# Timeline of Major League Soccer

The following is a timeline of organizational changes in Major League Soccer (MLS), a professional soccer league in the United States and Canada that began play in 1996 with 10 teams and by 2025 will have 30 teams. This article includes expansions, contractions, renamings of clubs and conference realignment.

## Early years (1996–1999)
### 1996 (10 teams)

The league operated its first inaugural season in 1996 with 10 teams and two conferences.
1996 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | Dallas Burn |
| New England Revolution | Kansas City Wiz |
| NY/NJ MetroStars | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| Tampa Bay Mutiny | San Jose Clash |

### 1997 (10 teams)

Kansas City Wiz would be renamed to the Kansas City Wizards in the following season.
1997 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | Dallas Burn |
| New England Revolution | Kansas City Wizards |
| NY/NJ MetroStars | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| Tampa Bay Mutiny | San Jose Clash |

### 1998–1999: First expansion (12 teams)

The league expanded for the first time in 1998 with Miami Fusion and Chicago Fire. New York/New Jersey MetroStars would be renamed to MetroStars by the same season.
* Team's first season in MLS *
1998–1999 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Columbus Crew | Chicago Fire * |
| D.C. United | Colorado Rapids |
| Miami Fusion * | Dallas Burn |
| New England Revolution | Kansas City Wizards |
| MetroStars | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| Tampa Bay Mutiny | San Jose Clash |

## 2000–2001: Three divisions
### 2000–2001 (12 teams)

In 2000, the league realigned to three divisions, with a new division: the Central Division. The Eastern and Western Conferences were renamed to the Eastern and Western Divisions respectively. San Jose Clash would also rebrand to the San Jose Earthquakes.
* Team would fold after the 2001 season †
| Eastern | Central | Western |
| D.C. United | Chicago Fire | Colorado Rapids |
| MetroStars | Columbus Crew | Kansas City Wizards |
| Miami Fusion † | Dallas Burn | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| New England Revolution | Tampa Bay Mutiny † | San Jose Earthquakes |

## 2002–2006: League contraction
### 2002–2004 (10 teams)

Prior to the 2002 MLS season, Miami Fusion of the Eastern Division and Tampa Bay Mutiny of the Central Division folded. The league returned to the two-conference format for the season with a similar alignment to the 1997 season, only with Chicago Fire moving to the Eastern Conference.
* Team moved from the Central Division ‡
2002–2004 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire ‡ | Colorado Rapids |
| Columbus Crew ‡ | Dallas Burn ‡ |
| D.C. United | Kansas City Wizards |
| MetroStars | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| New England Revolution | San Jose Earthquakes |

### 2005 (12 teams)

Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake were both added to the Western Conference for the 2005 expansion; The Kansas City Wizards were subsequently moved to the Eastern Conference to even the conferences out.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team switched conferences ‡
* Team folded after the 2005 season †
2005 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA * |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Kansas City Wizards ‡ | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| MetroStars | Real Salt Lake * |
| New England Revolution | San Jose Earthquakes † |

### 2006 (12 teams)

The San Jose Earthquakes would relocate to Houston to become the Houston Dynamo.
* Team relocated to Houston
2006 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Kansas City Wizards | Houston Dynamo * |
| New York Red Bulls | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| New England Revolution | Real Salt Lake |

## 2007–2014: Expansion into Canada
### 2007 (13 teams)

Toronto FC was added to the Eastern Conference during 2007 expansion, adding a team in Canada for the first time.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2007 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Kansas City Wizards | Houston Dynamo |
| New York Red Bulls | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| New England Revolution | Real Salt Lake |
| Toronto FC * | |

### 2008 (14 teams)

The San Jose Earthquakes returned to the Western Conference for the 2008 season after a 2-year hiatus.
* Team returned to MLS
2008 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Kansas City Wizards | Houston Dynamo |
| New England Revolution | Los Angeles Galaxy |
| New York Red Bulls | Real Salt Lake |
| Toronto FC | San Jose Earthquakes ^ |

### 2009 (15 teams)

Seattle Sounders FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2009 season, succeeding USL First Division team of the same name.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2009 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Kansas City Wizards | Houston Dynamo |
| New England Revolution | LA Galaxy |
| New York Red Bulls | Real Salt Lake |
| Toronto FC | San Jose Earthquakes |
| | Seattle Sounders FC * |

### 2010 (16 teams)

Philadelphia Union was added to the Eastern Conference for the 2010 season.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2010 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Kansas City Wizards | Houston Dynamo |
| New England Revolution | LA Galaxy |
| New York Red Bulls | Real Salt Lake |
| Philadelphia Union | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Toronto FC | Seattle Sounders FC |

### 2011 (18 teams)

The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC were both added to the Western Conference with both teams being successors of USL teams. Houston Dynamo subsequently switched to the Eastern Conference to make both conferences even. Kansas City Wizards rebranded to Sporting Kansas City prior to this season.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team switched conferences ‡
2011 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Philadelphia Union | LA Galaxy |
| Houston Dynamo ‡ | Portland Timbers * |
| New England Revolution | Real Salt Lake |
| New York Red Bulls | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Sporting Kansas City | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Toronto FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC * |

### 2012–2014 (19 teams)

Montreal Impact was added to the Eastern Conference for the 2012 season, succeeding a USL First Division team of the same name.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team folded after the 2014 season †
2012–2014 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Chivas USA † |
| Columbus Crew | Colorado Rapids |
| D.C. United | FC Dallas |
| Houston Dynamo | LA Galaxy |
| Montreal Impact * | Portland Timbers |
| New England Revolution | Real Salt Lake |
| New York Red Bulls | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Philadelphia Union | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Sporting Kansas City | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| Toronto FC | |

## 2015–2025: Rapid expansion
### 2015–2016 (20 teams)

New York City FC and Orlando City SC were both added to the Eastern Conference, the latter of which was a successor of a USL Pro team of the same name; subsequently Sporting Kansas City was relocated back to the Western Conference after 9 seasons to make both conferences even. Chivas USA would fold prior to the 2015 season.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team switched conferences ‡
2015–2016 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Chicago Fire | Colorado Rapids |
| Columbus Crew | FC Dallas |
| D.C. United | Houston Dynamo |
| Montreal Impact | LA Galaxy |
| New England Revolution | Portland Timbers |
| New York City FC * | Real Salt Lake |
| New York Red Bulls | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Orlando City SC * | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Philadelphia Union | Sporting Kansas City ‡ |
| Toronto FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |

### 2017 (22 teams)

Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC were added to the Eastern and Western Conferences respectively; the latter of which was the successor to the NASL team of the same name.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2017 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Atlanta United FC * | Colorado Rapids |
| Chicago Fire | FC Dallas |
| Columbus Crew | Houston Dynamo |
| D.C. United | LA Galaxy |
| Montreal Impact | Minnesota United FC * |
| New England Revolution | Portland Timbers |
| New York City FC | Real Salt Lake |
| New York Red Bulls | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Orlando City SC | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Philadelphia Union | Sporting Kansas City |
| Toronto FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |

### 2018 (23 teams)

Los Angeles FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2018 season.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2018 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | Colorado Rapids |
| Chicago Fire | FC Dallas |
| Columbus Crew | Houston Dynamo |
| D.C. United | LA Galaxy |
| Montreal Impact | Los Angeles FC * |
| New England Revolution | Minnesota United FC |
| New York City FC | Portland Timbers |
| New York Red Bulls | Real Salt Lake |
| Orlando City SC | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Philadelphia Union | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Toronto FC | Sporting Kansas City |
| | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |

### 2019 (24 teams)

FC Cincinnati was added to the Eastern Conference after spending 3 years in the USL.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2019 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | New England Revolution | Colorado Rapids | Portland Timbers |
| Chicago Fire | New York City FC | FC Dallas | Real Salt Lake |
| Columbus Crew | New York Red Bulls | Houston Dynamo | San Jose Earthquakes |
| D.C. United | Orlando City SC | LA Galaxy | Seattle Sounders FC |
| FC Cincinnati * | Philadelphia Union | Los Angeles FC | Sporting Kansas City |
| Montreal Impact | Toronto FC | Minnesota United FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |

### 2020 (26 teams)

Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC were both added to the Eastern and Western Conferences for the 2020 season; due to scheduling difficulties due to Nashville SC not participating in the MLS is Back Tournament, the club moved to the Eastern Conference after the event. Chicago Fire SC rebranded to Chicago Fire FC.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team's first season in MLS, then switched conferences midseason *‡
2020 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | Nashville SC *‡ | Colorado Rapids | Portland Timbers |
| Chicago Fire FC | New England Revolution | FC Dallas | Real Salt Lake |
| Columbus Crew | New York City FC | Houston Dynamo | San Jose Earthquakes |
| D.C. United | New York Red Bulls | LA Galaxy | Seattle Sounders FC |
| FC Cincinnati | Orlando City SC | Los Angeles FC | Sporting Kansas City |
| Inter Miami CF * | Philadelphia Union | Minnesota United FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| Montreal Impact | Toronto FC |

### 2021 (27 teams)

Austin FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2021 season. Montreal Impact rebranded to Club de Foot Montréal.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2021 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | Nashville SC | Austin FC * | Portland Timbers |
| CF Montréal | New England Revolution | Colorado Rapids | Real Salt Lake |
| Chicago Fire FC | New York City FC | FC Dallas | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Columbus Crew | New York Red Bulls | Houston Dynamo FC | Seattle Sounders FC |
| D.C. United | Orlando City SC | LA Galaxy | Sporting Kansas City |
| FC Cincinnati | Philadelphia Union | Los Angeles FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| Inter Miami CF | Toronto FC | Minnesota United FC |

### 2022 (28 teams)

Charlotte FC was added to the Eastern Conference for the 2022 season; Nashville SC subsequently relocated to the Western Conference to even the conferences.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team switched conferences ‡
2022 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | Inter Miami CF | Austin FC | Nashville SC ‡ |
| CF Montréal | New England Revolution | Colorado Rapids | Portland Timbers |
| Charlotte FC * | New York City FC | FC Dallas | Real Salt Lake |
| Chicago Fire FC | New York Red Bulls | Houston Dynamo FC | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Columbus Crew | Orlando City SC | LA Galaxy | Seattle Sounders FC |
| D.C. United | Philadelphia Union | Los Angeles FC | Sporting Kansas City |
| FC Cincinnati | Toronto FC | Minnesota United FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |

### 2023–2024 (29 teams)

St. Louis City SC was added to the Western Conference for the 2023 season; Nashville SC relocated to the Eastern Conference for a second time.
* Team's first season in MLS *
* Team switched conferences ‡
2023–2024 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | Nashville SC ‡ | Austin FC | Portland Timbers |
| CF Montréal | New England Revolution | Colorado Rapids | Real Salt Lake |
| Charlotte FC | New York City FC | FC Dallas | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Chicago Fire FC | New York Red Bulls | Houston Dynamo FC | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Columbus Crew | Orlando City SC | LA Galaxy | Sporting Kansas City |
| D.C. United | Philadelphia Union | Los Angeles FC | St. Louis City SC * |
| FC Cincinnati | Toronto FC | Minnesota United FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
| Inter Miami CF |

### 2025 (30 teams)

San Diego FC was added to the Western Conference for the 2025 season.
* Team's first season in MLS *
2025 MLS teams :
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Western | Western | Western |
| Atlanta United FC | D.C. United | New York City FC | Austin FC | Los Angeles FC | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Charlotte FC | Inter Miami CF | New York Red Bulls | Colorado Rapids | Minnesota United FC | Seattle Sounders FC |
| Chicago Fire FC | Nashville SC | Orlando City SC | FC Dallas | Portland Timbers | Sporting Kansas City |
| FC Cincinnati | CF Montréal | Philadelphia Union | Houston Dynamo FC | Real Salt Lake | St. Louis City SC |
| Columbus Crew | New England Revolution | Toronto FC | LA Galaxy | San Diego FC * | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |