2020 Major League Soccer season

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.

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 →

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

Stadiums and locations
Main article: List of Major League Soccer stadiums
  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

Note: All teams use Adidas as kit manufacturer.

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

Regular season

Format

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.[31] 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.[31] The 2020 season was the first MLS season in which each team did not play every other team at least once.[31]

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.[32] 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.[32][33]

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.[34]

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."[35] However, following backlash from members across the MLS community, on October 23 the foundation reversed the decision and reinstated the Shield.[36]

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.[37][38][39]

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][32] 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.[40]

Eastern Conference
Main article: Eastern Conference (MLS)
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[lower-alpha 1]
2 Toronto FC[lower-alpha 2] 23 13 5 5 33 26 +7 44 1.91 Qualification for the Playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 3]
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[lower-alpha 4]
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[lower-alpha 5] 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[lower-alpha 2] 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[lower-alpha 6]
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
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. 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.[41]
  6. As 2019 U.S. Open Cup champions

Western Conference
Main article: Western Conference (MLS)
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[lower-alpha 1]
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[lower-alpha 2] 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
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

The leading team in this table wins the Supporters' Shield.[42]

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[lower-alpha 1]
2 Toronto FC (V) 23 13 5 5 33 26 +7 44 1.91 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 2]
3 Sporting Kansas City 21 12 6 3 38 25 +13 39 1.86 2021 Leagues Cup[lower-alpha 3]
4 Columbus Crew SC (C) 23 12 6 5 36 21 +15 41 1.78 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 4]
5 Orlando City SC 23 11 4 8 40 25 +15 41 1.78 2021 Leagues Cup[lower-alpha 5]
6 Seattle Sounders FC 22 11 5 6 44 23 +21 39 1.77 2021 Leagues Cup[lower-alpha 6]
7 New York City FC 23 12 8 3 37 25 +12 39 1.70 2021 Leagues Cup[lower-alpha 7]
8 Portland Timbers (M) 23 11 6 6 46 35 +11 39 1.70 2021 CONCACAF Champions League[lower-alpha 8]
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[lower-alpha 9]
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
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
Color key: Home  • Away  • Neutral • Win  • Loss  • Draw  • Canceled
ClubMatch
1234567891011121314151617181920212223
Atlanta United FC
(ATL)		NSHCINNYCINCLBNSHORLMIAORLMIANSHMIADALCHIDCORLNYMIATORDCORLCINCLB
2–12–10–10–10–12–01–30–01–11–22–41–21–00–24–00–00–11–10–11–21–42–01–2
Chicago Fire FC
(CHI)		SEANESEASJVANCLBCINNYCCINNECLBORLHOUATLMTLSKCDCSKCNYPHINSHMINNYC
1–21–12–10–20–20–33–01–30–01–22–21–44–02–02–20–12–12–22–21–21–12–23–4
FC Cincinnati
(CIN)		NYATLCLBATLNYDCCHICLBCHICLBNYCNYPHINYCMINPHITORCLBDCMINSKCATLMIA
2–31–20–41–02–00–00–30–00–00–31–21–00–00–40–20–30–12–11–20–10–10–21–2
Colorado Rapids
(COL)		DCORLRSLSKCMINRSLSKCSJHOURSLDALLASJLFCLASEARSLSKCSKCMINSEAPORHOU
2–12–10–22–32–21–41–11–11–15–01–42–05–0CANCANCANCANCAN0–41–23–11–02–1
Columbus Crew SC
(CLB)		NYCSEACINNYATLCHINYCCINPHICINCHINSHMINTORDALMTLCINNYCHOUDCPHIORLATL
1–01–14–02–01–03–00–10–01–03–02–22–02–11–32–21–21–23–11–10–12–11–22–1
FC Dallas
(DAL)		PHIMTLNSHNSHHOUMINSKCMINHOUCOLSKCATLORLCLBHOUMINSKCNSHRSLMIAHOUNSHMIN
2–02–20–10–00–03–11–12–32–14–13–20–10–02–20–2CAN1–00–30–02–13–01–00–3
D.C. United
(DC)		COLMIATORNEMTLCINNEPHINYNYCNYTORNSHNEATLNYCCHIPHICINATLCLBNEMTL
1–22–12–21–10–10–01–21–41–00–00–22–20–10–20–41–41–22–22–12–11–03–42–3
Houston Dynamo FC
(HOU)		LASKCLFCPORLADALSKCMINSKCCOLDALMINCHINSHSKCDALMIANSHMINCLBLFCDALCOL
1–10–43–31–21–10–05–23–02–11–11–22–20–41–11–22–00–11–32–21–11–20–31–2
Los Angeles FC
(LFC)		MIAPHIHOULAPORLASEASJLARSLPORSEAVANSJRSLCOLSEAVANPORLAHOUSJPOR
1–03–33–36–22–20–21–35–10–30–34–20–36–01–23–1CAN3–11–21–12–02–12–31–1
LA Galaxy
(LA)		HOUVANPORLFCHOULFCSJPORLFCSJCOLRSLSEASJPORCOLSJVANLFCPORRSLSEAVAN
1–10–11–22–61–12–03–23–23–00–00–20–21–31–23–6CAN0–41–00–22–52–11–10–3
Inter Miami CF
(MIA)		LFCDCORLPHINYCORLNSHATLNSHATLORLATLNYPHINYCNYHOUATLMTLORLDALTORCIN
0–11–21–21–20–13–20–10–00–02–11–22–11–40–32–32–11–01–11–22–11–21–22–1
Minnesota United FC
(MIN)		PORSJSKCRSLCOLSKCDALHOURSLDALSKCHOUCLBRSLCINNSHDALHOUCINCOLSKCCHIDAL
3–15–22–10–02–21–21–30–34–03–20–12–21–20–02–00–0CAN2–21–02–1CAN2–23–0
Montreal Impact
(MTL)		NEDALNETORDCVANTORTORTORVANVANPHINENYCHICLBPHINEMIANYCNSHORLDC
2–12–20–13–41–02–00–11–01–24–21–31–41–31–42–22–11–22–32–11–30–10–13–2
Nashville SC
(NSH)		ATLPORDALDALATLORLMIAORLMIAATLCLBDCHOUNEMINSKCHOUDALNEMTLCHIDALORL
1–20–11–00–00–21–31–01–10–04–20–21–01–10–00–01–23–13–01–11–01–10–13–2
New England Revolution
(NE)		MTLCHIMTLDCTORPHIDCNYNYCCHIPHINYCMTLDCNSHTORNYCMTLPHINSHNYDCPHI
1–21–11–01–10–00–02–11–10–22–11–20–03–12–00–00–12–13–21–21–10–14–30–2
New York City FC
(NYC)		CLBTORPHIORLMIANYCLBCHINEDCCINNETORCINMIADCNEORLCLBMTLTORNYCHI
0–10–10–11–31–00–11–03–12–00–02–10–00–14–03–24–11–21–11–33–11–05−24–3
New York Red Bulls
(NY)		CINRSLATLCLBCINNYCPHINEDCPHIDCCINMIAMTLORLMIAATLTORORLCHINENYCTOR
3–21–11–00–20–21–00–11–10–10–32–00–14–14–11–31–21–01–11–12–21–02–52–1
Orlando City SC
(ORL)		RSLCOLMIANYCPHIMIANSHATLNSHATLMIACHISKCDALNYATLNYCNYMIAATLMTLCLBNSH
0–01–22–13–11–12–33–13–11–11–12–14–12–10–03–10–01–11–11–24–11–02–12–3
Philadelphia Union
(PHI)		DALLFCNYCMIAORLNENYDCCLBNYNEMTLCINMIATORCINMTLDCNETORCHICLBNE
0–23–31–02–11–10–01–04–10–13–02–14–10–03–01–23–02–12–22–15–02–11–22–0
Portland Timbers
(POR)		MINNSHLAHOULFCSEARSLLASEALFCSJSJSEAVANLASJRSLLFCSEALAVANCOLLFC
1–31–02–12–12–20–34–42–32–12–41–16–11–01–06–33–01–21–11–15–21–00–11–1
Real Salt Lake
(RSL)		ORLNYCOLMINSKCCOLPORSEAMINLFCCOLVANLAMINLFCSEAVANPORCOLDALSJLASKC
0–01–12–00–00–24–14–42–20–43–00–51–22–00–01–31–21–22–1CAN0–00–21–20–2
San Jose Earthquakes
(SJ)		TORMINSEAVANCHILALFCCOLSEALAPORPORCOLLFCLAVANPORLASEAVANRSLLFCSEA
2–22–50–04–32–02–31–51–11–70–01–11–60–52–12–13–00–34–00–01–22–03–21–4
Seattle Sounders FC
(SEA)		CHICLBSJCHIVANPORLFCRSLPORSJLFCPORLAVANRSLLFCCOLSJPORVANCOLLASJ
2–11–10–01–23–03–03–12–21–27–13–00–13–13–12–11–3CAN0–01–12–01–31–14–1
Sporting Kansas City
(SKC)		VANHOUMINCOLRSLMINHOUDALHOUMINDALORLCOLHOUCHINSHDALCHICOLCOLCINMINRSL
3–14–01–23–22–02–12–51–11–11–21–02–31–22–11–02–10–12–2CAN4–01–0CAN2–0
Toronto FC
(TOR)		SJNYCDCMTLNEVANVANMTLMTLVANMTLDCNYCCLBPHINECINNYATLPHINYCMIANY
2–21–02–24–30–03–01–01–00–12–32–12–21–03–12–11–01–01–11–00–50–12–11–2
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
(VAN)		SKCLASJSEACHITORTORMTLTORMTLMTLRSLLFCPORSEASJRSLLFCLASJSEAPORLA
1–31–03–40–32–00–30–10–23–22–43–12–10–60–11–30–32–12–10–12–10–20–13–0

Playoffs
Main article: 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs
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
See also: Major League Soccer attendance

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.[43]

Average home attendances
As of November 8, 2020[44]

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

Pos. Team GP Cumulative High Low Mean
1Atlanta United FC381,58069,3016,13027,193
2Nashville SC677,55259,0693,47812,925
3Seattle Sounders FC273,20640,12633,08036,603
4FC Dallas1055,27416,2192225,527
5Portland Timbers250,73625,51825,21825,368
6Real Salt Lake948,01218,0932,7705,335
7Los Angeles FC244,23322,12122,11222,117
8D.C. United234,11517,18316,93217,058
9Houston Dynamo FC734,00322,0391,3284,858
10San Jose Earthquakes230,22318,00012,22315,112
11Orlando City SC228,53025,5273,00314,265
12Toronto FC227,56526,1711,39413,783
13LA Galaxy126,38226,38226,38226,382
14Columbus Crew SC726,32917,4731,5003,761
15Vancouver Whitecaps FC122,12022,12022,12022,120
16Montreal Impact421,50621,0062505,439
17Sporting Kansas City121,18821,18821,18821,188
18New York Red Bulls115,70315,70315,70315,703
19New England Revolution115,28915,28915,28915,289
20Colorado Rapids113,06213,06213,06213,062
21Philadelphia Union12,7752,7752,7752,775
22Inter Miami CF12,2162,2162,2162,216
23Chicago Fire FC00000
24FC Cincinnati00000
25Minnesota United FC00000
26New York City FC00000
 –Total68751,59969,30122214,913

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

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, 20202CenturyLink Field
5LA 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

COVID-19 restrictions

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
See also: Major League Soccer § Player records

Shutouts
Rank Player Club Shutouts[47]
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

Hat-tricks
Main article: List of Major League Soccer hat-tricks
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

4 Scored 4 goals

Awards

Player of the Month
Main article: MLS Player of the Month
Month Player Club Stats Ref
August United States Daryl Dike Orlando City SC 5 GP, 6 G, 2 A [48]
September Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC 6 GP, 4 G, 2 A [49]
October & November Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC 8 GP, 6 G, 3 A [50]

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

Goal of the Week

End-of-season awards
Award Winner (club) Ref
Most Valuable Player Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) [114]
Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) [115]
Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union) [116]
Coach of the Year Jim Curtin (Philadelphia Union) [117]
Young Player of the Year[118] Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC) [119]
Newcomer of the Year Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew SC) [120]
Comeback Player of the Year Bradley Wright-Phillips (Los Angeles FC) [121]
Golden Boot Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC) [122]
Humanitarian of the Year Black Players for Change (Various) [123]
Referee of the Year Ismail Elfath [124]
Assistant Referee of the Year Kathryn Nesbitt [125]
Goal of the Year Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew SC) [126]
Save of the Year Eloy Room (Columbus Crew SC) [127]

MLS Best XI
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		 [128]

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.[129] The primary issues negotiated were increased player spending, expanded free agency, and more charter travel.[129]

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.[129][130] The league also reduced Targeted Allocation Money by redistributing it into General Allocation Money.[129] In addition, the players would earn a share in any increases in the league's new media deal in 2023.[129]

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.[130] 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.[130] Each MLS team was also required to charter flights for all MLS Cup Playoffs matches and CONCACAF Champions League matches.[130]

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.[131] 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.[131] The third and fourth rounds were held via conference call on January 13.[131]

Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, as expansion clubs, held the first two spots in the SuperDraft.[131] Clemson Tigers forward Robbie Robinson was selected with the first-overall pick by Inter Miami.[132]

Allocation ranking

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.[133]

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
241 Los Angeles FC[A][134]
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 FC
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][134]
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 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,[135] after their opening match was initially postponed.[136] On July 9, Nashville SC were also withdrawn from the tournament after nine players of the club tested positive for the virus,[137] after their opening match was initially postponed.[138]

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
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
(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
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
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
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
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

Knockout
 
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

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