Get ready for some soccer excitement! Whether you’re a dedicated fan who never misses a match or you’re all about the playoff games. Major League Soccer (MLS) has something thrilling to offer. The season is a rollercoaster ride, filled with highs and lows, victories, and defeats, all pushing teams up the rankings. With 29 teams to cheer for, there’s always an exciting game just around the corner.
Having 29 teams to support and a season brimming with thrilling moments. The journey is packed with excitement from start to finish. If you want to experience the action live. We’ve got you covered with tickets for all your favorite games. In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of the MLS season’s structure and rules. So, let’s dive in and explore what makes MLS soccer so special! But first, what is MLS? MLS stands for Major League Soccer, which is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada!
What is MLS – Major League Soccer?
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a big soccer league for men in the USA and Canada. It started in 1996 because they wanted to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. It’s become more popular over time, with famous players and more fans.
The season goes from February to November, with 29 teams playing 34 games each. They split into two groups: Eastern and Western. The best eight teams from each group go to the playoffs, and the final is called the MLS Cup.
The team with the best record in the regular season gets the Supporters’ Shield. MLS teams also play in other tournaments against teams from North and Central America. And there’s a fun All-Star Game every year where top players play against a foreign team.
How Many Games Are In MLS Season?
In MLS, each team plays 34 games from February to November in the regular season, which is the answer to the question of how many games in MLS season. Then, there are playoffs with four rounds: the play-in round, conference semifinals, conference finals, and the MLS Cup final. The play-in round has the seventh- and eighth-seeded teams, while the other rounds are knockout games.
The total number of games in an MLS season depends on how well a team does in the playoffs. If a team doesn’t make the playoffs, they play 34 games. But if a team wins the MLS Cup, they can play up to 39 games in total.
How Many Teams in MLS?
The MLS began with just ten teams in the 1990s but has expanded to include 29 teams today, which is the answer to the question of how many teams in MLS. This comprises 26 teams in the United States and three in Canada. Some teams have come and gone, with a San Diego, California team set to join the lineup in 2025.
The teams are split into two conferences, Eastern and Western, each featuring a unique set of teams. Here’s a look at the current lineup:
Eastern Conference Teams:
- Atlanta United FC
- Charlotte FC
- Chicago Fire FC
- FC Cincinnati
- Columbus Crew
- DC United
- Inter Miami CF
- CF Montreal
- Nashville SC
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City SC
- Philadelphia Union
- Toronto FC
Western Conference Teams:
- Austin FC
- Colorado Rapids
- FC Dallas
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Sporting Kansas City
- LA Galaxy
- Los Angeles FC
- Minnesota United
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Louis City SC
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
How Many Games Are in an MLS Season?
Due to the uneven number of teams in MLS, games are played differently. Each team plays 34 games in a season, which is the answer to the question of how many games are in an MLS season. The season includes two matches against every team in their own conference (one home and one away) and one game against most teams in the opposing conference, except for a few.
Halfway through the season, there’s an All-Star game, purely for entertainment and not affecting the season’s standings. A unique aspect of MLS is its knockout-style playoff system, where 18 of the 29 teams participated in the MLS Cup in 2023.
Players at a Glance
Each MLS team can have up to 30 players on their roster. These slots are allocated based on position and can significantly impact the team’s budget. The first 20 slots fall under the Salary Budget, which was $4.9 million in 2022. These players make up the Senior Roster. Teams are not obligated to fill positions beyond the 18th slot, allowing them to focus their budget on the Senior Roster. However, having rosters below 18 players will lead to budget allocation changes.
The Supplemental Roster, covering slots 21-30, is not paid out from the salary budget. The rules for player pay and recruitment vary depending on their slot in the Supplemental Roster. Players from both rosters can be selected for the game-day squad.
Schedule at a Glance
MLS faces challenges with scheduling due to domestic and international conflicts, including FIFA and summer tournaments like the World Cup. The regular season typically runs from February or March to October, with the playoffs extending into October and November. The grand finale, the MLS Cup Championship game, takes place in December.
MLS Playoffs at a Glance
The MLS regular season spans late winter to mid-fall, followed by playoffs that have evolved over the years. In 2023, the playoffs featured two single-elimination Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Wild Card matches before the first round. To qualify for the MLS Cup Final, teams need to meet specific requirements.
Teams ranked from one to seven in each conference automatically qualify for the Round One Best-of-Three series. Teams ranked eighth and ninth from each conference enter the Wild Card matches. These matches determine who advances to the Best-of-Three rounds, with no overtime – ties are settled by penalty kicks.
Subsequently, the winners of the Wild Card matches to progress to the Conference Semifinals, followed by the Conference Final and ultimately the MLS Cup, a single-game showdown.
What Is the Supporter’s Shield?
MLS awards points differently from traditional soccer leagues. Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a tie, and no points for a loss. At the end of the season, the team with the most points, indicating the highest number of wins and ties, is awarded the Supporter’s Shield. This title grants the team home-field advantage in the playoffs and plays a vital role in determining playoff matchups.
What Are All-Star Games?
The MLS All-Star game is a unique element in the league’s schedule. It’s an exhibition game held at the midpoint of the season, featuring the league’s best players. Notably, the outcome of this game doesn’t impact the season’s rankings. Over the years, the format of the All-Star game has evolved, with recent editions featuring MLS players against Mexico’s Liga MX players. The 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking discussions about fostering international engagement in a friendly and enjoyable manner within North American soccer.
Wrapping Up
Major League Soccer offers an exciting season, with each team playing 34 regular-season games, followed by a playoff system that culminates in the MLS Cup final. The league’s unique point system and the Supporter’s Shield add extra excitement, and the annual All-Star game is a fun mid-season highlight. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to MLS, there’s always a game around the corner to enjoy the thrills of soccer in North America. So, gear up and get ready for some fantastic MLS action!
