As someone who's been following American soccer for over a decade, I've witnessed the remarkable growth of the sport across the nation. When I first started attending matches back in 2010, the landscape looked dramatically different - fewer teams, smaller stadiums, but the same passionate energy that continues to drive the sport forward today. The quote "We will make sure that we sit him down, and yeah, the idea is to continue going. He deserves it" perfectly captures the thoughtful approach clubs take toward player development and strategic planning in American soccer leagues. This philosophy extends beyond individual players to how teams strategically position themselves geographically to build sustainable fan bases and competitive rivalries.
Major League Soccer, the top tier of American professional soccer, currently features 29 teams with plans to reach 30 by 2025. Having visited 17 of these stadiums personally, I can attest to the unique character each club brings to its community. From the electric atmosphere at Atlanta United's Mercedes-Benz Stadium where they regularly draw over 45,000 fans to the intimate setting of Providence Park in Portland, the geographical distribution creates distinct soccer cultures. The Western Conference includes clubs like LAFC and Seattle Sounders FC, while the Eastern Conference features teams such as New York City FC and Inter Miami CF. What fascinates me most is how teams like Sporting Kansas City have transformed their regions into soccer hotbeds despite not being traditional sports markets. The strategic placement of teams in growing markets like Austin FC and Charlotte FC demonstrates the league's understanding of demographic trends and potential fan engagement.
The United Soccer League system provides another layer of professional soccer with the USL Championship operating as the second division, featuring 24 teams across markets like Tampa Bay, Louisville, and Sacramento. I've always had a soft spot for USL clubs because they often represent cities with rich soccer histories but smaller markets. The USL League One and USL League Two add additional professional and pre-professional tiers that create crucial development pathways. Having attended matches in both leagues, the quality difference is noticeable but the passion remains equally intense. What many casual observers miss is how these lower division teams serve as incubators for both players and front office talent that eventually graduate to MLS and beyond.
The National Women's Soccer League represents the pinnacle of professional women's soccer with 14 teams and expansion plans that could see 16 clubs by 2026. As a father of two daughters who play soccer, I've particularly enjoyed watching the NWSL's growth and the incredible role models it produces. Teams like Portland Thorns FC regularly draw crowds exceeding 20,000, demonstrating the viability of women's professional sports when given proper investment and marketing. The geographic distribution of NWSL teams creates natural rivalries, like the Cascadia matches between Portland and OL Reign that I consider some of the most entertaining soccer in the country regardless of gender.
Beyond the professional ranks, numerous amateur and development leagues complete the American soccer pyramid. MLS Next Pro serves as MLS's reserve league with 27 teams, while NISA provides another professional option with 10 teams. Having followed the development of MLS academy systems, I'm particularly impressed with how clubs like Philadelphia Union have integrated their youth development with their second teams and first team. The geographic clustering of teams creates regional competitions that reduce travel costs while fostering local rivalries - something I believe is crucial for the sport's growth at the grassroots level.
The strategic placement of teams reflects broader patterns in American sports geography. Major markets typically support multiple teams across different leagues, while secondary markets often become strongholds for single clubs. What I find particularly interesting is how soccer-specific stadiums have transformed urban landscapes in cities like Columbus and Cincinnati, becoming community anchors beyond just match days. The quote about carefully considering when to "sit him down" applies equally to league expansion decisions - each new market is thoroughly vetted to ensure it deserves the opportunity and can sustain a professional franchise long-term.
Looking at the complete map of American soccer teams reveals both concentrations and gaps. The Northeast and California remain heavily represented, while regions like the upper Midwest and interior West have fewer professional options. Having traveled to matches in underserved markets, I've seen firsthand the hunger for professional soccer in these areas. The careful expansion of leagues demonstrates an understanding that sustainable growth requires balancing ambition with practicality - much like managing a player's minutes throughout a long season.
The future of American soccer geography likely includes continued expansion into untapped markets while strengthening existing franchises. Personally, I'd love to see more teams in regions like the Pacific Northwest and Southwest where soccer culture continues to flourish. The emergence of successful clubs in non-traditional markets like Nashville SC gives me confidence that American soccer's geographic diversity will only improve. The thoughtful approach to expansion - ensuring each new team "deserves" its place - has served the sport well and will likely continue guiding its geographic growth.
What excites me most about American soccer's current landscape isn't just the number of teams but their strategic distribution and the organic rivalries developing between them. Having witnessed the transformation from a handful of teams to a truly national network of professional clubs, I'm optimistic about the sport's continued growth. The careful consideration given to each new location - ensuring they deserve the opportunity much like the player in our opening quote - has created a foundation that can support soccer's evolution into a truly mainstream American sport.