Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional soccer league in North America, featuring 30 teams across the United States and Canada, and operates under a unique single-entity structure with no promotion or relegation. Founded in 1993 following the collapse of the North American Soccer League (NASL) and the success of the 1994 FIFA World Cup bid, the league launched in 1996 but initially struggled financially, losing millions and folding two teams by 2002. The league's turnaround was driven by the Designated Player Rule, which allowed marquee stars like David Beckham and Lionel Messi to join, alongside the construction of soccer-specific stadiums and lucrative TV deals, making it profitable and highly popular. By 2024, MLS boasted the third-highest average attendance among major U.S. and Canadian sports leagues, trailing only the NFL and MLB. The season runs from late February to October, with the Supporters' Shield awarded to the best regular-season record and the MLS Cup deciding the playoff champion—with Inter Miami CF winning the 2025 title and the Philadelphia Union claiming the 2025 Shield. Historically, the LA Galaxy lead with six MLS Cups, while Chris Wondolowski holds the all-time scoring record with 171 goals.