The document discusses the growth of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. It outlines the league's origins in 1996 and growth to 16 teams currently. MLS is driven by strong ownership groups that also own international soccer clubs and teams in other major sports leagues. The league has long-term television contracts and is expanding to more cities. It also benefits from building soccer-specific stadiums and pursuing public-private partnerships to finance new stadium construction projects.