What are the rules and format of the MLS regular season?

Regular Season Schedule

The MLS regular season typically begins in late February or early March and concludes in late October. Each team plays 34 total matches throughout the season. Teams play against other clubs in their own conference and also face teams from the opposite conference, creating a balanced schedule that determines playoff seeding.

Points and Standings

Teams earn points based on match results: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie or draw, and 0 points for a loss. Teams are ranked in the standings by total points accumulated throughout the season. When teams have equal points, tiebreaker rules such as goal difference and goals scored determine their ranking.

Conference Structure

MLS is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference has roughly equal numbers of teams. Teams primarily compete within their conference but also play teams from the opposite conference to ensure a well-rounded regular season.

Playoff Qualification

The top teams from each conference qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The exact number of teams that make the playoffs can vary but typically includes around 50 percent of the league's teams. The playoff tournament determines the champion and runs after the regular season concludes in October and November.

Match Rules

Each match lasts 90 minutes of regular play divided into two 45-minute halves, plus additional injury time added by the referee. If a match ends in a tie during the regular season, both teams receive 1 point each. Matches are won by the team that scores the most goals during regulation time.