American Professional Soccer League (1993-1994) A-League (1995-1996) USISL A-League (1997-1998) National Professional Soccer League (1997-2000) USL A-League (2000-2004) USL First Division (2005-2009) USSF Division 2
Major League Soccer (1996-1999) Born: June 15, 1994 – MLS founding franchise Re-Branded: October 27, 1999 (San Jose Earthquakes) First Game: April 6, 1996 (W 1-0
The Kansas City Wiz (1996) and Wizards (1997-2010) are a pair of abandoned brand identities from Major League Soccer’s Kansas City franchise, one of the 10 original clubs that began play in 1996. The club was owned by Kansas Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt for much of the Wiz/Wizards era, including during the team’s 2000 MLS Cup championship season. The franchise re-branded as Sporting Kansas City in 2011 contemporaneously with the team’s move into the new $200 million Livestrong Sporting Park.
The Miami Fusion were Major League Soccer’s early misfire in the South Florida market. Cellular One founder Ken Horowitz paid a $20 million expansion fee for the club in the spring of 1997. After three straight losing campaigns, the Fusion found their form in 2001 under the management of former Fort Lauderdale Strikers star Ray Hudson. Miami won the 2001 Supporters’ Shield as MLS best regular season club with a 16-5-5 record. But the club’s dire finances caused the Fusion’s closure following that promising 2001 season.
Major League Soccer (2005-2014) Born: August 2, 2004 – MLS expansion franchise Folded: October 27, 2014 First Game: April 2, 2005 (L 2-0 vs. D.C. United)
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