MLS: How many teams should there be, ideally?

Question

Now the league has 14. How many would be ideal?

Answer 1

it is hard to say, it seems like it would be good to have a decent playoff of at least 12 teams, which would necessitate at least 24 teams in the league, but realistically, they dont want to expand beyond their talent pool, they want to keep a decent product on the field.

Answer 2

There should be 20 like most of the top leagues around the world.....they should actually merge some USL teams into the MLS to have a 3 level system with relegations and promotions...I know there are several USL teams that can compete and beat some of the MLS teams.......the competition would be well needed to improve american soccer....

Answer 3

Stop at 16, then institute promotion/relegation system with strong and compelling 2d division.

Answer 4

This would be my idea and I think a lot of people would agree with me:

I think the ideal teams in MLS would be only 20, why is that? Because  it should only be a regular league regardless of how big or small it is, I think MLS should have a partnership with USL being their 2nd Division. MLS as 1st Division and USL as 2nd Division. Of course, use the relegation and promotion process with the leagues. Why would it be ideal? Because USL would have some big cities, although not only the biggest cities in U.S. USL would have some big U.S. cities and also some fairly populated cities from U.S.(For example: Little Rock, Sacramento, Oakland, San Antonio, St. Louis, Miami, U know what I mean?) USL would also have big cities and fair populated cities. For Example: Little Rock (which is a fairly populated city) would start off from USL and win the USL title and Miami wins 2nd place and they both go on to MLS while Colombus Crew and another NE Revolution would have to go down to USL. It would be ideal in my mind, although it's just an example. The only thing would be that USL would need more exposure and more promotion so people pay more attention to it as much as they do to MLS, people would support their home team no matter if it's in 1st or 2nd Division. That way, there is enough room for teams from fairly populated cities in U.S. to have a shot in becoming MLS club teams since it would have promotion and relegation. And also, that way every U.S. city that has a Club would have a chance at MLS, there wouldn't be any need to have 30 or 40 clubs in MLS just because U.S. is very big, any city (as long as they put work into it) would have a chance at the biggest football glory in U.S. which is the MLS Cup.

I hope U guys understand me clear, I hope I made it clear enough.

Answer 5

30 ideal size.

if it gets somewhere near the passion of europe in the far future i'd say 60-80 teams

Answer 6

I say the MLS should expand to 20 and stop at that point.why should they stop.because when they reach 20 they should focus all their attention to making sure all 20 of the MLS teams have their own stadiums.with grass pitches please.no more of that artificial grass.

I believe that when the MLS has 20 teams all with thier own stadiums.the US national team will be an elite contender in all tournaments.the MLS also will be most likely the top league in all the Americas.

Answer 7

Zero....

Answer 8

22-24 teams...Which is not a lot of teams for the size of the USA.

Answer 9

Does the MLS even exist

I have never heard of it  

Answer 10

Enough so that my Portland Timbers get in. Thats all I need :P

Answer 11

20... keep it like for a long time though. then add two teams here two teams there kind of like how mlb  added the marlins and rockies in 93 and the d' backs and  d'rays in 98.

Answer 12

22

the usa is pretty big so its great

hopefully one in Hawaii lol