The MLS features a very unique layout that is very different and potentially confusing for British and European fans of the sport. There are only a handful of other leagues across the globe that use a similar structure.
If you want to broaden your knowledge of world football or try to find new leagues to add to your matched betting strategy, then you’re in the right place, as we will be covering everything you need to know about the MLS and its structure.
History
The MLS started in 1996 after the success of the 1994 World Cup but was first founded in 1993 off the back of the successful bid to host the prestigious event. The league’s format has always remained the same, taking on a unique structure that isn’t common in Europe or any of the major leagues. Furthermore, the US took a different approach to the sport, initially focusing more on entertainment value rather than the quality and importance of history. Over time, the league has been known for taking on former European big-name players heading towards the twilight of their careers and shocking the world with their own unique style of penalties, known widely as ‘MLS Penalties’ – which was then scrapped heading into the new Millenium.
Conference Format
The MLS has two conference leagues, the Eastern and Western Conference, consisting of 15 teams in each league. Each team plays 34 games, which may sound slightly odd to European football fans, with only 15 teams in the league. The reason for this is you aren’t actually guaranteed to play every team in your conference.
Games are based on scheduling, so teams may play a team more than just once at home and once away. Teams also get to play one home and one away game against a team in the other conference that is selected geographically as the furthest away.
Games such as rivalries are prioritised for scheduling and can more than likely be played more often. Once every team has played 34 games, two league tables will be formatted with the top seven in each reaching the Final Series and the eighth and ninth spots qualifying for playoffs to be in with the chance of reaching the Final Series respectively. The top team of each league receives a buy-through from the first round of the Series, gaining passage into the CONCACAF Champions Cup round one.
The Supporter’s Shield
The two Conference league tables are merged together, and whoever has the most points overall finishes at the top of this league. The team at the top of this table takes the Supporter’s Shield silverware and qualifies for the Club World Cup for the following year.
Domestic and International Cups
Teams who finish first in their Conference qualify for all cups, including the playoffs, Leagues Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup round one. Teams who finish second to seventh gain qualification to round one of the Leagues Cup, with teams in eighth and ninth awarded a Wild Card round of the Leagues Cup.
Final Series
The MLS playoffs consist of seven teams battling it out in each Conference in order to reach the MLS final, deciding who is crowned the MLS champion for that season. The teams who managed to take the qualifier spots played against each other to decide who would play against first in their Conference. The remaining teams will play against each other, with second taking on seventh, third taking on sixth and fourth taking on fifth. The winners of each game will play against each other in the next round, with the four teams in each Conference progressing. The singular leg game will be played, and the winners will progress, leaving only two teams from each conference to play against each other. The winner of this game will then progress to the MLS Cup Final against the winner of the other Conference. This is a major game with one leg played on a neutral ground, with the winner of the game being given the title of league winner.
U.S. Open Cup
The MLS also has a domestic cup that has been built up of clubs from all levels of football in the United States.
It is the oldest cup in the country; starting in 1914, the competition takes on a knockout format, with the winner landing a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. It provides an opportunity for lower-level outfits to qualify for a major international tournament.
Leagues Cup
The Leagues Cup is a relatively new format that involves MLS clubs and Liga MX (Mexican top-flight) clubs. The competition features a knockout format, with the winners progressing to the CONCACAF Champions League. Teams are chosen to play in this cup based on their league position in their respective Conferences.
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship features 3 MLS clubs based in Canada that play against other Canadian teams not in the MLS in a knockout tournament where the winner of the cup will receive qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League.
Final Thoughts
The MLS takes a relatively different approach to what we see in European league formats, but that’s not to say it’s worse than what is common elsewhere. Whilst the approach is unusual in that a team can finish at the top of the Conference and overall table and still not be crowned winners of the league, it does still provide a different entertainment factor. Whether you are a fan of the format or not, it is effective in the MLS and provides what fans want to see, emitting further opportunities for more teams to win the cup.
