MLS 2023-24

26 Feb 2022 - 9 Oct 2022
Lionel Messi plotting surprise move away from Inter Miami as talks stall - Reports Lionel Messi plotting surprise move away from Inter Miami as talks stall - Reports
Lionel Messi plotting surprise move away from Inter Miami as talks stall - Reports
21m
Will Lionel Messi stay at Inter Miami? Journalist provides key update amid rumors of joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League Will Lionel Messi stay at Inter Miami? Journalist provides key update amid rumors of joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League
Will Lionel Messi stay at Inter Miami? Journalist provides key update amid rumors of joining Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League
1d
Thomas Muller makes stance clear about joining Inter Miami to play with Lionel Messi amid reports of MLS switch Thomas Muller makes stance clear about joining Inter Miami to play with Lionel Messi amid reports of MLS switch
Thomas Muller makes stance clear about joining Inter Miami to play with Lionel Messi amid reports of MLS switch
Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi named in MLS All-Star roster ahead of clash against Liga MX rivals Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi named in MLS All-Star roster ahead of clash against Liga MX rivals
Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi named in MLS All-Star roster ahead of clash against Liga MX rivals
How much does Lionel Messi earn at Inter Miami? New report details Argentine superstar's wages at the MLS club How much does Lionel Messi earn at Inter Miami? New report details Argentine superstar's wages at the MLS club
How much does Lionel Messi earn at Inter Miami? New report details Argentine superstar's wages at the MLS club
Saudi Pro League begin talks to sign Lionel Messi with Inter Miami contract set to expire this year: Reports Saudi Pro League begin talks to sign Lionel Messi with Inter Miami contract set to expire this year: Reports
Saudi Pro League begin talks to sign Lionel Messi with Inter Miami contract set to expire this year: Reports
Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi wins second consecutive MLS Goal of the Matchday award for his goal against Montreal Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi wins second consecutive MLS Goal of the Matchday award for his goal against Montreal
Inter Miami skipper Lionel Messi wins second consecutive MLS Goal of the Matchday award for his goal against Montreal
Lionel Messi reaches Inter Miami milestone after starring in their 4-2 win over Montreal Lionel Messi reaches Inter Miami milestone after starring in their 4-2 win over Montreal
Lionel Messi reaches Inter Miami milestone after starring in their 4-2 win over Montreal
WATCH: Lionel Messi scores stunning goal from outside the box to give Inter Miami lead in 4-2 win vs Montreal WATCH: Lionel Messi scores stunning goal from outside the box to give Inter Miami lead in 4-2 win vs Montreal
WATCH: Lionel Messi scores stunning goal from outside the box to give Inter Miami lead in 4-2 win vs Montreal
"The storm has passed, and the sun is out" - Javier Mascherano reacts as Inter Miami secure 4-2 win with goals from Lionel Messi and Suarez "The storm has passed, and the sun is out" - Javier Mascherano reacts as Inter Miami secure 4-2 win with goals from Lionel Messi and Suarez
"The storm has passed, and the sun is out" - Javier Mascherano reacts as Inter Miami secure 4-2 win with goals from Lionel Messi and Suarez
"The icon who rules the game", "Easy for the GOAT" - Inter Miami fans hail Lionel Messi for his performance in 4-2 win over Montreal "The icon who rules the game", "Easy for the GOAT" - Inter Miami fans hail Lionel Messi for his performance in 4-2 win over Montreal
"The icon who rules the game", "Easy for the GOAT" - Inter Miami fans hail Lionel Messi for his performance in 4-2 win over Montreal
Inter Miami eye Javier Mascherano replacement as after slow start for Lionel Messi-led side - Reports Inter Miami eye Javier Mascherano replacement as after slow start for Lionel Messi-led side - Reports
Inter Miami eye Javier Mascherano replacement as after slow start for Lionel Messi-led side - Reports

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 Jun 30, 2025 17:10 GMT
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