USA · Tier 1 · closed league

MLS

In US-sports termsBuilt exactly like the NFL or NBA — a closed league of franchises with a playoff (MLS Cup) and zero fear of relegation. The most American thing in world soccer.

What it is

Major League Soccer — the top US/Canada division. Around 30 franchises in Eastern and Western Conferences, a regular season, then a playoff bracket for the MLS Cup.

How you get in

You don't get promoted in — you buy an expansion franchise. It's a closed, single-entity league by design.

What it feeds

The Supporters' Shield (best regular-season record) and the MLS Cup (playoff champion) both earn Concacaf Champions Cup spots. Nobody gets relegated out.

This closed model is the single biggest difference between US soccer and the rest of the world — trace the red line to the tier below.

Where to watch · USApple TV

See it on the USA map →Translate the jargon →

Standings

The table as of our last update.

Western Conference

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Vancouver Whitecaps	16	10	3	3	+21	33
2	LAFC	18	10	3	5	+16	33
3	San Jose Earthquakes	17	10	3	4	+15	33
4	Real Salt Lake	16	8	2	6	+4	26
5	Houston Dynamo	16	8	2	6	-1	26
6	FC Dallas	17	7	5	5	+7	26
7	St. Louis City SC	17	7	4	6	0	25
8	Seattle Sounders	16	7	3	6	-1	24
9	Minnesota United	17	6	5	6	-5	23
10	Portland Timbers	17	6	3	8	-1	21
11	LA Galaxy	18	5	6	7	-5	21
12	San Diego FC	17	5	5	7	+3	20
13	Colorado Rapids	17	6	1	10	+1	19
14	Austin FC	17	4	5	8	-13	17
15	Sporting Kansas City	17	4	2	11	-26	14

Eastern Conference

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Nashville SC	17	12	3	2	+21	39
2	Inter Miami	17	11	4	2	+13	37
3	New England Revolution	16	9	2	5	+7	29
4	Chicago Fire	16	8	2	6	+8	26
5	New York City FC	17	7	4	6	+7	25
6	Charlotte FC	17	7	4	6	+3	25
7	FC Cincinnati	17	6	5	6	-1	23
8	New York Red Bulls	17	6	4	7	-11	22
9	D.C. United	17	5	7	5	-3	22
10	Orlando City	17	6	2	9	-16	20
11	Columbus Crew	17	5	4	8	-2	19
12	Toronto FC	17	3	7	7	-8	16
13	CF Montréal	17	4	3	10	-11	15
14	Philadelphia Union	17	3	4	10	-9	13
15	Atlanta United	17	3	3	11	-13	12