2018 Major League Soccer season
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Season | 2018 |
---|---|
Dates |
|
MLS Cup | Atlanta United FC (1st title) |
Supporters' Shield | New York Red Bulls (3rd shield) |
Champions League (United States) | Atlanta United FC Houston Dynamo New York Red Bulls |
Champions League (Canada) | Toronto FC |
Matches played | 391 |
Goals scored | 1,249 (3.19 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Josef Martínez (31 goals) |
Best goalkeeper | Luis Robles (14 shutouts) |
Biggest home win | 6 goals: SKC 6–0 VAN (April 20) |
Biggest away win | 6 goals: COL 0–6 RSL (August 25) |
Highest scoring | 8 goals: MTL 3–5 LAFC (April 21) TOR 4–4 DC (June 13) RSL 6–2 LAG (September 1) TOR 5–3 LAG (September 15) |
Longest winning run | 9 games Seattle Sounders FC (July 21 – September 19) |
Longest unbeaten run | 15 games Portland Timbers (April 14 – August 11) |
Longest winless run | 13 games Orlando City SC (July 21 – October 21) |
Longest losing run | 9 games Orlando City SC (May 13 – July 7) |
Highest attendance | 72,243 ATL 1–1 SEA (July 15) |
Lowest attendance | 5,158 DC 2–2 HOU (March 17) |
Total attendance | 8,553,245 |
Average attendance | 21,875 |
← 2017 2019 → |
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]
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
[edit]Stadiums and locations
[edit]- ^ Non-soccer specific stadium and artificially reduced capacity.
Personnel and sponsorship
[edit]Note: All teams use Adidas as kit manufacturer.
Team | Head coach | Captain | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|
Atlanta United FC | ![]() | ![]() | American Family Insurance |
Chicago Fire | ![]() | ![]() | Valspar |
Colorado Rapids | ![]() | ![]() | Transamerica |
Columbus Crew SC | ![]() | ![]() | Acura |
D.C. United | ![]() | ![]() | Leidos |
FC Dallas | ![]() | ![]() | AdvoCare |
Houston Dynamo | ![]() | ![]() | — |
LA Galaxy | ![]() | ![]() | Herbalife |
Los Angeles FC | ![]() | ![]() | YouTube TV |
Minnesota United FC | ![]() | ![]() | Target |
Montreal Impact | ![]() | ![]() | Bank of Montreal |
New England Revolution | ![]() | ![]() | UnitedHealthcare |
New York City FC | ![]() | ![]() | Etihad Airways |
New York Red Bulls | ![]() | ![]() | Red Bull |
Orlando City SC | ![]() | ![]() | Orlando Health |
Philadelphia Union | ![]() | ![]() | Bimbo Bakeries USA |
Portland Timbers | ![]() | ![]() | Alaska Airlines |
Real Salt Lake | ![]() | ![]() | LifeVantage |
San Jose Earthquakes | ![]() | ![]() | Sutter Health |
Seattle Sounders FC | ![]() | ![]() | Xbox |
Sporting Kansas City | ![]() | ![]() | Ivy Funds |
Toronto FC | ![]() | ![]() | Bank of Montreal |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | ![]() | ![]() | Bell Canada |
- ^ Kinnear was named interim head coach of the Galaxy on September 10 following Sigi Schmid's departure on that day.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Dalrymple was named interim head coach after the Whitecaps parted ways with Carl Robinson on September 25.
Coaching changes
[edit]Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming coach | Date of appointment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Montreal Impact | ![]() | Fired | October 23, 2017 | Pre-season | ![]() | November 8, 2017 |
New England Revolution | ![]() | End of interim period | November 9, 2017 | ![]() | November 9, 2017 | |
Portland Timbers | ![]() | Resigned | November 17, 2017 | ![]() | December 18, 2017 | |
San Jose Earthquakes | ![]() | Returned to technical director role | November 24, 2017 | ![]() | November 24, 2017 | |
Colorado Rapids | ![]() | End of interim period | November 29, 2017 | ![]() | November 29, 2017 | |
New York City FC | ![]() | Signed by ![]() | June 11, 2018 | 2nd in East, 4th overall | ![]() | June 11, 2018 |
Orlando City SC | ![]() | Mutual decision | June 15, 2018 | 6th in East, 14th overall | ![]() | June 15, 2018 |
Orlando City SC | ![]() | End of interim period | June 29, 2018 | 8th in East, 17th overall | ![]() | June 29, 2018 |
New York Red Bulls | ![]() | Signed by ![]() | July 6, 2018 | 2nd in East, 3rd overall | ![]() | July 6, 2018 |
LA Galaxy | ![]() | Resigned | September 10, 2018 | 8th in West, 13th overall | ![]() | September 10, 2018 |
San Jose Earthquakes | ![]() | Fired | September 17, 2018 | 12th in West, 23rd overall | ![]() | September 17, 2018 |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | ![]() | Fired | September 25, 2018 | 8th in West, 14th overall | ![]() | September 25, 2018 |
San Jose Earthquakes | ![]() | End of interim period | October 8, 2018 | 12th in West, 23rd overall | ![]() | October 8, 2018 |
Regular season
[edit]Format
[edit]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.
Eastern Conference
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York Red Bulls | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 62 | 33 | +29 | 71 | MLS Cup Conference Semifinals |
2 | Atlanta United FC | 34 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 70 | 44 | +26 | 69 | |
3 | New York City FC | 34 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 59 | 45 | +14 | 56 | MLS Cup Knockout Round |
4 | D.C. United | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 60 | 50 | +10 | 51 | |
5 | Columbus Crew | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 45 | −2 | 51 | |
6 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 49 | 50 | −1 | 50 | |
7 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 47 | 53 | −6 | 46 | |
8 | New England Revolution | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 49 | 55 | −6 | 41 | |
9 | Toronto FC | 34 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 59 | 64 | −5 | 36 | |
10 | Chicago Fire | 34 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 48 | 61 | −13 | 32 | |
11 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 8 | 22 | 4 | 43 | 74 | −31 | 28 |
Western Conference
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 65 | 40 | +25 | 62 | MLS Cup Conference Semifinals |
2 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 52 | 37 | +15 | 59 | |
3 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 68 | 52 | +16 | 57 | MLS Cup Knockout Round |
4 | FC Dallas | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 44 | +8 | 57 | |
5 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 54 | |
6 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 55 | 58 | −3 | 49 | |
7 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 66 | 64 | +2 | 48 | |
8 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 54 | 67 | −13 | 47 | |
9 | Houston Dynamo | 34 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 38 | |
10 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 11 | 20 | 3 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 36 | |
11 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 8 | 19 | 7 | 36 | 63 | −27 | 31 | |
12 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 4 | 21 | 9 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 21 |
Overall standings
[edit]Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York Red Bulls (S) | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 62 | 33 | +29 | 71 | CONCACAF Champions League |
2 | Atlanta United FC (C) | 34 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 70 | 44 | +26 | 69 | |
3 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 65 | 40 | +25 | 62 | |
4 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 52 | 37 | +15 | 59 | |
5 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 68 | 52 | +16 | 57 | |
6 | FC Dallas | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 52 | 44 | +8 | 57 | |
7 | New York City FC | 34 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 59 | 45 | +14 | 56 | |
8 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 54 | |
9 | D.C. United | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 60 | 50 | +10 | 51 | |
10 | Columbus Crew | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 45 | −2 | 51 | |
11 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 49 | 50 | −1 | 50 | |
12 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 55 | 58 | −3 | 49 | |
13 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 66 | 64 | +2 | 48 | |
14 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 54 | 67 | −13 | 47 | |
15 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 47 | 53 | −6 | 46 | |
16 | New England Revolution | 34 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 49 | 55 | −6 | 41 | |
17 | Houston Dynamo | 34 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 38 | CONCACAF Champions League |
18 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 11 | 20 | 3 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 36 | |
19 | Toronto FC | 34 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 59 | 64 | −5 | 36 | CONCACAF Champions League |
20 | Chicago Fire | 34 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 48 | 61 | −13 | 32 | |
21 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 8 | 19 | 7 | 36 | 63 | −27 | 31 | |
22 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 8 | 22 | 4 | 43 | 74 | −31 | 28 | |
23 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 4 | 21 | 9 | 49 | 71 | −22 | 21 |
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) MLS Cup Champion; (S) Supporters' Shield
MLS Cup Playoffs
[edit]Bracket
[edit]Knockout round | Conference semifinals | Conference finals | MLS Cup December 8 – Atlanta, Georgia | ||||||||||||||||||||
E3 | New York City FC | 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
10/31 – New York, 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 |
Player statistics
[edit]Goals
[edit]Rank | Player | Club | Goals[2] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Atlanta United FC | 31 |
2 | ![]() | LA Galaxy | 22 |
3 | ![]() | New York Red Bulls | 20 |
4 | ![]() | Houston Dynamo | 19 |
![]() | Columbus Crew | ||
6 | ![]() | Montreal Impact | 16 |
7 | ![]() | Chicago Fire | 15 |
8 | ![]() | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 14 |
![]() | LA Galaxy | ||
![]() | Los Angeles FC | ||
![]() | New York City FC |
Hat-tricks
[edit]Player | Club | Against | Result | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Atlanta United FC | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 4–1 | March 17 |
![]() | Colorado Rapids | Philadelphia Union | 3–0 | March 31 |
![]() | Sporting Kansas City | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 6–0 | April 20 |
![]() | Montreal Impact | Los Angeles FC | 3–5 | April 21 |
![]() | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | New England Revolution | 3–3 | May 26 |
![]() | Atlanta United FC | Philadelphia Union | 3–1 | June 2 |
![]() | Los Angeles FC | Philadelphia Union | 4–1 | June 30 |
![]() | Minnesota United FC | Toronto FC | 4–3 | July 14 |
![]() | Atlanta United FC | D.C. United | 3–1 | July 21 |
![]() | FC Dallas | Sporting Kansas City | 3–2 | July 28 |
![]() | LA Galaxy | Orlando City SC | 4–3 | July 29 |
![]() | D.C. United | Orlando City SC | 3–2 | August 12 |
![]() | Real Salt Lake | LA Galaxy | 6–2 | September 1 |
![]() | New York Red Bulls | D.C. United | 3–3 | September 16 |
![]() | Columbus Crew SC | Minnesota United FC | 3–2 | October 28 |
Assists
[edit]Rank | Player | Club | Assists[3] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | Philadelphia Union | 18 |
2 | ![]() | D.C. United | 17 |
3 | ![]() | Seattle Sounders FC | 16 |
![]() | New York City FC | ||
5 | ![]() | Toronto FC | 15 |
![]() | Minnesota United FC | ||
7 | ![]() | Atlanta United FC | 14 |
![]() | Atlanta United FC | ||
![]() | New York Red Bulls | ||
10 | ![]() | Houston Dynamo | 13 |
![]() | Montreal Impact | ||
![]() | Los Angeles FC |
Shutouts
[edit]Rank | Player | Club | Shutouts[4] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | New York Red Bulls | 14 |
2 | ![]() | Sporting Kansas City | 13 |
3 | ![]() | Philadelphia Union | 10 |
![]() | Montreal Impact | ||
![]() | New York City FC | ||
![]() | Los Angeles FC | ||
![]() | Columbus Crew | ||
8 | ![]() | LA Galaxy | 8 |
![]() | Atlanta United FC | ||
10 | ![]() | Portland Timbers | 7 |
![]() | Seattle Sounders FC | ||
![]() | Real Salt Lake |
Awards
[edit]Individual awards
[edit]Award | Player | Club |
---|---|---|
Most Valuable Player | ![]() | Atlanta United FC |
Defender of the Year | ![]() | New York Red Bulls |
Goalkeeper of the Year | ![]() | Columbus Crew SC |
Coach of the Year | ![]() | Atlanta United FC |
Rookie of the Year | ![]() | Real Salt Lake |
Newcomer of the Year | ![]() | LA Galaxy |
Comeback Player of the Year | ![]() | Columbus Crew SC |
Golden Boot | ![]() | Atlanta United FC |
Fair Play Award | ![]() | San Jose Earthquakes |
Humanitarian of the Year | ![]() | Minnesota United FC |
Goal of the Year | ![]() | LA Galaxy |
Save of the Year | ![]() | Seattle Sounders FC |
Player of the Month
[edit]Month | Player | Club | Stats | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
March | ![]() | Sporting Kansas City | 5G | [5] |
April | ![]() | Atlanta United FC | 5G, 2A | [6] |
May | ![]() | Columbus Crew | 0 GA | [7] |
June | ![]() | Los Angeles FC | 7G | [8] |
July | ![]() | Atlanta United FC | 9G, 1A | [9] |
August | ![]() | Atlanta United FC | 4G, 1A | [10] |
September | ![]() | D.C. United | 4G, 6A | [11] |
October | ![]() | D.C. United | 5G | [12] |
Player and team of the week
[edit]- Bold denotes league player of the week.
- Italics denotes Audi player performance of the week.
Team of the week | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Week | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Bench | Coach |
1 [13][14] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
2 [15][16] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
3 [17][18] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
4 [19][20] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
5 [21][22] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
6 [23][24] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
7 [25][26] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
8 [27][28] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
9 [29][30] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
10 [31][32] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
11 [33][34] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
12 [35][36] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
13 [37][38] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
14 [39][40] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
15 [41][42] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
16 [43][44] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
17 [45][46] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
18 [47][48] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
19 [49][50] | ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |