Survival to spotlight: How MLS built a more than 30-year run to 2026 World Cup with risks, a plan and hope
CBS Sports
by
Chuck Booth
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Major League Soccer (MLS) has come a long way since its inception in 1996, evolving from a league on the brink of collapse to becoming one of the world’s top soccer leagues. Over three decades, MLS has grown from 10 teams to 30, with multimillion-dollar facilities and global star power, including Lionel Messi, joining the league. The journey has been marked by strategic planning, vision, and resilience, as highlighted by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who emphasized that the league’s success is built on a foundation of hard work over three decades.
The article traces MLS’s rise during its early years, when it faced
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/20/2026