History

Though many think soccer first arrived on the New York sports scene when Pelé joined the Cosmos in 1975, professional soccer players have been paid to represent New York since 1894. 

Here's a list of top-flight first-division New York soccer clubs:

American League of Professional Football (1894)

New York Giants, Brooklyn Bridegrooms

American Soccer League (1921-1933)

New York Giants, New York Yankees, New York Field Club, New York Soccer Club, New York Nationals, New York Americans, Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Wanderers, Brooklyn Hokoah, Hokoah All Stars

United Soccer Association (1967)

New York Skyliners

National Professional Soccer League & North American Soccer League (1967-8)

New York Generals

North American Soccer League (1971-85)

New York Cosmos

Major Indoor Soccer League (1978-85)

New York Arrows

New York Cosmos

Major League Soccer (1995[-2006]-present)

New York/New Jersey MetroStars- New York Red Bulls