2021 Major League Soccer season

Major League Soccer
Season2021
Dates
  • April 16 – November 7
    (regular season)
  • November 20 – December 11
    (playoffs)
MLS CupNew York City FC (1st title)
Supporters' ShieldNew England Revolution
(1st shield)
Champions League
(United States)		New England Revolution
Colorado Rapids
Seattle Sounders FC
New York City FC
Champions League
(Canada)		CF Montréal
Matches played459
Goals scored1,282 (2.79 per match)
Top goalscorerValentín Castellanos
Ola Kamara
(19 goals each)
Biggest home win6 goals:
DC 7–1 TOR (July 3)
NYC 6–0 DC (October 23)
Biggest away win5 goals:
MIA 0–5 NE (July 21)
Highest scoring9 goals:
MTL 5–4 CIN (July 17)
CIN 3–6 NSH (October 27)
Longest winning run5 matches
NE (May 16 – June 23)
Longest unbeaten run13 matches
SEA (April 16 – July 7)
Longest winless run16 matches
HOU (May 29 – September 3)
Longest losing run12 matches
CIN
(September 15 – November 7)
Highest attendance67,507
ATL 0–1 CLB
(July 24)
Total attendance2,762,942
Average attendance15,350
← 2020
2022 →
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Locations of teams for the 2021 Major League Soccer season
Western Conference   Eastern Conference

The 2021 Major League Soccer season was the 26th season of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The 2021 season included the addition of Austin FC as an expansion club, which took the league to 27 teams.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the season was originally scheduled to begin on April 3, as opposed to the normal late February or early March start. This was later pushed back to April 16, the latest ever start to an MLS season, due to negotiations with the MLS Players Association for a new collective bargaining agreement.[1] The regular season concluded on November 7. The 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs began on November 20, and concluded with MLS Cup 2021 on December 11.[2]

At the beginning of the season, COVID-19 cross-border restrictions imposed by the Canadian government has also made the Canadian teams to play their home matches in the United States from the start of the season, while also sharing stadiums with other American MLS teams. On July 14, MLS announced that a select Toronto FC and CF Montréal matches would be played in Canada while working with the Canadian government on how the matches were to be held. Nearly a week later, the MLS announced that the Canadian teams would play home matches in Canada in August 2021.[3]

The Columbus Crew were the defending champions, having defeated Seattle Sounders FC in MLS Cup 2020 but was eliminated from playoffs during the regular season, while the Philadelphia Union were the defending Supporters' Shield winners. The New England Revolution won their first Supporters' Shield, in the process breaking the record for most regular season points collected.[4] New York City FC won their first ever MLS Cup, beating Portland Timbers in the decider.

Teams

Stadiums and locations

Main article: List of Major League Soccer stadiums
Team Stadium Capacity
Atlanta United FC Mercedes-Benz Stadium[A] 71,000
Austin FC Q2 Stadium 20,500
Chicago Fire FC Soldier Field[A] 24,955
FC Cincinnati TQL Stadium 26,000
Colorado Rapids Dick's Sporting Goods Park 18,061
Columbus Crew Lower.com Field[G] 20,011
FC Dallas Toyota Stadium 20,500
D.C. United Audi Field 20,000
Houston Dynamo FC BBVA Stadium 22,039
LA Galaxy Dignity Health Sports Park 27,000
Los Angeles FC Banc of California Stadium 22,000
Minnesota United FC Allianz Field 19,400
Inter Miami CF DRV PNK Stadium[C] 18,000
CF Montréal Saputo Stadium[D] 19,619
Nashville SC Nissan Stadium[A][C] 27,600
New England Revolution Gillette Stadium[A] 20,000
New York City FC Yankee Stadium[A][B] 30,321
New York Red Bulls Red Bull Arena 25,000
Orlando City SC Exploria Stadium 25,500
Philadelphia Union Subaru Park 18,500
Portland Timbers Providence Park 25,218
Real Salt Lake Rio Tinto Stadium 20,213
San Jose Earthquakes PayPal Park 18,000
Seattle Sounders FC Lumen Field[A] 37,722
Sporting Kansas City Children's Mercy Park 18,467
Toronto FC BMO Field[E] 28,351
Vancouver Whitecaps FC BC Place[A][F] 22,120
  1. ^
    Non-soccer specific stadium and artificially reduced capacity.
  2. ^
    Some of the home matches were played at Red Bull Arena at Harrison due to scheduling conflicts at Yankee Stadium.
  3. ^
    Temporary stadium.
  4. ^
    CF Montréal played at DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale since the start of the season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in Canada before returning to playing home matches in Montreal on July 17. A small number of matches were also played in different stadiums due to scheduling conflicts with the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification.
  5. ^
    Toronto FC played at Exploria Stadium, Orlando from the start of the season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in Canada before returning playing home matches in Toronto on July 17.
  6. ^
    Vancouver Whitecaps FC played at Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy for the start of the season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in Canada before returning playing home matches in Vancouver on August 21.
  7. ^
    Columbus Crew played at Historic Crew Stadium from the start of the season before moving into Lower.com Field on July 3.

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams use Adidas as universal kit manufacturer.

Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor Sleeve sponsor
Atlanta United FC Mexico Gonzalo Pineda United States Brad Guzan American Family Insurance AT&T, Piedmont Orthopedics
Austin FC United States Josh Wolff Finland Alexander Ring Yeti Netspend
Chicago Fire FC United States Frank Klopas (interim) Costa Rica Francisco Calvo Motorola CIBC
FC Cincinnati Jamaica Tyrone Marshall (interim) Argentina Luciano Acosta Mercy Health Kroger
Colorado Rapids United States Robin Fraser England Jack Price —
Columbus Crew United States Caleb Porter Ghana Jonathan Mensah Nationwide Scotts
D.C. United Argentina Hernán Losada United States Steve Birnbaum Leidos EagleBank
FC Dallas United States Marco Ferruzzi (interim) United States Matt Hedges MTX Group AdvoCare
Houston Dynamo FC United States Tabare Ramos United States Timothy Parker MD Anderson Kroger, Coushatta Casino Resort
Inter Miami CF England Phil Neville Brazil Gregore XBTO Baptist Health
LA Galaxy United States Greg Vanney Mexico Jonathan dos Santos Herbalife Honey
Los Angeles FC United States Bob Bradley Mexico Carlos Vela Flex Target, Postmates
Minnesota United FC England Adrian Heath Cuba Osvaldo Alonso Target Bell Bank
CF Montréal France Wilfried Nancy Canada Samuel Piette Bank of Montreal Saputo, Jason
Nashville SC England Gary Smith United States Dax McCarty Renasant Bank Hyundai
New England Revolution United States Bruce Arena Spain Carles Gil UnitedHealth Santander
New York City FC Norway Ronny Deila United States Sean Johnson Etihad Airways Sol Cacao
New York Red Bulls Austria Gerhard Struber United States Sean Davis Red Bull Provident Bank
Orlando City SC Colombia Óscar Pareja Portugal Nani Orlando Health Exploria
Philadelphia Union United States Jim Curtin United States Alejandro Bedoya Bimbo Bakeries USA Subaru
Portland Timbers Venezuela Giovanni Savarese Argentina Diego Valeri Alaska Airlines TikTok
Real Salt Lake United States Pablo Mastroeni (interim) Slovakia Albert Rusnák LifeVantage KeyBank, Ford
San Jose Earthquakes Argentina Matías Almeyda United States Chris Wondolowski Intermedia PayPal
Seattle Sounders FC United States Brian Schmetzer Uruguay Nicolás Lodeiro Zulily Emerald Queen Casino
Sporting Kansas City United States Peter Vermes Scotland Johnny Russell Victory Project Compass Minerals, Children's Mercy
Toronto FC Spain Javier Pérez United States Michael Bradley Bank of Montreal GE Appliances, Canadian Tire
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Italy Vanni Sartini (interim) Canada Russell Teibert Bell Canada —

Coaching changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming coach Date of appointment
Toronto FC United States Greg Vanney[5] Resigned December 1, 2020 Pre-season United States Chris Armas[6] January 13, 2021
D.C. United United States Chad Ashton End of interim period December 12, 2020 Argentina Hernán Losada[7] January 18, 2021
LA Galaxy United States Dominic Kinnear United States Greg Vanney[8] January 5, 2021
Atlanta United FC Scotland Stephen Glass December 16, 2020 Argentina Gabriel Heinze[9] December 18, 2020
Inter Miami CF Uruguay Diego Alonso[10] Mutual consent January 7, 2021 England Phil Neville[11] January 18, 2021
CF Montréal France Thierry Henry[12] Resigned February 25, 2021 France Wilfried Nancy[13] March 8, 2021
Toronto FC United States Chris Armas[14] Fired July 4, 2021 14th in East, 27th overall Spain Javier Pérez[a] July 4, 2021
Atlanta United FC Argentina Gabriel Heinze[16] July 18, 2021 10th in East, 20th Overall United States Rob Valentino (interim)[17] July 18, 2021
United States Rob Valentino[18] End of interim period August 12, 2021 Mexico Gonzalo Pineda[18] August 12, 2021
Real Salt Lake United States Freddy Juarez[19] Mutual consent August 27, 2021 6th in West, 13th overall United States Pablo Mastroeni (interim)[19] August 27, 2021
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Canada Marc Dos Santos[20] 10th in West, 19th overall Italy Vanni Sartini (interim)[20]
FC Dallas United States Luchi Gonzalez[21] Fired September 19, 2021 11th in West, 21st overall United States Marco Ferruzzi (interim)[21] September 19, 2021
FC Cincinnati Netherlands Jaap Stam[22] September 27, 2021 13th in East, 26th overall Jamaica Tyrone Marshall (interim)[22] September 27, 2021
Chicago Fire FC Switzerland Raphaël Wicky[23] Mutual consent September 30, 2021 12th in East, 22nd overall United States Frank Klopas (interim)[23] September 30, 2021
Houston Dynamo FC United States Tab Ramos[24] Fired November 4, 2021 13th in West, 25th overall Vacant until next season
Los Angeles FC United States Bob Bradley[25] Mutual consent November 18, 2021 Post-season Vacant until next season
  1. ^ Pérez was initially appointed as interim manager,[14] but the move was made permanent on August 9, 2021.[15]

Regular season

Format

Each team played 34 matches, including 17 home games and 17 away games. Due to the difference in the number of teams in each conference, each conference had its own schedule construction format:[26]

  • All 14 Eastern Conference teams played six regional Eastern Conference opponents three times and the remaining seven Eastern Conference opponents twice. Each of them also played two cross conference games against different opponents.
  • 11 out of the 13 Western Conference teams played eight regional Western Conference opponents three times and the remaining four Western Conference opponents twice. Each of them also played two cross conference games against different opponents.
  • The remaining two teams from the Western Conference played seven Western Conference opponents three times and the remaining five Western Conference opponents twice. Each of them also played three cross conference games against different opponents.

Tiebreakers

Conference standings

Eastern Conference

Main article: Eastern Conference (MLS)
Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 New England Revolution 34 22 5 7 65 41 +24 73 Qualification for the playoffs conference semifinals
and CONCACAF Champions League
2 Philadelphia Union 34 14 8 12 48 35 +13 54 Qualification for the playoffs first round
3 Nashville SC 34 12 4 18 55 33 +22 54
4 New York City FC (C) 34 14 11 9 56 36 +20 51 Qualification for the playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League[a]
5 Atlanta United FC 34 13 9 12 45 37 +8 51 Qualification for the playoffs first round
6 Orlando City SC 34 13 9 12 50 48 +2 51
7 New York Red Bulls 34 13 12 9 39 33 +6 48
8 D.C. United 34 14 15 5 56 54 +2 47
9 Columbus Crew 34 13 13 8 46 45 +1 47
10 CF Montréal[b] 34 12 12 10 46 44 +2 46 Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League[c]
11 Inter Miami CF 34 12 17 5 36 53 −17 41
12 Chicago Fire FC 34 9 18 7 36 54 −18 34
13 Toronto FC[b] 34 6 18 10 39 66 −27 28
14 FC Cincinnati 34 4 22 8 37 74 −37 20
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ As MLS Cup 2021 champions
  2. ^ a b Canadian clubs cannot qualify for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.
  3. ^ As 2021 Canadian Championship winners

Western Conference

Main article: Western Conference (MLS)
Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Colorado Rapids 34 17 7 10 51 35 +16 61 Qualification for the Playoffs Conference semifinals
and CONCACAF Champions League
2 Seattle Sounders FC 34 17 8 9 53 33 +20 60 Qualification for the Playoffs first round and CONCACAF Champions League
3 Sporting Kansas City 34 17 10 7 58 40 +18 58 Qualification for the Playoffs first round
4 Portland Timbers 34 17 13 4 56 52 +4 55
5 Minnesota United FC 34 13 11 10 42 44 −2 49
6 Vancouver Whitecaps FC[a] 34 12 9 13 45 45 0 49
7 Real Salt Lake 34 14 14 6 55 54 +1 48
8 LA Galaxy 34 13 12 9 50 54 −4 48
9 Los Angeles FC 34 12 13 9 53 51 +2 45
10 San Jose Earthquakes 34 10 13 11 46 54 −8 41
11 FC Dallas 34 7 15 12 47 56 −9 33
12 Austin FC 34 9 21 4 35 56 −21 31
13 Houston Dynamo FC 34 6 16 12 36 54 −18 30
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
Notes:
  1. ^ Canadian clubs cannot qualify for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League through the MLS regular season or playoffs.

Overall table

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

Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 New England Revolution (S) 34 22 5 7 65 41 +24 73 Qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[a]
2 Colorado Rapids 34 17 7 10 51 35 +16 61 Qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[b]
3 Seattle Sounders FC 34 17 8 9 53 33 +20 60 Qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[c]
4 Sporting Kansas City 34 17 10 7 58 40 +18 58
5 Portland Timbers 34 17 13 4 56 52 +4 55
6 Philadelphia Union 34 14 8 12 48 35 +13 54
7 Nashville SC 34 12 4 18 55 33 +22 54
8 New York City FC (C) 34 14 11 9 56 36 +20 51 Qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[d]
9 Atlanta United FC 34 13 9 12 45 37 +8 51
10 Orlando City SC 34 13 9 12 50 48 +2 51
11 Minnesota United FC 34 13 11 10 42 44 −2 49
12 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 34 12 9 13 45 45 0 49
13 Real Salt Lake 34 14 14 6 55 54 +1 48
14 New York Red Bulls 34 13 12 9 39 33 +6 48
15 LA Galaxy 34 13 12 9 50 54 −4 48
16 D.C. United 34 14 15 5 56 54 +2 47
17 Columbus Crew 34 13 13 8 46 45 +1 47
18 CF Montréal (V) 34 12 12 10 46 44 +2 46 Qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League[e]
19 Los Angeles FC 34 12 13 9 53 51 +2 45
20 Inter Miami CF 34 12 17 5 36 53 −17 41
21 San Jose Earthquakes 34 10 13 11 46 54 −8 41
22 Chicago Fire FC 34 9 18 7 36 54 −18 34
23 FC Dallas 34 7 15 12 47 56 −9 33
24 Austin FC 34 9 21 4 35 56 −21 31
25 Houston Dynamo FC 34 6 16 12 36 54 −18 30
26 Toronto FC 34 6 18 10 39 66 −27 28
27 FC Cincinnati 34 4 22 8 37 74 −37 20
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)
(C) Champions; (S) Supporters' Shield winners; (V) Canadian Championship winner
Notes:
  1. ^ As Supporters' Shield winners (USA2)
  2. ^ As 2021 MLS Western Conference regular season champions (USA3)
  3. ^ As highest-ranked U.S. based Division I club (based on 2021 MLS regular season record) not already qualified (USA4)[28]
  4. ^ As MLS Cup 2021 champions (USA1)
  5. ^ As 2021 Canadian Championship winners (CAN1)

Fixtures and results

All cross-conference matches are shown on the Eastern Conference table. In some cases, a team hosted another more than once; in this case, the first matchup is listed on top and the second is listed below.

Eastern Conference

Home \ Away ATL CHI CIN CLB DCU MIA MTL NSH NE NYC RBNY ORL PHI TOR CCH CCA
Atlanta United FC — 3–1 4–0 0–1 3–2 1–0 1–0 2–2 0–1 1–1 0–0 3–0 2–2 1–0 LAFC SEA
— — — — — 2–1 — 0–2 — — — — — 1–1 1–0 1–1
Chicago Fire FC 3–0 — 0–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 0–0 2–2 0–0 2–1 3–1 0–2 1–2 RSL SKC
— — — — — — — — 2–3 2–0 — — 3–3 — 1–0 0–2
FC Cincinnati 1–1 3–4 — 2–2 0–0 2–3 0–0 3–6 0–1 1–2 0–1 1–1 1–2 2–0 COL HOU
1–2 — — — — 0–1 — — — — — 0–1 — — 0–2 1–1
Columbus Crew 2–3 2–0 3–2 — 3–1 4–0 2–1 0–0 2–2 2–1 2–1 3–2 0–0 2–1 SEA ATX
— 2–0 — — 2–4 — — — — — 1–2 — — — 1–2 0–0
D.C. United 1–2 1–0 4–2 1–3 — 1–0 2–1 0–0 2–3 2–1 1–0 0–1 0–1 7–1 MIN SJ
— 3–0 — — — — — — — — 1–0 — 3–1 — 3–1 1–4
Inter Miami CF 1–1 3–2 5–1 1–0 0–3 — 0–2 2–1 0–5 1–3 0–4 1–2 1–1 3–1 LA POR
— — — — — — 2–1 1–5 — — — — — 3–0 2–3 0–1
CF Montréal 2–2 2–0 1–2 0–0 0–0 1–0 — 0–1 1–4 2–1 2–1 0–2 2–2 4–2 HOU VAN
2–1 — 5–4 — — — — — — — — — — 3–1 2–0 0–2
Nashville SC 2–2 5–1 2–2 1–1 5–2 0–0 2–2 — 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 3–2 ATX RSL
— — 3–0 — — — 1–1 — — — — 2–2 — — 1–0 0–0
New England Revolution 2–1 2–2 4–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 2–1 0–0 — 2–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–3 COL DAL
— — — 1–1 3–2 — — — — — 3–2 — — — 1–0 1–2
New York City FC 1–0 1–0 5–0 1–2 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–0 2–3 — 0–1 5–0 1–1 1–1 DAL LAFC
— — — 4–1 6–0 — — — 2–0 — — — — — 3–3 1–2
New York Red Bulls 0–0 2–0 0–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–3 1–1 — 2–1 1–1 2–0 SKC LA
— 0–1 — — — — — — — 1–0 — — 1–1 — 1–2 2–3
Orlando City SC 0–0 1–0 3–0 3–2 2–1 1–1 2–4 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–2 — 2–1 1–0 SJ SKC
3–2 — — — — 0–0 1–1 — — — — — — — 5–0 1–1
Philadelphia Union 1–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–2 1–0 3–1 — 3–0 POR MIN
— — — 3–0 — — — — 0–1 1–0 — — — — 3–0 2–3
Toronto FC 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 2–2 — VAN COL
— — 3–2 — — — — 2–1 — — — 1–1 — — 2–2 0–0
Source: MLS
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Western Conference

Home \ Away ATX COL DAL HOU LA LAFC MIN POR RSL SJ SEA SKC VAN
Austin FC — 0–1 3–5 3–2 2–0 0–2 0–1 4–1 2–1 0–0 0–1 3–1 1–2
— — — 2–1 — 1–2 — 3–1 — 3–4 — — —
Colorado Rapids 1–3 — 3–0 3–1 1–1 5–2 3–2 2–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–0 1–1
3–0 — 2–0 — — — 2–0 — — — 1–1 — —
FC Dallas 2–0 0–0 — 1–1 4–0 2–3 1–1 4–1 2–2 1–1 0–1 0–2 2–2
2–1 — — — — — 0–0 — 1–2 — — 1–3 —
Houston Dynamo FC 3–0 1–3 2–2 — 0–3 1–1 1–2 2–2 0–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 2–1
— 0–1 3–2 — — — — 0–2 — — — — 0–0
LA Galaxy 2–0 1–2 3–1 1–1 — 2–1 3–3 4–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 0–2 1–1
— — 2–2 — — 1–1 — 2–1 — 1–2 — — —
Los Angeles FC 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 — 2–2 1–2 2–1 3–1 1–1 1–4 2–2
— — — — — — — — 3–2 — 3–0 4–0 1–1
Minnesota United FC 0–1 1–3 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–1 — 2–1 1–2 2–2 1–0 0–0 1–0
2–0 — — 2–0 3–0 — — — — — — 2–1 —
Portland Timbers 3–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–1 — 3–2 1–1 1–2 2–1 2–3
— — — — — 2–1 — — 6–1 2–0 2–6 — —
Real Salt Lake 1–0 3–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 1–3 — 1–2 1–0 3–1 3–1
— 3–1 — 2–1 2–1 — — — — 3–4 — — —
San Jose Earthquakes 4–0 0–1 3–1 1–1 1–3 2–1 1–1 0–2 3–4 — 0–1 1–3 0–0
— — 1–1 — — 2–0 — — — — 1–3 — 1–1
Seattle Sounders FC 0–0 3–0 1–1 2–0 3–0 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–1 0–1 — 1–3 2–2
— — — — 1–1 — 1–0 — — — — 1–2 4–1
Sporting Kansas City 2–1 3–1 1–2 3–2 2–0 2–1 4–0 1–1 0–1 1–1 1–2 — 3–0
1–1 1–1 — 4–2 — — — — — — — — —
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2–1 0–1 1–0 0–0 1–2 2–1 2–2 1–0 0–4 3–0 1–1 2–1 —
— — — — 2–1 — 2–1 0–1 4–1 — — — —
Source: MLS
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

MLS All-Star Game

Main article: 2021 MLS All-Star Game
2021 MLS All-Star Game
MLS All-Stars United States Canada1–1Mexico Liga MX All-Stars
Murillo 53' Report Rodríguez 20'
Penalties
 3–2
Attendance: 21,000

MLS Cup Playoffs

Main article: 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs

Bracket

First round
November 20–21, 23 		Conference semifinals
November 25, 28, 30 		Conference finals
December 4–5 		MLS Cup
December 11
            
E1 New England Revolution 2 (3)
E4 New York City FC (p) 2 (5)
E4 New York City FC 2
E5 Atlanta United FC 0
E4 New York City FC 2
Eastern Conference
E2 Philadelphia Union 1
E3 Nashville SC 3
E6 Orlando City SC 1
E3 Nashville SC 1 (0)
E2 Philadelphia Union (p) 1 (2)
E2 Philadelphia Union (a.e.t.) 1
E7 New York Red Bulls 0
E4 New York City FC (p) 1 (4)
W4 Portland Timbers 1 (2)
W1 Colorado Rapids 0
W4 Portland Timbers 1
W4 Portland Timbers 3
W5 Minnesota United FC 1
W4 Portland Timbers 2
Western Conference
W7 Real Salt Lake 0
W3 Sporting Kansas City 3
W6 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1
W3 Sporting Kansas City 1
W7 Real Salt Lake 2
W2 Seattle Sounders FC 0 (5)
W7 Real Salt Lake (p) 0 (6)

Note: The higher seeded teams hosted matches, with the MLS Cup host determined by overall points.

COVID-19 restrictions

From the start of the season, all Canadian teams played home matches behind closed doors at venues in a U.S. market (notwithstanding any local regulations otherwise allowing spectators) due to Canadian border restrictions.[29][30]

On July 14, MLS announced that both CF Montreal and Toronto FC planned to return to playing matches at their home stadiums beginning July 17, citing new policies allowing vaccinated individuals to enter the country without 14 days self-isolation, provided that they test negative on a COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated individuals must still self-isolate, but a member of the MLS Players Association stated that nearly 95% of the league's player pool had been vaccinated, and Toronto FC manager Ali Curtis stated that all but two of their players were fully vaccinated. Toronto FC planned to admit 7,000 essential workers for the first match before expanding to 15,000 for subsequent matches, and CF Montreal planned to admit 5,000.[30][31] However, Sportsnet reported that the plans had not yet been formally approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada, and that the Canadian government was expected to issue a statement on the matter.[31]

Team Spectators Limitations Source(s)
Austin FC All All Home matches starting with the first home match at Q2 Stadium scheduled for June 19, 2021 to be operated at full capacity [32]
Atlanta United FC All Capped at 50% (about 22,000 fans) capacity at start of season. Operating at full capacity since May 15, 2021. [33][34]
Chicago Fire FC All Capped at 25% (about 15,500 fans) capacity from start of season. [35]
FC Cincinnati All First home match at TQL Stadium was held on May 16, 2021. Capped up to 6,000 fans since the home opening match.[36] Operating at full capacity since May 24, 2021.
Colorado Rapids All Capped at 44% (about 7,900 fans) capacity from start of season. [37]
Columbus Crew All Capped at 30% (about 6,000 fans) capacity from start of season at Historic Crew Stadium. Operating at full capacity since June 20, 2021, including at Lower.com Field. [38]
D.C. United All Capped at 25% (about 5,000 fans) capacity from start of season. Operating at full capacity since June 20, 2021. [39]
FC Dallas All Capped at 50% (about 9,000 fans) capacity from start of season. Plans to have full capacity starting June 1, 2021. [40][41]
Houston Dynamo FC All Capped at 30% (about 6,200 fans) capacity from start of season. [42]
Inter Miami CF All Capped at 45% (about 8,000 fans) capacity for the first 3 matches of the season. Current plan is to host 16,000 fans starting May 29. [43]
LA Galaxy All Allowed at least 100 spectators per match. Operating at full capacity since June 19. [44]
Los Angeles FC All Currently allow at least 100 spectators per match. Operating at full capacity since June 19, 2021.
Minnesota United FC All Capped at 25% (about 5,000 fans) capacity from start of season. [45]
CF Montréal Some Home matches played at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and in other stadiums were played without any audience. All home matches played at Saputo Stadium since July 17 are currently capped at 5,000 fans. [46][47]
Nashville SC All Capped at 40% (about 27,600 fans) capacity from start of season. [48]
New England Revolution All Capped at 12% (about 7,900 fans) capacity from start of season. [49]
New York City FC All Capped at 20% (about 10,800 fans) capacity from start of season. Negative COVID-19 PCR test within past 72 hours, negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test within past 6 hours, or vaccination completed no fewer than 14 days prior to the game required to enter for home matches at Yankee Stadium; although this is no longer a requirement since June 15, 2021. Capacity for home matches at Red Bull Arena will also be capped at 15%. [50][51]
New York Red Bulls All Capped at 15% (about 3,750 fans) capacity from start of season. [52][53]
Orlando City SC All Capped at 50% (about 12,750 fans) capacity from start of season. Opened to 100% capacity beginning June 22. [54]
Philadelphia Union All Capped at 30% (about 5,000 fans) capacity from start of season. [55]
Portland Timbers All Capped at 25% (about 6,300 fans) capacity from start of season. Starting June 19, the Timbers will allow 80% capacity with spectators 16 and over required to be fully vaccinated.[56] [57]
Real Salt Lake All Capped at 50% (about 10,000 fans) capacity from start of season. [58]
San Jose Earthquakes All Capped at 20% (about 3,600 fans) capacity from start of season. [59]
Seattle Sounders FC All Capped at 25% (about 15,000 fans) capacity from start of season. [60]
Sporting Kansas City All Capped at 35% (about 6,500 fans) capacity from start of season. Opened to 100% capacity beginning May 29. [61]
Toronto FC Some Home matches played at Exploria Stadium in Orlando before July were played with no audience. Home matches played at BMO Field were capped at 7,000 fans on July 17 followed by 15,000 fans since July 21. [62][63][64][65]
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Some Have returned to BC Place [66]

Attendance

See also: Major League Soccer attendance

Average home attendances

As of November 7, 2021

Games without fans are not counted in averages or games played. Additionally, multiple games (above all the NYCFC games at Yankee Stadium) did not have their attendance listed and are also not counted in averages or games played.

Rank Team GP Cumulative High Low Mean
1 Atlanta United FC 17 747,386 67,507 20,335 43,964
2 Seattle Sounders FC 17 427,121 45,737 7,042 25,125
3 Portland Timbers 12 255,412 25,218 16,086 21,284
4 FC Cincinnati 17 359,969 25,701 6,000 21,175
5 Austin FC 15 310,832 20,738 20,500 20,722
6 Nashville SC 16 309,405 26,913 12,164 19,338
7 Sporting Kansas City 15 282,608 20,213 16,888 18,841
8 Los Angeles FC 17 318,800 22,510 4,900 18,753
9 New England Revolution 12 215,381 31,635 7,905 17,948
10 Columbus Crew 17 281,918 20,407 5,180 16,583
11 LA Galaxy 17 266,493 25,174 6,853 15,676
12 Orlando City SC 16 250,299 19,009 11,503 15,644
13 Real Salt Lake 17 261,677 20,738 9,842 15,393
14 Minnesota United FC 13 192,193 19,691 4,100 14,784
15 Inter Miami CF 17 235,403 17,926 7,939 13,847
16 FC Dallas 17 228,110 19,096 8,621 13,418
17 New York Red Bulls 13 170,563 18,613 9,193 13,120
18 Philadelphia Union 15 193,552 18,575 5,000 12,903
19 D.C. United 17 217,441 18,034 3,935 12,791
20 San Jose Earthquakes 13 160,239 18,000 5,000 12,326
21 Houston Dynamo FC 17 207,732 20,021 6,376 12,220
22 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 7 84,560 25,117 7,503 12,080
23 CF Montréal 1 11,000 11,000 11,000 11,000
24 Colorado Rapids 12 144,169 17,104 8,321 10,792
25 Chicago Fire FC 17 181,949 31,308 5,593 10,703
26 Toronto FC 9 71,080 11,166 5,026 7,898
27 New York City FC 7 41,556 13,503 2,873 5,937
Total 180 2,762,942 67,507 0 15,350

Highest attendances

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Stadium
1 Atlanta United FC 0–1 Columbus Crew 67,507 July 24, 2021 13 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
2 Atlanta United FC 1–0 New York Red Bulls 67,503 August 15, 2021 19 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
3 Seattle Sounders FC 1–3 Portland Timbers 45,737 August 29, 2021 22 Lumen Field
4 Atlanta United FC 0–0 New York Red Bulls 42,575 June 27, 2021 9 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
5 Atlanta United FC 2–2 Philadelphia Union 42,523 June 20, 2021 8 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
6 Atlanta United FC 0–1 New England Revolution 42,517 July 17, 2021 12 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
7 Atlanta United FC 2–2 Nashville SC 40,748 May 29, 2021 7 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
8 Atlanta United FC 1–0 CF Montréal 40,116 May 15, 2021 5 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
9 Seattle Sounders FC 1–3 Sporting Kansas City 32,790 July 25, 2021 13 Lumen Field
10 Seattle Sounders FC 0–1 San Jose Earthquakes 32,704 July 31, 2021 14 Lumen Field

Player movement

Main article: List of Major League Soccer transfers 2021

The 2020 MLS Expansion Draft was held on December 15, 2020, at 10:00 am (EST).[67]

Player statistics

See also: Major League Soccer § Player records

Goals

Rank Player Club Goals[68]
1 Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC 19
Norway Ola Kamara D.C. United
3 Mexico Javier Hernández LA Galaxy 17
Peru Raúl Ruidíaz Seattle Sounders FC
5 Poland Adam Buksa New England Revolution 16
Croatia Damir Kreilach Real Salt Lake
Germany Hany Mukhtar Nashville SC
Hungary Dániel Sallói Sporting Kansas City
9 Argentina Gustavo Bou New England Revolution 15
Scotland Johnny Russell Sporting Kansas City

Hat-tricks

Main article: List of Major League Soccer hat-tricks
Player For Against Score Date
Mexico Javier Hernández LA Galaxy New York Red Bulls 3−2 (H)[69] April 25, 2021
Germany Hany Mukhtar Nashville SC Chicago Fire FC 5–1 (H)[70] July 17, 2021
United States Ricardo Pepi FC Dallas LA Galaxy 4–0 (H)[71] July 24, 2021
Norway Ola Kamara D.C. United Chicago Fire FC 3–0 (H)[72] September 15, 2021
Mexico Javier Eduardo López San Jose Earthquakes Real Salt Lake 3–4 (H)[73]
United States Brian White Vancouver Whitecaps FC San Jose Earthquakes 3–0 (H)[74] October 2, 2021
Colombia Cristian Arango Los Angeles FC FC Dallas 3−2 (A)[75] October 20, 2021
Notes

(H) – Home team
(A) – Away team

Assists

Rank Player Club Assists[76]
1 Spain Carles Gil New England Revolution 18
2 United States Djordje Mihailovic CF Montréal 16
3 Germany Julian Gressel D.C. United 13
4 Germany Hany Mukhtar Nashville SC 12
England Jack Price Colorado Rapids
6 United States Aaron Herrera Real Salt Lake 11
Brazil João Paulo Seattle Sounders FC
Argentina Maximiliano Moralez New York City FC
Slovakia Albert Rusnák Real Salt Lake
10 Argentina Luciano Acosta FC Cincinnati 10
Uruguay Mauricio Pereyra Orlando City SC
Argentina Emanuel Reynoso Minnesota United FC
Venezuela Yeferson Soteldo Toronto FC

Clean sheets

Rank Player Club Clean
sheets[77]
1 Brazil Carlos Miguel Coronel New York Red Bulls 13
United States Joe Willis Nashville SC
United States William Yarbrough Colorado Rapids
4 Jamaica Andre Blake Philadelphia Union 12
5 United States Brad Guzan Atlanta United FC 11
United States Tyler Miller Minnesota United FC
7 United States Sean Johnson New York City FC 9
8 United States Bill Hamid D.C. United 8
9 United States Steve Clark Portland Timbers 7
Peru Pedro Gallese Orlando City SC
Curaçao Eloy Room Columbus Crew

Awards

Player / Team of the Week

  • Bold denotes League Player of the Week.

Goal of the Week

Player of the Month

Main article: MLS Player of the Month
Month Player Club Stats Ref.
April/May Mexico Javier Hernández LA Galaxy 7 games played, 7 goals, 1 assist [127]
June Spain Carles Gil New England Revolution 3 games played, 5 assists [128]
July Argentina Gustavo Bou 6 games played, 5 goals, 1 assist [129]
August Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC 6 games played, 5 goals, 2 assists [130]
September Mexico Javier Eduardo López San Jose Earthquakes 5 games played, 6 goals, 1 assist [131]
October/November Argentina Valentín Castellanos New York City FC 7 games played, 6 goals, 1 assist [132]


End-of-season awards

Award Winner (club) Ref
Most Valuable Player Carles Gil (New England Revolution) [133]
Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) [134]
Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Turner (New England Revolution) [135]
Coach of the Year Bruce Arena (New England Revolution) [136]
Young Player of the Year Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas) [137]
Newcomer of the Year Cristian Arango (Los Angeles FC) [138]
Comeback Player of the Year Carles Gil (New England Revolution) [139]
Golden Boot Valentín Castellanos (New York City FC) [140]
Humanitarian of the Year Justin Morrow (Toronto FC) [141]
Referee of the Year Robert Sibiga [142]
Assistant Referee of the Year Cory Richardson [143]
Goal of the Year Rubio Rubin (Real Salt Lake) [144]
Save of the Year Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC) [145]

MLS Best XI

Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref
United States Matt Turner (NE) United States Walker Zimmerman (NSH)
Colombia Yeimar Gómez (SEA)
United States Miles Robinson (ATL) 		Canada Tajon Buchanan (NE)
Spain Carles Gil (NE)
Germany Hany Mukhtar (NSH)
Brazil João Paulo (SEA) 		Argentina Gustavo Bou (NE)
Argentina Valentín Castellanos (NYC)
Peru Raúl Ruidíaz (SEA) 		[146]

Notes

  1. ^ Appointed as temporary head coach after Peter Vermes tested positive for COVID-19.

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