When the first Major League Soccer season kicked off in 1996, two of the league’s first ten teams were from California. The original California soccer teams that the MLS offered to fans were the Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Clash.
Since then, the list of California MLS soccer teams has grown to three, and it’ll increase to four soon. Additionally, the sportsbooks with free bet offers always feature the Californian MLS teams in their listings. So, what are the California MLS soccer teams, and what do they each bring to the table? Continue reading to learn about the California MLS soccer scene.
Los Angeles Galaxy
The most well-known California MLS soccer team — and maybe the most well-known MLS team overall — is the Los Angeles Galaxy. The LA Galaxy has been around since the beginning of the MLS, and it has helped the Galaxy solidify its standing as one of the greatest franchises in MLS history. The team has won five MLS Cup titles, and it has also called on some of the top soccer players in the world to suit up, including Landon Donovan and, of course, David Beckham. Beckham played for the Galaxy from 2007 through 2012 and helped legitimize the MLS.
Los Angeles Football Club
Every successful American professional sports organization needs a great rivalry to succeed, and that’s exactly what the MLS created when it welcomed the Los Angeles Football Club into the mix in 2014. Los Angeles FC has only won one MLS Cup title so far, but more importantly, it has quickly established a fierce rivalry with its crosstown rivals, the LA Galaxy. The so-called “El Tráfico” rivalry is the best rivalry in the MLS with LAFC’s rabid fanbase getting up for every game against the Galaxy.
San Jose Earthquakes
While some MLS fans consider the LA Galaxy and LAFC rivalry to be the only true rivalry among California MLS soccer teams, the San Jose Earthquakes might have something to say about that. The Earthquakes, formerly known as the Clash until changing its name in 1999, also have a rivalry with the LA Galaxy known as the “California Clásico” rivalry. The Earthquakes have also enjoyed success outside the state of California by winning two MLS Cup titles.
San Diego Football Club
MLS currently has 29 teams, but that number will change to 30 teams soon. The San Diego Football Club, or San Diego FC, is scheduled to join the MLS for the 2025 season, and it sounds like the team could make some major noise even before then.
In recent weeks, there have been rumors linking San Diego FC to pretty big names in the soccer world, including Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Sevilla FC center-back Sergio Ramos. Nothing is confirmed yet, but if San Diego FC can land even just one high-profile player, it could show they’re ready to compete with their fellow California MLS soccer teams right away.
