Soccer (MLS)
Major League Soccer is the fifth-largest professional team sport league in the United States by revenue and attendance. Of the 12 metro areas with teams in the four larger leagues, eight host MLS franchises as well.
MLS teams that play outside city limits are indicated in italics, followed by their locations of play.
| Metropolitan Area | Media Market Ranking |
Since | MLB Team(s) | NFL Team(s) | NBA Team(s) | NHL Team(s) | MLS Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, Massachusetts | 7 | 1996 | Red Sox | Patriots | Celtics | Bruins | Revolution |
| Chicago, Illinois | 3 | 1998 | Cubs White Sox |
Bears | Bulls | Blackhawks | Fire |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, Texas | 5 | 1996 | Rangers | Cowboys | Mavericks | Stars | FC Dallas |
| Denver, Colorado | 16 | 1996 | Rockies | Broncos | Nuggets | Avalanche | Rapids |
| New York, New York | 1 | 1996 | Mets Yankees |
Giants Jets |
Knicks Nets |
Rangers Islanders Devils |
Red Bulls |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 4 | 2010 | Phillies | Eagles | 76ers | Flyers | Union |
| San Francisco Bay Area, California | 6 | 2008 | Giants Athletics |
49ers Raiders |
Warriors | Sharks | Earthquakes |
| Washington, D.C. | 9 | 2005 | Nationals | Redskins | Wizards | Capitals | D.C. United |
One other metropolitan area with teams in the four larger leagues also previously held five-sport status: Miami (Miami Fusion).
The San Francisco Bay Area lost five-sport status after the Earthquakes moved to Houston to become the Dynamo in 2006 but regained it with the reactivated Earthquakes in 2008.
Of cities that once held four-sport status, only Los Angeles and Kansas City have current MLS franchises; none has had four-sport status since MLS operations began. Both of Los Angeles's MLS franchises play outside of city limits, in Carson.
No Ohio city can claim five-sport (or four-sport) status, but the state itself can via Cleveland & Columbus (as well as Cincinnati) sports teams with the Columbus Crew.
The debut of MLS's Toronto FC in 2007 gives Toronto five professional sports teams, although its football team plays in the Canadian Football League. Once a year the Buffalo Bills play a game at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Read more about this topic: U.S. Cities With Teams From Four Major League Sports
Famous quotes containing the word soccer:
“Our first line of defense in raising children with values is modeling good behavior ourselves. This is critical. How will our kids learn tolerance for others if our hearts are filled with hate? Learn compassion if we are indifferent? Perceive academics as important if soccer practice is a higher priority than homework?”
—Fred G. Gosman (20th century)