Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The league has undergone significant expansion in recent years, with the addition of new teams and changes to its structure. One question that soccer fans often ask is, “How many games are in a MLS season?”
The answer to this question is straightforward: each team in the MLS plays 34 games during the regular season. These games are split evenly between home and away matches, with each team playing 17 games at their home stadium and 17 games on the road. The regular season typically runs from March to October, with the playoffs and MLS Cup championship game taking place in November and December.
The 34-game regular season format has been in place since 2011, when the league expanded to 18 teams. Since then, the league has continued to grow, with new teams added almost every year. As of the 2023 season, there are 29 teams in the MLS, with 26 based in the United States and three in Canada. Despite this expansion, the league has maintained its 34-game schedule, with each team playing a balanced schedule against its conference opponents and a selection of non-conference opponents.
MLS Regular Season
The MLS Regular Season is the main part of the Major League Soccer competition, where all 27 teams play against each other. The regular season determines which teams qualify for the playoffs and ultimately, the MLS Cup. The regular season typically starts in March and ends in November, with each team playing a total of 34 games.
Each team plays 17 home games and 17 away games, with 3 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. The team with the most points at the end of the regular season is awarded the Supporters’ Shield, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in MLS.
The MLS has two conferences, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, with 14 teams in the former and 13 teams in the latter. The conferences are further divided into four divisions, with each team playing a total of 24 games against their conference opponents, and 10 games against teams from the other conference.
The MLS regular season schedule is announced a few months before the start of the season, and it is subject to change due to factors such as weather, stadium availability, and broadcasting rights. The schedule usually includes games on weekends and some weekdays, with occasional breaks for international tournaments or other events.
In recent years, the MLS has seen significant growth in popularity and competitiveness, with more teams joining the league and more fans tuning in to watch the games. The regular season is a crucial part of this growth, providing an exciting and challenging competition that showcases some of the best soccer talent in North America.
MLS Playoffs
The MLS playoffs are an exciting time for soccer fans across North America. After a grueling regular season, the top teams from each conference battle it out in a single-elimination tournament to determine the MLS Cup champion.
In the 2023 season, the playoff format was changed to include nine teams from each conference, with seeds 1-4 earning a first-round bye. The remaining five teams from each conference play in a Wild Card round, with the winners advancing to the Conference Semifinals.
The Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals are both two-legged affairs, with the team with the higher seed hosting the second leg. The winners of the Conference Finals then face off in the MLS Cup Final, which is played at a neutral site.
The playoff schedule is as follows:
| Round | Dates |
|---|---|
| Wild Card | Oct. 25-26 |
| Conference Semifinals | Oct. 28-Nov. 5 |
| Conference Finals | Nov. 8-19 |
| MLS Cup Final | Nov. 25 |
It’s worth noting that the MLS playoffs are a high-stakes affair, with every game potentially being the last of a team’s season. As a result, the intensity and drama of the playoffs are unmatched in the MLS regular season.
Impact of Season Structure on Teams
The number of games in an MLS season has a significant impact on the teams. With 34 games in a season, each team has to play against all the teams in their respective conference twice, once at home and once away, and an additional eight matches against teams in the other conference. This structure ensures that each team has a fair chance to compete against all the other teams in the league.
The season structure also affects how teams prepare for the playoffs. The team that accrues the most regular-season points across both conferences is awarded the Supporters’ Shield, which is considered a significant achievement. Teams that finish in the top seven positions in each conference qualify for the playoffs, which is a knockout tournament that culminates in the MLS Cup final.
The number of games in a season also affects the team’s travel schedule. With teams spread across North America, traveling can be a significant challenge. The MLS tries to minimize the impact of travel on teams by scheduling games in clusters, where teams play multiple games in a region before moving to another region. This helps reduce the amount of time teams spend traveling and allows them to focus on their performance on the field.
Comparison with Other Soccer Leagues
MLS is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. While it may not have the same level of prestige as European leagues like the English Premier League or La Liga, MLS has been steadily growing in popularity and competitiveness over the years.
One of the ways in which MLS differs from other leagues is the number of games in a season. As previously mentioned, each team in MLS plays 34 regular season games. This is significantly fewer than the number of games played by teams in European leagues, which can range from 38 to 46 games per season.
However, it’s important to note that the structure of MLS is different from that of European leagues. For example, MLS has a playoff system at the end of the regular season, while many European leagues do not. Additionally, MLS teams often have to travel long distances for away games, which can be a challenge both physically and mentally.
Despite these differences, MLS has been making strides in recent years to improve its competitiveness and attract top talent from around the world. In fact, according to ESPN, MLS is currently ranked 10th in the world in attendance for all soccer leagues, with an average of 17,872 fans per game. This is higher than the attendance for the second tier of English football, the Championship.
My Opinion on how many games are in a MLS season
MLS season comprises of regular season and playoffs. The regular season usually starts in late February and runs through October, with each team playing 34 games. The regular season format has all teams playing 17 home games and 17 away games, with every team playing teams in their conference twice. This means that each team plays 12 games against teams in their own conference and 22 games against teams from the other conference.
In the playoffs, the top seven teams from each conference qualify for the postseason, with the top seed in each conference receiving a first-round bye. The playoffs usually begin in November and run through December, with the MLS Cup final taking place in the first week of December.
In general, the number of games in an MLS season seems appropriate. With 34 games in the regular season, each team has ample opportunity to compete against other teams and showcase their skills. Additionally, the playoffs provide an exciting end to the season, with the top teams from each conference battling it out for the MLS Cup.
It is worth noting that the number of games in the MLS season has changed over the years. In the past, the regular season consisted of 30 games, but this was increased to 34 games in 2011. This change was made to allow for more games against teams from the other conference and to reduce the number of midweek games.
Overall, the current structure of the MLS season seems to strike a good balance between providing enough games for each team to compete and showcasing the top teams in the playoffs.
FAQ
How many MLS games before playoffs?
MLS teams play 34 regular-season games before playoffs. Each team plays 17 home games and 17 away games. During the regular season, each team plays two games against each of their conference opponents and one game against eight non-conference opponents.
How many months does MLS season last?
The MLS season typically starts in late February or early March and ends in late October or early November. The regular season lasts for approximately eight months, with playoffs extending the season by another month.
How many games are in MLS Season 2024?
As of now, the MLS has not announced the number of games for the 2024 season. However, the league has traditionally played 34 regular-season games since 2011. It is expected that the 2024 season will follow the same format.
MLS games are typically played on Saturdays, with select games on Wednesdays. The MLS Season Pass offers a five-hour pregame show and live coverage of all games throughout the season. Fans can plan their soccer season with TickPick, the official ticket seller for MLS games.
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