What Is 2017 Major League Soccer season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Major League Soccer season ran from March 3 to December 9, 2017, featuring 22 teams and culminating in Toronto FC winning the MLS Cup 2–0 over Seattle Sounders FC. Toronto also secured the Supporters' Shield with a league-best 69 points.

Key Facts

The 2017 MLS season began on March 3 and ended on October 22, with playoffs extending to December 9.
Toronto FC won the MLS Cup, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2–0 in the final.
Toronto FC became the first MLS team to win the domestic treble: MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, and Canadian Championship.
The league expanded to 22 teams, with Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC as new expansion sides.
Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC led the league with 28 goals, winning the Golden Boot.

Overview

The 2017 Major League Soccer season marked the league’s 22nd year and featured a record 22 teams, including two expansion clubs. The regular season spanned from March 3 to October 22, followed by a postseason that concluded with the MLS Cup final on December 9.

Toronto FC made history by completing the first domestic treble in MLS history, capturing the Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup, and Canadian Championship. The season was notable for high-scoring performances, expansion growth, and record attendance driven by new markets and star players.

Expansion growth:Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC joined as expansion teams, increasing the league to 22 teams and expanding the Eastern Conference footprint.
Regular season structure: Each team played 34 games, with 17 home and 17 away matches, under a balanced schedule to ensure competitive fairness across conferences.
Playoff format: The top six teams from each conference qualified, totaling 12 teams, with single-elimination knockout rounds leading to the MLS Cup final.
Attendance records:Atlanta United FC set a new single-game attendance record with 70,479 fans at their home opener, highlighting growing fan engagement in new markets.
Historic achievement:Toronto FC became the first team in MLS history to win the domestic treble, capturing the Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup, and Canadian Championship in one season.

How It Works

The 2017 MLS season operated under a unique structure combining regular-season performance with a postseason tournament to determine the league champion. This hybrid model balances consistency and playoff excitement.

Regular Season Points:Teams earned 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw, with the team accumulating the most points winning the Supporters' Shield and home-field advantage in playoffs.
Conference Alignment: The league was split into Eastern and Western Conferences, each with 11 teams, determining playoff qualification and scheduling logistics.
Playoff Qualification: The top six teams from each conference advanced to the postseason, allowing more teams to remain competitive late into the season.
Single-Elimination Format: All playoff rounds were winner-takes-all, increasing stakes and drama, with away goals not counting double, unlike previous years.
MLS Cup Final: The championship match was hosted by the higher-seeded team, with Toronto FC earning the right by finishing first in the regular season.
Player Awards: Individual honors like the Golden Boot and MVP were awarded based on regular-season performance, with Sebastian Giovinco leading in goals.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 MLS season compared to previous years in key performance and structural metrics:

Season	Teams	Regular Season Games	MLS Cup Winner	Attendance Avg
2015	20	34	Portland Timbers	21,608
2016	20	34	Seattle Sounders FC	21,912
2017	22	34	Toronto FC	22,112
2018	23	34	Atlanta United FC	21,994
2019	24	34	Seattle Sounders FC	21,804

The 2017 season stood out due to the addition of two expansion teams and Toronto FC’s unprecedented treble. While average attendance slightly increased, the real story was the competitive balance and record-breaking performances from top teams, setting the stage for future expansion and parity.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a turning point for MLS in terms of competitive depth, fan engagement, and league credibility. It demonstrated that expansion could coexist with excellence, as new teams like Atlanta United immediately drew massive crowds and performed well.

Expansion success:Atlanta United FC averaged over 53,000 fans per game, proving MLS could thrive in non-traditional soccer markets with strong branding and investment.
Competitive balance: The playoff expansion to 12 teams kept more clubs in contention, increasing excitement and viewership throughout the season.
Historic performances:Sebastian Giovinco scored 28 goals, the highest in the league, showcasing the growing quality of international talent in MLS.
Global recognition: Toronto FC’s treble elevated the league’s profile internationally, drawing attention from European media and scouts.
Attendance growth: The league’s average attendance rose to 22,112, continuing a decade-long upward trend and surpassing NHL averages in several cities.
Playoff drama: The single-elimination format produced memorable upsets, including Toronto’s dominant 3–0 semifinal win over Columbus Crew SC.

The 2017 season not only delivered thrilling soccer but also signaled MLS’s maturation as a sustainable, competitive, and commercially viable league in North America.