Soccer (or known as football in other parts of the world) is the most popular sport globally. Overseen by Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or more commonly referred to as FIFA, soccer is played in different national leagues across the planet on different continents. In North America, the soccer league is known as Major League Soccer (MLS). It consists of 27 teams – 24 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada.
While MLS is not as financially lucrative as other sports leagues in the country, it seems to attract well-known football stars in the twilight of their careers.
This seems to do with the U.S. being an attractive destination for the player’s post-career inspirations. With the new 2023 T.V. deal coming up, a probability exists of a more significant number of household names coming to the U.S. Let us see which are the famous clubs that could prove to be popular destinations.
ATLANTA UNITED:
The top of the list is Atlanta United, with a $500 million valuation and generated $78 million in revenue in 2019. The club won the league championship in its second season in 2018. But following the head coach Tata Martino’s resignation in 2019, the club did not reach the following years.
L.A GALAXY:
With a $480 million valuation and revenue of $64 million, the club might be the club with the most fan following in the U.S. with big football names such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard Zlatan Ibrahimović coming to play here as designated players. It also has won the MLS Cup a record five times! It might not be too bold to say that it is a top 10 football club with the most fans in the world.
LAFC:
While LAFC might be the younger brother of L.A. Galaxy, it carries its weight with a value of $475 million and $50 million. The rivalry between the two L.A. teams has been dubbed as El Tráfico.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS:
While Seattle might not be a big city, it certainly has an excellent fan base. The top 10 football clubs with the most fans in the world players understand this and return the favour by being one of the most successful league clubs. It is valued at $405 million and generates $47 million.
PORTLAND TIMBERS:
Portland was one of the teams in the 2009 expansion and has won the MLS cup once in 2015. It generates about 47 million dollars and is valued at $390 million.
NEW YORK CITY F.C.:
The largest metropolitan in the world houses two clubs, like L.A. The New York City F.C. may have competition from the New York Knicks, Yankees, Giants, Jets, and Brooklyn Nets. It does well in generating $45 million with the ninth-largest attendance in the league. It is currently valued at $385 million.
CHICAGO FIRE:
Named after the great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Chicago Fire Football Club is one of the latest expansion clubs. It is valued at $335 million and generates $23 million in Soldier Field Stadium, Near South Side Chicago.
D.C. UNITED:
Located in the nation’s capital, the club was one of the charter clubs of the league. It was one of the most successful clubs in the early years of MLS. Unexpectedly it is valued at $330 lower than the other big city clubs. Still, it does generate 41 million dollars to carry its weight.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY:
As a charter team, the club has seen some success over the years with winning the MLS cup twice and the U.S. Open Cup four times. It is currently valued at 325 million dollars.
MINNESOTA UNITED:
A new club that started playing its matches in 2017 shows high aspirations for the future. It generates a revenue of 24 million dollars, with a valuation of 300 million dollars. A lot considering it is a small market.
