Major League Soccer’s esports division is adding the eMLS League Series to expand its gaming schedule. In addition to the championship crowning eMLS Cup tournament, competitors will be able to now participate in two prior events, eMLS League Series One and Two, that will be hosted by the LA Galaxy in January, and FC Dallas in February, respectively.
Three new MLS franchises are sponsoring esports entries in 2019. Atlanta United and D.C. United added teams, as well as real-world expansion club FC Cincinnati. The results of the two eMLS League Series events will determine prizes and seeding for the eMLS Cup. PlayStation is a sponsor and the PS4 is the official console for the league.
“eMLS is an accelerant to growing fandom in North America through the increasing connection between virtual and real-world soccer,” said Brent Koning, EA Sports FIFA competitive gaming commissioner, in a statement. “Our partnership with MLS and the 22 eMLS clubs elevates competitive FIFA through the power of sports and esports, and provides an engaging platform to attract new fans, sponsors and partners to the game.”
Guillermo Trevino, who represents the Houston Dynamo’s esports team and plays under the name “HOU Kid M3Mito,” won the inaugural eMLS Cup in 2018.
SportTechie Takeaway
The English Premier League recently followed MLS’s lead by adding an EPL-backed FIFA esports circuit. Now, MLS is going a step further by expanding the eMLS season to increase engagement through more events and content. MLS’s gaming director, James Ruth, said in the recent news release that the league’s stated goal is “blurring the lines between traditional and digital soccer, while further elevating eMLS in the global FIFA competitive gaming community.”