Major League Soccer has grown significantly since its first season in 1996. However, there's still one niggling problem. MLS' history is often insulted and disregarded by the newer generation of fans, the media and even by the league itself.

This must end if MLS wants to be taken seriously.

There were some peculiarities in the early days of MLS, such as the 35-yard shootouts it adopted from the North American Soccer League to determine a winner. However, Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos and a few of the league's former executives told Complex Sports' Doug Sibor that they liked how different MLS was at the time.

One of those rules was made fun of in a video produced by MLS (via World Soccer Talk). 30 Rock's Judah Friedlander told a story involving the New York MetroStars' Eddie Gaven and a goal he scored against D.C. United in 2003 after head coach Bob Bradley exposed a loophole.

MLS allowed for a fourth "goalkeeper only" substitution at the time, so in overtime, Bradley made Tim Howard an outfield player and made midfielder Mark Lisi the goalkeeper. Gaven came in as a substitute for Lisi, and then Howard went back in goal. 

Friedlander goes on to slam Bradley in the video for exploiting this rule and labeled the ex-New York coach "Cheatin' Bob" in the skit.

This was a video that was actually uploaded onto the official league website. One of the greatest coaches of all time is satirized, even though he didn't technically commit an infraction. It's this attitude that must change when it comes to MLS' history.

There also is a misconception about the league's "poor" attendance in the first decade of its existence. Cathal Kelly of the Globe and Mail claims MLS "had its cultists in the [United] States, but BMO Field was the first stadium in which everyone was up for it."

Kelly goes on to say, "most MLS teams played in three-quarter-empty football stadiums. The crowds were somnambulant. At best, it was minor league. In some cases, it was little league."

While Toronto FC's first season was a resounding success, the rest of these statements are not true. D.C. United's supporters group, the Screaming Eagles, have generated a fantastic atmosphere since the team began, despite playing at a worn down RFK Stadium for nearly 20 years.

Section 8 Chicago was just as fervent at Soldier Field for the Chicago Fire. The LA Galaxy also drew solid crowds at the Rose Bowl. The MetroStars drew 46,000 fans in their first-ever home match at Giants Stadium, as well.

The only accurate statement is that MLS teams did play in football stadiums, but to be frank, it was a new league. The owners didn't have the stability or finances to fund soccer-specific venues like they do now.

Judging by the 2014 average attendances, per Soccer America's Paul Kennedy, only the Seattle Sounders could draw a sellout crowd at a football stadium. However, it's unrealistic to expect teams built from scratch in a new league to attract 60,000 fans or more.

Kennedy also shows the attendance numbers have gradually improved over the years. The increased exposure of MLS and expansion to other markets have certainly helped boost popularity, but it's not groundbreaking.

Another aspect of MLS' early years that is often criticized is the quality of play on the pitch. However, the U.S. national team players and internationals are arguably better than the current crop.

Goalkeepers like Tony Meola and Kevin Hartman are two of the best Americans in their position in league history. Defenders like Jeff Agoos, Marcelo Balboa and Eddie Pope, who was woefully underrated, were all top-tier players and were all U.S. internationals.

Marco Etcheverry was a cornerstone for D.C., and Carlos Valderrama was integral to the Tampa Bay Mutiny's success, plus he helped attract other international players to the league. Additionally, Roy Lassiter's record for goals in a season (27) in 1996 has never been broken, just tied twice (Chris Wondolowski in 2012 and Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2014).

However, none of these players or teams are celebrated because the majority of fans are new to the league and the sport itself. To make matters worse, MLS does nothing to educate the younger generation about the league's rich history.

If the newer fans and casual supporters watched the D.C. teams from 1996 to 2004 or Meola's MVP performance in the 2000 MLS Cup, they'd be surprised how entertaining the league was back in the early days.

Most New York Yankees fans will know something about Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio. Followers of the Green Bay Packers can wax poetic about Vince Lombardi and Bart Starr and their success in the 1960s.

Maybe one day, D.C. fans can pass along a story to their kids about Pope's golden goal in 1996 to clinch D.C.'s first of four MLS Cups.

Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.

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