Major League Soccer
FIFA Region
CONCACAF
Season
2020
Location
United States
Abbreviation
USA1

Summary

Major League Soccer (USA1) is currently comprised of 26 clubs, 23 from the United States and 3 from Canada (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver). USA1 expanded to 26 teams for the 2020 season with the addition of Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC and is currently split into the Eastern (14 teams) and Western (12 teams) Conferences. By 2022, USA1 will have 30 total teams with Austin FC and a new team from Charlotte joining in 2021, and Sacramento Republic FC and new team from St. Louis in 2022. At the end of the 2020 regular season, the USA1 teams listed below qualify for the following non-league play:

  • 2021 CONCACAF Champions League (CNCFCL):
    • 2020 USA1 MLS Cup winner
    • 2020 USA1 Supporter's Shield champion (non-champion with most points)
    • 2020 USA1 MLS is Back champion (for 2021 CONCFCL only)
  • 2021 Leagues Cup:
    • 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place 2020 USA1 Eastern Conference teams
    • 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place 2020 USA1 Western Conference teams

Due to COVID-19, the USA1 season was modified to include the MLS is Back tournament. This tournament is a way to gradually bring the regular season USA1 back by enforcing social distancing rules, no fans. All group stage matches will count in the USA1 Regular season standings. After the group stage, qualified teams advance to the "Knockout" portion of the tournament with the Round of 16. All matches will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Orlando, FL). Each team is expected to play 23 league Regular season matches instead of the usual 34.

Leagues Pyramid - United States

Abbrev League # of Teams
USA1 Major League Soccer 26
USA2 USL Championship 35
USA3 USL League One 12

Competition Structure

Season

# of Teams

Regular
29 Feb 2020 - 8 Nov 2020
Playoffs
11 Nov 2020 - 12 Dec 2020
 26: United States (23), Canada (3)

Season Format

Each team currently plays an "unbalanced" schedule of 34 regular season matches, where each team will have Home/Away matches against the 12 other conference teams (24 matches) and 10 matches against 10 of the 13 other conference teams for 34 total league matches. With the United States and Canada being very large countries, the current USA1 schedule cuts down on travel time and puts a premium on building regional rivalries. Conference standings and play-offs also nullifies any advantages/disadvantages that teams in one conference might have over another. Table ranking ties are broken by (1) total wins, (2) goal difference, (3) total goals scored, (4) disciplinary points, (5) away goals difference, (6) away goals scored, (7) home goals scored, (8) home goals difference, then (9) coin toss or a draw.

Playoffs

The 2020 USA1 Playoffs start immediately after the 2020 USA1 Regular season. The Top 7 teams in each conference qualify for the Playoffs. In the 1st Round, from each conference the 2nd place team hosts the 7th place team, the 3rd place team hosts the 6th place team, and the 4th place team hosts the 5th place team in "Knockout" matches. In the 2nd round, the Conference Semifinals, 1st place hosts the lowest seed Knockout match winner and the highest seeded 1st Round winner hosts the remaining 1st Round winner. In each match, if it is still tied after regular time, two 15 minute overtime periods are played. If still tied after the overtime periods, penalty kicks are taken. The 2020 USA1 Cup Final is a single Championship match played at the Home field of the championship finalist with the most points acquired during the 2020 USA1 Regular season.

Relegation

There is no Promotion/Relegation between the USA1 and the USA2.


More Info...


Audi 2020 MLS Cup

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Sat - 12 Dec 2020

Conference Finals

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Sun - 6 Dec 2020
 Columbus Crew 10 New EnglandMAPFRE Stadium
Mon - 7 Dec 2020

Conference Semifinals

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Sun - 29 Nov 2020
 Orlando City SC 13 New EnglandExploria Stadium
 Columbus Crew 20 Nashville SCMAPFRE Stadium
Tue - 1 Dec 2020
 Seattle Sounders 10 FC Dallas Lumen Field
Thu - 3 Dec 2020
 Sporting KC 03 Minnesota UnitedChildren's Mercy Park

Conference Quarterfinals

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Sat - 21 Nov 2020
 Orlando City SC 11 New York CityExploria Stadium
 Orlando City SC advances on PKs (6-5) 
Sun - 22 Nov 2020
 Sporting KC 33 San Jose EarthquakesChildren's Mercy Park
 Sporting KC advances on PKs (3-0) 
 Minnesota United 30 Colorado RapidsAlliannz Field (MN)
 Portland Timbers 11 FC DallasProvidence Park
 FC Dallas advances on PKs (8-7) 
Tue - 24 Nov 2020
 Toronto 01 Nashville SCPratt & Whitney Stadium

Playoffs - Play-in Round

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Fri - 20 Nov 2020
 New England 21 Montreal ImpactGillette Stadium
 Nashville SC 30 Inter Miami CFNissan Stadium

 LeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
EASTERN
1Philadelphia Union 2314 -5-447-4420241110 -1-03127621124 -4-41617143
2Toronto 2313 -5-544-33267127 -3-2241688116 -2-3201718-1
3Orlando City SC 2311 -8-441-402515117 -3-124241212124 -5-31716133
4Columbus Crew 2312 -5-641-3621151110 -0-13022616122 -5-5111415-1
5New York City 2312 -3-839-372512117 -0-421241311125 -3-41813121
6Nashville SC 238 -8-732-24222114 -5-2171495124 -3-5151013-3
7New England 238 -8-732-26251102 -5-3111011-1136 -3-42116142
8New York Red Bull 239 -5-932-2931-2105 -1-41613121134 -4-5161619-3
9Montreal Impact 238 -2-1326-3343-10134 -1-8131621-5104 -1-5131722-5
10Inter Miami CF 237 -3-1324-2535-10105 -2-31714140132 -1-1071121-10
11Chicago Fire 235 -8-1023-3339-6125 -3-41823185110 -5-651021-11
12Atlanta United 236 -4-1322-2330-7134 -2-7141012-2102 -2-681318-5
13DC United 235 -6-1221-2541-16122 -4-6101221-9113 -2-6111320-7
14FC Cincinnati 234 -4-1516-1236-24112 -4-510510-5122 -0-106726-19
WESTERN
1Seattle Sounders 2211 -6-539-442321128 -3-127301020103 -3-41214131
2Sporting KC 2112 -3-639-382513116 -1-41922166106 -2-2201697
3Portland Timbers 2311 -6-639-463511126 -2-42021183115 -4-21925178
4Minnesota United 219 -7-534-36261095 -3-11819910124 -4-41617170
5FC Dallas 229 -7-634-28244127 -4-12521912102 -3-59715-8
6Los Angeles FC 229 -5-832-47398148 -4-22839201981 -1-64819-11
7San Jose Earthquakes 238 -6-930-3551-16114 -5-2171718-1124 -1-7131833-15
8Colorado Rapids 188 -4-628-3228473 -3-11215105115 -1-5161718-1
9Vancouver Whitecaps 239 -0-1427-2744-17116 -0-51821201123 -0-99624-18
10Real Salt Lake 225 -7-1022-2535-10134 -4-5161418-491 -3-561117-6
11LA Galaxy 226 -4-1222-2746-19124 -2-6141623-7102 -2-681123-12
12Houston Dynamo 234 -9-1021-3040-10103 -4-31314122131 -5-781628-12
Playoffs - 1st Round
Playoffs - Play-in Round

MLS is Back! - Final

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Tue - 11 Aug 2020
 Portland Timbers 21 Orlando City SCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

MLS is Back! - Semifinals

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Wed - 5 Aug 2020
 Philadelphia Union 12 Portland TimbersESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Thu - 6 Aug 2020
 Orlando City SC 31 Minnesota UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

MLS is Back! - Quarterfinals

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Thu - 30 Jul 2020
 Philadelphia Union 31 Sporting KCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Fri - 31 Jul 2020
 Orlando City SC 11 Los Angeles FCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Orlando City SC advances on PKs (5-4) 
Sat - 1 Aug 2020
 San Jose Earthquakes 14 Minnesota UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 New York City 13 Portland TimbersESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

MLS is Back! - Round 16

DateHome Status RoadVenue
Sat - 25 Jul 2020
 Orlando City SC 10 Montreal ImpactESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Philadelphia Union 10 New EnglandESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Sun - 26 Jul 2020
 Toronto 13 New York CityESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Sporting KC 11 Vancouver WhitecapsESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Sporting KC advances on PKs (3-1) 
Mon - 27 Jul 2020
 San Jose Earthquakes 52 Real Salt LakeESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Tue - 28 Jul 2020
 Columbus Crew 11 Minnesota UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Minnesota United advances on PKs (5-3) 
Mon - 27 Jul 2020
 Seattle Sounders 14 Los Angeles FCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Tue - 28 Jul 2020
 Portland Timbers 11 FC CincinnatiESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Portland Timbers advance on PKs (4-2) 

MLS is Back! - Group

 Group ALeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1Orlando City SC (USA1)32 -1-07-63311 -0-0321121 -1-04422
2Philadelphia Union (USA1)32 -1-07-42221 -1-0432111 -0-03101
3New York City (USA1)31 -0-23-24-220 -0-2014-311 -0-03101
4Inter Miami CF (USA1)30 -0-30-25-310 -0-1001-120 -0-2024-2
Round of 16
DateHome Status RoadVenue
08.07.20Orlando City SC 21 Inter Miami CFESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
09.07.20New York City 01 Philadelphia UnionESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
14.07.20New York City 13 Orlando City SCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Philadelphia Union 21 Inter Miami CFESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
20.07.20Inter Miami CF 01 New York CityESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Philadelphia Union 11 Orlando City SCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Group BLeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1San Jose Earthquakes (USA1)32 -1-07-63300 -0-0000032 -1-07633
2Seattle Sounders (USA1)31 -1-14-42221 -1-0430310 -0-1012-1
3Vancouver Whitecaps (USA1)31 -0-23-57-210 -0-1034-121 -0-1323-1
4Chicago Fire (USA1)31 -0-23-25-331 -0-2325-300 -0-00000
Round of 16
DateHome Status RoadVenue
10.07.20Seattle Sounders 00 San Jose EarthquakesESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
14.07.20Chicago Fire 21 Seattle SoundersESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
15.07.20Vancouver Whitecaps 34 San Jose EarthquakesESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
19.07.20Chicago Fire 02 San Jose EarthquakesESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Seattle Sounders 30 Vancouver WhitecapsESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
23.07.20Chicago Fire 02 Vancouver WhitecapsESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Group CLeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1Toronto (USA1)31 -2-05-65120 -2-0222011 -0-03431
2New England (USA1)31 -2-05-21100 -0-0000031 -2-05211
3Montreal Impact (USA1)31 -0-23-45-131 -0-2345-100 -0-00000
4DC United (USA1)30 -2-12-34-110 -1-0111020 -1-1123-1
Round of 16
DateHome Status RoadVenue
09.07.20Montreal Impact 01 New EnglandESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
13.07.20Toronto 22 DC UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
16.07.20Montreal Impact 34 TorontoESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
17.07.20DC United 11 New EnglandESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
21.07.20Toronto 00 New EnglandESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Montreal Impact 10 DC UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Group DLeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1Sporting KC (USA1)32 -0-16-64221 -0-1344011 -0-03202
2Minnesota United (USA1)31 -2-05-43100 -0-0000031 -2-05431
3Real Salt Lake (USA1)31 -1-14-22031 -1-1422000 -0-00000
4Colorado Rapids (USA1)30 -1-21-47-310 -1-0122020 -0-2025-3
Round of 16
DateHome Status RoadVenue
12.07.20Sporting KC 12 Minnesota UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Real Salt Lake 20 Colorado RapidsESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
17.07.20Sporting KC 32 Colorado RapidsESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Real Salt Lake 00 Minnesota UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
22.07.20Real Salt Lake 02 Sporting KCESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Colorado Rapids 22 Minnesota UnitedESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Group ELeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1Columbus Crew (USA1)33 -0-09-70711 -0-0320222 -0-06505
2FC Cincinnati (USA1)32 -0-16-34-121 -0-1324-211 -0-03101
3New York Red Bull (USA1)31 -0-23-14-300 -0-0000031 -0-2314-3
4Atlanta United (USA1)30 -0-30-03-330 -0-3003-300 -0-00000
Round of 16
DateHome Status RoadVenue
11.07.20Atlanta United 01 New York Red BullESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 FC Cincinnati 04 Columbus CrewESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
16.07.20Atlanta United 01 FC CincinnatiESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Columbus Crew 20 New York Red BullESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
21.07.20Atlanta United 01 Columbus CrewESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
22.07.20FC Cincinnati 20 New York Red BullESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Group FLeagueHomeRoad
POSMPW - D - LPTSCPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGDMPW - D - LPTSGFGAGD
1Portland Timbers (USA1)32 -1-07-64211 -0-0321121 -1-04431
2Los Angeles FC (USA1)31 -2-05-117431 -2-05117400 -0-00000
3Houston Dynamo (USA1)30 -2-12-56-100 -0-0000030 -2-1256-1
4LA Galaxy (USA1)30 -1-21-49-520 -1-1123-110 -0-1026-4
Round of 16
DateHome Status RoadVenue
13.07.20Los Angeles FC 33 Houston DynamoESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 LA Galaxy 12 Portland TimbersESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
18.07.20Portland Timbers 21 Houston DynamoESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Los Angeles FC 62 LA GalaxyESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
23.07.20LA Galaxy 11 Houston DynamoESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
 Los Angeles FC 22 Portland TimbersESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Results

Sun - 8 Nov 2020
 Vancouver Whitecaps 30 LA GalaxyProvidence Park
 Real Salt Lake 02 Sporting KCRio Tinto Stadium
 Minnesota United 30 FC DallasAlliannz Field (MN)
 Los Angeles FC 11 Portland TimbersBanc of California Stadium
 Orlando City SC 23 Nashville SCExploria Stadium
 New York Red Bull 21 TorontoRed Bull Arena (Harrison)
 Inter Miami CF 21 FC CincinnatiInter Miami CF Stadium
 DC United 23 Montreal ImpactAudi Field (DC)
 Columbus Crew 21 Atlanta UnitedMAPFRE Stadium
 Chicago Fire 34 New York CitySoldier Field
Wed - 4 Nov 2020
 LA Galaxy 11 Seattle SoundersDignity Health Sports Park
 San Jose Earthquakes 32 Los Angeles FCEarthquakes Stadium
 Nashville SC 01 FC DallasNissan Stadium
 Minnesota United 22 Chicago FireAlliannz Field (MN)
 Orlando City SC 21 Columbus CrewExploria Stadium
Sun - 1 Nov 2020
 LA Galaxy 21 Real Salt LakeDignity Health Sports Park