Northern Ireland v USA

DOMESTIC

The formation of Major League Soccer was part of the United States’ successful bid for the 1994 World Cup. MLS’s inaugural season came two years later in 1996, when 10 teams took part. There were originally no draws as league games that ended all square were settled with a shootout. The 2021 season, which will begin in April and end in December, will have 27 teams – 24 from the United States and three from Canada. The league is expected to expand to 29 clubs for the 2023 campaign when Charlotte FC and St Louis City FC are set to be involved. Thirteen different clubs have won MLS Cups, including Columbus Crew, who won their second title in 2020. LA Galaxy are the competition’s most successful side having won the MLS Cup on five occasions. San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski is MLS’s all-time top scorer having netted 166 times since his debut in 2005. David Beckham, Kaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry are among the international stars that have played in the league. Four Northern Ireland internationals have played in the division – Steve Morrow (Dallas), Martin Paterson (Orlando), Jonny Steele (Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls) and Mark Williams (Columbus). MLS clubs play continentally in the CONCACAF Champions League. However, an MLS side has not won the competition since LA Galaxy did so in 2000. Toronto and Los Angeles were beaten in the 2018 and 2020 finals respectively.

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