The league started with 10 teams in 1996, expanded to 12, contracted to 10 in 2002, then expanded steadily to the current 30. The contracted teams were Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion.
The expansion from 10 to 30 teams reflects the dramatic growth of soccer's popularity in North America. Recent expansion fees of $325-400 million demonstrate the enormous increase in franchise value since the league's founding.