2020 Major League Soccer season

The 2020 Major League Soccer season is 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 planned to end on October 4, 2020. The playoffs were planned to begin in October 2020 and would end with MLS Cup 2020 on November 7, 2020.

Major League Soccer
MLS's commemorative logo for its 25th season
Season2020
DatesFebruary 29, 2020 – August 11, 2020[1]
Matches played26
Goals scored74 (2.85 per match)
Top goalscorerMaximiliano Urruti
(3 goals)
Biggest home win4 goals:
SKC 4–0 HOU
(March 7)
Biggest away win3 goals:
SJ 2–5 MIN
(March 7)
Highest scoring7 goals:
SJ 2–5 MIN
(March 7)
Highest attendance69,301
ATL 2–1 CIN
(March 7)
Lowest attendance13,062
COL 2–1 ORL
(March 7)
Total attendance637,020
Average attendance24,501
← 2019
2021 →
All statistics correct as of March 8, 2020.

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.[2] On May 1, the league announced that players will be allowed to resume individual outdoor training at MLS facilities on May 6.[3] The COVID-19 pandemic is the first interruption of regular season play since the 2001 MLS season, in which many late regular season games were cancelled 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.[4]

The 2020 season sees the addition of two expansion clubs, Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, which took Major League Soccer to 26 total teams spread evenly across two conferences. This will be the first MLS season in which each team does not play every other team at least once.

The Seattle Sounders FC are the defending champions, having defeated Toronto FC in MLS Cup 2019. Los Angeles FC are the defending Supporters' Shield winners.

Teams

Stadiums and locations
Main article: List of Major League Soccer stadiums
Locations of teams for the 2020 Major League Soccer season
Western Conference   Eastern Conference
  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.[5]
  • Talen Energy Stadium, home to the Philadelphia Union, was renamed Subaru Park on February 18, 2020. 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 on February 18, 2020.[6]

Expansion team Nashville FC 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.

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams use Adidas as kit manufacturer.

Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor
Atlanta United FC Frank de Boer Jeff Larentowicz American Family Insurance
Chicago Fire FC Raphaël Wicky Francisco Calvo Motorola
FC Cincinnati Jaap Stam Kendall Waston Mercy Health
Colorado Rapids Robin Fraser Jack Price Transamerica
Columbus Crew SC Caleb Porter Jonathan Mensah Nationwide Children's Hospital
D.C. United Ben Olsen Steve Birnbaum Leidos
FC Dallas Luchi Gonzalez Reto Ziegler AdvoCare
Houston Dynamo Tab Ramos Boniek García MD Anderson
Inter Miami CF Diego Alonso Luis Robles Qatar Airways
LA Galaxy Guillermo Barros Schelotto Javier Hernández Herbalife
Los Angeles FC Bob Bradley Carlos Vela YouTube TV
Minnesota United FC Adrian Heath Osvaldo Alonso Target
Montreal Impact Thierry Henry Jukka Raitala Bank of Montreal
Nashville SC Gary Smith Dax McCarty Renasant Bank
New England Revolution Bruce Arena Carles Gil UnitedHealth
New York City FC Ronny Deila Alexander Ring Etihad Airways
New York Red Bulls Chris Armas Sean Davis Red Bull
Orlando City SC Óscar Pareja Nani Orlando Health
Philadelphia Union Jim Curtin Alejandro Bedoya Bimbo Bakeries USA
Portland Timbers Giovanni Savarese Diego Valeri Alaska Airlines
Real Salt Lake Freddy Juarez Kyle Beckerman LifeVantage
San Jose Earthquakes Matías Almeyda Chris Wondolowski Intermedia
Seattle Sounders FC Brian Schmetzer Nicolás Lodeiro Zulily
Sporting Kansas City Peter Vermes Matt Besler Ivy Funds
Toronto FC Greg Vanney Michael Bradley Bank of Montreal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Marc Dos Santos Russell Teibert Bell Canada

Coaching changes
Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Orlando City SC James O'Connor Fired October 7, 2019[7] Pre-season Óscar Pareja December 4, 2019[8]
Houston Dynamo Davy Arnaud End of interim period October 24, 2019 Tab Ramos October 25, 2019[9]
Montreal Impact Wílmer Cabrera Contract expired October 24, 2019[10] Thierry Henry November 14, 2019[11]
New York City FC Domènec Torrent Mutual consent November 8, 2019[12] Ronny Deila January 6, 2020[13]
Chicago Fire FC Veljko Paunović Fired November 13, 2019[14] Raphaël Wicky December 27, 2019[15]
FC Cincinnati Ron Jans Resigned February 18, 2020 Yoann Damet (interim) February 18, 2020[16]
Yoann Damet End of interim period May 21, 2020 11th in East, 23rd overall Jaap Stam May 21, 2020[17]

Regular season

Format

The 2020 regular season began on February 29, 2020, and was originally scheduled to conclude on October 4, 2020.[1] The league was originally divided into two conferences of 13 teams, with each playing a 34-game schedule with 17 home matches and 17 away matches.[18] Each team will 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.[18] The 2020 season will be the first MLS season in which each team does not play every other team at least once.[18]

Conference standings

Eastern Conference
Main article: Eastern Conference (MLS)
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Atlanta United FC 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6 Conference Semifinals
2 Montreal Impact[lower-alpha 1] 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 4 First round & 2021 Leagues Cup
3 New York Red Bulls 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 4
4 Toronto FC[lower-alpha 1] 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 4
5 Columbus Crew SC 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 4
6 D.C. United 2 1 1 0 3 3 0 3 First round
7 Chicago Fire FC 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 1
8 New England Revolution 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 1
9 Orlando City SC 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
10 Philadelphia Union 2 0 1 1 3 5 −2 1
11 FC Cincinnati 2 0 2 0 3 5 −2 0
12 Nashville SC[lower-alpha 2] 2 0 2 0 1 3 −2 0
13 Inter Miami CF 2 0 2 0 1 3 −2 0
14 New York City FC 2 0 2 0 0 2 −2 0
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored ; 8) home goals scored; 9) home goal differential; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Notes:
  1. Canadian clubs cannot qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
  2. 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.[19]

Western Conference
Main article: Western Conference (MLS)
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Sporting Kansas City 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6 6 Conference Semifinals
2 Minnesota United FC 2 2 0 0 8 3 +5 6 First round & 2021 Leagues Cup
3 Colorado Rapids 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6
4 FC Dallas 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 4
5 Los Angeles FC 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 4
6 Seattle Sounders FC 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 4 First round
7 Vancouver Whitecaps FC[lower-alpha 1] 2 1 1 0 2 3 −1 3
8 Portland Timbers 2 1 1 0 2 3 −1 3
9 Real Salt Lake 2 0 0 2 1 1 0 2
10 LA Galaxy 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
11 San Jose Earthquakes 2 0 1 1 4 7 −3 1
12 Houston Dynamo 2 0 1 1 1 5 −4 1
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals scored; 9) home goal differential; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. Canadian clubs cannot qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.

Overall table

The leading team in this table wins the Supporters' Shield.[20]

Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Sporting Kansas City 2 2 0 0 7 1 +6 6 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 1]
2 Minnesota United FC 2 2 0 0 8 3 +5 6
3 Atlanta United FC 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6
4 Colorado Rapids 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6
5 FC Dallas 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 4
6 Montreal Impact 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 4
7 Los Angeles FC 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 4
8 New York Red Bulls 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 4
9 Toronto FC 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 4
10 Seattle Sounders FC 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 4
11 Columbus Crew SC 2 1 0 1 2 1 +1 4
12 D.C. United 2 1 1 0 3 3 0 3
13 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 1 1 0 2 3 −1 3
14 Portland Timbers 2 1 1 0 2 3 −1 3
15 Real Salt Lake 2 0 0 2 1 1 0 2
16 Chicago Fire FC 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 1
17 New England Revolution 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 1
18 Orlando City SC 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
19 LA Galaxy 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
20 Philadelphia Union 2 0 1 1 3 5 −2 1
21 San Jose Earthquakes 2 0 1 1 4 7 −3 1
22 Houston Dynamo 2 0 1 1 1 5 −4 1
23 FC Cincinnati 2 0 2 0 3 5 −2 0
24 Nashville SC 2 0 2 0 1 3 −2 0
25 Inter Miami CF 2 0 2 0 1 3 −2 0
26 New York City FC 2 0 2 0 0 2 −2 0
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. As Supporters' Shield champions (USA2)

Fixtures and results
Home \ Away ATL CHI CIN COL CLB DAL DC HOU MIA LA LFC MIN MTL NSH NE NYC NY ORL PHI POR RSL SEA SJ SKC TOR VAN
Atlanta United FC Sep 19 2–1 Sep 27 Jul 4 TBD Aug 16 Jul 2 Aug 13 Aug 1 Aug 31 Aug 23 June 20 TBD TBD Jul 12 TBD TBD
Chicago Fire FC TBD TBD TBD Jul 12 TBD Aug 10 TBD Sep 27 TBD Jul 6 TBD Jun 28 Jul 9 TBD Aug 6 Sep 5 Aug 2
FC Cincinnati TBD Jul 26 Jul 20 Jun 28 TBD Jul 2 Aug 13 Sep 27 Aug 30 TBD TBD Jun 21 TBD Aug 2 Sep 20 TBD TBD
Colorado Rapids Jul 19 TBD TBD TBD Jun 14 Aug 30 Aug 10 Jul 5 2–1 TBD Jul 12 Aug 23 Sep 26 TBD Sep 13 Jun 21 Aug 2
Columbus Crew SC Jun 28 Jun 14 Aug 23 Jul 26 Jun 21 Sep 13 Jul 6 TBD TBD Aug 16 1–0 Sep 20 TBD TBD TBD 1–1 TBD TBD
FC Dallas TBD Aug 16 Jun 18 TBD Jul 12 TBD Jun 21 2–2 Aug 24 Jul 19 2–0 Sep 6 Aug 9 Sep 20 Jul 5 TBD Sep 27
D.C. United Oct 4 Sep 13 Jun 14 1–2 Aug 2 Jul 2 TBD 2–1 Jun 28 Jul 19 Aug 30 TBD TBD TBD Aug 23 TBD TBD
Houston Dynamo Jun 14 Jun 28 Aug 21 TBD 1–1 Sep 17 TBD TBD Jul 4 Aug 16 TBD Aug 2 TBD TBD Sep 28 Aug 30 Jul 19
Inter Miami CF Jul 24 Jun 21 TBD Oct 4 Jun 14 Aug 9 TBD TBD Sep 20 Jun 28 Jul 19 TBD Aug 21 TBD Aug 28 TBD TBD
LA Galaxy Jul 18 Aug 16 Sep 20 Oct 4 TBD TBD Aug 23 TBD Jul 2 TBD TBD Aug 3 Jul 5 Jun 21 Jun 14 TBD 0–1
Los Angeles FC Jul 9 Sep 14 Sep 21 TBD 1–0 TBD Jun 18 Jun 28 Aug 8 TBD 3–3 TBD TBD Aug 2 Sep 26 TBD Aug 27
Minnesota United FC Aug 9 Aug 23 TBD TBD Oct 4 TBD Jul 13 TBD Jun 14 Sep 20 TBD TBD TBD Aug 16 TBD Jul 19 Jul 2
Montreal Impact Aug 27 TBD Oct 4 TBD Jul 12 Sep 5 TBD Jun 18 Jun 21 2–1 Sep 12 Aug 9 TBD Jul 5 TBD Aug 2 Aug 23
Nashville SC 1–2 Sep 17 TBD TBD TBD Aug 6 TBD Sep 27 Jul 23 Aug 2 TBD Jul 6 Jul 19 TBD Jul 26 TBD Aug 16
New England Revolution Jul 9 1–1 TBD TBD TBD TBD Sep 27 TBD Jul 12 TBD Jul 26 Jun 21 Sep 13 TBD TBD Aug 23 TBD
New York City FC Jun 18 TBD Jul 16 TBD Aug 13 TBD Sep 27 Sep 17 Aug 30 Jul 25 TBD Jun 14 TBD Jul 2 Aug 9 TBD TBD
New York Red Bulls TBD Aug 16 3–2 TBD Aug 2 TBD Jul 12 Sep 12 Jul 20 Jun 28 TBD Aug 24 TBD TBD Jun 21 Jul 8 Oct 4
Orlando City SC TBD TBD TBD TBD Aug 16 TBD Jul 11 TBD TBD Sep 13 Oct 4 Sep 20 Jun 14 Jul 26 TBD 0–0 Jul 5
Philadelphia Union TBD Oct 4 TBD TBD TBD Aug 1 TBD TBD Jul 18 TBD Sep 27 Aug 29 Jun 13 TBD TBD Jul 12 Jun 28
Portland Timbers Aug 9 Jun 18 Jul 2 TBD Jul 26 Aug 17 TBD Aug 31 1–3 1–0 TBD Sep 27 TBD Jul 19 Jun 13 Sep 20 TBD
Real Salt Lake Sep 13 TBD TBD Jun 21 TBD TBD Oct 4 Jul 26 Aug 16 Aug 30 TBD 1–1 TBD TBD TBD Jul 2 Jul 12
Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 TBD 1–1 TBD TBD Jul 22 Sep 13 Jul 25 Jul 5 TBD Oct 4 Jun 27 Aug 22 TBD Sep 16 Aug 8 TBD
San Jose Earthquakes TBD Oct 4 Aug 30 TBD Aug 10 Jun 28 TBD 2–5 Jun 21 Aug 2 Jul 12 Sep 13 Sep 20 TBD TBD 2–2 TBD
Sporting Kansas City Jul 12 TBD Aug 30 Jul 26 4–0 Jun 18 Jul 6 TBD Sep 20 Oct 4 TBD Jun 29 TBD TBD Aug 16 TBD Jun 21
Toronto FC Sep 13 Jun 18 TBD Aug 9 Jul 26 TBD TBD Jun 14 TBD TBD 1–0 TBD Sep 27 Aug 16 Jun 28 Jul 18 TBD
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Aug 30 Jul 5 TBD TBD Sep 20 Jul 26 TBD Sep 14 TBD TBD Jun 18 Aug 9 Oct 4 TBD Jun 13 Aug 23 1–3
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source: Major League Soccer
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Attendance
See also: Major League Soccer attendance

Average home attendances
As of March 8, 2020[21]
Pos. Team GP Cumulative High Low Mean
1Seattle Sounders FC273,20640,12633,08036,603
2Atlanta United FC169,30169,30169,30169,301
3Nashville SC159,06959,06959,06959,069
4Portland Timbers250,73625,51825,21825,368
5Los Angeles FC244,23322,12122,11222,117
6D.C. United234,11517,18316,93217,058
7FC Dallas232,08416,21915,86516,042
8San Jose Earthquakes230,22318,00012,22315,112
9LA Galaxy126,38226,38226,38226,382
10Toronto FC126,17126,17126,17126,171
11Orlando City SC125,52725,52725,52725,527
12Vancouver Whitecaps FC122,12022,12022,12022,120
13Houston Dynamo122,03922,03922,03922,039
14Sporting Kansas City121,18821,18821,18821,188
15Montreal Impact121,00621,00621,00621,006
16Real Salt Lake118,09318,09318,09318,093
17Columbus Crew SC117,47317,47317,47317,473
18New York Red Bulls115,70315,70315,70315,703
19New England Revolution115,28915,28915,28915,289
20Colorado Rapids113,06213,06213,06213,062
21Chicago Fire FC000
22FC Cincinnati000
23Inter Miami CF000
24Minnesota United FC000
25New York City FC000
26Philadelphia Union000
 –Total26637,02069,30113,06224,501

Highest attendances

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Stadium
1Atlanta United FC2–1FC Cincinnati69,301March 7, 20202Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2Nashville SC1–2Atlanta United FC59,069February 29, 20201Nissan Stadium
3Seattle Sounders FC2–1Chicago Fire FC40,126March 1, 20201CenturyLink Field
4Seattle Sounders FC1–1Columbus Crew SC33,080March 7, 20201CenturyLink Field
5Los Angeles Galaxy0–1Vancouver Whitecaps FC26,382March 7, 20202Dignity Health Sports Park
6Toronto FC1–0New York City FC26,171March 7, 20202BMO Field
7Orlando City SC0–0Real Salt Lake25,527February 29, 20201Exploria Stadium
8Portland Timbers1–0Nashville SC25,518March 8, 20202Providence Park
9Portland Timbers0–0Minnesota United FC25,218February 29, 20201Providence Park
10Los Angeles FC1–0Inter Miami CF22,121March 1, 20201Banc of California Stadium

Player statistics
See also: Major League Soccer § Player records

Shutouts
Rank Player Club Clean sheets[24]
1 Steve Clark Portland Timbers 1
Maxime Crépeau Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Pedro Gallese Orlando City SC
Jesse González FC Dallas
Zac MacMath Real Salt Lake
Tim Melia Sporting Kansas City
Eloy Room Columbus Crew SC
Kenneth Vermeer Los Angeles FC
Quentin Westberg Toronto FC

Awards

Player of the Month
Main article: MLS Player of the Month
Month Player Club Stats Ref
February/March

Player / Team of the Week
  • Bold denotes League Player of the Week.

Goal of the Week

Player movement
Main article: List of Major League Soccer transfers 2020

Collective bargaining agreement

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.[30] The primary issues negotiated were increased player spending, expanded free agency, and more charter travel.[30]

The new collective bargaining agreement will see 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.[30][31] The league will also reduce Targeted Allocation Money by redistributing it into General Allocation Money.[30] In addition, the players will earn a share in any increases in the league's new media deal in 2023.[30]

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 is set at 24 years of age, with five years of service time.[31] 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.[31] Each MLS team will also be required to charter flights for all MLS Cup Playoffs matches and CONCACAF Champions League matches.[31]

YearSalary budgetStandard minimum salaryReserve minimumDP thresholdGeneral Allocation Money per teamTargeted Allocation Money per teamTotal 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
Further information: 2020 MLS SuperDraft

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.[32] 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.[32] The third and fourth rounds were held via conference call on January 13.[32]

Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, as expansion clubs, held the first two spots in the SuperDraft.[32] Clemson Tigers forward Robbie Robinson was selected with the first-overall pick by Inter Miami.[33]

Allocation ranking

The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a player who is in the MLS allocation list. The MLS allocation list contains select U.S. National Team players and players transferred outside of MLS garnering a transfer fee of at least $500,000. The allocations are ranked in reverse order of finish for the 2019 season, taking playoff performance into account.[34]

Once the club uses its allocation ranking to acquire a player, it drops to the bottom of the list. A ranking can be traded provided that part of the compensation received in return is another club's ranking. At all times each club is 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
241 Los Angeles FC[A][35]
22 Inter Miami CF
33 FC Cincinnati
44 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
55 Orlando City SC
66 Sporting Kansas City
77 Columbus Crew SC
88 Houston Dynamo
99 Montreal Impact
1010 Chicago Fire FC
1111 Colorado Rapids
1212 San Jose Earthquakes
1313 New England Revolution
1414 FC Dallas
1515 New York Red Bulls
1616 Portland Timbers
1717 D.C. United
1818 Minnesota United FC
1919 LA Galaxy
2020 Real Salt Lake
2121 Philadelphia Union
2222 New York City FC
2323 Atlanta United FC
124 Nashville SC[A][35]
2525 Toronto FC
2626 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
Main article: MLS is Back Tournament

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 is scheduled to take 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 will count towards the regular season. MLS announced on Wednesday 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 will be played without fans in attendance, provides a compelling way for MLS to resume its 25th season.

Each team will play three group stage matches, and those results will count 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 will move on to the knockout stage. The knockout stage will include a Round-of-16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship match will take place on August 11. Matches tied at the end of regulation in the knockout phase will proceed directly to a penalty kick shootout.

The MLS is Back Tournament winner will earn a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, regardless of whether it is a U.S. or Canadian club. The winner would replace the berth previously awarded to the MLS regular season points leader in the conference opposite of the 2020 Supporters’ Shield winner.

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

Group Teams
A Orlando City SC, Inter Miami CF, New York City FC, Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire FC, Nashville SC
B Seattle Sounders FC, FC Dallas, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Jose Earthquakes
C Toronto FC, New England Revolution, Montreal Impact, D.C. United
D Real Salt Lake, Sporting Kansas City, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United FC
E Atlanta United FC, FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew SC
F LAFC, LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo, Portland Timbers
Date Stage
July 8 Group Stage begins
July 25–28 Round of 16
July 30 – August 1 Quarterfinals
August 5–6 Semifinals
August 11 Final[4]

See also

References
  1. "When does the 2020 MLS season begin? All you need to know". ESPN. December 23, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  2. "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus" (Press release). Major League Soccer. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  3. "MLS announces players may begin to use outdoor training fields for individual workouts May 6". MLSSoccer.com. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. "MLS is Back tournament". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  5. Kennedy, Paul (January 10, 2020). "San Jose Earthquakes: GM Fioranelli gets new contract, Fox steps down as president". Soccer America. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  6. "Subaru scores naming rights to Philly metro area MLS stadium". njbiz.com. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  7. "Orlando City SC Parts Ways With James O'Connor". Orlando City SC. October 7, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  8. Carlialse, Jeff (December 4, 2019). "Orlando City names Oscar Pareja as manager". ESPN. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  9. "Ex-U.S. star Tab Ramos appointed Houston Dynamo manager". ESPN. October 25, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  10. Peters, Dave (October 24, 2019). "Montreal Impact cut ties with head coach Wilmer Cabrera". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  11. "Thierry Henry appointed coach of Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact". BBC Sport. November 14, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  12. Nisse, Jake (November 8, 2019). "NYCFC and coach Domenec Torrent 'mutually part ways'". New York Post. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  13. Nisse, Jake (January 6, 2020). "NYCFC announces Ronny Deila as new head coach". New York Post. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  14. Mikula, Jeremy (November 13, 2019). "Chicago Fire fires coach Veljko Paunovic and his staff after 4 seasons". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  15. 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. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  16. "Head coach Ron Jans resigns". FC Cincinnati. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  17. "FC Cincinnati name Jaap Stam new head coach". MLSSoccer.com. May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  18. Goff, Steven (December 2, 2020). "MLS breaks with tradition, will no longer have every team face every other team". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  19. "Nashville SC moves to Eastern Conference for remainder of 2020 season". Major League Soccer. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  20. Galluzzo, Steve (September 25, 2019). "LAFC captures Supporters' Shield with 3–1 win over Houston". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  21. "Major League Soccer 2020: Attendance". World Football. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  22. "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Goals".
  23. "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Assists".
  24. "Major League Soccer – Statistics – Clean sheets".
  25. Quillen, Ian (March 2, 2020). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Loons, Red Bulls show big in Week 1". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  26. Liljenwall, Ari (March 2, 2020). "Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 1". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  27. 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. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  28. MLSsoccer Staff (March 9, 2020). "Minnesota United's Ike Opara voted MLS Player of the Week for Week 2". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  29. Liljenwall, Ari (March 5, 2020). "Atlanta United midfielder Emerson Hyndman wins AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 1". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  30. Straus, Brian (February 6, 2020). "MLS, Players Association Agree to New CBA Through 2024". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  31. Tannenwald, Jonathan (February 7, 2020). "New MLS collective bargaining agreement brings big boosts to player salaries, charter travel, free agency". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  32. Cardillo, Julian (December 13, 2019). "MLS announces new format for 2020 SuperDraft". Pro Soccer USA. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  33. "Clemson's Robbie Robinson the No. 1 pick in MLS SuperDraft". USA Today. January 9, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  34. "MLS Allocation Ranking". Major League Soccer. December 27, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  35. "Nashville SC Acquires Allocation Money and SuperDraft Pick". Nashville SC. February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
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