Major League Soccer and Electronic Arts Thursday revealed eMLS 2023 lineup.

The eMLS 2023 season schedule will feature EA SPORTS FIFA 23 competitors. Highlighted first with two marquee League Series events in New York City in January and February, the season concludes at the eMLS Cup on March 12 in Austin during SXSW.

In 2023, players will compete for the largest total season prize pool in eMLS history – $100,000. Each League Series broadcast will showcase more than 10 players and feature a new competitive format that provides enhanced coverage for fans.

“eMLS is excited to see new faces and past champions returning for the 2023 season,” MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana said in a statement. “Major League Soccer is committed to offering competitive gaming and premium esports content, expanding the way fans can support their favorite clubs. With eMLS content on more platforms and devices, we continue find ways to best serve our young, diverse, and digitally savvy fans, while highlight top global talent on the virtual pitch.”

The remote qualifiers and group stages of each League Series will be featured on each MLS club’s or player’s respective Twitch and YouTube channel, and fans can view the main bracket matchups on twitch.tv/mls. The season format will be as follows:

* eMLS League Series 1: The 2023 season kicks off on January 24-25 with remote qualifiers with the group stage on Jan. 28 and final series bracket games on Jan. 29.

* eMLS League Series 2: The season continues Feb. 7-8 with remote qualifiers, the group stage on Feb. 11 and final series bracket matches on Feb. 12.

* eMLS Cup: The season will conclude in Austin at SXSW, with the Last Chance Qualifier held on March 11 determining the final “Cinderella” participant spot for the eMLS Cup on March 12.

The 2022 eMLS champion, Atlanta United’s Paulo Neto, is returning this year to defend the title. The top two players within eMLS Cup get direct bids to the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Playoffs. Third and fourth place will get a chance to compete in the EA SPORTS FIFA 23 Global Series Playoffs ‘Play-ins’, effectively putting these four players in prime position to compete in the FIFAe World Cup.

All participating clubs have signed top talent including those listed below.

Atlanta United, Paulo Neto ** Minnesota United, Lamps
Atlanta United, Young CF Montréal, Loux11
Austin FC, xVerde Nashville SC, Joksan
Charlotte FC, Khaled Ali New England Revolution, YoungggCarter
FC Cincinnati, Cissé New York Red Bulls, doolsta
Columbus Crew, GODFATHER New York City FC, NYC Gustavo **
D.C. United, KingCJ0 New York City FC, NYC_Chris
FC Dallas, AlanAvi Orlando City, RemiMartinn
Houston Dynamo FC, JordyReyes Philadelphia Union, ThiagoCapo
Sporting Kansas City, MaXe Portland Timbers, CPTBruno
LA Galaxy, UL1BARRI San Jose Earthquakes, BENR
LA Galaxy, Voncita Seattle Sounders FC, GAdamou10
LA Galaxy, VillaMore3 ** St. Louis City SC, NR7
Los Angeles Football Club, Pabs Toronto FC, Goal Machine
Inter Miami CF, IMCF DonBorrello Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Fiddle

** Denotes starter for the club

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.