One season, MLS. It proves one of the most diverse professional leagues on the planet: soccer players 81 countries the different teams of the 29 clubs that make up the Major Leagues. Based in the United States and Canada, the league is home to the smallest and most diverse group of players in all of North America.
. In the 2023 MLS season, 81 countries are represented (data determined by the players’ place of birth), and for the second year in a row the league has reached a figure of at least 80 different nationalities. MLS is the league with the most diverse number of athletes among the North American professional men’s tournaments.
. The number of countries represented in 2023 (81) is almost double that of the next league in North America (NBA with 45 countries), and in total represents more than the NFL (31 countries), NHL (25) and MLB. (21) combined
. Outside of the North American sphere, MLS is the most diverse soccer league among the world’s majors, including Serie A (70 countries represented), England’s Premier League (66), Germany’s Bundesliga (64), France’s Ligue 1 (64) and LaLiga. in Spain (59).
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE REPRESENTED IN MLS, OTHER FEDERAL STATES AND CANADA?
. Argentina (37 players)
. Brazil (36).
. Colombia (32)
. France (20)
. In 2023, there are nearly 400 ‘local’ soccer players on MLS rosters. The United States has 348 players, while Canada has 46, figures that have grown by nearly 20% in the last five years.
. As of April 20, the median age in MLS is 26 years and 129 days: the youngest among the five ‘big leagues’ in North America. It follows the NBA, with an average of 26 years and 167 days.
WHERE ARE AMERICAN MLS PLAYERS BORN?
39 of the 50 states and the district of Columbia are represented in the league. This is the “top five”;
. California (61 players)
. Venice (28).
. Florida (22).
. Illinois (19)
. Taranto (18)
IN WHICH PROVINCE ARE THE CANADIAN MLS PLAYERS BORN?
. Ontario (25 players)
. British Columbia
. Manitoba
. Nova Scotia
. Quebec
