EDITOR'S NOTE: MLS Commissioner Don Garber shared the following message with club supporters as the league gets set to celebrate its 25th season in 2020:
To All of the Supporters of Major League Soccer and our Clubs,
As we prepare to celebrate our historic 25th MLS season, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you – the most loyal and passionate fans in the world.
This continues to be an extraordinary time for soccer in the United States and Canada. In 2019 we saw the debut of FC Cincinnati as more than 27,000 fans per game supported their hometown club. In Minnesota, Allianz Field – our 20th stadium built for soccer – opened to rave reviews and sold out every match. We also introduced MLS expansion clubs in Austin, St. Louis, Sacramento and Charlotte.
On the field, the debut of our new playoff format created an exciting end to the season. Records were set by Carlos Vela (goals in a season), Chris Wondolowski (all-time MLS goals) and Los Angeles Football Club (regular season points). Seattle Sounders FC won their second MLS Cup before more than 69,000 fans, LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield, their first trophy, Atlanta United won the Campeones Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and the Montreal Impact captured the Canadian Championship. And the future looks bright, as Homegrown Players produced more goals, assists and minutes played than in any other year in MLS history.
And yet, we know the best is still to come. It starts with our 25th season which will celebrate our rich history, while focusing on the unlimited future of the game. Two new expansion teams will take the field, Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC. The MLS All-Star Game presented by Target will feature the best of MLS against the best of LIGA MX in Los Angeles.
On behalf of everyone at MLS, thank you for your support of our league and commitment to your favorite MLS club.
Wishing all of you and your families a happy and healthy New Year!
Don Garber
Commissioner
Major League Soccer
