Soccer and MLS - Q&A
Soccer and MLS have been a passion for our online bettors for a long time. That's why the BET99 team reveals today the questions we are asked the most about MLS (North American Soccer League) and soccer in general. Follow us!
Why is soccer so popular?
If soccer is the most popular sport on the planet, it is mainly because of its simplicity. All you need is a round ball and some goals to score.
This sport unleashes many passions between the fans, the players who have optimized this sport, and the online bettors. That explains why billions of fans follow this people's sport across all continents.
What is the name of the American soccer championship?
The most famous soccer championship in North America is the Major League Soccer, also known as MLS.
Divided into two conferences (East and West), it has 28 franchises.
Twenty-five are located in the US and three in Canada. Discover them:
Eastern Conference:
-Atlanta United
-Charlotte FC
-Chicago Fire
-FC Cincinnati
-Columbus Crew
-DC United
-Inter Miami CF
-CF Montreal
-New York City FC
-New York Red Bulls
-New England Revolution
-Orlando City SC
-Philadelphia Union
-Toronto FC
Western Conference :
-Austin FC
-Colorado Rapids
-FC Dallas
-Houston Dynamo
-Sporting Kansas City
-Los Angeles Galaxy
-Los Angeles FC
-Minnesota United FC
-Nashville SC
-Portland Timbers
-Salt Lake Real
-San Jose Earthquakes
-Seattle Sounders
-Vancouver Whitecaps
The second division is called the USL Championship. USL stands for United Soccer Leagues.
When was MLS created?
The rare fact of these two leagues is that they are not linked by ascending and releasing as often in soccer in general.
However, it is not uncommon to see the reserve teams of some MLS teams in the USL Championship. (Atlanta United FC has its reserve team in the USL Championship, for example)
Major League Soccer (MLS) was founded in December 1993.
Its first full regular season took place three years later, in 1996.
Who are the iconic players of MLS?
At that time, there were only 10 MLS franchises.
Many European stars and pioneers of MLS have played in this league to popularize it as much as possible. Among them:
-David Beckham
-Zlatan Ibrahimovic
-Didier Drogba
-Carlos Vela
-Landon Donovan
-Jozy Altidore
-Sebastian Giovinco
-Lorenzo Insigne
-Thierry Henry
-Gonzalo Higuain
And many others.
How is the MLS championship played?
The Major League Soccer championship consists of a regular season which takes place every year from March to December.
Afterwards, there are playoffs (only for the best franchises).
There are three rounds and a conference final. The winners of the two conferences then meet in the MLS Cup. The winner of this match, of this cup, wins the MLS championship and has access to the Concacaf Champions League.
The current titleholders are New York City FC. However, the most successful team in MLS is the Los Angeles Galaxy. They have already won five times.
Who is the top scorer in the history of MLS?
Chris Wondolowski is the top scorer in the history of MLS. The American player has scored 171 goals in his entire career as a striker.
Who is the best passer in MLS history?
It's a legend of American soccer, Landon Donovan, who also had a successful career in Europe who holds this record. Indeed, Landon Donovan has scored 136 assists in the MLS championship.
MLS, a championship in the making
If soccer is the most well-known sport globally, on the other hand, the North American MLS championship is not the most popular.
However, many of the great players mentioned above have brought light to this league. Unlike others (European, for example), the MLS is only 29 years old, which is not very long. No doubt that the progression of this championship (and of the USL Championship as well) will be constant in the years to come.