One of the best-selling video games in the world annually is launching its own eSports league in North America. MLS and video game publisher EA Sports unveiled plans for eMLS, which will act as a league in the United States and Canada utilizing the popular "FIFA 18."
The first year of eMLS will involve these 19 MLS clubs recruiting their own representative to play the game in the competitive league:
- Chicago Fire
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew SC
- FC Dallas
- Houston Dynamo
- LA Galaxy
- Minnesota United FC
- Montreal Impact
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City SC
- Philadelphia Union
- Portland Timbers
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Sporting Kansas City
- Toronto FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Not participating are Atlanta United FC, D.C. United, Real Salt Lake, and the new Los Angeles FC.
MORE: Full 'FIFA 18' review
The first event associated with the eMLS will take place at the PAX East convention in Boston this April. Known as the eMLS Cup, this will determine qualifiers to the Global Series Playoffs in August. However, the eMLS league, which will include local tournaments to help identify candidates for selection, does not have any official procedures or a start date yet. Details on the league structure and player signings will be announced in the coming weeks.
“This step forward into competitive gaming is a key component in our partnership with EA Sports to promote deeper engagement and connections between MLS supporters and millions of FIFA players around the world,” MLS Business Ventures President and Managing Director Gary Stevenson said.
Sports video games have struggled to gain traction in eSports. They face the inherent challenge of competing with the real sports broadcasts, and are often played in a way that doesn't mirror real-life tactics and instead become a display of exploiting programming flaws.
The NBA 2K League, which tips off later this year, may go a long way to building a fan following as it has the full support of the league while creating natural rooting interests by tying teams of players to the real NBA teams.
MORE: "Pro Evolution Soccer 2018" review
This partnership between the MLS and EA Sports with the "FIFA" series appears to have the same goal in mind. Unlike "NBA 2K," however, "FIFA" will be doing so tied to a league and in a region that, while certainly demonstrating considerable growth, is far from the most popular in the world for the sport of soccer.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the "Press Row Podcast" and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.