In preparation for its first season, the league began signing what it called marquee players, [1] beginning with Tab Ramos on January 3, 1995.
[2] Beginning in October 1995, the league apportioned the marquee players in the MLS Inaugural Allocations.
[4] The league then invited about 250 players to a tryout the second week of January 1996 on the campus of UC Irvine.
The league began its first season on Saturday, April 6, 1996, when the San Jose Clash hosted D.C. United at Spartan Stadium.
ESPN carried the game live which the Clash won on a goal by Eric Wynalda.