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Which teams play in MLS?

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MLS Teams

Eastern Conference

  • Atlanta United FC

  • Charlotte FC

  • Chicago Fire FC

  • FC Cincinnati

  • Columbus Crew

  • DC United

  • Inter Miami CF

  • CF Montreal

  • New England Revolution

  • New York City FC

  • New York Red Bulls

  • Orlando City SC

  • Philadelphia Union

  • Toronto FC

Western Conference

  • Austin FC

  • Colorado Rapids

  • FC Dallas

  • Houston Dynamo FC

  • Sporting Kansas City

  • LA Galaxy

  • Los Angeles FC

  • Minnesota FC

  • Nashville SC

  • Portland Timbers

  • Real Salt Lake

  • San Jose Earthquakes

  • Seattle Sounders FC

  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

The best MLS sportsbooks

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How many MLS teams are there?

Major League Soccer, commonly referred to as MLS, is the top soccer division in the US. For the 2022 season, it featured 28 teams, although that number is set to increase to 29 for the 2023 season, when St. Louis City SC will join the league.

The teams in MLS are divided between two conferences – the Eastern and Western Conferences. For the 2022 season, both conferences featured 14 teams each, although as of September 2022, it is yet to be announced which conference St. Louis will join and how that may more widely affect the league structure.

MLS has grown significantly since its first season in 1996, which featured just ten teams. Since 2017 alone, seven new teams have joined the league, some of which have already reached or won the MLS Cup Final.

You can bet on each of the 28 teams in MLS across several futures markets, including to win the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield, to win their conference, and more. These futures are often available throughout the entire MLS campaign, with teams’ odds changing to reflect their results and performances.

How many MLS teams are there in Canada?

There are currently three soccer teams based in Canada that compete in MLS. Toronto FC were the first to join the league in 2007, first reaching the playoffs in 2015 before winning the MLS Cup for the first and only time to date in 2017. They have reached the MLS Cup Final on two other occasions (2016 and 2019) and play their home matches in BMO Field in Ontario. Notable former players include Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.

The Vancouver Whitecaps joined MLS in 2011 and currently play in the Western Conference. Their best ever performance in the playoffs came with quarter-final appearances in 2015 and 2017, although they did reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2016. Players who have previously turned out for the Whitecaps at BC Field include Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Scotland legend Kenny Miller.

CF Montreal (formally known as Montreal Impact) had their debut MLS season in 2012. They reached the Conference Finals of the playoffs in 2016, although have qualified for them on just one occasion since. Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti are among their most recognizable former players, with their home matches taking place at the Saputo Stadium in Quebec.

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© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

How many players are there on an MLS team?

Soccer teams have 11 players (often referred to as the starting 11), which must include a goalkeeper. The remainder of the team is divided between defenders, midfielders and forwards, which are lined up in a set formation. For example, a team featuring four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards would be described as playing as a 4-3-3 formation.

In MLS games, a team can name a starting 11 and up to seven substitutes in a match squad. Teams are allowed to make up to five substitutions across no more than three windows during the match, and can make further substitutions in the event that a player in the starting 11 has suffered a concussion injury.

Every MLS team is allowed to have a first-team squad of up to 30 players, all of whom can be named in either the starting 11 or as a substitute for an MLS game. Of these, 18 to 20 must be a part of their Senior Roster (who can have a collective total salary of no more than $6.4 million), with the remainder forming the Supplemental Roster. Teams are also allowed to register Designated Players, who are not subject to standard salary rules.

MLS teams FAQs

How many Canadians play for an MLS team?
How many times has a Canadian team won the MLS Cup?
How many MLS teams will be there in the 2023 season?

BET.CA's soccer guides are written by our in-house team, all of whom are passionate and knowledgeable soccer fans. They actively follow soccer throughout the season, meaning they can help you out with improving your understanding of betting on the EPL, World Cup, and MLS.

BET.CA staff
BET.CA staff