angeles with a local soccer rivalry once again - LA Galaxy being the other MLS team based there - but the club have been immediately competitive.
Having enticed the likes of Carlos Vela and hot prospect Andre Horta to sign, LAFC have secured at least a knockout place in their debut season, having overturned such established sides as Toronto and Seattle Sounders this campaign.
In traditional league set-ups, promoted clubs rarely deliver such blistering performances and expansion sides are just another trump card MLS football has over the world's other big divisions.
