Major League Soccer was officially founded on December 17, 1993, but its first competitive season was in 1996. The gap was used for organizational planning, securing investors, and building the infrastructure needed to launch the league.
In its approximately 30 years of existence, MLS has grown from 10 teams to 30, survived a contraction crisis, built a network of soccer-specific stadiums, and established itself as one of the top professional sports leagues in North America.