Major League Soccer

It is very different from the leagues played in rest of the world, especially the European leagues. In that it has not any promotion or relegation system between the higher or the lower leagues, but it is following the system of the minor league. However, there are many features in it which are also very similar. In the beginning of the MLS history the matches could not end in tie breakers. The league tried many methods for tie breakers were tried. In 2005 the league however adopted the international match’s pattern to let go on with the ties in the regular season and adopt the extra time and penalty shoot out system in case of knock out play offs matches.

MLS earlier used a backward-counting clock in which the play itself came to an end when the clock reached 0:00. This game clock is still used in American school and college soccer. However, this kind of rule is not applied in the international games, where the clock is taken up to ninety minutes, while the stoppage time is added on in the game in order to provide the players with some extra chance to socre the goal. MLS adopted the international clock in the year 2000. The league was formed in December, 17, 1993. It was formed in order to fulflil the pact of the US Soccer Federation, with FIFA, to establish a Division One professional soccer league, trading it with the hosting of FIFA World Cup in 1994. The league came in action in 1996 for the firlst time. The major soccer league had ten teams in it at the beginning, which are now fourteen in number. Out of them thirteen are from USA while one is Canadian soccer club. The league is divided into Eastern and Western Confrences.

In the sports: Major League Soccer news is mainly broadcasted from the Fox Sports and ESPN. These are the channels where not only the MLS news but also the league matches are given full coverage. These channels have played a very important role in highlighting the achievements of this league resulting in the profits the league is gaining continuously.

The MLS schedule comes in the beginning of the year, as for 2008 the schedule is expected to be announced by February. The season usually starts from April and ends in November. The MLS Cup takes place towards the end of the season. The league is divided into two Eastern and Western Conferences. Each team plays with the other team at least twice, both home and away. However there is an additional match that is played between the teams within the conference. Other information about MLS may include their tradition to encourage their players by presenting them with awards every year. These awards include the Newcomer of the Year, MVP Award, the Scoring Champion, Golden Boot, MLS Goalkeeper of the year, Defender of the Year, Coach of the Year, Best Come back Player of the Year, Best XI and Supporters’ Shield. MLS camps are organized every year during the summer season in order to provide the kids interested in the game, with a chance to work under few of the best coaches who are working in the country.

In USA the summer season belongs to the baseball mania, while in the fall NFL craze takes the place leaving no place for soccer. However, the things are changing rapidly. But since the introduction of MLS in the country more people are giving time to watch the game as compare to the early days. The game is hopeful to gain more popularity in the near future.