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List of Major League Soccer seasons

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Several soccer players face away from the camera against a background with a full crowd; one player has jumped towards the in-flight ball while the goalkeeper looks on behind a goalpost.
A match between Minnesota United FC and New York City FC during the 2019 regular season

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top-flight professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada. As of 2024, the league has 29 teams—26 in the United States and 3 in Canada—that are divided into the Eastern and Western conferences.[1][2] The league schedule runs from spring to fall within a single calendar year unlike European leagues, which use a fall-to-spring schedule.[3] Similar to other North American sports leagues, the champion is determined by the MLS Cup and its playoffs, a postseason knockout tournament for the top teams in the regular season;[1] a separate trophy, the Supporters' Shield is awarded by a fan-run organization to the team with the best record in the regular season.[4][5] MLS has an average attendance of over 23,000 spectators at regular season matches and reached over 11 million total in 2024—among the highest for soccer leagues globally.[6]

The United States was awarded the right to host the 1994 World Cup after it agreed to a FIFA mandate to create a new professional soccer league; the last league of its kind had been the North American Soccer League, which ceased operations in 1985.[7] MLS was established in 1993 and debuted with 10 teams in the 1996 season, primarily played at large American football venues.[7][8] The league added its first expansion teams in 1998 and the first soccer-specific stadium opened the following year in Columbus, Ohio.[8] MLS had financial issues by the end of the decade as attendance and television ratings declined from their peak in the inaugural season;[9] two teams were folded prior to the 2002 season and the league faced a potential bankruptcy.[10][11] It began expanding again in 2005 and more teams built their own soccer-specific stadiums;[12] the league reached 16 teams in 2010 and grew further to 20 teams in 2015 and 26 teams in 2020.[13][14] As of 2024, 22 of the league's 29 teams play in a soccer-specific stadiums that range in capacity from 18,000 to 30,000 seats, while others use larger shared venues.[12]

As of 2024, MLS teams each play 34 matches during the regular season, which runs from February to October, primarily between opponents in the same conference.[15][16] The league adopted an unbalanced schedule with heavier emphasis on intra-conference matches in 2012 due to the growing number of teams and the impact of travel for players.[17] The top eight teams from each conference qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs, a five-round tournament which culminates in the MLS Cup final in early December.[1][18] Teams also play in other annual competitions during the season that are organized by MLS or other entities. These include the U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship, the respective domestic cup championships of the United States and Canada;[2] the Leagues Cup, which features all MLS teams and Liga MX teams from Mexico;[1] and the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the regional championship for clubs in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.[19]

The LA Galaxy are the most successful team in the league's history with five MLS Cup titles and four Supporters' Shields; D.C. United has four MLS Cup titles and four Supporters' Shields.[1] The league's all-time points record was set in the 2024 season by Inter Miami CF, who had 74 points and a winning percentage of 0.765.[20] MLS has several annual awards to recognize individual players and coaches for their accomplishments, including the Landon Donovan MVP Award for the best player in a season and the Golden Boot for the top goalscorer during the regular season.[21] The single-season scoring record was set by Carlos Vela, who scored 34 goals during the 2019 regular season for Los Angeles FC.[22] MLS teams have a salary cap with exceptions for marquee players under the Designated Player Rule, which was introduced in 2007 and is used to sign international stars and young talents.[23][24] Teams also have academies to develop young players and reserve squads in MLS Next Pro, the developmental league run by MLS.[25]

Seasons

[edit]
Major League Soccer seasons
Season Teams MLS Cup Playoffs[26] Regular season[26][27] Most valuable player[28] Golden Boot[28] Ref.
Champion Runners-up Supporters' Shield Record Pts. MP Avg. attendance[29]
1996 10 D.C. United Los Angeles Galaxy Tampa Bay Mutiny 20–12[a] 58[b] 32 17,406 Carlos Valderrama Roy Lassiter (27) [35]
1997 10 D.C. United (2nd title) Colorado Rapids D.C. United 21–11[a] 55[b] 32 14,603 Preki Jaime Moreno (16) [36]
1998 12 Chicago Fire D.C. United Los Angeles Galaxy 24–8[a] 68[b] 32 14,312 Marco Etcheverry Stern John (26) [37]
1999 12 D.C. United (3rd title) Los Angeles Galaxy D.C. United (2nd title) 23–9[a] 57[b] 32 14,282 Jason Kreis Jason Kreis (18) [38]
2000 12 Kansas City Wizards Chicago Fire Kansas City Wizards 16–7–9 57 32 13,756 Tony Meola Mamadou Diallo (26) [39]
2001 12 San Jose Earthquakes Los Angeles Galaxy Miami Fusion 16–5–5 53 26–27[c] 14,961 Álex Pineda Chacón Álex Pineda Chacón (19) [41]
2002 10 Los Angeles Galaxy New England Revolution Los Angeles Galaxy (2nd title) 16–9–3 51 28 15,821 Carlos Ruiz Carlos Ruiz (24)[d] [43]
2003 10 San Jose Earthquakes (2nd title) Chicago Fire Chicago Fire 15–7–8 53 30 14,898 Preki (2nd title) Carlos Ruiz (15)[d] [44]
2004 10 D.C. United (4th title) Kansas City Wizards Columbus Crew[e] 12–5–13 49 30 15,559 Amado Guevara Brian Ching (12)[d] [46]
2005 12 Los Angeles Galaxy (2nd title) New England Revolution San Jose Earthquakes 18–4–10 64 32 15,108 Taylor Twellman Taylor Twellman (17) [47]
2006 12 Houston Dynamo New England Revolution D.C. United (3rd title) 15–7–10 55 32 15,504 Christian Gómez Jeff Cunningham (18) [48]
2007 13 Houston Dynamo (2nd title) New England Revolution D.C. United (4th title) 16–7–7 55 30 16,770 Luciano Emilio Luciano Emilio (20) [49]
2008 14 Columbus Crew New York Red Bulls Columbus Crew (2nd title) 17–7–6 57 30 16,460 Guillermo Barros Schelotto Landon Donovan (20) [50]
2009 15 Real Salt Lake LA Galaxy Columbus Crew (3rd title) 13–7–10 49 30 16,040 Landon Donovan Jeff Cunningham (17) [51]
2010 16 Colorado Rapids FC Dallas LA Galaxy (3rd title) 18–7–5 59 30 16,675 David Ferreira Chris Wondolowski (18) [52]
2011 18 LA Galaxy (3rd title) Houston Dynamo LA Galaxy (4th title) 19–5–10 67 34 17,872 Dwayne De Rosario Dwayne De Rosario (16) [53]
2012 19 LA Galaxy (4th title) Houston Dynamo San Jose Earthquakes (2nd title) 19–6–9 66 34 18,807 Chris Wondolowski Chris Wondolowski (27) [54]
2013 19 Sporting Kansas City (2nd title) Real Salt Lake New York Red Bulls 17–9–8 59 34 18,594 Mike Magee Camilo Sanvezzo (22) [55]
2014 19 LA Galaxy (5th title) New England Revolution Seattle Sounders FC 20–10–4 64 34 19,147 Robbie Keane Bradley Wright-Phillips (27) [56]
2015 20 Portland Timbers Columbus Crew SC New York Red Bulls (2nd title)[f] 18–10–6 60 34 21,558 Sebastian Giovinco Sebastian Giovinco (22) [58]
2016 20 Seattle Sounders FC Toronto FC FC Dallas 17–8–9 60 34 21,692 David Villa Bradley Wright-Phillips (24) [59]
2017 22 Toronto FC Seattle Sounders FC Toronto FC 20–5–9 69 34 22,106 Diego Valeri Nemanja Nikolić (24) [60]
2018 23 Atlanta United FC Portland Timbers New York Red Bulls (3rd title) 22–7–5 71 34 21,873 Josef Martínez Josef Martínez (31) [61]
2019 24 Seattle Sounders FC (2nd title) Toronto FC Los Angeles FC 21–4–9 72 34 21,330 Carlos Vela Carlos Vela (34) [62]
2020 26 Columbus Crew SC (2nd title) Seattle Sounders FC Philadelphia Union 14–4–5 47 18–23[g] —[h] Alejandro Pozuelo Diego Rossi (14) [68]
2021 27 New York City FC Portland Timbers New England Revolution 22–5–7 73 34 16,699[h] Carles Gil Valentín Castellanos (19) [69]
2022 28 Los Angeles FC Philadelphia Union Los Angeles FC (2nd title)[i] 21–9–4 67 34 21,033 Hany Mukhtar Hany Mukhtar (23) [71]
2023 29 Columbus Crew (3rd title) Los Angeles FC FC Cincinnati 20–5–9 69 34 22,111 Luciano Acosta Denis Bouanga (20) [72]
2024 29 TBD TBD Inter Miami CF 22–8–4 74 34 23,234[73] TBA Christian Benteke (23) [74]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d From 1996 to 1999, the regular season and playoffs used a 35-yard shootout to decide the result of matches in lieu of draws. It was replaced by a ten-minute golden goal overtime from 2000 to 2003 that allowed for teams to draw before the standard international rules were fully adopted at the beginning of the 2004 season.[30][31]
  2. ^ a b c d From 1996 to 1999, teams were awarded three points for a win in regulation time and one point for a shootout win.[32] It was replaced with one point for draws at the beginning of the 2000 season.[33][34]
  3. ^ The final weeks of the 2001 regular season were cancelled following the September 11 attacks; teams played only 26 or 27 matches out of their original 28-match schedule.[40]
  4. ^ a b c From 1996 to 2004, the MLS Scoring Champion was determined through a combination of goals and assists; the top goalscorer is listed instead of the MLS Scoring Champion.[42]
  5. ^ The Columbus Crew and Kansas City Wizards both finished with 49 points and a +8 goal difference; the tiebreaker used was goals scored, which Columbus won 40–38.[45]
  6. ^ The New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas both finished with 60 points and an identical 18–10–6 record; the Red Bulls won the Supporters' Shield using the goal differential tiebreaker.[57]
  7. ^ On March 12, 2020, MLS play was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in July with the MLS is Back Tournament at a neutral site within a bio-secure bubble.[63] The regular season resumed in August with plans to play 23 matches; due to the cancellation of several matches for COVID-19 outbreaks, some teams played as few as 18 matches and the standings were determined by points per game.[64][65]
  8. ^ a b The 2020 and 2021 seasons had reduced capacity at stadiums due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[66] The league's three Canadian teams were relocated to temporary venues in the United States due to border restrictions; they returned to their home stadiums in August 2021.[67]
  9. ^ Los Angeles FC and the Philadelphia Union both finished with 67 points; the Supporters' Shield was awarded to Los Angeles FC based on the greater number of wins (21 to 19).[70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Bogert, Tom; Rueter, Jeff (February 21, 2024). "MLS 101: Trophies, key storylines and USMNT connections". The Athletic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Tenorio, Paul; Rueter, Jeff (March 1, 2024). "MLS to enter eight teams in U.S. Open Cup along with 11 MLS Next Pro teams". The Athletic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Tenorio, Paul (October 23, 2024). "MLS is considering changing to a fall-spring calendar after the 2026 World Cup". The Athletic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (December 2, 2015). "MLS playoffs have some flaws in format, but they also entertain". ESPN. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Crandall, Jeff (October 11, 2016). "From internet message board to valued prize: How the Supporters' Shield got its start". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Major League Soccer Completes Record-Setting Regular Season" (Press release). Major League Soccer. October 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Silverman, Alex (August 26, 2024). "MLS Commissioner Don Garber celebrates 25 years of transformational leadership". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Dure, Beau (2010). Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer. Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books. pp. 47–48, 68–69. ISBN 978-1-59797-509-4. OCLC 500783910.
  9. ^ Macguire, Eoghan (March 6, 2015). "MLS at 20: Sunrise on football's final frontier?". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Longman, Jere (June 3, 2002). "U.S. Soccer: Sport of 70's, 80's and 90's Still Waits". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. ^ Baxter, Kevin (December 5, 2015). "MLS goes from near extinction to remarkable success". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  12. ^ a b McCormick, Bret (August 26, 2024). "Stadium boom during Don Garber era helps build MLS's image". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Stejskal, Sam (February 28, 2017). "A look back at the history of MLS expansion". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Mather, Victor (February 28, 2020). "M.L.S. Hits Two Milestones: 25 Years and 26 Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "2024 MLS Competition Guidelines". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Silverman, Alex (December 20, 2023). "MLS announces 2024 schedule, Leagues Cup return". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (November 10, 2011). "MLS to have unbalanced schedule in 2012". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  18. ^ Chapley, Carter (October 22, 2023). "Everything you need to know about the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs". FC Cincinnati. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  19. ^ Deen, Safid (September 26, 2024). "How Messi's Inter Miami qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup". USA Today. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  20. ^ Reynolds, Tim (October 19, 2024). "Messi's hat trick leads Inter Miami to best record in MLS history". CBC Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "2024 MLS Year-End Awards Selection Process". MLSsoccer.com. October 7, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  22. ^ Goff, Steven (October 24, 2024). "Lionel Messi is MLS's best player, but is he the MVP?". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  23. ^ Cleaver, Gavin (July 29, 2015). "The Aging Stars of Major League Soccer". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  24. ^ Bogert, Tom (August 14, 2023). "How Inter Miami navigated the MLS rulebook to remake its roster around Messi". The Athletic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  25. ^ Abnos, Alexander (July 20, 2024). "A matured MLS can foster US prodigy Cavan Sullivan where it failed Freddy Adu". The Guardian. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  26. ^ a b MLS Communications Department, Elias Sports Bureau (February 23, 2024). "2024 Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. pp. 32–59. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  27. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 2, 2024). "Inter Miami win 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Major League Soccer (2024), p. 188
  29. ^ Major League Soccer (2024), p. 76
  30. ^ Maurer, Pablo (May 7, 2020). "The rise and fall of MLS's 35-yard shootout — and why it should be brought back". The Athletic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  31. ^ "MLS Drops Overtime From Regular Season". The Washington Post. March 25, 2004. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  32. ^ Goff, Steven (April 22, 1999). "Shootout in Major League Soccer: Rash of Early-Season Ties Renews Controversy". The Washington Post. p. D9. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  33. ^ "MLS: Big changes in store for 2000". Soccer America. November 17, 1999. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  34. ^ Yannis, Alex (March 18, 2000). "Major League Soccer: A Season Begins, With Changes". The New York Times. p. D7. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  35. ^ "1996 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  36. ^ "1997 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  37. ^ "1998 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  38. ^ "1999 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  39. ^ "2000 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  40. ^ Dell'Apa, Frank (September 14, 2001). "MLS to omit final games of regular season". The Boston Globe. p. E9. Retrieved November 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "2001 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  42. ^ "MLS Golden Boot winners". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  43. ^ "2002 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  44. ^ "2003 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  45. ^ Merz, Craig (October 17, 2004). "Crew posts 13th draw, wins Supporters' Shield". The Columbus Dispatch. p. E3.
  46. ^ "2004 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  47. ^ "2005 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  48. ^ "2006 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  49. ^ "2007 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  50. ^ "2008 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  51. ^ "2009 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  52. ^ "2010 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  53. ^ "2011 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  54. ^ "2012 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  55. ^ "2013 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  56. ^ "2014 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  57. ^ "Not all good news as FC Dallas comes from behind to win regular season finale". Dallas Morning News. October 25, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  58. ^ "2015 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  59. ^ "2016 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  60. ^ "2017 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  61. ^ "2018 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  62. ^ "2019 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  63. ^ Maurer, Pablo; Pentz, Matt (November 5, 2021). "'Maybe this was just a horrible idea': MLS is Back, remembered by those who built and lived in the bubble". The Athletic. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  64. ^ Straus, Brian (November 20, 2020). "MLS Reaches the Playoffs, but Completing Them Has a Distinct Set of Challenges". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  65. ^ Mather, Victor (October 29, 2020). "In M.L.S., the Pandemic Changes the Playoff Math". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  66. ^ Goff, Steven (April 16, 2021). "MLS is back, with returning fans, new coaches and another celebrity owner". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  67. ^ Davidson, Neil (July 16, 2021). "Toronto FC hopes home is where the wins are on return to BMO Field". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  68. ^ "2020 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  69. ^ "2021 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  70. ^ Bogert, Tom (November 19, 2022). "Philadelphia Union "won't rest" after historic 2022 season". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  71. ^ "2022 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  72. ^ "2023 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  73. ^ Silverman, Alex (October 22, 2024). "MLS sets attendance record in 2024 with 5% uptick over last season". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  74. ^ "2024 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
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