American Soccer Teams: Complete Guide to MLS, USL, and WSL Clubs (2025)

If there’s one country where the sport of soccer has played a non-existent role for many decades, it’s the USA. But the situation is changing. There is much more interest after players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and many more arrived in the league to showcase their talents. The country’s interest in soccer has risen to greater heights, and American soccer teams earn respect from their fans. Moreover, the MLS teams have a solid fan base, and most fans attend in large numbers to cheer their team on.

Even the US Women’s soccer teams gained attention after multiple owners invested in them to raise their standards and get more fans to enjoy the product. The viewership numbers also increased as the US soccer teams slowly get recognition amongst European football viewers. The USA recently hosted the Club World Cup and will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The MLS is the country's premier league, and the USL Championship is gaining widespread traction. Hence, USA soccer teams continue to rise in a continent where football is secondary to sports like American football and basketball. 

American Soccer Clubs: History and Evolution of Soccer Teams in America

American football attracted all the attention in a country where soccer was predominantly unknown. Creating soccer teams in America became a challenge, and immigrants came in to introduce the game to the US natives. Moreover, the creation of American soccer clubs could get the country to take its first baby steps into the beautiful game. Immigrants brought the game to the country in the 19th century by forming minor leagues and clubs to introduce the game.

The name soccer is used to differentiate between American football and football. The NASL, or the North American Soccer League, became the first step for the USA to enter the game. It operated from 1968 to 1984, and fans loved the concept of soccer. Likewise, the league gained traction after attracting players like Brazilian legend Pelé, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, and George Best. This became the first step in establishing the soccer pyramid in the USA, and the NASL was a massive success. But the league disbanded after financial struggles and the failure to attract more players as the European game gained even more traction.

The need for American soccer divisions peaked after the 1994 World Cup. Two years later, the MLS or Major League Soccer was launched, and soccer arrived in the USA to reclaim its glory days. The USA soccer pyramid was getting a makeover, and the MLS was here to stay. During its initial stages, the league started with 10 teams, and the MLS became an attractive event for most soccer fans. Yet, the journey to the top also had an issue in 2002 when the league faced financial struggles and was close to sharing the same fate as the NASL. Yet it stood the test of time, and the league remains successful now. 

Soccer Pyramid USA

The MLS format differs entirely from that of the European football leagues. The structure of the soccer pyramid USA is far different from what you can imagine, with the sport having an American franchise model. There’s no relegation or promotion similar to the European leagues. Usually, there will be a top tier in Europe, then a second division league, as the worst performers of the top leagues will get relegated to the second division. Moreover, the top two or three teams from the second-tier leagues enter the top-tier league, as it’s been an age-old football practice on the continent. With the American soccer teams in the MLS, there’s one top-tier league in MLS, and then comes the USL Championship and the rest. The clubs can buy their way into the MLS, often spending millions in expansion fees. On the other hand, the USL Championship is entirely new to the MLS. They are probably implementing relegation and promotion in 2027.

The USA soccer pyramid is unique compared to the European football leagues, and it is growing daily. The Soccer Federation sanctions all the leagues, and they are the kingmakers in soccer in the USA. As the interest in American soccer teams is lower compared to their European counterparts, there would be increased financial stability if it were a closed league. Hence, most clubs won’t go bust with the lack of monetary gains. 

American Soccer Divisions

With little traction compared to the European leagues for American soccer clubs, US women’s soccer teams and men’s soccer teams have their respective leagues in which they compete. The U.S. soccer structure is divided into multiple tiers, and there’s no promotion or relegation. The MLS is the top-tier league in the USA. With Lionel Messi playing for Inter Miami, the games featuring Inter Miami are certainly the most-watched in the world. Investors create these franchises by pumping in millions, and teams also come from Canada to compete in the MLS.

Despite poor performances, there’s no relegation in the MLS. Likewise, the USL Championship comes under the second-tier league of the USA. Unlike the MLS teams, this league is comparatively new, with no relegation. But there are plans to introduce promotion and relegation in 2027 to make it more competitive. The US soccer teams attract major stars from Europe, and there’s an increase in players arriving in the USA. The USA soccer pyramid remains completely different from the European game, but the American soccer divisions remain crucial to the country’s interest in the game. 

Most Successful American Soccer Teams:

Some of the MLS teams are the cream of the soccer crop in the USA, and these American soccer teams have a rich history. With no relegation and promotion, this soccer pyramid USA model works well in the country and is sustainable. Thus, we look at the 10 best teams in the American soccer division. There’s no ranking for these clubs, and we just created the table to give an idea about the successful clubs primarily related to the MLS teams. Some of the Trophies include MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, U.S. Open Cup, and CONCACAF Champions Cup.

MLS Teams

American soccer teams are famous because of the MLS, which was founded in 1996. The league has now become a major attraction for players who want to live in the USA and play in a competitive league. The Major League’s non-preference for relegation and promotion creates a more stable environment, and it certainly helps players sign contracts and win trophies. USA soccer teams in the MLS attract many fans, and they have their chants, producing a remarkable atmosphere within the club. There are 30 teams in the MLS, divided into two conferences. 

USL Championship Teams

With the American soccer teams in the MLS gaining all attention, the USL Championship, established in 2011, is another up-and-coming league in the USA soccer pyramid. It serves as the second-tier league in the USA and has significant differences from the MLS. Although it doesn’t have promotion or relegation like the MLS, it probably provides an option for those rules to be implemented in the future. Here’s a list of the USL Championship teams and the various new USA soccer teams in the league. There are 24 US soccer franchises in the prestigious list of USL Championship teams. 

US Women’s Soccer Teams (NWSL)

Just like men’s American soccer teams, the US women’s soccer teams are crucial to the game’s popularity in the country. There are some great women’s soccer teams in America, and they get the opportunity to prove their mettle through the NWSL, or the National Women’s Soccer League. Unlike MLS, multiple European players have reached the US to play in the NWSL. Established in 2012, the NWSL is home to 14 teams with world-class players playing for the franchises. There’s no relegation or promotion like MLS, as expansion teams must pay millions to join the league. Here’s a list of the 14 NWSL teams that play in the country.