Football in the US is growing – fast. But Major League Soccer has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of the NBA, MLB and, of course, the behemoth of the NFL. To do so, the league is turning to tech in order to supercharge broadcast, boost fan engagement and even get more kids playing the sport. In this episode of the Sports Loft podcast, Yanni and Charlie sit down with Chris Schlosser, the senior vice president of emerging ventures at the MLS and head of the MLS Innovation Lab. They dive into the purpose and goals of the Innovation Lab, and explore how the lab can really contribute to the growth of MLS – from the role of technology in elevating fan engagement to how new tools could speed up player development. Chris opens up about what the Innovation Lab entails from the perspective of the six tech companies in their primary cohort, and breaks down how the initiative provides resources, mentorship and test opportunities to those startups. We also talk about MLS’s selection process, the Lab’s three core areas of focus, and who the cohort taking part in 2024 programme are.   Timestamps: 05:00 – Timeline of the Innovation Lab 12:45 – Pitching the Innovation Lab to MLS owners 22:00 – Testing events and opportunities for startups 25:45 – Benefits of the Innovation Lab 27:45 – Selection Criteria for Focus Areas 32:30 – Criteria for Evaluating Startups 36:00 – Companies Chosen for the Innovation Lab 47:30 – Future Goals for MLS Emerging Ventures