MLS is joining the eSports fray with the help of one of the most popular soccer games of all time. The top professional soccer league in American is teaming up with EA Sports’ FIFA franchise to start an eSports league that will represent its franchises and compete using FIFA 18.
EA’s FIFA franchise has a huge following, and MLS is taking advantage of that by pairing FIFA players with their local clubs to create an eMLS and an inagural eMLS Cup. The league, set to begin play in April at PAX East in Boston, will see professional eSports players from local soccer markets dueling on the digital pitch.
MLS said on Friday that 19 of its clubs will take part in the initial eMLS Cup, and it showed off a clever new shield design for these clubs that includes video game controller buttons and a directional pad.
Clubs will announce their own methods of picking who will represent them in the eMLS Cup, but some clubs already have designated eSports players that have proven their worth professionally as FIFA players. New York City FC, for example, has already done a video with its eSports player, Chris Holly, explaining his style and his excitement for the eMLS Cup.
MLS now joins the NBA in announcing an eSports league based on its signature video game simulation. While the NBA’s 2K league hasn’t launched just yet, it’s clear that more and more sports leagues and franchises are getting on board with the potential eSports has in America and beyond.
