Backyard Soccer MLS Edition
Children's soccer game featuring MLS and USWNT stars.
Backyard Soccer MLS Edition, a children's soccer game from Humongous Entertainment, launched on October 3, 2000, for Macintosh and Windows. It is the second installment in the Backyard Soccer series and the fifth overall Backyard Sports title. Unlike its predecessor, this version includes Major League Soccer teams and players, along with three members of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup-winning U.S. women's national team—marking the first time female professional athletes appeared in the Backyard Sports franchise. The cover features Brandi Chastain and Cobi Jones, both depicted as children. A Game Boy Color version was planned but later canceled. A third Backyard Soccer game, Backyard Soccer 2004, followed in 2003.
Gameplay remains largely unchanged from the original Backyard Soccer, with key additions. Twelve MLS players (one per team) and three USWNT players appear as child characters. A new two-player mode on a single computer lets each player control their team using a mouse, keyboard, or gamepad.
During the 1999 E3 event, Humongous Entertainment announced licensing agreements with several professional leagues, including MLS. The game was formally revealed the following year, with the news that it would be the first title to feature female pro athletes as playable characters. To promote it, the company ran a sweepstakes where the grand prize was a trip to Los Angeles to meet LA Galaxy player Cobi Jones.
The Dallas Daily News noted the game only offered three female soccer stars but praised its replay value. GameZone gave it an 8 out of 10, commending the graphics, audio, and overall concept.
- developer
- Humongous Entertainment
- release_date
- October 3, 2000
- platforms
- Macintosh, Windows
- series
- Backyard Sports
- subseries
- Backyard Soccer
- notable_feature
- First Backyard Sports game to include female professional athletes
Lore & Background
Backyard Soccer MLS Edition was developed by Humongous Entertainment and released on October 3, 2000, for Macintosh and Windows. It is the second game in the Backyard Soccer subseries and the fifth Backyard Sports title overall. Unlike the first Backyard Soccer, this game features Major League Soccer (MLS) teams and players, as well as three women from the United States women's national soccer team that won the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, making this the first time that female professional athletes were represented in the Backyard Sports series. Brandi Chastain and Cobi Jones both appear on the game's cover, redrawn as children. A planned release for the Game Boy Color was cancelled. In 2003, a third Backyard Soccer title called Backyard Soccer 2004 was released.
Reader's Guide
Backyard Soccer MLS Edition holds significance as a milestone in the Backyard Sports series for introducing female professional athletes as playable characters, specifically three members of the 1999 USWNT. The game's inclusion of 12 MLS players and teams expanded the franchise's reach into professional soccer. Its gameplay remained largely similar to the original Backyard Soccer but added a two-player mode on a single computer. The game received mixed but generally positive reception, with the Dallas Daily News noting the limited number of female stars but appreciating replay value, while GameZone gave it an 8 out of 10, praising graphics, audio, and concept. The cancelled Game Boy Color version and the subsequent release of Backyard Soccer 2004 in 2003 mark the game's place in the series' evolution.
Did You Know?
- Backyard Soccer MLS Edition was the first Backyard Sports game to include female professional athletes.
- Brandi Chastain and Cobi Jones appear on the game's cover, redrawn as children.
- A planned release for the Game Boy Color was cancelled.
- The game features three women from the United States women's national soccer team that won the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Backyard Soccer MLS Edition?
It is a children's soccer video game made by Humongous Entertainment that shipped on October 3, 2000. As the second entry in the Backyard Soccer subseries, it lets kids kick a ball around a backyard using licensed Major League Soccer rosters.
What sets Backyard Soccer MLS Edition apart from the original Backyard Soccer?
The MLS Edition replaced the generic squads of its predecessor with real Major League Soccer clubs and players. It also added three members of the 1999 U.S. women's World Cup–winning team, a first for the franchise.
Who is pictured on the cover of Backyard Soccer MLS Edition?
The box art shows Brandi Chastain and Cobi Jones, both rendered as kids in the series' signature cartoon style. Each was a member of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup–winning U.S. squad.
What platforms was Backyard Soccer MLS Edition released on?
The title launched for both Windows PC and Macintosh on October 3, 2000. It marked the fifth game overall in Humongous Entertainment's Backyard Sports lineup.
Why do Backyard Sports fans consider Backyard Soccer MLS Edition a milestone?
It was the first game in the entire Backyard Sports franchise to include female professional athletes as playable characters. That inclusion of U.S. women's national team members broke new ground for the series at the time.
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