Now for something new: eMLS

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jan 12, 2018

Major League Soccer has announced its most significant foray in the burgeoning esports sphere with the creation of eMLS, in which FIFA 18 players will represent 19 MLS clubs.

All but Atlanta United, D.C. United, Los Angeles FC, and Real Salt Lake will be represented in the series to determine who will represent MLS in the EA Sports' FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs.

The first MLS event: PAX East April 5-8 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The winner of the Global Series Playoffs will automatically qualify for the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018 that will take place in August.

NYCFC was the first MLS team to sign an eSports player, Chris Holly, for PlayStation 4. It added to a second player to its eSports roster with the signing of Joey Calabro for Xbox One.

The EA Sports' FIFA series has been credited with boosting soccer interest among young males and MLS has gotten a lot of mileage out of its relationship with EA.