One peek at the schedule and you'll see that the MLS is absolutely filled to the brim with exciting matchups that you know you'll want to get right in the middle of, as this is a sport that is catching in on a very big way in the United States. Come out and see teams like defending champion Sporting Kansas City, talented squads like Real Salt Lake and many more, giving plenty of reasons to ditch the couch and get out to see a major spectator sport the way it was meant to be seen. If you're not yet on the soccer train, seeing a matchup featuring two world-class teams is exactly the thing to change that, and suddenly you'll understand why this is one of the premier sporting events of the day.
Whether you're looking for an exciting home game featuring your favorite team or an intense road matchup that's the perfect excuse for a quick trip, the MLS schedule has a little something for everybody, providing endless possibilities as the MLS heats up in 2016. There is nothing quite like being there when the game is on the line and two talented teams are trading goals, as you'll understand loud and clear why soccer continues to gain in popularity.
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, boasting a fan base than spans the entire globe. Learning the intricacies of soccer is something that takes a long time to master, but only adds to one's appreciation of the game. Often known as the "beautiful game," soccer has a tradition unlike any other, and Major League Soccer is developing a reputation of its own as it continues to build a fan base thanks to the impressive set of amazing athletes that dominate on the pitch. We know you can watch from home or maybe even catch the box score on your smart phone, but you'll end up with a completely different experience once you join thousands of your fellow soccer fans for a highly anticipated game that will have you jumping out of your seat in no time.
The origins of soccer, a sport known as football outside of the United States of America, can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where sporting competition was revered and enjoyed a great deal. Major League Soccer was founded in 1995 as the first Division 1 soccer league in the United States of America. The league tried to experiment with rules changes early on, but reverted back to the standard rules system for the most part in short order. D.C. United, the MLS team based in Washington, D.C., won the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996 by defeating the Tamp Bay Mutiny, and from there the American appetite for soccer continued to grow. D.C. United won three of the first four MLS Cups and added another in 2004 to make them the most dominant team in the league's history thus far.
Heading into the 2014 season, who held the MLS record for most goals scored?
That would be both Landon Donovan and Jeff Cunningham, who had both scored 134 goals in league play after the 2013 season. Donovan also has the distinction of being second on the all-time assists list as well and is the active leader in both categories, which is part of the reason why he's one of the most well-known soccer players in the country.
Attending a soccer match is an experience that any sports fan should experience at least once, and once they do that they're likely to return to the stadium to witness more action from the stands. There's almost nothing that compares to the passion and dedication that you'll find in the stands of a Major League Soccer stadium during a much-anticipated matchup, because that's when you'll see the sport played at the highest of levels. Even though the MLS doesn't get the same level of fanfare as some of the other major sports in the country, that's quickly starting to change as soccer is embraced with open arms all over North America. In another season that is guaranteed to be loaded with twists, turns and nail-biting moments, being in the stands with thousands of fans for all the crucial moments of a big game will bring you an experience that will have you keeping an eye on the schedule so you can do it all over again.