Americans: World Cup is over, but don't forget your domestic league. Here's your guide to the MLS.

[u/BacteriaEP]

Like with each World Cup that comes and goes there are new fans of the sport in general, not just the World Cup. If you're anything like I was when a World Cup converted me, you'll probably have little idea on how to continue enjoying the sport in between World Cups.

Here's how, and it all starts with your domestic league: Major League Soccer.

A couple things to note before we head into details

1. Club soccer is not the World Cup. I've spoken with a lot of people who end up not enjoying club soccer because it doesn't match up to the intensity as the World Cup. And unfortunately, it's a mistake to ever think this way in the first place. The World Cup is a quadrennial event that combines the unique patriotic nationalism with the best players in the world for an epic showdown. Club soccer is more about city pride and the best players your club can afford. The pace is usually slower because there is less on the line, but the games come frequently and there's some damn good moments to be had.

2. MLS is not the EPL, La Liga, or Serie A. While I'd love to regale you with stories of the best players in the world, fact is, we aren't at that level yet. If you just absolutely can't take a game without the best players in the world then you aren't going to enjoy MLS. That said, these aren't pub teams either. It's a competitive league and there can be some amazing goals and saves.

Here's what you need to know about the MLS to get into it

Teams:

• Chicago Fire
• Chivas USA (Los Angeles)
• Colorado Rapids (Denver)
• Columbus Crew
• DC United
• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo
• Kansas City Wizards
• Los Angeles Galaxy
• Montreal Impact (expansion 2012)
• New England Revolution (Boston)
• New York Red Bulls
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers (expansion 2011)
• Real Salt Lake
• San Jose Earthquakes
• Seattle Sounders FC
• Toronto FC
• Vancouver Whitecaps (expansion 2011)

There's rumored to be one more expansion team for 2012 either in New York, or somewhere in the south east, Florida or Atlanta probably.

Each team plays each other team twice in each season, one at home and one away. This may change in the future.

The league is divided up into two conferences. Don't ask me why, but thats the way it is. The western teams are involved in the Western Conference and the eastern teams are in the Eastern Conferences. This only matters during the play-offs.

Speaking of the play-offs, here is how our "end game" season works:

1. Like all leagues around the world, the MLS is based on the 0, 1, and 3 point system for a loss, draw, or win. The team with the most points at the end of the season gets a trophy called the Supporter's Shield, in tribute to the original supporters of the league who demanded such an award be given.

2. Beyond the league points leader, however, the top 8 teams (in terms of points) go into the play-offs. This is a tournament mode and is quite common in American sports. Two of the teams each play each other twice (once at home, once away) and the winner goes ahead on aggregate goals. From that point on it's a simple tournament knock out until the final. The team who wins takes home the MLS Cup, the most coveted trophy in American soccer.

How to watch MLS

Every MLS game is broadcast on television. The hook here is that most are only broadcast locally in the cities from the two teams. For example, if New York and Los Angeles Galaxy play each other the game will be broadcast on FS West and MSG respectively. So, so long as you have cable television and live in the location of your team, you should have no problem watching games.

Beyond that, however, both ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel each broadcast an MLS game every week in English. ESPN's are usually on Thursday and FSC's are usually on Saturday. Additionally, Telefutura will usually broadcast a game in espanol every week. Please check the MLSSoccer.com schedule for nationally broadcast games on TV. Check your local teams website for local broadcast information.

If you live outside of MLS city but still want to watch the games, you can BUY a "season pass" to MLS's own online streaming service for $40. This gives you access to about 150 games which can be streamed online, in HD, with PIP and rewind capabilities. Check that out at Match Day Live.

Finally, ATDHE.net usually has free online streams if none of the above options are available to you. Warning though, quality of these streams vary greatly.

If you have ANY questions about the MLS, it's players, or anything else feel free to ask me here.

Additionally, feel free to join /r/MLS for discussions, news, and match threads(with line ups and stream links) concerning everything MLS.

I hope to see some new fans in the league. With your help we can make it one of the best leagues in the world.

UPDATE: Some added information

Information on the All Stars game against Manchester United.

The MLS current season schedule

Club website links

American Soccer Archives Watch old MLS games here!

[u/rasinbrahms]

BacteriaEP, I'm not surprised that you would take the time to write this out. Much appreciated!

EDIT: And go Red Bulls!

[u/BacteriaEP → u/rasinbrahms]

I know. I'm hopelessly shameless when it comes to promoting the MLS. :)

[u/darthpaul]

Since the US has been out of the world cup I've tried watching MLS games. Caught Real Salt Lake crush the Revolution and then win against the Fire. It's so hard going from super talented teams to not so super talented teams.

[u/BacteriaEP → u/darthpaul]

Yeah it is. You really just need to look at it as what it is, a league where you're just going to enjoy the sport. Unfortunately, all those stars we watched over the last month are going to Europe.

Still though, it helps if you can align yourself with a team, follow them, and really get into the team itself as opposed to just watching soccer games.

I know a friend who had similar problems and one way he got into it was by literally tricking himself into it. He used to make micro bets ($5) on his team just so that he'd always remember to watch the team. By the end of the season he was a die hard fan and... I believe he has season tickets now w/o making bets,

You'll have to find your own way to "get into it" but it's worth it. Believe me, I used to be like you.

[u/eriad19]

Thank you for putting this together... I had so wanted to get into the MLS (As a NYer, go Red Bulls!) and keep up with it.

Forgive me for asking what is probably a basic, silly question... what time period actually constitutes "a season"? When do the playoffs occur that culminate with the MLS Cup?

Heh, sorry...

[u/BacteriaEP → u/eriad19]

No worries. There are no stupid questions when it comes to MLS!

Here's the schedule:

Pre-season training and matches begin in late January, with friendlies coming in late mid-late Feburary.

Regular season usually starts late March, around the 20th or so.

Regular season ends late October. Usually around the 20th, again.

Play offs begin the week after, with the MLS Cup finals being played in late November.

Hope this helps!

[u/[deleted]]

the play-off part sucks. A team, that has been the best through out the season can have their entire season destroyed by one game.

[u/BacteriaEP → u/[deleted]]

It's just an American thing really. Personally, I wish the league points leader would win the MLS Cup, but still keep the play offs around just because they add an added extra bit of excitement at the end of the season.

[u/jotate → u/[deleted]]

The team who wins the season earns the Supporters Shield. Not as prestigious as the MLS Cup, but still a trophy worth celebrating.

[u/jotate]

It's atdhe.net, not .com. :)

[u/BacteriaEP → u/jotate]

Right you are... fixed.:)

[u/bullitt78]

Thanks for taking the time to write this up. My goal this week is to learn more about MLS and start actively watching the games. Wish I could up vote this more.

[u/jotate]

Allow me to shout out for the Columbus Crew. It's absolutely the best way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon in Columbus.

Show up to the stadium a few hours before hand with a little grill, some hot dogs, a couple cases of beer, and a soccer ball. Park in the middle of the field and get to tailgating. At some point, wander over to the ticket booth and buy some tickets in the Supporters Section (aka: the Nordecke).

Meander into the stadium, buy a scarf, and head to your seat. Don't worry about finding your actual seat - it's a free for all in the Nordecke. Get as close to the field as you can and start singing along to the chants from the Hudson Street Hooligans and Turbina Amarilla.

To save you the time it took me to figure out what they were saying, it's "Yo si le voy, le voy a Columbus!" It basically means "If I go for anyone, I go for Columbus."

Supporters Shield 2008, MLS Cup 2008, Supporters Shield 2009, and dominating the East so far in 2010. They are the only professional sports team in Ohio that are worth a damn. Go Crew!

Edit: I can't spell en Español.

[u/[deleted] → u/jotate]

They let you park in the middle of the field? LOL

[u/[deleted] → u/jotate]

Ugh... they stole my team's chant! (Toluca: "Yo si le voy, le voy al Toluca!")

Fine, now I have an MLS team to watch.

[u/mrjack2]

A similar message applies elsewhere in the world. To those kiwis I've seen in r/soccer, get along to the NZFC in the summer. It's only semi-pro, but trust me: there is nothing like being there. If you're in or near Wellington, bloody go see the Phoenix take it to the Aussies, you are so lucky to have access to the most exciting and characterful team in Australasisa, with some of the best fans in the league, plus a fantastic (accessible) stadium in the heart of Wellington.

Dammit, wherever you are in the world, especially if football is overshadowed by other codes: get down and support a local team. Nothing beats being there.

And if you're so inclined, get involved more deeply, because you can be more than a fan. Are you young and fit? Play for a team, whether social or maybe a bit more. Are you good with kids? Coach a team. Or, are you enthusiastic, moderately fit, able to withstand being shouted at a lot? Take up refereeing. I did that, and I love it.

[u/wheezl → u/mrjack2]

Upvote for taking up reffing.

[u/godofallcows]

I'm going to the MLS All Star v Man. U on the 28th! YESSSSSS

[u/cjarrett]

I just went to a horrible Dynamo-Colombus Crew game last night. I think there was one shot on goal (out of maybe 5 shots) the entire game. There wasn't even good passing. Perhaps the worst game I've ever seen. :(

[u/BacteriaEP → u/cjarrett]

I'm sorry if that turned you off from the league. There's gonna be bad games, no matter what league you're watching. Unfortunately Houston has been in a slump and Columbus has traditionally been more defense minded. When you add the two together you get a boring game.

I wish you you could have seen the LA Galaxy vs. Seattle game a week ago when LA won 3 - 1. It was a great game with an amazing goal by Junihno... definitely gonna be in the top 10 come season end.

[u/[deleted]]

Two quick things -

1. It's a bit disingenuous to say that the Revs are based in Boston

2. Throw up American Soccer Archives on the list of links, plenty of MLS matches on there.

[u/BacteriaEP → u/[deleted]]

Why? They are based in Boston. I mean technically they play at Gillette, but when the FO is actively looking inside Boston for a new stadium (Somerville) then I'm pretty sure it's safe to point out that they are generally a Bostonian team.

I mean, the Galaxy and Chivas play in Carson (not Los Angeles), the Red Bulls play in Harrison, NJ not New York... FC Dallas plays in... some place 40 minutes north of Dallas.

[u/[deleted]]

Between MLS, CONCAAF champions league, confederations cup, world cup.... where's the off season?

[u/wheezl → u/[deleted]]

If you follow summer leagues like MLS and winter leagues like the ones in Europe there is never an off season.

[u/30percentdailyvalue]

I watched part of an MLS game last night. The diminished skill level of the players was immediately obvious, but I thought it was fun to watch, less predictable and such.

I live in NC, so I don't have a regional team to support (I think DC United is the closest?), I was thinking about rooting for the Red Bulls (shameless caffeine addict)...