The upstart league featured 10 teams, ranging from the Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Clash in California to the New England Revolution and New York/New Jersey MetroStars on the East Coast. Teams played in local professional or college football stadiums, and D.C. United took home the first MLS Cup title.

This was soccer’s second attempt at breaking into the United States with major leagues. Soccer had been infused in schools with a generation of fans prior to this launch bringing soccer to the United States. It now has more fans than MLB.