A true fan can never get enough game action, so even if your favorite team has won in spectacular fashion you might still be itching for some quality football. Many Real fans can relate to this feeling, despite the fact that the club they love plays in several competitions every week. If you are searching for a new source of excitement, you could find it by turning on a Major League Soccer match.
You might be surprised by how much MLS has advanced in recent years and discover some new players that will capture your imagination. In case you are still hesitating, we will give you a list of reasons to consider paying attention to the North American professional league.
The Quality of Play Is Improving
When it first started, Major League Soccer faced many problems on and off the pitch. The teams lacked the infrastructure and the expertise to run a high-level soccer operation, and the interest of local fans was fleeting. Faced with a chronic lack of competent players and severe financial limitations, MLS clubs in the 1980s and 90s have frankly been terrible compared to their European counterparts.
Those days are long gone. Today, MLS teams play in shiny new stadiums and have sweet TV rights deals that allow them to pay for international stars. They also imported a lot of knowledge and educated a large number of American coaches who know what they are doing. As a result, MLS is becoming very competitive and quickly closing the quality gap with the best European national leagues.
There Is a Lot of Buzz around the League
Spanish football is all about old rivalries and storied traditions, with a fixed hierarchy that remains in place generation after generation. The legacy of Real Madrid is impressive, but it adds a certain weight to the viewing experience. On the other hand, Major League Soccer feels fresh and exciting, and teams are still in the process of writing the history books. Fan bases are formed based on a single run of success, and the whole thing is oozing with possibilities.
For a seasoned football fan, this can be a breath of fresh air. It’s almost like being transported back to a happier time when the game was more about passion and less a business than today. MLS teams are now good enough to aspire to greatness but not quite at the level where it’s expected of them. In this search for relevance, everything is amplified and that can be felt in the air during a big game.
Find New Opportunities for Betting
On some days, it can be hard to find a good bet on European football and having a backup option can be a life saver. MLS plays a lot of games, each of which brings multiple opportunities for betting on the final score, over/under, player props, etc. You can also take advantage of fair MLS odds Canada online sportsbooks are offering and cash in on your predictions.
To bet effectively, you will have to research the teams and ideally watch them in action. The more you follow MLS action, the better your wagers will become. In the process, you might find a team you like and become a true MLS fan. In time, your trove of knowledge about the North American league will expand, and you will be better equipped to derive value from it through smart betting.
Familiar Faces In New Places
As we mentioned earlier, MLS teams are increasingly bringing solid international players over the ocean and giving them a second chance at glory. The trend of older stars going to MLS started long ago with Pele and Beckham and continues to this day with Ibrahimovic and Messi, and part of the reason for it is to draw the attention of foreign fans. However, in recent years it’s not just players at the end of their careers as the jump is looking more attractive financially and professionally.
In 2025, you will find several high profile players from La Liga wearing the shirts of MLS teams. From Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets to Real’s own Asier Illarramendi, there are plenty of proven players that are now passing their knowledge to US-trained teammates. If you remember watching them in Spain, you might get a tinge of nostalgia during a MLS broadcast.
Discover a Different Style
MLS may use very similar rules as European leagues, but there are subtle differences that give it a unique flair. The league is not as buttoned up and focused on brutal efficiency, with moments of unscripted brilliance happening with regularity. The league is admittedly not as good as the top flight of Spanish football, but that’s exactly why it represents a nice change of pace that will give you a chance to relax and enjoy.
One big difference that may surprise you is the playoffs format of the competition with 18 qualifying teams. This adds to the drama and allows underdogs to make a surprising run to the championship. It’s a wrinkle that invites courageous play and creative strategies, much like in international tournaments with single-elimination stages.
