How to stream MLS online live from outside the US and Canada

The 2019 MLS season is well underway with the likes of Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy, DC United, and Toronto FC all duking it out for the title. Your favorite games are available to stream on a variety of platforms, such as ESPN+, YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling TV, DAZN Canada, TSN, and more, but only from within the United States or Canada.

In order to reliably stream MLS as you travel outside the US or Canada, you’ll want to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) first. VPNs encrypt all the internet traffic flowing to and from your device and route it via an intermediary server. For example, if you connect to a server in the US, your real IP address will be switched with an American one. This means host websites and apps will assume you’re still in the country.

How to stream MLS live online with a VPN

Here’s how to watch MLS games outside the US or Canada with a VPN. This requires that you have an existing account with one of the MLS video partners mentioned below.

It’s wise to test this before the game you want to watch begins so you have time to iron out issues. One potential quick fix if you run into a problem is to clear your browser’s cache and cookies to remove old location identifiers, then restart your device.

If you want to skip straight to our recommendations, here are the best VPNs to stream MLS.

Best VPNs to stream MLS:

1. ExpressVPN: Our top choice to watch MLS. It comes with lots of US server options and has reliable uptime, robust customer support, and very fast speeds.
2. NordVPN: Great budget option with a vast server network. A proven performer for streaming HD video.
3. CyberGhost: One of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested. Great for beginner users as it ships with well-designed, easy-to-use apps.
4. IPVanish: Superior location-evading tech makes for a well-rounded and secure VPN.
5. Surfshark: Up-and-coming provider with a growing server network.
6. PrivateVPN: Reliable service that’s an excellent option for streaming video. Strong encryption and very fast speeds.

You’ll find lots of VPNs on the internet, but not all of them are up to the task of streaming MLS games safely and securely. Our list of the best VPNs to watch MLS games live outside the US is based on the following standards.

Criteria for selecting the best VPNs:

• Fast speeds and consistent uptime
• Lots of servers in the US
• Strong encryption so your location remains hidden
• Friendly customer support for troubleshooting
• Apps for all the major platforms

Best VPNs to stream MLS live online

Here’s our list of the best VPNs you can use to live stream MLS reliably:

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is our top choice to stream MLS outside the US. This provider offers very fast speeds, top-notch encryption standards, and a clean, minimalist user interface. It’s able to securely access lots of streaming media services including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, ESPN, and more.

At the time of writing, ExpressVPN offers more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries. There are lots of options to connect to a server in the US, as well as other major countries like Canada, UK, France, and Germany.

ExpressVPN guards your internet connection with military-grade encryption protocols, specifically 256-bit AES in conjunction with a SHA512 authentication hash. Other security features include perfect forward secrecy, split tunneling, and protection against IPv6 and WebRTC leaks.

You’ll find apps for all the major platforms — Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS. There’s also support for select routers. One account allows for five devices to connect simultaneously.

BEST VPN TO STREAM MLS:ExpressVPN is our #1 pick. It offers a near perfect uptime record, excellent speeds, and robust privacy to keep you secure on the web. Try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN Coupon

SAVE: 82% + 6 months free on 2 year plans

Get Deal >

Coupon applied automatically

2. NordVPN

NordVPN has a vast server network of over 5,000 spread across the world. The US hosts hundreds of them, so you’ll have plenty of options to stream MLS.

What’s more, this provider offers servers customized for specific tasks. These include both streaming video and ultra-secure connections. NordVPN works with a bevy of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

All web traffic is secured by 256-bit AES encryption. NordVPN also provides perfect forward secrecy, an internet kill switch, and DNS leak protection.

There’s no storage of user data, including any personally identifiable information. Customer support is available around the clock and one account allows for six devices to connect concurrently. Apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android are included.

BUDGET OPTION:NordVPN is available at a price that won’t break the bank. Plus it’s fast, secure and allows for private streaming. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN Coupon

74% off 2 year plans + 3 EXTRA months

Get Deal >

Discount applied automatically

3. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers more than 3,600 servers in 59 countries around the globe. The US has 685 options.

It’s best known for its ease and simplicity of use. The apps on offer are primed for beginner users so there’s no complicated setup process. Speeds are among the fastest we’ve tested, so streaming your favorite MLS games in HD video should be a breeze.

Security measures include DNS leak protection, an internet kill switch, anti-malware defense, and an ad-blocker. No logs are maintained.

Apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS are available. One paid account grants simultaneous access to seven devices and customer support is accessible whenever you need it.

ALL-ROUNDER:CyberGhost is incredibly fast and has strong security features. Try it with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

CyberGhost Coupon

SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan + 4 months free!

Get Deal >

Discount applied automatically

4. IPVanish

IPVanish is headquartered in the US and hosts hundreds of servers there. Speeds were fast during our extensive user testing and the service works reliably with Netflix. Streaming MLS should be a breeze.

Despite the US government’s attempts to track citizen data, you don’t need to be worried about snoopers infiltrating your digital footprint. This provider conforms to a ‘no-logs’ policy and manages all its servers to ensure nothing is leaked.

Security features include 256-bit AES encryption along with 2,048-bit DHE-RSA keys. There’s protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks too.

Apps are available for Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Android. One account allows for 10 connections at the same time and customer support is available 24/7 via live chat.

VERSATILE VPN:IPVanish ships with advanced cloaking features and will enable you to stream MLS. Try it with a 7-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

EXCLUSIVE IPVANISH DEAL

The cheapest MONTHLY Black Friday plan!

Get Deal >

Lifetime Discount: Coupon applied automatically

5. Surfshark

Surfshark is the youngest provider on this list, but it’s not undeserving of a place. Users can currently avail an unlimited number of simultaneous connections (although that might be a marketing gimmick to get more signups), as well as benefit from fast speeds, robust privacy, and a server network with over 850 options.

The United States is included in the list of server locations so streaming MLS won’t pose a challenge.

Surfshark works well with other streaming services, too. It’s able to securely access Netflix US, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. This provider offers unlimited data streaming and no bandwidth restrictions. All web traffic is secured by 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, and an internet kill switch.

Apps are available for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Customer support is friendly and accessible 24/7.

GOOD FOR STREAMING:Surfshark works well with streaming media sites and delivers a robust product. Try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

Surfshark Coupon

87% OFF + 4 months free

Get Deal >

Discount applied automatically

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has excellent speeds, strong privacy, and friendly customer support which are all valid reasons to opt for the provider.

It does have a small server network, however. At the moment there are about 100 servers in 60 countries with the United States hosting nine. But they do the job well and it shouldn’t dissuade you from opting to go with this provider.

PrivateVPN does really well when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted streaming media. It’s able to provide secure access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, and more.

All user traffic is protected by 256-bit AES encryption, an internet kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

Apps are available for Android, Windows, iOS, and MacOS. Customer support isn’t 24/7 but will resolve your queries quickly when available. One account allows for six devices to connect simultaneously.

SPEEDY VPN:PrivateVPN has reliable uptime and is optimized for streaming. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Can I use a free VPN to stream MLS?

It’s certainly possible to find a free VPN that allows you to switch your IP address with a US one. However, guaranteeing reliable uptime for the entirety of your session as well as consistent speeds to enable HD streaming will be problematic, to put it mildly.

Free VPNs don’t ship with the same security standards that are a hallmark of paid providers, so there’s a high possibility your data might be exposed.

To make things worse, free VPN providers also take on far more users than their existing resources can reliably support. This means you can expect bandwidth throttling, network congestion, and possible wait times to connect to a server.

Since you’re not paying for the service in hard cash, you can definitely expect some kind of monetization attempt. In some situations, you might be subjected to intrusive advertising such as pop-up windows. But there’s also the possibility that your data is logged and sold to the highest bidder. Some free providers have done just that.

To stream the MLS safely, securely, and reliably, it’s a good idea to use a paid VPN.

Where can I stream the MLS in the US?

Yes, you will need a US IP address to stream the MLS, but the games aren’t available on free-to-air media. Here are some US providers that currently offer access to all MLS games.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers access to several sports streaming sites including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Fox Sports and more. Packages start at $25 and go up to $40 but you can avail a seven-day free trial before deciding to stick with it in the long-term.

ESPN+

ESPN+ is a dream come true for sports fanatics. It features all the MLS games as well as marquee UFC events, basketball games, baseball games, and more. It’s available at a monthly price of $4.99 or with an annual subscription of $49.99. It offers a seven-day free trial.

Hulu with Live TV

Hulu with Live TV covers all the channels for streaming MLS games live. This means you get all of Hulu’s regular on-demand media as well as live television. The service costs $44.99 per month and a 7-day free trial is available.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV covers all the MLS games via access to ESPN2, Fox, and FS1. It’s currently priced at $49.99 per month and a seven-day free trial is available.

Where to watch MLS in Canada

Canada is represented in the MLS by three teams: Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, and the Vancouver Whitecaps. No doubt, Canadian fans will be eager to follow the progress of their favorite teams, especially after Toronto FC won the championship in 2018.

The entirety of the MLS season is available for live streaming in Canada via DAZN. Unfortunately, the streaming giant recently killed its free trial and increased its prices to $19.99/month so you can’t test the service before committing to a long-term contract.

Some MLS games can also be accessed on TSN and CTV. The monthly schedule for TSN and CTV can be viewed here. However, you won’t get match replays as those are only available on DAZN.

If you have an existing cable account, you can sign in to the TSN GO service using your online credentials from Bell, Rogers, Telus, Shaw, and more. Otherwise, Canadians can opt for TSN Direct which costs $19.99/month with a 30-day free trial included. CTV web content and the CTV app can be accessed using login credentials from a Canadian cable provider.

DAZN, TSN, and CTV can be accessed by Canadian sports fans traveling abroad. The best VPN to use for this purpose is ExpressVPN. DAZN has recently clamped down hard on VPNs in an effort to keep its service geo-restricted, and lots of VPNs no longer work with the Canadian version. However, in our latest round of testing, ExpressVPN was able to circumvent these barriers.

What else can I do with a VPN?

Streaming live sports, television shows, and movies are some of the most popular reasons people opt for VPNs, but they have other uses.

The fact that VPNs encrypt your internet connection ensures all your web activity is secure and private. This means snoopers are safely at bay, making it a hassle-free experience to access public wifi. Said wifi networks are the ones you typically encounter at places like airports, hotels, malls, and coffee shops. Hackers can lie in wait, hoping to take advantage of users, often by intercepting internet traffic and stealing data. But with VPNs, that’s no longer a problem.

Another use for VPNs is securely accessing online banking, particularly when you’re traveling. A flurry of requests from abroad can result in fraud alerts and cause your account to be temporarily blocked.

If you use a VPN first and connect to a server in your home country, then host servers will assume you’re still there. This means you won’t have to deal with a flagged account and your data will be safeguarded.