El Floppo
Footballguy
I'll let others step in with better info.Can someone explain to me the MLS and the various cups/tournaments involved with it? And how free agency/transfers work?
But... First rule of MLS- no "the". Its like MLB and not like NBA or NFL.
There's league play leading to playoffs. Team with the best record heading into the playoffs wins the Supporters Shield (this mirrors Europe). Then you can win MLS Cup by winning the playoffs... Like winning the Superbowl.
There's also the US Open Cup, which open to ALL teams in the US... Not just top divisions. That's a lose and you're out deal, but MLS teams jump in later rounds... They don't have to play Joe's Pub team from palooka, unless Joes advances a bunch of rounds.
There's a Champions League, where the winners of various US competitions play winners from different countries in our region. If you win that, you play in the FIFA club world cup against top teams from other regions.
They're currently playing a new joint MLS and Mex cup... That's the thing Messi is in now. No idea what's up with that.



