List of Major League Soccer seasons explained

Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top-flight professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada., 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] The champion is determined by the MLS Cup and its playoffs, a postseason knockout tournament for the top teams in the regular season similar to those for other North American sports leagues.[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], 22 of the league's 29 teams play in soccer-specific stadiums that range in capacity from 18,000 to 30,000 seats, while others use larger shared venues.[12]

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 nine 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 current 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

SeasonMLS Cup Playoffs[26] Regular season[27] Most valuable player
ChampionRunners-upAvg. attendance
199610D.C. UnitedLos Angeles GalaxyTampa Bay Mutiny583217,406[28]
199710D.C. United (2ndtitle)Colorado RapidsD.C. United553214,603Preki[29]
199812Chicago FireD.C. UnitedLos Angeles Galaxy683214,312[30]
199912D.C. United (3rdtitle)Los Angeles GalaxyD.C. United (2ndtitle)573214,282[31]
200012Kansas City WizardsChicago FireKansas City Wizards573213,756[32]
200112San Jose EarthquakesLos Angeles GalaxyMiami Fusion5314,961[33]
200210Los Angeles GalaxyNew England RevolutionLos Angeles Galaxy (2ndtitle)512815,821[34]
200310San Jose Earthquakes (2ndtitle)Chicago FireChicago Fire533014,898Preki (2ndtitle)[35]
200410D.C. United (4thtitle)Kansas City WizardsColumbus Crew493015,559[36]
200512Los Angeles Galaxy (2ndtitle)New England RevolutionSan Jose Earthquakes643215,108[37]
200612Houston DynamoNew England RevolutionD.C. United (3rdtitle)553215,504[38]
200713Houston Dynamo (2ndtitle)New England RevolutionD.C. United (4thtitle)553016,770[39]
200814Columbus CrewNew York Red BullsColumbus Crew (2ndtitle)573016,460[40]
200915Real Salt LakeLA GalaxyColumbus Crew (3rdtitle)493016,040[41]
201016Colorado RapidsFC DallasLA Galaxy (3rdtitle)593016,675[42]
201118LA Galaxy (3rdtitle)Houston DynamoLA Galaxy (4thtitle)673417,872[43]
201219LA Galaxy (4thtitle)Houston DynamoSan Jose Earthquakes (2ndtitle)663418,807[44]
201319Sporting Kansas City (2ndtitle)Real Salt LakeNew York Red Bulls593418,594[45]
201419LA Galaxy (5thtitle)New England RevolutionSeattle Sounders FC643419,147[46]
201520Portland TimbersColumbus Crew SCNew York Red Bulls (2ndtitle)603421,558[47]
201620Seattle Sounders FCToronto FCFC Dallas603421,692[48]
201722Toronto FCSeattle Sounders FCToronto FC693422,106[49]
201823Atlanta United FCPortland TimbersNew York Red Bulls (3rdtitle)713421,873[50]
201924Seattle Sounders FC (2ndtitle)Toronto FCLos Angeles FC723421,330[51]
202026Columbus Crew SC (2ndtitle)Seattle Sounders FCPhiladelphia Union47[52]
202127New York City FCPortland TimbersNew England Revolution733416,699[53]
202228Los Angeles FCPhiladelphia UnionLos Angeles FC (2ndtitle)673421,033[54]
202329Columbus Crew (3rdtitle)Los Angeles FCFC Cincinnati693422,111[55]
202429Inter Miami CF743423,234[56] [57]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Bogert . Tom . Rueter . Jeff . February 21, 2024 . MLS 101: Trophies, key storylines and USMNT connections . . subscription . November 22, 2024 . September 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240918133534/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5282410/2024/02/21/mls-trophies-key-storylines/ . live .
  2. News: 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 . subscription . November 22, 2024.
  3. News: Tenorio . Paul . October 23, 2024 . MLS is considering changing to a fall-spring calendar after the 2026 World Cup . The Athletic . subscription . November 22, 2024.
  4. News: Carlisle . Jeff . December 2, 2015 . MLS playoffs have some flaws in format, but they also entertain . . November 22, 2024.
  5. News: Crandall . Jeff . October 11, 2016 . From internet message board to valued prize: How the Supporters' Shield got its start . MLSsoccer.com . November 22, 2024 . October 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029052146/https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/10/11/internet-message-board-valued-prize-how-supporters-shield-got-its-start . live .
  6. October 21, 2024 . Major League Soccer Completes Record-Setting Regular Season . Major League Soccer . November 22, 2024.
  7. News: Silverman . Alex . August 26, 2024 . MLS Commissioner Don Garber celebrates 25 years of transformational leadership . . November 22, 2024 . October 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001203112/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/08/26/don-garber-mls-25-years . live .
  8. Book: Dure, Beau . 2010 . Long-Range Goals: The Success Story of Major League Soccer . 47–48, 68–69 . . Washington, D.C. . 978-1-59797-509-4 . 500783910.
  9. News: Macguire . Eoghan . March 6, 2015 . MLS at 20: Sunrise on football's final frontier? . . November 22, 2024 . March 29, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190329113527/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/06/football/mls-20-sunrise-sunset/index.html . live .
  10. News: Longman . Jere . June 3, 2002 . U.S. Soccer: Sport of 70's, 80's and 90's Still Waits . . limited . November 22, 2024 . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107151012/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/03/sports/soccer-us-soccer-sport-of-70-s-80-s-and-90-s-still-waits.html . live .
  11. News: Baxter . Kevin . December 5, 2015 . MLS goes from near extinction to remarkable success . . November 22, 2024 . August 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190831050155/https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-soccer-baxter-20151206-story.html . live .
  12. News: McCormick . Bret . August 26, 2024 . Stadium boom during Don Garber era helps build MLS's image . Sports Business Journal . November 22, 2024 . October 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001120208/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/08/26/don-garber-mls-facilities . live .
  13. News: Stejskal . Sam . February 28, 2017 . A look back at the history of MLS expansion . MLSsoccer.com . November 22, 2024 . April 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423142136/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/look-back-history-mls-expansion . live .
  14. News: Mather . Victor . February 28, 2020 . M.L.S. Hits Two Milestones: 25 Years and 26 Teams . The New York Times . limited . November 22, 2024 . October 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015005535/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/sports/soccer/mls-preview-2020.html . live .
  15. Web site: 2024 MLS Competition Guidelines . Major League Soccer . November 22, 2024 . May 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210501233548/https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/competition-guidelines . live .
  16. News: Silverman . Alex . December 20, 2023 . MLS announces 2024 schedule, Leagues Cup return . Sports Business Journal . November 22, 2024 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913133910/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/12/20/mls-releases-2024-schedule . live .
  17. News: Tannenwald . Jonathan . November 10, 2011 . MLS to have unbalanced schedule in 2012 . . November 22, 2024.
  18. News: Chapley . Carter . October 22, 2023 . Everything you need to know about the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs . . November 22, 2024 . August 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240823224326/https://www.fccincinnati.com/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2023-mls-cup-playoffs . live .
  19. News: Deen . Safid . September 26, 2024 . How Messi's Inter Miami qualified for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup . . November 22, 2024.
  20. News: Reynolds . Tim . October 19, 2024 . Messi's hat trick leads Inter Miami to best record in MLS history . . . November 22, 2024.
  21. Web site: October 7, 2024 . 2024 MLS Year-End Awards Selection Process . MLSsoccer.com . November 22, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008222822/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2024-mls-year-end-awards-selection-process . live .
  22. News: Goff . Steven . Steven Goff . October 24, 2024 . Lionel Messi is MLS's best player, but is he the MVP? . . limited . November 22, 2024.
  23. News: Cleaver . Gavin . July 29, 2015 . The Aging Stars of Major League Soccer . . subscription . November 22, 2024 . November 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221126230646/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/major-league-soccer-pirlo-drogba-lampard-gerrard/399779/ . live .
  24. News: Bogert . Tom . August 14, 2023 . How Inter Miami navigated the MLS rulebook to remake its roster around Messi . The Athletic . subscription . November 22, 2024 . May 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240517183246/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4775474/2023/08/14/inter-miami-roster-analysis-messi/ . live .
  25. News: Abnos . Alexander . July 20, 2024 . A matured MLS can foster US prodigy Cavan Sullivan where it failed Freddy Adu . . November 22, 2024.
  26. Web site: MLS Communications Department, Elias Sports Bureau . February 23, 2024 . 2024 Fact and Record Book . 32–59 . Major League Soccer . . November 22, 2024 . September 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240923203359/https://mlssoccer.app.box.com/s/xvks2sfia70gsowb4qyh61c7ytqpbnht . live .
  27. News: Sigal . Jonathan . October 2, 2024 . Inter Miami win 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield . MLSsoccer.com . November 22, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008032911/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-miami-win-2024-mls-supporters-shield . live .
  28. Web site: 1996 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . . November 22, 2024 . October 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221004202933/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1996/1996-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  29. Web site: 1997 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . October 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005054431/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1997/1997-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  30. Web site: 1998 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . October 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231010092159/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1998/1998-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  31. Web site: 1999 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . September 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220928224513/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1999/1999-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  32. Web site: 2000 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . April 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240430141219/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2000/2000-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  33. Web site: 2001 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128102615/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2001/2001-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  34. Web site: 2002 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . August 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819215616/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2002/2002-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  35. Web site: 2003 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024.
  36. Web site: 2004 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024.
  37. Web site: 2005 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024.
  38. Web site: 2006 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112114851/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2006/2006-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  39. Web site: 2007 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . August 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230814181343/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2007/2007-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  40. Web site: 2008 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112202011/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2008/2008-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  41. Web site: 2009 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . August 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230814180117/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2009/2009-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  42. Web site: 2010 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . August 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230814155336/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2010/2010-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  43. Web site: 2011 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024.
  44. Web site: 2012 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . August 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230814181140/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2012/2012-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  45. Web site: 2013 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . May 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514064535/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2013/2013-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  46. Web site: 2014 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . May 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240514070028/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2014/2014-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  47. Web site: 2015 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . June 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240622071531/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2015/2015-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  48. Web site: 2016 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . May 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529191619/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2016/2016-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  49. Web site: 2017 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . May 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240513205437/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2017/2017-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  50. Web site: 2018 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . December 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231205030804/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2018/2018-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  51. Web site: 2019 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . September 13, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913111616/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2019/2019-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  52. Web site: 2020 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . November 12, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241112120737/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2020/2020-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  53. Web site: 2021 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . November 10, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241110190239/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2021/2021-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  54. Web site: 2022 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . February 28, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240228231129/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2022/2022-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  55. Web site: 2023 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024 . November 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241109232245/https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/2023/2023-Major-League-Soccer-Stats . live .
  56. News: Silverman . Alex . October 22, 2024 . MLS sets attendance record in 2024 with 5% uptick over last season . Sports Business Journal . November 22, 2024.
  57. Web site: 2024 Major League Soccer Stats . FBref.com . Sports Reference . November 22, 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Major League Soccer seasons".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.