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MLS oral history: Reliving the 'Wild West' of the inaugural 1996 season

It's been 25 seasons since the first MLS campaign, and it's come a long way since. We look back on the league's infancy with those who were there.

20hJeff Carlisle and Noah Davis
Matthew Ashton/EMPICS via Getty Images

Wynalda: First MLS goal the best of my career

14h
1:44

Jon Champion's top 5 goals in MLS history

ESPN's MLS commentator Jon Champion gives his all-time top goals in Major League Soccer.

1d
2:38

David Beckham's best goals with the LA Galaxy

Relive some of the best of David Beckham's 18 career MLS goals.

1d
1:48

No Robbie Keane! Chris Wondolowski's top MLS strikers

Chris Wondolowski left out Robbie Keane in his top 3 MLS strikers of all time.

1d
1:53

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TRANSFERS

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Transfer Talk: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City eye Lyon hotshot Aouar

Lyon wonderkid Houssem Aouar is attracting plenty of interes, with Arsenal joining Liverpool and Manchester City. Transfer Talk has the latest.

9hNick Judd
JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images

Burley: Vela should be annoyed Barca loan fell through

1d
3:05

Laurens: Liverpool, Spurs should face transfer restrictions

16h
2:20

Laurens: Chelsea are making the correct decision on Willian

17h
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
1:45

Commisso: Chiesa staying at Fiorentina 'my dream'

3d
2:05

ESPN WRITERS' BEST PICKS

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I was there: When Messi, Barcelona toyed with Man United

Our writers reveal the best team displays they have seen live, which include Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, Germany thrashing Brazil and Spain in 2012.

20hESPN
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I was there: Liverpool comeback stuns Barcelona

Among the best games our writers attended are Champions League comebacks by Liverpool, Barcelona and Man Utd, an MLS playoff classic and Agueroooo!

2dESPN

TOE POKE DAILY

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Who beat Cristiano Ronaldo at his ab crunch challenge?

With almost all football off because of the coronavirus, star players have found themselves at a loose end. How are they filling their time?

20hChris Wright
Instagram @Cristiano

Best goals of the century from the backyard

A young fan had some time to recreate the best goals of soccer history from his backyard.

1d
1:47

ESPN FC TV

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Marcotti: Walker has let down England and Gareth Southgate

17h
1:44

Ogden: A lot of footballers are having a reality check

3d
2:10

Only 'winning Champions League' can save Tuchel

3d
2:04

Better player: Sergio Busquets or Xabi Alonso?

Ale Moreno and Craig Burley decide who was the better midfielder between Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso.

3d
1:14

Are Liverpool champions if season is voided?

4d
1:02

Top Headlines

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  • Must-Watch Video

    Burley: Footballers have become easy targets

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  • Soccer streams to watch during coronavirus

    The world has come to a standstill, so we compiled 10 shows and documentaries that will scratch your soccer itch while in isolation.

  • Amanda Mustard for ESPN

  • The Thai pop star who owns Beckham's boots

    Imagine not one unseen Picasso, but an entire exhibition. Meet Sattawat Sethakorn and his potentially million-dollar collection of memorabilia.

  • Giuseppe Lami/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

  • Missing football, pasta and friendship

    As he thinks about the affection he has for Italy, Wright Thompson reflects on sport, food and loneliness in the time of coronavirus.

  • Ezequiel Becerra/AFP via Getty Images

  • Henry tries to resurrect coaching career in MLS

    After a legendary career as a player, Thierry Henry made a rough start to life as a manager. In Montreal, he seeks improvement.

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  • The Misery Index

    There are unhappy and frustrated fans everywhere, but these 10 teams have had it particularly rough.

  • Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

  • Players control Barcelona, not managers

    Barcelona's hire of Quique Setien reveals who really holds the power at the Camp Nou: Lionel Messi and his teammates.

  • Alexander Wells

  • ESPN FC 100

    Here are the top 100 players and managers in men's soccer, as rated by our experts.

  • Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

  • How everything fell apart for Manchester United

    Countless mistakes, £840m down the drain, four managers and one Ed Woodward: How Manchester United became specialists in failure.

  • Samuel Wilson for ESPN

  • Experience MLS like a die-hard fan

    Take a trip across the country for a look at the raucous fans who make some of the best matchday atmospheres in American pro sports.

  • AP Photo/Martin Meissner

  • Sancho will be the next superstar - on his terms

    From playing in the streets of south London to the cusp of worldwide stardom, Jadon Sancho has always done things his own way.

  • Antonio Balasco/KONTROLAB/LightRocket via Getty Images

  • ESPN FC Ultimate XI: Our unbeatable line-up!

    Imagine for a minute that you own a soccer team and have unlimited resources and sky-high goals. If money were no object, what team would you build?

  • Jasper Bastian for ESPN

  • Christian Pulisic is no wonderboy anymore

    Sam Borden: The 20-year-old is about to try what no American's done before and star for one of football's biggest clubs.

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  • Who are the best 30 players under 21?

    Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the dominant forces in soccer, but who's next? Who will take on the challenge of being the best in soccer?

  • Brandon Loving

  • MLS Player Poll

    We asked MLS players during preseason and the early weeks of the 2019 campaign for their thoughts about some hot-button issues in the sport.

  • Melissa Lyttle for ESPN

  • Adu: 'I'm not ready to give it up'

    Once a teen phenom, Freddy Adu was supposed to save U.S. soccer. His career appeared to fizzle out, but he is not done yet.

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  • Kane targets the Premier League, then the NFL

    The world's best striker has his sights set on an NFL career. Why can't he make it happen?

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  • Upcoming fixtures

    Keep track of all the important upcoming fixtures in the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Major League Soccer and more.

  • Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

  • Latest scores

    Results and scores from the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Major League Soccer and more.

  • Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images

  • League tables

    Updated standings from the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Major League Soccer and more.

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