What Is 2019 Major League Soccer season

Overview

The 2019 Major League Soccer season marked the 24th season of the top-tier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It featured a record 24 teams, including expansion side FC Cincinnati, and spanned from March 2 to November 10, with the regular season followed by playoffs leading to MLS Cup.

The season showcased historic performances, including record-breaking point totals and high-attendance matches. Expansion and growing fan interest continued to shape the league’s competitive landscape, setting new benchmarks for attendance, scoring, and team performance.

• Regular season duration: The 2019 MLS regular season began on March 2 and concluded on November 10, covering 34 matchdays.
• League size: A total of 24 teams competed, with FC Cincinnati joining as the newest expansion team.
• MLS Cup champion:Seattle Sounders FC won the championship by defeating Toronto FC 3–1 at CenturyLink Field.
• Best regular season:Atlanta United earned 70 points, the highest total in MLS history at the time.
• Attendance leader: Atlanta United also led the league in attendance, averaging over 50,000 fans per game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

How It Works

The 2019 MLS season followed a conference-based regular season format, followed by a playoff tournament to determine the league champion. Teams competed for the Supporters' Shield and playoff qualification based on points accumulated from wins and draws.

• Regular season structure: Each team played 34 matches, primarily within their conference, though inter-conference games were included.
• Points system: Teams earned 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss, with standings determined by total points.
• Supporters' Shield: Awarded to the team with the best regular season record; won by Los Angeles FC with 72 points.
• Playoff qualification: The top seven teams from each conference qualified for the postseason knockout stage.
• MLS Cup format: The final was a single-elimination match hosted by the higher-seeded team, held on November 10, 2019.
• Expansion impact:FC Cincinnati joined as the 24th team but finished last overall, winning only 6 games in their inaugural season.

Comparison at a Glance

Key metrics from the 2019 MLS season compared across top-performing teams:

The table highlights how regular season success did not always translate to playoff dominance. While LAFC had the best record, they were eliminated before the final, whereas Seattle, with fewer points, won the title through strong postseason performance. Attendance varied widely, reflecting regional fan engagement and stadium capacity.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was pivotal in MLS history, showcasing the league’s growth in competitiveness, fan support, and national relevance. Record-breaking performances and expansion signaled MLS’s continued development as a major North American sports league.

• Historic point totals: LAFC’s 72 points set a new benchmark, surpassing previous records and highlighting offensive dominance.
• Attendance growth: League-wide average attendance exceeded 21,000 per game, demonstrating increasing popularity.
• Expansion momentum: FC Cincinnati’s debut paved the way for future teams like Inter Miami and Nashville SC in 2020.
• Competitive balance: Despite dominance by top teams, 14 different teams made the playoffs over the previous five seasons.
• Global attention: High-profile players like Zlatan Ibrahimović boosted international visibility for MLS.
• Development pathway: The season emphasized youth development, with Homegrown Players appearing in over 30% of games.

The 2019 season underscored MLS’s evolving identity—balancing parity, growth, and entertainment value while laying the foundation for future expansion and success.