2020 Major League Soccer season

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

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

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

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

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

Teams[edit]

Stadiums and locations[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Orlando City SC Republic of Ireland James O'Connor Fired October 7, 2019[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[edit]

Format[edit]

The 2020 regular season began on February 29, 2020, and was originally scheduled to conclude on October 4.[1] The league was originally divided into two conferences of 13 teams, with each playing a 34-game schedule with 17 each of home and away matches.[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] Only two weeks of the original format were played before the COVID-19 pandemic put the season on hold.

The MLS is Back Tournament introduced three regular season matches in the group stage and the knockout stage that did not count towards regular season standings. After the tournament, the "first phase" of the regular schedule restart had teams playing in their home markets against only conference opponents for six matches with the intent of finishing a 23-match season. Some teams were allowed to play in front of a limited audience of spectators.[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]

Conference standings[edit]

Eastern Conference[edit]

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

Western Conference[edit]

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[a]
4 Minnesota United FC 21 9 5 7 36 26 +10 34 1.62 Qualification for the Playoffs first round
5 Colorado Rapids 18 8 6 4 32 28 +4 28 1.56
6 FC Dallas 22 9 6 7 28 24 +4 34 1.55
7 Los Angeles FC 22 9 8 5 47 39 +8 32 1.45
8 San Jose Earthquakes 23 8 9 6 35 51 −16 30 1.30
9 Vancouver Whitecaps FC[b] 23 9 14 0 27 44 −17 27 1.17
10 LA Galaxy 22 6 12 4 27 46 −19 22 1.00
11 Real Salt Lake 22 5 10 7 25 35 −10 22 1.00
12 Houston Dynamo 23 4 10 9 30 40 −10 21 0.91
Source: MLS[42]
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total wins per match played; 3) total goal differential per match played; 4) total goals scored per match played; 5) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 7) away goals scored per away match played; 8) home goal differential per home match played; 9) home goals scored per home match played; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Notes:
  1. ^ As MLS is Back Tournament winners
  2. ^ Canadian clubs could not qualify for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.

Overall table[edit]

The leading team in this table wins the Supporters' Shield.[43]

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

Fixtures and results[edit]

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

Playoffs[edit]

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[edit]

See also: Major League Soccer attendance
No fans were allowed into FC Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium during 2020 home matches.

Due to the pandemic, some games early in the season were played with low attendance, and games later in the season were played without fans, or with artificially reduced attendance. Individual teams could set their own attendance limits based on their local, regional and state regulations during the pandemic.[45]

Average home attendances[edit]

As of November 8, 2020[46]

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

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

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

Highest attendances[edit]

Regular season

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

COVID-19 restrictions[edit]

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

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

Player statistics[edit]

See also: Major League Soccer § Player records

Shutouts[edit]

Rank Player Club Shutouts[49]
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[edit]

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[edit]

Player of the Month[edit]

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 [50]
September Spain Alejandro Pozuelo Toronto FC 6 GP, 4 G, 2 A [51]
October & November Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC 8 GP, 6 G, 3 A [52]

Player / Team of the Week[edit]

  • Bold denotes League Player of the Week.