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Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced today a new strategy for the Los Angeles market. Effective immediately, Chivas USA will cease operations. On Thursday, Oct. 30, the League will announce a new MLS Los Angeles club and ownership group. The new club will begin play in 2017 , confirming the league's intention to keep 2 clubs in LA.
The decision was made unanimously by the MLS Board of Governors and in consequence, there will be 20 clubs in the 2015 MLS season.
Letter from MLS Commissioner Don Garber
As part of our new strategy for Southern California -- a major hotbed of soccer participation and fan support -- we believe that engaging with a new ownership group which has the resources and local community ties, and a plan for a dedicated soccer-specific stadium, provides us with the best chance for success
With the arrival of Orlando City SC and New York City FC in 2015, MLS will have 20 clubs for the league's 20th season. A new conference alignment will happen:
The Houston Dynamo and 2013 MLS Cup Champions Sporting Kansas City will move to the Western Conference, creating two 10-team conferences. The 2015 conference will look as below:
Eastern Conference Western Conference
Chicago Fire Columbus Crew D.C. United Montreal Impact New England Revolution New York City FC New York Red Bulls Orlando City SC Philadelphia Union Toronto FC |
Colorado Rapids FC Dallas Houston Dynamo Sporting Kansas City LA Galaxy Portland Timbers Real Salt Lake San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
As per MLS
For the 2015 season, the 20 teams will each play 34 games during the regular season. Clubs will play each team in the opposing conference once for five home and five away matches. Clubs will play each of their nine conference opponents at least twice (one home, one away), plus six additional intra-conference games -- three home and three away.
The league will conduct a Dispersal Draft of the Chivas USA roster in the near future as we await for more details regarding the Draft.