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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Ryan Baldi

MLS teams are losing their home field advantage – and that’s no bad thing

A general overall interior view of Shell Energy Stadium from behind the goal as fans cheer in the first half during the MLS match between Houston Dynamo FC and Inter Miami at Shell Energy Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
MLS fans are less likely to see the home team win this year than ever before. Photograph: Aaron M Sprecher/Getty Images

For nearly two decades, Major League Soccer’s home teams enjoyed a striking edge. When fans filled stands in cities from Miami to Vancouver, they could typically count on seeing their team win about 60% of the time. It’s a notable mark. The Premier League saw home teams win just 45.7% of matches between the league’s inception in 1992 up to the start of the 2024-25 season.

But as 2025 unfolds, MLS home-win percentages have slumped to the mid-40s – putting the US and Canada league roughly in line with English and European norms. Rather than suggesting decline, though, the shift signals maturity: an American league evolving into a globally competitive, balanced championship.

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