Jump to content

2020 Major League Soccer season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Major League Soccer
MLS's commemorative logo for its 25th season
Season2020
Dates
  • February 29 – March 8
    (regular season before suspension)[1]
  • July 8 – August 11
    (MLS is Back Tournament)
  • August 12 – November 8
    (completion of regular season)
  • November 20 – December 12
    (Playoffs)
MLS CupColumbus Crew SC
(2nd title)
Supporters' ShieldPhiladelphia Union
(1st shield)
Champions League
(United States)
Atlanta United FC
Columbus Crew SC
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Champions League
(Canada)
Toronto FC
Leagues CupNew York City FC
Orlando City SC
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting Kansas City
Matches played291
Goals scored826 (2.84 per match)
Top goalscorerDiego Rossi
(14 goals)
Best goalkeeperJoe Willis
(9 shutouts)
Biggest home win6 goals:
SEA 7–1 SJ
(September 10)
LAFC 6–0 VAN
(September 23)
Biggest away win5 goals:
RSL 0–5 COL
(September 12)
SJ 1–6 POR
(September 19)
Highest scoring9 goals:
LA 3–6 POR
(October 7)
Longest winning run5 games:
Portland Timbers
(September 19 – October 11)
Toronto FC
(September 23 – October 11)
Columbus Crew SC
(November 8 – December 12)
Longest unbeaten run11 games:
Orlando City SC
(August 26 – October 18)
Longest winless run9 games:
D.C. United
(September 6 – October 14)
Longest losing run6 games:
LA Galaxy
(September 19 – October 14)
Highest attendance69,301
ATL 2–1 CIN
(March 7)
Lowest attendance0
Total attendance637,020[2]
Average attendance2,182[2]
2019
2021

The 2020 Major League Soccer season was the 25th season of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The regular season began on February 29, 2020, and was originally planned to end on October 4. The MLS Cup Playoffs were planned to begin later that month and would end with MLS Cup 2020 on November 7.

On March 12, 2020, the season entered a lengthy suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North America, following the cancellation of several matches.[3] On May 1, the league announced that players would be allowed to resume individual outdoor training at MLS facilities on May 6.[4] The COVID-19 pandemic was the first interruption of regular season play since the 2001 MLS season, in which many late regular season games were canceled due to the September 11 attacks. On June 10, MLS announced that a bracket format dubbed the "MLS is Back Tournament" would begin July 8 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World, and end with the final on August 11.[5] The tournament included 51 matches in 35 days and over 1,000 players and staff quarantined to a set of hotels at Walt Disney World;[6] it was eventually won by the Portland Timbers, who as a result earned a berth in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.[7] The regular season later resumed a day after the tournament finished, and concluded on November 8. The playoffs began on November 20 with MLS Cup 2020 now being played on December 12.[8]

The 2020 season saw the addition of two expansion clubs, Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, which took Major League Soccer to 26 total teams. Nashville SC was initially placed in the Western Conference, for a 13–13 team balance, despite Nashville being to the east of the western most Eastern Conference team, Chicago Fire FC. However, after the MLS Is Back Tournament, COVID-19 difficulties led to MLS limiting teams to matches with teams in geographic proximity, and as a result Nashville was moved to the Eastern conference due to geography. This led to an imbalance, with 14 teams in the Eastern Conference and 12 in the Western Conference. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season was planned to be the first MLS season in which each team did not play every other team at least once, but, due to the pandemic, the schedule was heavily modified and most teams only played other teams within a regional geographic bubble. During the regular season around September and toward the end of the season, COVID-19 cross-border restrictions imposed by the Canadian government forced the Canadian MLS teams to play home matches in the United States.

The Philadelphia Union won the Supporters' Shield on the final day of the regular season, the first major trophy in the club's history. Columbus Crew SC defeated defending champions Seattle Sounders FC in MLS Cup 2020 3–0 to win a second MLS Cup title, and their first since 2008.[9] The league's teams incurred an estimated financial loss of $1 billion due to lost ticket sales and additional costs. The 2020 season was the longest in MLS season, stretching 287 days.[6]

Teams

[edit]

Stadiums and locations

[edit]
  1. ^
    Non-soccer specific stadium and artificially reduced capacity.
  2. ^
    Temporary stadium.

Two stadiums were renamed during the 2019–20 offseason:

  • Avaya Stadium, home to the San Jose Earthquakes, was renamed Earthquakes Stadium on January 11, 2020. The team was unable to find a new naming rights partner after original stadium sponsor Avaya filed for bankruptcy.[10]
  • Talen Energy Stadium, home to the Philadelphia Union, was renamed Subaru Park on February 18. The Union's 2010 naming rights contract with PPL, which was inherited in 2015 by the PPL spinoff Talen Energy, expired after the 2019 season, and Subaru of America, the U.S. subsidiary of Japanese automaker Subaru, was announced as the new partner also on February 18.[11]

An additional stadium was renamed prior to the 2020 postseason:

  • CenturyLink Field, home to Seattle Sounders FC, was renamed to Lumen Field on November 19. The telecommunications company had changed its name from CenturyLink to Lumen Technologies the prior September.[12]

Expansion team Nashville SC began the season in the MLS Western Conference. As part of the announcement of the MLS is Back Tournament, MLS confirmed that for one season only, Nashville would transfer to the MLS Eastern Conference which thereby expanded to 14 teams for the season, with the Western Conference reduced to 12. Due to travel restrictions between US and Canada the three Canadian teams were relocated to temporary stadiums in the United States starting September 20.

Personnel and sponsorship

[edit]

Note: All teams use Adidas as kit manufacturer.

For the 2020 season, MLS allowed teams to sign sleeve sponsorship agreements for the left jersey sleeve; beginning with the MLS is Back Tournament, this was extended to both sleeves and club shorts in certain circumstances.[13]

Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor Sleeve and short sponsor
Atlanta United FC Scotland Stephen Glass (interim) United States Jeff Larentowicz American Family Insurance Piedmont Orthopedics, Truist, NAPA
Chicago Fire FC Switzerland Raphaël Wicky Costa Rica Francisco Calvo Motorola Motorola, CIBC
FC Cincinnati Netherlands Jaap Stam Costa Rica Kendall Waston Mercy Health Cintas, First Financial Bank
Colorado Rapids United States Robin Fraser England Jack Price Transamerica WFG, Western Union
Columbus Crew SC United States Caleb Porter Ghana Jonathan Mensah Nationwide Children's Hospital Scotts, OhioHealth
D.C. United United States Chad Ashton (interim) United States Steve Birnbaum Leidos Caesars Entertainment, Gainbridge, Events DC, EagleBank
FC Dallas United States Luchi Gonzalez Switzerland Reto Ziegler AdvoCare AdvoCare
Houston Dynamo FC United States Tab Ramos Honduras Boniek García MD Anderson Kroger, Coushatta Casino Resort
Inter Miami CF Uruguay Diego Alonso United States Luis Robles Baptist Health
LA Galaxy United States Dominic Kinnear (interim) Mexico Jonathan dos Santos Herbalife Herbalife, Dignity Health
Los Angeles FC United States Bob Bradley Mexico Carlos Vela YouTube TV Target
Minnesota United FC England Adrian Heath Cuba Osvaldo Alonso Target Bell Bank, Allianz
Montreal Impact France Thierry Henry Finland Jukka Raitala Bank of Montreal Saputo
Nashville SC England Gary Smith United States Dax McCarty Renasant Bank Hyundai, Jackson
New England Revolution United States Bruce Arena Spain Carles Gil UnitedHealth Gillette, Santander
New York City FC Norway Ronny Deila Finland Alexander Ring Etihad Airways AT&T, Ford
New York Red Bulls Austria Gerhard Struber United States Sean Davis Red Bull Yanmar
Orlando City SC Colombia Óscar Pareja Portugal Nani Orlando Health Exploria
Philadelphia Union United States Jim Curtin United States Alejandro Bedoya Bimbo Bakeries USA Thomas', Subaru
Portland Timbers Venezuela Giovanni Savarese Argentina Diego Valeri Alaska Airlines KeyBank, AT&T
Real Salt Lake United States Freddy Juarez United States Kyle Beckerman LifeVantage KeyBank, Ford
San Jose Earthquakes Argentina Matías Almeyda United States Chris Wondolowski Intermedia Clover, Wells Fargo
Seattle Sounders FC United States Brian Schmetzer Uruguay Nicolás Lodeiro Zulily WaFd Bank
Sporting Kansas City United States Peter Vermes United States Matt Besler Ivy Funds Compass Minerals
Toronto FC United States Greg Vanney United States Michael Bradley Bank of Montreal GE Appliances, Bank of Montreal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Canada Marc Dos Santos Canada Russell Teibert Bell Canada GE Appliances

Coaching changes

[edit]
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Orlando City SC Republic of Ireland James O'Connor Fired October 7, 2019[14] Pre-season Colombia Óscar Pareja December 4, 2019[15]
Houston Dynamo FC United States Davy Arnaud End of interim period October 24, 2019 United States Tab Ramos October 25, 2019[16]
Montreal Impact Colombia Wílmer Cabrera Contract expired October 24, 2019[17] France Thierry Henry November 14, 2019[18]
New York City FC Spain Domènec Torrent Mutual consent November 8, 2019[19] Norway Ronny Deila January 6, 2020[20]
Chicago Fire FC Serbia Veljko Paunović Fired November 13, 2019[21] Switzerland Raphaël Wicky December 27, 2019[22]
FC Cincinnati Netherlands Ron Jans Resigned February 18, 2020 France Yoann Damet (interim) February 18, 2020[23]
France Yoann Damet End of interim period May 21, 2020 11th in East, 23rd overall Netherlands Jaap Stam May 21, 2020[24]
Atlanta United FC Netherlands Frank de Boer Fired July 24, 2020[25] 7th in East, 14th overall Scotland Stephen Glass (interim) July 27, 2020[26]
New York Red Bulls United States Chris Armas Fired September 4, 2020[27] 7th in East, 12th overall South Africa Bradley Carnell (interim) September 5, 2020[28]
South Africa Bradley Carnell End of interim period October 6, 2020 7th in East, 12th overall Austria Gerhard Struber October 6, 2020[29]
D.C. United United States Ben Olsen Fired October 8, 2020[30] 14th in East, 26th overall United States Chad Ashton (interim) October 8, 2020[30]
LA Galaxy Argentina Guillermo Barros Schelotto Fired October 29, 2020[31] 12th in West, 24th overall United States Dominic Kinnear (interim) October 29, 2020[31]

Regular season

[edit]

Format

[edit]

The 2020 regular season began on February 29, 2020, and was originally scheduled to conclude on October 4.[1] The league was originally divided into two conferences of 13 teams, with each playing a 34-game schedule with 17 each of home and away matches.[32] Each team would play their intra-conference opponents twice – once home and once away for a total of 24 matches – and one match against 10 of the members of the opposite conference.[32] The 2020 season was the first MLS season in which each team did not play every other team at least once.[32] Only two weeks of the original format were played before the COVID-19 pandemic put the season on hold.

The MLS is Back Tournament introduced three regular season matches in the group stage and the knockout stage that did not count towards regular season standings. After the tournament, the "first phase" of the regular schedule restart had teams playing in their home markets against only conference opponents for six matches with the intent of finishing a 23-match season. Some teams were allowed to play in front of a limited audience of spectators.[33] The exceptions in the first phase were that the Canadian clubs would play six matches between themselves due to prohibited travel to the United States and that FC Dallas and Nashville SC would play an additional three matches between themselves to make up for the fact that they could not play in the MLS is Back Tournament.[33][34]

On September 11, the league announced the "second phase" of the restart with three more matches for each team. In this phase, Canadian and U.S. teams once again played each other but only within their own geographic bubble. This phase included two away games and one (designated home) game at a neutral venue for each of the Canadian teams; with Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto hosting matches in Portland, Harrison, and Hartford, respectively.[35]

On October 17, following a decision by the ISC (Independent Supporters Council), it was announced that the Supporters' Shield would not be awarded to the best regular season team in 2020. In an official announcement, the Supporters' Shield Foundation stated, "After much consideration and discussion, the Supporters' Shield Foundation has decided to forego awarding the Supporters' Shield for the 2020 season. This is not an easy decision to make. With the inability for supporters to be in attendance and fill their stadiums with passion, however, we feel as though the current climate goes against the spirit of the Shield."[36] However, following backlash from members across the MLS community, on October 23 the foundation reversed the decision and reinstated the Shield.[37]

On October 29, the league announced that the final regular season standings and playoff qualification would be determined by points per game rather than by overall points. This was due to eight MLS clubs, all in the Western Conference, being unable to play all of their scheduled 23 regular season matches in time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven postponed matches were cancelled altogether in order for the playoffs to be able to start on the scheduled date.[38][39][40]

The regular season concluded with Decision Day on November 8, after which an expanded 18-team playoff began on November 20 and concluded with MLS Cup 2020 on December 12.[8][33] Eight teams from the Western Conference and six teams from the Eastern Conference automatically qualified for the playoffs; teams finishing in positions 7–10 in the Eastern Conference competed in a play-in round for the final two first round playoff spots.[41]

Conference standings

[edit]

Eastern Conference

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Philadelphia Union 23 14 4 5 44 20 +24 47 2.04 Qualification for the playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League[a]
2 Toronto FC[b] 23 13 5 5 33 26 +7 44 1.91 Qualification for the playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League[c]
3 Columbus Crew SC (C) 23 12 6 5 36 21 +15 41 1.78 Qualification for the playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League[d]
4 Orlando City SC 23 11 4 8 40 25 +15 41 1.78 Qualification for the playoffs first round and Leagues Cup
5 New York City FC 23 12 8 3 37 25 +12 39 1.70
6 New York Red Bulls 23 9 9 5 29 31 −2 32 1.39 Qualification for the playoffs first round
7 Nashville SC[e] 23 8 7 8 24 22 +2 32 1.39 Qualification for the playoffs play-in round
8 New England Revolution 23 8 7 8 26 25 +1 32 1.39
9 Montreal Impact[b] 23 8 13 2 33 43 −10 26 1.13
10 Inter Miami CF 23 7 13 3 25 35 −10 24 1.04
11 Chicago Fire FC 23 5 10 8 33 39 −6 23 1.00
12 Atlanta United FC 23 6 13 4 23 30 −7 22 0.96 Qualification for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[f]
13 D.C. United 23 5 12 6 25 41 −16 21 0.91
14 FC Cincinnati 23 4 15 4 12 36 −24 16 0.70
Source: MLS[43]
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ As Supporters' Shield winners
  2. ^ a b Canadian clubs could not qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
  3. ^ As 2020 Canadian Championship finalists (awarded by Canada Soccer)
  4. ^ As MLS Cup 2020 champions
  5. ^ On June 10, 2020, Major League Soccer announced that Nashville SC would switch from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the 2020 season.[42]
  6. ^ As 2019 U.S. Open Cup champions

Western Conference

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Sporting Kansas City 21 12 6 3 38 25 +13 39 1.86 Qualification for the playoffs first round and Leagues Cup
2 Seattle Sounders FC 22 11 5 6 44 23 +21 39 1.77
3 Portland Timbers 23 11 6 6 46 35 +11 39 1.70 Qualification for the playoffs first round and
2021 CONCACAF Champions League[a]
4 Minnesota United FC 21 9 5 7 36 26 +10 34 1.62 Qualification for the playoffs first round
5 Colorado Rapids 18 8 6 4 32 28 +4 28 1.56
6 FC Dallas 22 9 6 7 28 24 +4 34 1.55
7 Los Angeles FC 22 9 8 5 47 39 +8 32 1.45
8 San Jose Earthquakes 23 8 9 6 35 51 −16 30 1.30
9 Vancouver Whitecaps FC[b] 23 9 14 0 27 44 −17 27 1.17
10 LA Galaxy 22 6 12 4 27 46 −19 22 1.00
11 Real Salt Lake 22 5 10 7 25 35 −10 22 1.00
12 Houston Dynamo 23 4 10 9 30 40 −10 21 0.91
Source: MLS[43]
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Notes:
  1. ^ As MLS is Back tournament winners
  2. ^ Canadian clubs could not qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.

Overall table

[edit]

The leading team in this table wins the Supporters' Shield.[44]

2020 MLS overall standings
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Philadelphia Union (S) 23 14 4 5 44 20 +24 47 2.04 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[a]
2 Toronto FC (V) 23 13 5 5 33 26 +7 44 1.91 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[b]
3 Sporting Kansas City 21 12 6 3 38 25 +13 39 1.86 2021 Leagues Cup[c]
4 Columbus Crew SC (C) 23 12 6 5 36 21 +15 41 1.78 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[d]
5 Orlando City SC 23 11 4 8 40 25 +15 41 1.78 2021 Leagues Cup[e]
6 Seattle Sounders FC 22 11 5 6 44 23 +21 39 1.77 2021 Leagues Cup[f]
7 New York City FC 23 12 8 3 37 25 +12 39 1.70 2021 Leagues Cup[g]
8 Portland Timbers (M) 23 11 6 6 46 35 +11 39 1.70 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[h]
9 Minnesota United FC 21 9 5 7 36 26 +10 34 1.62
10 Colorado Rapids 18 8 6 4 32 28 +4 28 1.56
11 FC Dallas 22 9 6 7 28 24 +4 34 1.55
12 Los Angeles FC 22 9 8 5 47 39 +8 32 1.45
13 New York Red Bulls 23 9 9 5 29 31 −2 32 1.39
14 Nashville SC 23 8 7 8 24 22 +2 32 1.39
15 New England Revolution 23 8 7 8 26 25 +1 32 1.39
16 San Jose Earthquakes 23 8 9 6 35 51 −16 30 1.30
17 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 23 9 14 0 27 44 −17 27 1.17
18 Montreal Impact 23 8 13 2 33 43 −10 26 1.13
19 Inter Miami CF 23 7 13 3 25 35 −10 24 1.04
20 LA Galaxy 22 6 12 4 27 46 −19 22 1.00
21 Real Salt Lake 22 5 10 7 25 35 −10 22 1.00
22 Chicago Fire FC 23 5 10 8 33 39 −6 23 1.00
23 Atlanta United FC (U) 23 6 13 4 23 30 −7 22 0.96 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[i]
24 D.C. United 23 5 12 6 25 41 −16 21 0.91
25 Houston Dynamo 23 4 10 9 30 40 −10 21 0.91
26 FC Cincinnati 23 4 15 4 12 36 −24 16 0.70
Source: MLS[45]
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(C) Champions; (M) MLS is Back tournament champions; (S) Supporters' Shield winners; (U) U.S. Open Cup winners; (V) Canadian Championship finalists
Notes:
  1. ^ As Supporters' Shield winners (USA2)
  2. ^ As 2020 Canadian Championship finalists (awarded by Canada Soccer) (CAN1)
  3. ^ As 1st, Western Conference (MLS1)
  4. ^ As MLS Cup 2020 champions (USA1)
  5. ^ As 4th, Eastern Conference (MLS2)
  6. ^ As 2nd, Western Conference (MLS3)
  7. ^ As 5th, Eastern Conference (MLS4)
  8. ^ As MLS is Back tournament winners (USA3)
  9. ^ As 2019 U.S. Open Cup champions (USA4)

Fixtures and results

[edit]
Color key: Home  • Away  • Neutral • Win  • Loss  • Draw  • Canceled
Club Match
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Atlanta United FC
(ATL)
NSH CIN NY CIN CLB NSH ORL MIA ORL MIA NSH MIA DAL CHI DC ORL NY MIA TOR DC ORL CIN CLB
2–1 2–1 0–1 0–1 0–1 2–0 1–3 0–0 1–1 1–2 2–4 1–2 1–0 0–2 4–0 0–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 1–2 1–4 2–0 1–2
Chicago Fire FC
(CHI)
SEA NE SEA SJ VAN CLB CIN NYC CIN NE CLB ORL HOU ATL MTL SKC DC SKC NY PHI NSH MIN NYC
1–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 0–2 0–3 3–0 1–3 0–0 1–2 2–2 1–4 4–0 2–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 2–2 2–2 1–2 1–1 2–2 3–4
FC Cincinnati
(CIN)
NY ATL CLB ATL NY DC CHI CLB CHI CLB NYC NY PHI NYC MIN PHI TOR CLB DC MIN SKC ATL MIA
2–3 1–2 0–4 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–3 0–0 0–0 0–3 1–2 1–0 0–0 0–4 0–2 0–3 0–1 2–1 1–2 0–1 0–1 0–2 1–2
Colorado Rapids
(COL)
DC ORL RSL SKC MIN RSL SKC SJ HOU RSL DAL LA SJ LFC LA SEA RSL SKC SKC MIN SEA POR HOU
2–1 2–1 0–2 2–3 2–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–4 2–0 5–0 CAN CAN CAN CAN CAN 0–4 1–2 3–1 1–0 2–1
Columbus Crew SC
(CLB)
NYC SEA CIN NY ATL CHI NYC CIN PHI CIN CHI NSH MIN TOR DAL MTL CIN NYC HOU DC PHI ORL ATL
1–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 1–0 3–0 2–2 2–0 2–1 1–3 2–2 1–2 1–2 3–1 1–1 0–1 2–1 1–2 2–1
FC Dallas
(DAL)
PHI MTL NSH NSH HOU MIN SKC MIN HOU COL SKC ATL ORL CLB HOU MIN SKC NSH RSL MIA HOU NSH MIN
2–0 2–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 3–1 1–1 2–3 2–1 4–1 3–2 0–1 0–0 2–2 0–2 CAN 1–0 0–3 0–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 0–3
D.C. United
(DC)
COL MIA TOR NE MTL CIN NE PHI NY NYC NY TOR NSH NE ATL NYC CHI PHI CIN ATL CLB NE MTL
1–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–2 1–4 1–0 0–0 0–2 2–2 0–1 0–2 0–4 1–4 1–2 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–0 3–4 2–3
Houston Dynamo FC
(HOU)
LA SKC LFC POR LA DAL SKC MIN SKC COL DAL MIN CHI NSH SKC DAL MIA NSH MIN CLB LFC DAL COL
1–1 0–4 3–3 1–2 1–1 0–0 5–2 3–0 2–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–2 2–0 0–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–2 0–3 1–2
Los Angeles FC
(LFC)
MIA PHI HOU LA POR LA SEA SJ LA RSL POR SEA VAN SJ RSL COL SEA VAN POR LA HOU SJ POR
1–0 3–3 3–3 6–2 2–2 0–2 1–3 5–1 0–3 0–3 4–2 0–3 6–0 1–2 3–1 CAN 3–1 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–3 1–1
LA Galaxy
(LA)
HOU VAN POR LFC HOU LFC SJ POR LFC SJ COL RSL SEA SJ POR COL SJ VAN LFC POR RSL SEA VAN
1–1 0–1 1–2 2–6 1–1 2–0 3–2 3–2 3–0 0–0 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–2 3–6 CAN 0–4 1–0 0–2 2–5 2–1 1–1 0–3
Inter Miami CF
(MIA)
LFC DC ORL PHI NYC ORL NSH ATL NSH ATL ORL ATL NY PHI NYC NY HOU ATL MTL ORL DAL TOR CIN
0–1 1–2 1–2 1–2 0–1 3–2 0–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–2 2–1 1–4 0–3 2–3 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 2–1 1–2 1–2 2–1
Minnesota United FC
(MIN)
POR SJ SKC RSL COL SKC DAL HOU RSL DAL SKC HOU CLB RSL CIN NSH DAL HOU CIN COL SKC CHI DAL
3–1 5–2 2–1 0–0 2–2 1–2 1–3 0–3 4–0 3–2 0–1 2–2 1–2 0–0 2–0 0–0 CAN 2–2 1–0 2–1 CAN 2–2 3–0
Montreal Impact
(MTL)
NE DAL NE TOR DC VAN TOR TOR TOR VAN VAN PHI NE NY CHI CLB PHI NE MIA NYC NSH ORL DC
2–1 2–2 0–1 3–4 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–0 1–2 4–2 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–4 2–2 2–1 1–2 2–3 2–1 1–3 0–1 0–1 3–2
Nashville SC
(NSH)
ATL POR DAL DAL ATL ORL MIA ORL MIA ATL CLB DC HOU NE MIN SKC HOU DAL NE MTL CHI DAL ORL
1–2 0–1 1–0 0–0 0–2 1–3 1–0 1–1 0–0 4–2 0–2 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 3–1 3–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–1 3–2
New England Revolution
(NE)
MTL CHI MTL DC TOR PHI DC NY NYC CHI PHI NYC MTL DC NSH TOR NYC MTL PHI NSH NY DC PHI
1–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 1–2 0–0 3–1 2–0 0–0 0–1 2–1 3–2 1–2 1–1 0–1 4–3 0–2
New York City FC
(NYC)
CLB TOR PHI ORL MIA NY CLB CHI NE DC CIN NE TOR CIN MIA DC NE ORL CLB MTL TOR NY CHI
0–1 0–1 0–1 1–3 1–0 0–1 1–0 3–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 4–0 3–2 4–1 1–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 1–0 5−2 4–3
New York Red Bulls
(NY)
CIN RSL ATL CLB CIN NYC PHI NE DC PHI DC CIN MIA MTL ORL MIA ATL TOR ORL CHI NE NYC TOR
3–2 1–1 1–0 0–2 0–2 1–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 0–3 2–0 0–1 4–1 4–1 1–3 1–2 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–0 2–5 2–1
Orlando City SC
(ORL)
RSL COL MIA NYC PHI MIA NSH ATL NSH ATL MIA CHI SKC DAL NY ATL NYC NY MIA ATL MTL CLB NSH
0–0 1–2 2–1 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 4–1 2–1 0–0 3–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 4–1 1–0 2–1 2–3
Philadelphia Union
(PHI)
DAL LFC NYC MIA ORL NE NY DC CLB NY NE MTL CIN MIA TOR CIN MTL DC NE TOR CHI CLB NE
0–2 3–3 1–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 4–1 0–1 3–0 2–1 4–1 0–0 3–0 1–2 3–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 5–0 2–1 1–2 2–0
Portland Timbers
(POR)
MIN NSH LA HOU LFC SEA RSL LA SEA LFC SJ SJ SEA VAN LA SJ RSL LFC SEA LA VAN COL LFC
1–3 1–0 2–1 2–1 2–2 0–3 4–4 2–3 2–1 2–4 1–1 6–1 1–0 1–0 6–3 3–0 1–2 1–1 1–1 5–2 1–0 0–1 1–1
Real Salt Lake
(RSL)
ORL NY COL MIN SKC COL POR SEA MIN LFC COL VAN LA MIN LFC SEA VAN POR COL DAL SJ LA SKC
0–0 1–1 2–0 0–0 0–2 4–1 4–4 2–2 0–4 3–0 0–5 1–2 2–0 0–0 1–3 1–2 1–2 2–1 CAN 0–0 0–2 1–2 0–2
San Jose Earthquakes
(SJ)
TOR MIN SEA VAN CHI LA LFC COL SEA LA POR POR COL LFC LA VAN POR LA SEA VAN RSL LFC SEA
2–2 2–5 0–0 4–3 2–0 2–3 1–5 1–1 1–7 0–0 1–1 1–6 0–5 2–1 2–1 3–0 0–3 4–0 0–0 1–2 2–0 3–2 1–4
Seattle Sounders FC
(SEA)
CHI CLB SJ CHI VAN POR LFC RSL POR SJ LFC POR LA VAN RSL LFC COL SJ POR VAN COL LA SJ
2–1 1–1 0–0 1–2 3–0 3–0 3–1 2–2 1–2 7–1 3–0 0–1 3–1 3–1 2–1 1–3 CAN 0–0 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 4–1
Sporting Kansas City
(SKC)
VAN HOU MIN COL RSL MIN HOU DAL HOU MIN DAL ORL COL HOU CHI NSH DAL CHI COL COL CIN MIN RSL
3–1 4–0 1–2 3–2 2–0 2–1 2–5 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–3 1–2 2–1 1–0 2–1 0–1 2–2 CAN 4–0 1–0 CAN 2–0
Toronto FC
(TOR)
SJ NYC DC MTL NE VAN VAN MTL MTL VAN MTL DC NYC CLB PHI NE CIN NY ATL PHI NYC MIA NY
2–2 1–0 2–2 4–3 0–0 3–0 1–0 1–0 0–1 2–3 2–1 2–2 1–0 3–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 0–5 0–1 2–1 1–2
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
(VAN)
SKC LA SJ SEA CHI TOR TOR MTL TOR MTL MTL RSL LFC POR SEA SJ RSL LFC LA SJ SEA POR LA
1–3 1–0 3–4 0–3 2–0 0–3 0–1 0–2 3–2 2–4 3–1 2–1 0–6 0–1 1–3 0–3 2–1 2–1 0–1 2–1 0–2 0–1 3–0

Playoffs

[edit]
First round
November 21–22, 24
Conference semifinals
November 29, December 1–3
Conference finals
December 6–7
MLS Cup
December 12
            
E1 Philadelphia Union 0
E8 New England Revolution 2
E8 New England Revolution 3
E4 Orlando City SC 1
E4 Orlando City SC (p) 1 (6)
E5 New York City FC 1 (5)
E8 New England Revolution 0
Eastern Conference
E3 Columbus Crew SC 1
E3 Columbus Crew SC 3
E6 New York Red Bulls 2
E3 Columbus Crew SC (a.e.t.) 2
E7 Nashville SC 0
E2 Toronto FC 0
E7 Nashville SC (a.e.t.) 1
E3 Columbus Crew SC 3
W2 Seattle Sounders FC 0
W1 Sporting Kansas City (p) 3 (3)
W8 San Jose Earthquakes 3 (0)
W1 Sporting Kansas City 0
W4 Minnesota United FC 3
W4 Minnesota United FC 3
W5 Colorado Rapids 0
W4 Minnesota United FC 2
Western Conference
W2 Seattle Sounders FC 3
W3 Portland Timbers 1 (7)
W6 FC Dallas (p) 1 (8)
W6 FC Dallas 0
W2 Seattle Sounders FC 1
W2 Seattle Sounders FC 3
W7 Los Angeles FC 1

Note: The higher-seeded team hosted matches in the first three rounds. The team with the better regular season record hosted the final.
Source: 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket

Attendance

[edit]
No fans were allowed into FC Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium during 2020 home matches.

Due to the pandemic, some games early in the season were played with low attendance, and games later in the season were played without fans, or with artificially reduced attendance. Individual teams could set their own attendance limits based on their local, regional and state regulations during the pandemic.[46]

Average home attendances

[edit]
As of November 8, 2020[47]

Games without fans are not counted in averages or games played.

Pos. Team GP Cumulative High Low Mean
1 Atlanta United FC 3 81,580 69,301 6,130 27,193
2 Nashville SC 6 77,552 59,069 3,478 12,925
3 Seattle Sounders FC 2 73,206 40,126 33,080 36,603
4 FC Dallas 10 55,274 16,219 222 5,527
5 Portland Timbers 2 50,736 25,518 25,218 25,368
6 Real Salt Lake 9 48,012 18,093 2,770 5,335
7 Los Angeles FC 2 44,233 22,121 22,112 22,117
8 D.C. United 2 34,115 17,183 16,932 17,058
9 Houston Dynamo FC 7 34,003 22,039 1,328 4,858
10 San Jose Earthquakes 2 30,223 18,000 12,223 15,112
11 Orlando City SC 2 28,530 25,527 3,003 14,265
12 Toronto FC 2 27,565 26,171 1,394 13,783
13 LA Galaxy 1 26,382 26,382 26,382 26,382
14 Columbus Crew SC 7 26,329 17,473 1,500 3,761
15 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 22,120 22,120 22,120 22,120
16 Montreal Impact 4 21,506 21,006 250 5,439
17 Sporting Kansas City 1 21,188 21,188 21,188 21,188
18 New York Red Bulls 1 15,703 15,703 15,703 15,703
19 New England Revolution 1 15,289 15,289 15,289 15,289
20 Colorado Rapids 1 13,062 13,062 13,062 13,062
21 Philadelphia Union 1 2,775 2,775 2,775 2,775
22 Inter Miami CF 1 2,216 2,216 2,216 2,216
23 Chicago Fire FC 0 0 0 0 0
24 FC Cincinnati 0 0 0 0 0
25 Minnesota United FC 0 0 0 0 0
26 New York City FC 0 0 0 0 0
 – Total 68 751,599 69,301 222 14,913

Note: Several additional matches had fans in attendance, but official figures have not yet been reported: Sporting Kansas City (8 home matches), Orlando City (8), FC Dallas (2), Philadelphia Union (3), Real Salt Lake (1), and Inter Miami CF (1).

Highest attendances

[edit]

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Stadium
1 Atlanta United FC 2–1 FC Cincinnati 69,301 March 7, 2020 2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2 Nashville SC 1–2 Atlanta United FC 59,069 February 29, 2020 1 Nissan Stadium
3 Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 Chicago Fire FC 40,126 March 1, 2020 1 CenturyLink Field
4 Seattle Sounders FC 1–1 Columbus Crew SC 33,080 March 7, 2020 2 CenturyLink Field
5 LA Galaxy 0–1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 26,382 March 7, 2020 2 Dignity Health Sports Park
6 Toronto FC 1–0 New York City FC 26,171 March 7, 2020 2 BMO Field
7 Orlando City SC 0–0 Real Salt Lake 25,527 February 29, 2020 1 Exploria Stadium
8 Portland Timbers 1–0 Nashville SC 25,518 March 8, 2020 2 Providence Park
9 Portland Timbers 0–0 Minnesota United FC 25,218 February 29, 2020 1 Providence Park
10 Los Angeles FC 1–0 Inter Miami CF 22,121 March 1, 2020 1 Banc of California Stadium

COVID-19 restrictions

[edit]

Following the resumption of league play, some teams played either behind closed doors or with limited capacity based on local and state regulations.

Team Spectators Limitations Source(s)
Atlanta United Some All home matches from August 15, 2020, to September 30, 2020, played without spectators. Matches from October 1, 2020, onward capped at 15% capacity.
Chicago Fire None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Colorado Rapids None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Columbus Crew Some Regular season matches played without spectators, some playoff matches played at 7.5% capacity.
D.C. United None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
FC Cincinnati None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
FC Dallas All Capped at 10% at the resumption of league play, increased to 25% effective September 1, 2020.
Houston Dynamo Some Some matches played without spectators, some matches with 12% capacity limit.
LA Galaxy None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Los Angeles FC None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Inter Miami Some All home matches from August 15, 2020, to October 15, 2020, played without spectators. Matches from October 16, 2020, onward capped at 15% capacity.
Minnesota United None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Montreal Impact None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey due to travel restrictions. Matches were played without spectators.
Nashville SC Some All home matches from August 15, 2020, to September 30, 2020, played without spectators. Matches from October 1, 2020, onward capped at 5% capacity.
New England Revolution None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
New York City FC None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
New York Red Bulls None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Orlando City All Capped at 20% at the resumption of league play, increased to 25% effective October 1, 2020.
Philadelphia Union Some All home matches from August 15, 2020, to October 31, 2020, played without spectators. Matches from November 1, 2020, onward capped at 18% capacity.
Portland Timbers None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Real Salt Lake All Capped at 20% at the resumption of league play, remained at 20% for the rest of the season.
San Jose Earthquakes None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Seattle Sounders None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played without spectators.
Sporting Kansas City All Capped at 10% at the resumption of league play, increased to 15% effective November 15, 2020.
Toronto FC None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut due to travel restrictions. Matches were played without spectators.
Vancouver Whitecaps None All home matches from August 15, 2020, onward played at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon due to travel restrictions. Matches were played without spectators.

Player statistics

[edit]

Goals

[edit]
Rank Player Club Goals[48]
1 Uruguay Diego Rossi Los Angeles FC 14
2 Slovenia Robert Berić Chicago Fire FC 12
Peru Raúl Ruidíaz Seattle Sounders FC
United States Gyasi Zardes Columbus Crew SC
5 United States Jordan Morris Seattle Sounders FC 10
United States Chris Mueller Orlando City SC
Argentina Cristian Pavón LA Galaxy
8 United States Ayo Akinola Toronto FC 9
Trinidad and Tobago Kevin Molino Minnesota United FC
Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC

Hat-tricks

[edit]
Player For Against Score Date
United States Ayo Akinola Toronto FC Montreal Impact 4−3 July 16
Uruguay Diego Rossi4 Los Angeles FC LA Galaxy 6−2 July 18
Colombia Santiago Mosquera FC Dallas Colorado Rapids 4–1 September 16
Brazil Sergio Santos Philadelphia Union Toronto FC 5−0 October 24
Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC New York Red Bulls 5−2 November 1

Assists

[edit]
Rank Player Club Assists[49]
1 Uruguay Nicolás Lodeiro Seattle Sounders FC 10
Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC
Colombia Darwin Quintero Houston Dynamo FC
4 Argentina Cristian Espinoza San Jose Earthquakes 9
5 Colombia Yimmi Chará Portland Timbers 8
Scotland Lewis Morgan Inter Miami CF
United States Jordan Morris Seattle Sounders FC
Uruguay Mauricio Pereyra Orlando City SC
Portugal Pedro Santos Columbus Crew SC
10 United States Brenden Aaronson Philadelphia Union 7
United States Djordje Mihailovic Chicago Fire FC
United States Chris Mueller Orlando City SC
Argentina Cristian Pavón LA Galaxy
Argentina Emanuel Reynoso Minnesota United FC
Uruguay Brian Rodríguez Los Angeles FC
Argentina Diego Valeri Portland Timbers

Shutouts

[edit]
Rank Player Club Shutouts[50]
1 United States Joe Willis Nashville SC 9
2 Jamaica Andre Blake Philadelphia Union 8
3 United States Sean Johnson New York City FC 7
United States Jimmy Maurer FC Dallas
United States Tim Melia Sporting Kansas City
Curaçao Eloy Room Columbus Crew SC
7 Switzerland Stefan Frei Seattle Sounders FC 6
United States Brad Guzan Atlanta United FC
Canada Dayne St. Clair Minnesota United FC
United States Matt Turner New England Revolution
United States Quentin Westberg Toronto FC

Awards

[edit]

Individual awards

[edit]
Award Player Club
Most Valuable Player Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC
Defender of the Year United States Walker Zimmerman Nashville SC
Goalkeeper of the Year Jamaica Andre Blake Philadelphia Union
Coach of the Year United States Jim Curtin Philadelphia Union
Young Player of the Year Uruguay Diego Rossi Los Angeles FC
Newcomer of the Year Armenia Lucas Zelarayán Columbus Crew
Comeback Player of the Year England Bradley Wright-Phillips Los Angeles FC
Golden Boot Uruguay Diego Rossi Los Angeles FC
Humanitarian of the Year United States Black Players for Change Various
Goal of the Year United States Darlington Nagbe Columbus Crew
Save of the Year Curaçao Eloy Room Columbus Crew

Player of the Month

[edit]
Month Player Club Stats Ref
August United States Daryl Dike Orlando City SC 6G, 2A [51]
September Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC 4G, 2A [52]
October & November Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC 6G, 3A [53]

Player / Team of the Week

[edit]
  • Bold denotes League Player of the Week.

Goal of the Week

[edit]

Best XI

[edit]
Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref
Jamaica Andre Blake, Philadelphia United States Mark McKenzie, Philadelphia
Ghana Jonathan Mensah, Columbus
United States Walker Zimmerman, Nashville SC
United States Brenden Aaronson, Philadelphia
Colombia Diego Chará, Portland
Uruguay Nicolás Lodeiro, Seattle
Spain Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto FC
United States Jordan Morris, Seattle
Uruguay Diego Rossi, LAFC
Peru Raúl Ruidíaz, Seattle
[117]

Player movement

[edit]

Collective bargaining agreement

[edit]

On February 6, 2020, MLS and the MLS Players Association agreed to a new five-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which will last through the 2024 season.[118] The primary issues negotiated were increased player spending, expanded free agency, and more charter travel.[118]

The new collective bargaining agreement saw the league increase player spending to around $11.6 million per club by 2024, with both senior and reserve minimum salaries receiving increases throughout the deal as well as player bonuses for winning games and tournaments.[118][119] The league also reduced Targeted Allocation Money by redistributing it into General Allocation Money.[118] In addition, the players would earn a share in any increases in the league's new media deal in 2023.[118]

The Players Association also negotiated a significantly lower threshold for free agency, which was previously set at 28 years of age with eight years of service time in the league. Under the new agreement, the free agency requirement for players was set at 24 years of age, with five years of service time.[119] The number of charter flights allowed for each team was increased from four legs to eight one-way trips in 2020, with future allowances up to 16 one-way trips by 2024.[119] Each MLS team was also required to charter flights for all MLS Cup Playoffs matches and CONCACAF Champions League matches.[119]

Year Salary budget Standard minimum salary Reserve minimum DP threshold General Allocation Money per team Targeted Allocation Money per team Total spending bar per team
2020 $4,900,000 $81,375 $63,547 $612,500 $1,525,000 $2,800,000 $9,225,000
2021 $5,210,000 $85,444 $67,360 $651,250 $1,900,000 $2,720,000 $9,830,000
2022 $5,470,000 $89,716 $71,401 $683,750 $2,585,000 $2,400,000 $10,455,000
2023 $5,950,000 $104,000 $80,622 $743,750 $2,830,000 $2,225,000 $11,055,000
2024 $6,425,000 $109,200 $85,502 $803,125 $3,093,000 $2,125,000 $11,643,000

SuperDraft

[edit]

At the MLS SuperDraft in January every year, Major League Soccer teams select players who have graduated from college or otherwise been signed by the league.[120] The first two rounds of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 9, 2020, and, unlike previous drafts, was held without a major event ceremony and was instead streamed on Twitter via ESPN.[120] The third and fourth rounds were held via conference call on January 13.[120]

Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, as expansion clubs, held the first two spots in the SuperDraft.[120] Clemson Tigers forward Robbie Robinson was selected with the first-overall pick by Inter Miami.[121]

Allocation ranking

[edit]

The allocation ranking was the mechanism used to determine which MLS club had first priority to acquire a player who was in the MLS allocation list. The MLS allocation list contained select U.S. national team players and players transferred outside of MLS garnering a transfer fee of at least $500,000. The allocations were ranked in reverse order of finish for the 2019 season, taking playoff performance into account.[122]

Once the club used its allocation ranking to acquire a player, it dropped to the bottom of the list. A ranking could be traded provided that part of the compensation received in return was another club's ranking. At all times each club was assigned one ranking. The rankings reset at the end of each MLS season.

Original
ranking
Current
ranking
Club Date allocation used
(Rank on that date)
Player signed Previous club Ref
24 1 Los Angeles FC[A] [123]
2 2 Inter Miami CF
3 3 FC Cincinnati
4 4 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
5 5 Orlando City SC
6 6 Sporting Kansas City
7 7 Columbus Crew SC
8 8 Houston Dynamo FC
9 9 Montreal Impact
10 10 Chicago Fire FC
11 11 Colorado Rapids
12 12 San Jose Earthquakes
13 13 New England Revolution
14 14 FC Dallas
15 15 New York Red Bulls
16 16 Portland Timbers
17 17 D.C. United
18 18 Minnesota United FC
19 19 LA Galaxy
20 20 Real Salt Lake
21 21 Philadelphia Union
22 22 New York City FC
23 23 Atlanta United FC
1 24 Nashville SC[A] [123]
25 25 Toronto FC
26 26 Seattle Sounders FC
  1. ^
    On February 26, 2020, Los Angeles FC acquired the number 1 allocation ranking from Nashville SC in exchange for the number 24 allocation ranking, $350,000 in combined 2020 and 2021 general allocation money, and a second-round selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.

MLS is Back Tournament

[edit]

To prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 occurring during the season, a bracket tournament, dubbed the "MLS is Back Tournament", was announced on June 10. The tournament took place behind closed doors at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex located in the Walt Disney World Resort, in Bay Lake, Florida, with the regular season slated to begin following the tournament. The group stage of the tournament counted towards the regular season. MLS announced its plan to restart the 2020 season with all 26 MLS clubs competing in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida beginning July 8. The tournament, which was played without fans in attendance, provided.a compelling way for MLS to resume its 25th season. On July 6, FC Dallas withdrew from the tournament due to ten players and one staff member of the club testing positive for COVID-19,[124] after their opening match was initially postponed.[125] On July 9, Nashville SC were also withdrawn from the tournament after nine players of the club tested positive for the virus,[126] after their opening match was initially postponed.[127]

Each team played three group stage matches, and those results counted in the 2020 MLS regular season standings. After 16 consecutive days of group stage matches, the top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers, moved on to the knockout stage. The knockout stage included a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the championship match which took place on August 11. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knockout phase proceeded directly to a penalty shoot-out.

As MLS is Back Tournament winners, the Portland Timbers earned a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. They replaced the berth previously awarded to the MLS regular season points leader in the conference opposite of the Supporters’ Shield winner.

In addition to matches that counted in the regular season standings and the Champions League berth, players had the opportunity to earn additional bonuses as part of a $1.1 million prize pool.

Groups

[edit]
Group A (East) Group B (West) Group C (East)
Group A results
Pos Team Pld Pts
1 Orlando City SC (H) 3 7
2 Philadelphia Union 3 7
3 New York City FC 3 3
4 Inter Miami CF 3 0
Source: MLS[128]
(H) Hosts
Group B results
Pos Team Pld Pts
1 San Jose Earthquakes 3 7
2 Seattle Sounders FC 3 4
3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3 3
4 Chicago Fire 3 3
Source: MLS[128]
Group C results
Pos Team Pld Pts
1 Toronto FC 3 5
2 New England Revolution 3 5
3 Montreal Impact 3 3
4 D.C. United 3 2
Source: MLS[128]
Group D (West) Group E (East) Group F (West)
Group D results
Pos Team Pld Pts
1 Sporting Kansas City 3 6
2 Minnesota United FC 3 5
3 Real Salt Lake 3 4
4 Colorado Rapids 3 1
Source: MLS[128]
Group E results
Pos Team Pld Pts
1 Columbus Crew SC 3 9
2 FC Cincinnati 3 6
3 New York Red Bulls 3 3
4 Atlanta United 3 0
Source: MLS[128]
Group F results
Pos Team Pld Pts
1 Portland Timbers 3 7
2 Los Angeles FC 3 5
3 Houston Dynamo 3 2
4 LA Galaxy 3 1
Source: MLS[128]

Knockout

[edit]
 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
July 25
 
 
Philadelphia Union1
 
July 30
 
New England Revolution0
 
Philadelphia Union3
 
July 26
 
Sporting Kansas City1
 
Sporting Kansas City0 (3)
 
August 5
 
Vancouver Whitecaps FC0 (1)
 
Philadelphia Union1
 
July 26
 
Portland Timbers2
 
Toronto FC1
 
August 1
 
New York City FC3
 
New York City FC1
 
July 28
 
Portland Timbers3
 
Portland Timbers1 (4)
 
August 11
 
FC Cincinnati1 (2)
 
Portland Timbers2
 
July 25
 
Orlando City SC1
 
Orlando City SC1
 
July 31
 
Montreal Impact0
 
Orlando City SC1 (5)
 
July 27
 
Los Angeles FC1 (4)
 
Seattle Sounders FC1
 
August 6
 
Los Angeles FC4
 
Orlando City SC3
 
July 27
 
Minnesota United FC1
 
San Jose Earthquakes5
 
August 1
 
Real Salt Lake2
 
San Jose Earthquakes1
 
July 28
 
Minnesota United FC4
 
Columbus Crew SC1 (3)
 
 
Minnesota United FC1 (5)
 

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "When does the 2020 MLS season begin? All you need to know". ESPN. December 23, 2019. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "2020 MLS Standings and Leaders". Major League Soccer. November 8, 2020. p. 6. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 12, 2020. Archived from the original on March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "MLS announces players may begin to use outdoor training fields for individual workouts May 6". MLSSoccer.com. May 1, 2020. Archived from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "MLS is Back tournament". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Robinson, Joshua (December 11, 2020). "MLS, the Pandemic and American Soccer's Longest Season". Wall Street Journal. ProQuest 2469042254. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "MLS is Back Tournament winner will qualify for 2021 Concacaf Champions League". MLSSoccer.com. Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "MLS releases 2020 return to season schedule". MLSSoccer.com. August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "MLS 2020 season review: Columbus Crew SC were worth saving". ESPN. December 16, 2020. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Paul (January 10, 2020). "San Jose Earthquakes: GM Fioranelli gets new contract, Fox steps down as president". Soccer America. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "Subaru scores naming rights to Philly metro area MLS stadium". njbiz.com. February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  12. ^ "Seattle Sounders home stadium renamed to Lumen Field". Major League Soccer. November 19, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "Sounders FC announces WaFd Bank as jersey sleeve patch partner for 2020 season" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. July 8, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  14. ^ "Orlando City SC Parts Ways With James O'Connor". Orlando City SC. October 7, 2019. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  15. ^ Carlialse, Jeff (December 4, 2019). "Orlando City names Oscar Pareja as manager". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  16. ^ "Ex-U.S. star Tab Ramos appointed Houston Dynamo manager". ESPN. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  17. ^ Peters, Dave (October 24, 2019). "Montreal Impact cut ties with head coach Wilmer Cabrera". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  18. ^ "Thierry Henry appointed coach of Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact". BBC Sport. November 14, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  19. ^ Nisse, Jake (November 8, 2019). "NYCFC and coach Domenec Torrent 'mutually part ways'". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  20. ^ Nisse, Jake (January 6, 2020). "NYCFC announces Ronny Deila as new head coach". New York Post. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  21. ^ Mikula, Jeremy (November 13, 2019). "Chicago Fire fires coach Veljko Paunovic and his staff after 4 seasons". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 14, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  22. ^ Mikula, Jeremy (December 27, 2019). "Chicago Fire hire Raphael Wicky as the team's new coach: 'He has a fresh, modern approach to football'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  23. ^ "Head coach Ron Jans resigns". FC Cincinnati. February 18, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  24. ^ "FC Cincinnati name Jaap Stam new head coach". MLSSoccer.com. May 21, 2020. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  25. ^ "Atlanta confirmed that they and de Boer had mutually agreed to part way. The official line of this being a mutual decision, however, is dubious. Make no mistake, this was a firing". MLSMULTIPLEX.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  26. ^ "Stephen Glass Named Atlanta United Interim Head Coach". ATLUTD.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  27. ^ "New York Red Bulls Part Ways with Chris Armas". New York Red Bulls. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Andrew Vazzano (September 5, 2020). "Bradley Carnell Named Interim Head Coach". New York Red Bulls. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  29. ^ "New York Red Bulls Name Gerhard Struber Head Coach". New York Red Bulls. Red Bulls Communications. October 6, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  30. ^ a b "D.C. United Announce the Departure of Head Coach Ben Olsen". D.C. United. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  31. ^ a b "LA Galaxy relieve Guillermo Barros Schelotto of duties as head coach". LA Galaxy. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  32. ^ a b c Goff, Steven (December 2, 2020). "MLS breaks with tradition, will no longer have every team face every other team". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  33. ^ a b c Goff, Steven (August 8, 2020). "MLS announces regular season will resume in home markets this month". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  34. ^ Davidson, Neil (August 13, 2020). "Canada's MLS teams to play each other for next stretch of schedule". Times Colonist. Victoria. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "MLS Announces Regular Season Schedule Through September" (Press release). Major League Soccer. September 11, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  36. ^ "Supporters' Shield will not be awarded in 2020 following decision by ISC" (Press release). Major League Soccer. October 17, 2020. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  37. ^ "Supporters' Shield to be awarded in 2020 following reversal of decision" (Press release). Major League Soccer. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  38. ^ "MLS to use points per game to determine final 2020 regular season standings" (Press release). Major League Soccer. October 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  39. ^ mlssoccer. "San Jose Earthquakes vs. LAFC game postponed; Sporting Kansas City vs. Minnesota United match canceled | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  40. ^ "MLS cancels Minnesota-SKC for COVID cases". ESPN.com. October 31, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  41. ^ "MLS Announces Regular Season Schedule Through September" (Press release). Major League Soccer. September 11, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  42. ^ "Nashville SC moves to Eastern Conference for remainder of 2020 season". MLSsoccer.com. Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  43. ^ a b "Conference Standings – 2020". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  44. ^ Galluzzo, Steve (September 25, 2019). "LAFC captures Supporters' Shield with 3–1 win over Houston". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  45. ^ "Supporters' Shield Standings – 2020". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  46. ^ "MLS releases 2020 return to season schedule". August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  47. ^ "Major League Soccer 2020: Attendance". World Football. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  48. ^ "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Goals". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  49. ^ "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Assists". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  50. ^ "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Shutouts". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  51. ^ MLSsoccer staff (September 9, 2020). "Orlando City SC forward Daryl Dike named MLS Player of the Month for August". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  52. ^ MLSsoccer staff (October 1, 2020). "Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo named MLS Player of the Month for September". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  53. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (November 11, 2020). "NYCFC forward Valentin Castellanos named MLS Player of the Month for October, November". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  54. ^ Quillen, Ian (March 2, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Loons, Red Bulls show big in Week 1". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  55. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (March 2, 2020). "Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 1". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  56. ^ Quillen, Ian (March 9, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Sporting KC, Atlanta United and Minnesota United dominate Week 2". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  57. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (March 9, 2020). "Minnesota United's Ike Opara voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 2". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  58. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (July 14, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Columbus Crew get plenty of love in Round 1". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  59. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (July 19, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Young stars take center take in Round 2 of the MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  60. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (July 24, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Homegrowns Jordan Morris and Mark McKenzie lead the way in Round 3". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  61. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (August 24, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: The common theme of Week 6? Brace yourself". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  62. ^ Mondello, Joseph (August 24, 2020). "Raúl Ruidíaz named Major League Soccer Player of the Week for his heroics against Portland". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  63. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (August 31, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Orlando City dominate after two big wins". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  64. ^ Quillen, Ian (August 31, 2020). "Philadelphia Union's Kacper Przybylko earns Player of the Week honors with 3 goals, assist". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  65. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (September 3, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Houston Dynamo rewarded for Week 9 blowout win". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  66. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (September 3, 2020). "LAFC's Diego Rossi gets Player of the Week honors after brace against San Jose Earthquakes". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  67. ^ MLSsoccer Staff (September 7, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: We're living in the LA Galaxy's world in Week 10". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  68. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (September 8, 2020). "LA Galaxy star Sebastian Lletget earns Player of the Week honors after El Trafico brace". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  69. ^ Quillen, Ian (September 14, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Sounders lead Week 11 honors after 7-goal romp". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  70. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (September 14, 2020). "Seattle Sounders star Jordan Morris wins MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 11". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  71. ^ Quillen, Ian (September 21, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Franco Jara, Santiago Mosquera lead Week 12 honorees". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  72. ^ "Portland Timbers Midfielder Diego Valeri Voted MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. September 21, 2020. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  73. ^ Borg, Simon (September 24, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Chicago Fire FC names lead the way in Week 13". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  74. ^ Cattry, Pardeep (September 24, 2020). "LAFC forward Bradley Wright-Phillips named MLS Player of the Week for Week 13". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  75. ^ Quillen, Ian (September 28, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: In Week 14, parity is the name of the game". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  76. ^ "Toronto FC right back Richie Laryea named MLS Player of the Week for Week 14". Major League Soccer. September 28, 2020. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  77. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 5, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: It's a midfield takeover in Week 15". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  78. ^ "Sporting KC forward Alan Pulido named MLS Player of the Week for Week 15". Major League Soccer. October 5, 2020. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  79. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 8, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Portland Timbers erupt for six goals, three Week 16 nods". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  80. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (October 8, 2020). "Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 16". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  81. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 12, 2020). "Team of the Week: Streaking Portland Timbers lead the way in Week 17". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  82. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (October 12, 2020). "LAFC forward Danny Musovski voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 17". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  83. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 15, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Whitecaps lead Week 18 selections after win over LAFC". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  84. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (October 15, 2020). "Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 18". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  85. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 19, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: DC United defenders shine after snapping skid in Week 19". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  86. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (October 19, 2020). "Montreal Impact forward Bojan named MLS Player of the Week for Week 19". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  87. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 26, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: It's a Philadelphia Union five-spot (again) in Week 20". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  88. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 26, 2020). "Philadelphia Union forward Sergio Santos named MLS Player of the Week for Week 20". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  89. ^ Quillen, Ian (October 29, 2020). "Team of the week presented by Audi: FC Dallas' defense is the star in Week 21". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  90. ^ Butler, Dylan (October 29, 2020). "San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski captures MLS Player of the Week honors for Week 21". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  91. ^ Quillen, Ian (November 2, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Week 22 was all about dynamic duos". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  92. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (November 2, 2020). "New York City FC's Valentin Castellanos takes home MLS Player of the Week for Week 22". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  93. ^ Quillen, Ian (November 5, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Colorado Rapids, San Jose Earthquakes clinch more than playoffs". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  94. ^ Quillen, Ian (November 9, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Philadelphia Union lead after clinching Supporters' Shield". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  95. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (November 9, 2020). "Minnesota United's Kevin Molino wins MLS Player of the Week for Week 24". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  96. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (March 5, 2020). "Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 1". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  97. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 15, 2020). "Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayan wins AT&T Goal of the Week for MLS is Back Round 1". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  98. ^ Butler, Dylan (July 20, 2020). "FC Cincinnati's Frankie Amaya takes home AT&T Goal of the Week for MLS is Back Round 2". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  99. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 25, 2020). "Sporting's Gerso Fernandes wins AT&T Goal of the Week for MLS is Back Round 3". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  100. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (August 25, 2020). "Atlanta United's Pity Martinez claims AT&T Goal of the Week for wonder-strike vs. Nashville SC". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  101. ^ Butler, Dylan (September 2, 2020). "Seattle Sounders' Raul Ruidiaz captures AT&T Goal of the Week for long-distance stunner vs. LAFC". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  102. ^ "Real Salt Lake's Pablo Ruiz wins AT&T Goal of the Week for long-range golazo vs. Seattle". Major League Soccer. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  103. ^ "LA Galaxy's Sebastian Lletget wins AT&T Goal of the Week for superb bicycle kick". Major League Soccer. September 9, 2020. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  104. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (September 15, 2020). "Philadelphia Union's Anthony Fontana wins AT&T Goal of the Week with stoppage-time golazo". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  105. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (September 23, 2020). "FC Cincinnati's Haris Medunjanin wins AT&T Goal of the Week after stunning Olimpico". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  106. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 2, 2020). "Toronto FC's Richie Laryea wins AT&T Goal of the Week after solo run, finish". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  107. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 6, 2020). "Atlanta United's Brooks Lennon wins Week 15 AT&T Goal of the Week with top-bin strike". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  108. ^ Butler, Dylan (October 9, 2020). "Inter Miami's Gonzalo Higuain nabs Week 16 AT&T Goal of the Week for free kick golazo". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  109. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 14, 2020). "Erik Hurtado wins AT&T Goal of the Week after stunning volley for Sporting Kansas City". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  110. ^ Butler, Dylan (October 16, 2020). "Philadelphia Union's Mark McKenzie edges Caden Clark of the New York Red Bulls for AT&T Goal of the Week". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  111. ^ Butler, Dylan (October 21, 2020). "A Bojan blast: Montreal Impact midfielder claims AT&T Goal of the Week". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  112. ^ Butler, Dylan (October 28, 2020). "Ali Adnan of the Vancouver Whitecaps captures AT&T Goal of the Week for stunning free kick golazo". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  113. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (October 30, 2020). "Portland's Andy Polo wins AT&T Goal of the Week after stunning Week 21 volley". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  114. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (November 3, 2020). "Colorado Rapids' Keegan Rosenberry wins AT&T Goal of the Week after Week 22 blast". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  115. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (November 6, 2020). "Orlando's Benji Michel wins AT&T Goal of the Week after late Week 23 strike". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  116. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (November 11, 2020). "Inter Miami's Mikey Ambrose wins AT&T Goal of the Week after Week 24 stunner". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  117. ^ "2020 MLS Best XI presented by The Home Depot". Major League Soccer. November 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  118. ^ a b c d e Straus, Brian (February 6, 2020). "MLS, Players Association Agree to New CBA Through 2024". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  119. ^ a b c d Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 7, 2020). "New MLS collective bargaining agreement brings big boosts to player salaries, charter travel, free agency". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  120. ^ a b c d Cardillo, Julian (December 13, 2019). "MLS announces new format for 2020 SuperDraft". Pro Soccer USA. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  121. ^ "Clemson's Robbie Robinson the No. 1 pick in MLS SuperDraft". USA Today. January 9, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  122. ^ "MLS Allocation Ranking". Major League Soccer. December 27, 2018. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  123. ^ a b "Nashville SC Acquires Allocation Money and SuperDraft Pick". Nashville SC. February 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  124. ^ "FC Dallas withdrawn from MLS is Back Tournament". Major League Soccer. July 6, 2020. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  125. ^ "MLS is Back Tournament game between FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps postponed to later date". Major League Soccer. July 4, 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  126. ^ "Nashville SC withdrawn from MLS is Back Tournament: Here's how the groups and schedule change". Major League Soccer. July 9, 2020. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  127. ^ "Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire FC game postponed, two other MLS is Back Tournament games rescheduled". Major League Soccer. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  128. ^ a b c d e f "MLS is Back Group Stage Standings". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
[edit]