2018_Major_League_Soccer_season

2018 Major League Soccer season

2018 Major League Soccer season

23rd season of Major League Soccer


The 2018 Major League Soccer season was the 23rd season of Major League Soccer, top division of soccer in the United States and Canada. The regular season began on March 3, 2018 and concluded on October 28, 2018. The MLS Cup Playoffs began on October 31, 2018 and concluded with MLS Cup 2018 on December 8, 2018. The league took a nine-day hiatus in early June for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, reduced from previous breaks.[1]

Quick Facts Season, Dates ...

Los Angeles FC joined the league as an expansion franchise, while D.C. United debuted their new soccer-specific stadium, Audi Field.

Toronto FC were the defending Supporters' Shield champions and defending MLS Cup champions.

New York Red Bulls won their third Supporters' Shield, with a league record 71 points, while Atlanta United FC won their first MLS Cup in their second year in the league.

Teams

Stadiums and locations

More information Western Conference, Team ...
  1. ^
    Non-soccer specific stadium and artificially reduced capacity.

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: All teams use Adidas as kit manufacturer.

  1. Kinnear was named interim head coach of the Galaxy on September 10 following Sigi Schmid's departure on that day.
  2. Torrent was named head coach of New York City FC on June 11 following Patrick Vieira's departure on that day to manage OGC Nice.
  3. Armas was named head coach of the Red Bulls on July 6 following Jesse Marsch's departure on that day to join the coaching staff of RB Leipzig.
  4. O'Connor was named head coach on June 29, but did not join Orlando City until July 1. Bobby Murphy, who had been named interim head coach on June 15 after Orlando City and Jason Kreis agreed to part ways, coached the team's June 30 match.
  5. Almeyda was named head coach on October 8, replacing interim head coach Steve Ralston, who took over after the Earthquakes fired Mikael Stahre on September 17.
  6. Dalrymple was named interim head coach after the Whitecaps parted ways with Carl Robinson on September 25.

Coaching changes

More information Team, Outgoing coach ...

Regular season

Format

During the 2018 MLS regular season, each team played 34 games, including 17 home games and 17 away games. Teams faced each of their conference opponents (10 in the East, 11 in the West) twice during the season with one game at home and one game away. Western Conference teams played one additional intra-conference game and Eastern Conference teams played two. All teams faced each non-conference opponent once.

Conference standings

Eastern Conference

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goal differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Notes:
  1. Due to a change in format for the CONCACAF Champions League, the regular season conference champions did not automatically earn a berth in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.[2]

Western Conference

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goal differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. Due to a change in format for the CONCACAF Champions League, the regular season conference champions did not automatically earn a berth in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League.[3]

Overall table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions; (X) Supporters' Shield winner
Notes:
  1. CONCACAF Champions League
    Selection procedure
    • Four US-based teams qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. Due to a change in format to the tournament, two qualifiers came from each of the 2017 and 2018 MLS seasons.[4] This combined qualification method was used for the 2019 tournament only. For the 2018 season, the following teams qualified:
      1. The winner of MLS Cup 2018 (Atlanta United FC);
      2. The winner of the 2018 U.S. Open Cup (Houston Dynamo)
      Thus unlike previous seasons, the Supporters' Shield winner and the regular season conference champion that did not win the Supporters' Shield werw not guaranteed a berth. Each qualifier entered at the second phase of the tournament.
      One Canada-based team qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League, also entering at the second phase (NOTE: Canadian teams could not qualify through MLS):
      1. The winner of the 2018 Canadian Championship (Toronto FC)

Aggregate 2017 and 2018 table

As Toronto FC won MLS Cup 2017, one of the U.S. berths for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League had to be reallocated, to the U.S. non-champions with the best aggregate record over the 2017 and 2018 MLS regular seasons. As the top ranked team in the table, Atlanta United FC, also qualified for the Champions League by winning MLS Cup 2018, the Champions League spot via the aggregate table was instead awarded to the second-placed team, the New York Red Bulls.[5][6]

Note: Only U.S. teams are listed in this table.

More information Pos, Pld ...
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Notes:
  1. As MLS Cup 2018 champions (USA1)
  2. As best aggregate 2017 and 2018 record (USA4)
  3. As 2017 U.S. Open Cup champions (USA2)
  4. As 2018 U.S. Open Cup champions (USA3)

Playoffs

Bracket

Knockout round Conference semifinals Conference finals MLS Cup
December 8 – Atlanta, Georgia
                
E3 New York City FC 0 1 1
10/31 – Bronx, New York
E2 Atlanta United FC 1 3 4
E3 New York City FC 3
E6 Philadelphia Union 1
E2 Atlanta United FC 3 0 3
Eastern Conference
E1 New York Red Bulls 0 1 1
E5 Columbus Crew 1 0 1
11/1 – Washington, D.C.
E1 New York Red Bulls 0 3 3
E4 D.C. United 2 (2)
E5 Columbus Crew (p) 2 (3)
E2 Atlanta United FC 2
W5 Portland Timbers 0
W5 Portland Timbers (p) 2 2 4 (4)
10/31 – Frisco, Texas
W2 Seattle Sounders FC 1 3 4 (2)
W4 FC Dallas 1
W5 Portland Timbers 2
W5 Portland Timbers 0 3 3
Western Conference
W1 Sporting Kansas City 0 2 2
W6 Real Salt Lake 1 2 3
11/1 – Los Angeles, California
W1 Sporting Kansas City 1 4 5
W3 Los Angeles FC 2
W6 Real Salt Lake 3

Knockout round

More information Team 1, Score ...

Conference semifinals

More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...

Conference finals

More information Team 1, Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score ...

MLS Cup

More information Atlanta United FC, 2–0 ...
Attendance: 73,019
Referee: Alan Kelly

Attendance

Average home attendances

As of October 29, 2018

Ranked from highest to lowest average attendance.

More information Pos., Team ...

Highest attendances

As of October 22, 2018

Regular season

More information Rank, Home team ...

Player statistics

Shutouts

Hat-tricks

Awards

Player of the Month

More information Month, Player ...

Player and team of the week

  • Bold denotes league player of the week.
  • Italics denotes Audi player performance of the week.
More information Team of the week, Week ...

Goal of the Week

End-of-season awards

MLS Best XI

Player transfers

SuperDraft

The MLS SuperDraft is an annual event, taking place in January of each year, in which the teams of Major League Soccer select players who have graduated from college or otherwise been signed by the league. The first two rounds of 2018 MLS SuperDraft were held on January 19 in Philadelphia. Rounds three and four of the 2018 SuperDraft were held via conference call on January 21. Los Angeles FC selected João Moutinho with the first overall pick.

Allocation ranking

The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a player who is in the MLS allocation list. The MLS allocation list contains select U.S. National Team players and players transferred outside of MLS garnering a transfer fee of at least $500,000. The allocations are ranked in reverse order of finish for the 2017 season, taking playoff performance into account.[135] As an expansion team, Los Angeles FC took the top spot.

Once the club uses its allocation ranking to acquire a player, it drops to the bottom of the list. A ranking can be traded provided that part of the compensation received in return is another club's ranking. At all times each club is assigned one ranking. The rankings reset at the end of each MLS season.

More information Original ranking, Current ranking ...
  1. ^
    On December 10, 2017, FC Dallas acquired the number 1 allocation ranking, $250,000 in general allocation money (GAM), and $250,000 in targeted allocation money (TAM) from Los Angeles FC in exchange for the number 11 allocation ranking and Walker Zimmerman.
  2. ^
    On January 30, 2018, Orlando City acquired the number 1 allocation ranking from FC Dallas in exchange for the number 6 allocation ranking and $400,000 in targeted allocation money (TAM).
  3. ^
    On August 8, 2018, Portland acquired the number 1 allocation ranking from LA Galaxy in exchange for the number 16 allocation ranking, $75,000 in general allocation money (GAM), and $100,000 in 2019 targeted allocation money (TAM).

References

  1. "MLS releases full 2018 schedule, including shorter World Cup break". ESPN. January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  2. Stejskal, Sam (January 8, 2018). "How CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers are determined in MLS". Major League Soccer. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  3. Boehm, Charles (September 5, 2018). "Atlanta United's Josef Martinez named August MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  4. Butler, Dylan (November 1, 2018). "DC United's Wayne Rooney named October MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  5. Rodriguez, Alicia (March 12, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: LAFC's Carlos Vela shines in Week 2". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  6. Zeitlin, Dave (March 13, 2018). "LAFC forward Diego Rossi named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  7. Rodriguez, Alicia (March 26, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Sporting KC's Gutierrez leads Week 4". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  8. Rodriguez, Alicia (April 9, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Tim Melia steps up in Week 6". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  9. Rodriguez, Alicia (May 14, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Waston a dynamo in Week 11". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  10. Baer, Benjamin (May 21, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Red Bulls shine in Week 12". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  11. Rodriguez, Alicia (June 11, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Alphonso Davies shines in Week 15". Major League Soccer. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  12. Rodriguez, Alicia (June 25, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Borek Dockal dominates Week 17". Major League Soccer. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  13. Rodriguez, Alicia (July 2, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Larrys Mabiala masters Week 18". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  14. Butler, Dylan (July 3, 2018). "LAFC's Adama Diomande voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  15. Rodriguez, Alicia (July 16, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Darwin Quintero flies in Week 20". Major League Soccer. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  16. Rodriguez, Alicia (August 6, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Josef Martinez runs away in Week 23". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  17. Rodriguez, Alicia (August 13, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Luciano Acosta flies in Week 24". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  18. Rodriguez, Alicia (August 20, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Jefferson Savarino stuns in Week 25". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  19. Rodriguez, Alicia (August 27, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Savarino strikes again in Week 26". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  20. West, Phil (September 4, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Savarino stars once more in Week 27". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  21. Zeitlin, Dave (September 4, 2018). "Real Salt Lake's Damir Kreilach named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  22. Rodriguez, Alicia (September 10, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: David Villa shines in Week 28". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  23. Quillen, Ian (September 11, 2018). "Portland Timbers' Sebastian Blanco named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  24. Rodriguez, Alicia (September 17, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Gerso Fernandes flies in Week 29". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  25. Bogert, Tom (September 18, 2018). "Red Bulls' Bradley Wright-Phillips named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  26. Rodriguez, Alicia (September 24, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Darwin Quintero sparkles in Week 30". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  27. Bogert, Tom (September 25, 2018). "Philadelphia Union's Jay Simpson named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  28. Rodriguez, Alicia (October 1, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Lodeiro crushes it in Week 31". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  29. Zeitlin, Dave (October 2, 2018). "DC United's Luciano Acosta named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  30. Rodriguez, Alicia (October 9, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Rooney rides to the top in Week 32". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  31. Rodriguez, Alicia (October 15, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Vela vaults to the top in Week 33". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  32. Bogert, Tom (October 16, 2018). "LAFC's Carlos Vela voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  33. Rodriguez, Alicia (October 22, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Lodeiro lights it up in Week 34". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  34. Zeitlin, Dave (October 23, 2018). "DC United striker Wayne Rooney named Alcatel MLS Player of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  35. Rodriguez, Alicia (October 28, 2018). "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Zardes zooms on Decision Day". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  36. Quillen, Ian (August 23, 2018). "Rusnak edges out Martinez for Week 25 Goal of the Week honors". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  37. Boehm, Charles (September 6, 2018). "Volleyed strike by RSL's Albert Rusnak cruises to AT&T Goal of the Week win". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  38. Quillen, Ian (September 20, 2018). "Ibrahimovic's stunning, spinning volley easily wins AT&T Goal of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  39. Boehm, Charles (September 27, 2018). "Atlanta United's Tito Villalba edges teammate to win AT&T Goal of the Week". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  40. Boehm, Charles (October 4, 2018). "Chicago Fire's Mihailovic wins MLS Week 31 AT&T Goal of the Week award". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  41. Bogert, Tom (November 5, 2018). "Real Salt Lake's Corey Baird wins 2018 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  42. Bogert, Tom (November 12, 2018). "LA Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic named 2018 MLS Newcomer of the Year". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  43. Bogert, Tom (October 28, 2018). "Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez wins 2018 MLS Golden Boot". Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  44. "MLS Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 168. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  45. Lind, Jason (November 30, 2018). "Alan Kelly earns MLS Referee of the Year honor for third time". Major League Soccer. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  46. "LA Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims 2018 AT&T Goal of the Year". MLSsoccer.com. November 13, 2018. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  47. "Seattle Sounders' Stefan Frei grabs 2018 MLS Save of the Year". MLSsoccer.com. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  48. "2018 MLS Best XI". Major League Soccer. November 11, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  49. "MLS Allocation Ranking". MLS Soccer Media. December 10, 2017. Archived from the original on December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  50. "LAFC Acquires Walker Zimmerman From FC Dallas". Los Angeles FC. December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  51. "Orlando City Acquires Midfielder Oriol Rosell". Orlando City SC. January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.

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