MLS is one of the fastest-growing professional soccer leagues in the world, and it continues to expand rapidly. In the past few years, MLS has added several new teams, making it a more diverse and inclusive league.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the five newest teams in MLS as of 2023: St. Louis City SC, Charlotte FC, Austin FC, Inter Miami CF, and Nashville SC. We will provide some background information about each team, including their key players, staff, and impact on their local communities.
St. Louis City SC
Joined: 2023
St. Louis City SC is the newest team in MLS and joined for the 2023 season.
The team’s ownership group is led by Carolyn Kindle Betz, who is the president of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings. Kindle Betz is also the granddaughter of Enterprise founder Jack Taylor, and is the first female owner of a major professional soccer team in the United States.
St. Louis City SC’s home stadium is St. Louis CITY Stadium, which is currently under construction in the Downtown West neighborhood of St. Louis. The stadium will have a capacity of 22,500 and will be one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in MLS, with features like augmented reality and interactive displays.
Off the field, St. Louis City SC has been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the St. Louis area. The team has partnered with several local organizations, including the St. Louis Blues and the St. Louis Cardinals, to promote youth soccer and improve access to sports for underprivileged children. St. Louis City SC has also worked closely with the St. Louis Public Schools to promote sports and physical education in schools.
One of the biggest challenges facing St. Louis City SC in its early years is building a strong fanbase. The team is competing with several other major sports teams in the St. Louis area, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues. To build its fanbase, St. Louis City SC has been actively engaging with fans through various community events and initiatives, including fan meet-and-greets, watch parties, and youth soccer clinics.
St. Louis City SC has also been active on social media, using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to connect with fans and promote the team. The team has also launched several initiatives to encourage fans to attend games, including discounted ticket packages and special events like “Opening Night” and “Hispanic Heritage Night.”
Overall, St. Louis City SC is poised to make a strong debut in MLS in 2023. The team has made some strategic signings and hired a talented coaching staff, and its ownership group has been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the St. Louis area. While building a strong fanbase will be a major challenge, the team’s commitment to community outreach and engagement is a promising sign for the future. As St. Louis City SC continues to develop and grow, it is sure to become a major player in the ever-expanding world of professional soccer in the United States.
Charlotte FC
Joined: 2022
Charlotte FC is one of the newest teams in MLS, having joined the league in December 2021. The team is owned by David Tepper, who is also the owner of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Charlotte FC’s home stadium is Bank of America Stadium, which has a capacity of 75,525 and is one of the largest stadiums in the league.
In its first year, Charlotte FC has already made a big impact on the league. The team has made several strategic signings, including Colombian forward Sergio Ruiz and Brazilian midfielder Benji Michel. Charlotte FC has also hired a talented coaching staff, led by head coach Christian Lattanzio.
One of the key figures at Charlotte FC is head coach Christian Lattanzio. Lattanzio took over as head coach following the firing of the previous coach and led the team to an 8-10-2 record, keeping them in playoff contention until the final week of the season.
Lattanzio has worked as an assistant coach for various soccer teams including Manchester City youth team, New York City FC under the guidance of French coach Patrick Vieira, and OGC Nice. He has also worked with prominent Italian coaches such as Fabio Capello, Gianfranco Zola, and Roberto Mancini.
Charlotte FC’s ownership group has also been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the Charlotte area. The team has partnered with several local organizations, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, to promote youth soccer and improve access to sports for underprivileged children. Charlotte FC has also worked closely with the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce to promote diversity and inclusion in sports.
One of the biggest challenges facing Charlotte FC in its first year is building a strong fanbase. The team is competing with several other major sports teams in the Charlotte area, including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Charlotte Checkers. To build its fanbase, Charlotte FC has been actively engaging with fans through various community events and initiatives, including fan meet-and-greets, watch parties, and youth soccer clinics.
Charlotte FC has also been active on social media, using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to connect with fans and promote the team. The team has also launched several initiatives to encourage fans to attend games, including discounted ticket packages and special events like “Fan Fest” and “Opening Night.”
Overall, Charlotte FC is off to a strong start in MLS. The team has made several strategic signings and hired a talented coaching staff, and its ownership group has been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the Charlotte area. While building a strong fanbase will be a major challenge, the team’s commitment to community outreach and engagement is a promising sign for the future. As Charlotte FC continues to develop and grow, it is sure to become a major player in the ever-expanding world of professional soccer in the United States.
Austin FC
Joined: 2021
Austin FC is one of the newest teams in MLS, having joined the league in 2021. The team is the first professional sports team to represent the city of Austin, Texas. The team was founded by investor-operator Anthony Precourt, who was also the former owner of the Columbus Crew. In 2018, Precourt announced that he would be relocating the Crew to Austin, a move that was met with some resistance from fans and local politicians in Columbus.
One of the key figures at Austin FC is head coach Josh Wolff, who previously served as an assistant coach with the U.S. Men’s National Team and the Columbus Crew. Wolff has a wealth of experience both as a player and coach, having played for the U.S. Men’s National Team and in MLS with the Chicago Fire, Kansas City Wizards, and D.C. United.
Austin FC’s home stadium, Q2 Stadium, is located in North Austin and has a capacity of 20,500. The stadium is also home to the Austin Bold FC, a USL Championship team. Q2 Stadium features several unique design elements, including a grand entryway, a large video board, and a rooftop deck with views of downtown Austin.
One of the biggest challenges facing Austin FC in its first year is building a strong fanbase. The team is competing with several other major sports teams in the Austin area, including the Texas Longhorns, Austin Spurs, and Round Rock Express. To build its fanbase, Austin FC has been actively engaging with fans through various community events and initiatives, including fan meet-and-greets, watch parties, and youth soccer clinics.
Austin FC has also been active on social media, using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to connect with fans and promote the team. The team has also launched several initiatives to encourage fans to attend games, including discounted ticket packages and special events like “Opening Night” and “Hispanic Heritage Night.”
Austin FC has made some strategic signings and hired a talented coaching staff, and its ownership group has been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the Austin area. While building a strong fanbase will be a major challenge, the team’s commitment to community outreach and engagement is a promising sign for the future. As Austin FC continues to develop and grow, it is sure to become a major player in the ever-expanding world of professional soccer in the United States.
Inter Miami CF
Joined: 2020
Inter Miami CF is owned by a group of investors led by former soccer star David Beckham. The team played its first game in March 2020.
One of the biggest names associated with Inter Miami CF is former Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain. Higuain joined the team in September 2020 and was expected to be a key player for the team. However, he struggled to make an impact during his time with the team and announced his departure from Inter Miami CF in December 2021.
Despite Higuain’s departure, Inter Miami CF has a talented roster of players. The team’s current head coach is Phil Neville, who previously coached the England Women’s National Team. Neville has emphasized the importance of building a strong team culture and has worked to develop a cohesive playing style that emphasizes possession and attacking play.
Inter Miami CF’s home stadium is DRV PNK Stadium, which has a capacity of 18,000. The stadium is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was originally built as a training facility for Inter Miami CF’s academy teams. The stadium was expanded and upgraded to meet MLS standards ahead of the team’s inaugural season.
One of the challenges facing Inter Miami CF in its first two years has been inconsistency on the field. The team finished its inaugural season with a record of 7-13-3 and missed the playoffs. In 2021, the team got off to a slow start and struggled to find consistency throughout the season, finishing with a record of 9-14-9.
Despite these challenges, Inter Miami CF has continued to make strategic moves to improve the team. In December 2021, the team signed Brazilian midfielder Matheus Davo from the Brazilian club Guarani. Davo is known for his attacking ability and is expected to provide a spark to Inter Miami CF’s offense.
Inter Miami CF has also been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the Miami area. The team has partnered with several local organizations, including the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Heat, to promote youth soccer and improve access to sports for underprivileged children. Inter Miami CF has also worked closely with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools to promote sports and physical education in schools.
Overall, Inter Miami CF is still in the early stages of its development as an MLS team. The team has faced some challenges on the field, but its ownership group and coaching staff are committed to building a strong and successful franchise. As Inter Miami CF continues to grow and develop, it is sure to become a major player in the ever-expanding world of professional soccer in the United States.
Nashville SC
Joined: 2020
Nashville SC played its first game in March 2020. Nashville SC’s home stadium is Nissan Stadium, which has a capacity of over 69,000 and is shared with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
In its first year in MLS, Nashville SC had a solid debut season, finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-8-7. The team was led by head coach Gary Smith, who previously won an MLS Cup as the head coach of the Colorado Rapids in 2010. Smith has emphasized the importance of building a strong team culture and has worked to develop a hard-working, disciplined playing style.
One of the key players on Nashville SC’s roster is striker CJ Sapong, who joined the team in January 2020. Sapong has had a successful career in MLS, having previously played for the Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, and Sporting Kansas City. Sapong is known for his physicality, aerial ability, and finishing skills, and has been a consistent goal-scorer throughout his career.
Nashville SC has also made some strategic signings since joining MLS. In January 2021, the team signed Costa Rican defender Randall Leal from Deportivo Saprissa. Leal has quickly become an important player for Nashville SC, contributing both defensively and offensively from his position on the wing.
Off the field, Nashville SC has been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the Nashville area. The team has partnered with several local organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee and the Nashville Soccer United, to promote youth soccer and improve access to sports for underprivileged children. Nashville SC has also worked closely with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools to promote sports and physical education in schools.
One of the biggest challenges facing Nashville SC in its early years is building a strong fanbase. The team is competing with several other major sports teams in the Nashville area, including the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators. To build its fanbase, Nashville SC has been actively engaging with fans through various community events and initiatives, including fan meet-and-greets, watch parties, and youth soccer clinics.
Nashville SC has also been active on social media, using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to connect with fans and promote the team. The team has also launched several initiatives to encourage fans to attend games, including discounted ticket packages and special events like “Opening Night” and “Hispanic Heritage Night.”
Overall, Nashville SC is off to a solid start in its first years in MLS. The team has made some strategic signings and hired a talented coaching staff, and its ownership group has been actively involved in promoting soccer and sports in the Nashville area. While building a strong fanbase will be a major challenge, the team’s commitment to community outreach and engagement is a promising sign for the future. As Nashville SC continues to develop and grow, it is sure to become a major player in the ever-expanding world of professional soccer in the United States.
