2011 Major League Soccer season

Major League Soccer
Season 2011
MLS Cup Los Angeles Galaxy (3rd title)
Supporters' Shield Los Angeles Galaxy (4th shield)
Champions League (U.S.) Los Angeles Galaxy
Seattle Sounders FC (via U.S. Open Cup)
Real Salt Lake
Houston Dynamo
Champions League (Canada) Toronto FC (via Canadian Championship)
Matches played 306
Goals scored 795 (2.6 per match)
Top goalscorer Dwayne De Rosario and Chris Wondolowski (16 goals)
Biggest home win NY 5–0 TOR
(July 6)
Biggest away win DCU 0–4 NY
(April 21)
TOR 2–6 PHI
(May 28)
VAN 0–4 LA
(July 30)
Highest scoring 8 goals:
TOR 2–6 PHI
(May 28)
SEA 6–2 CLB
(August 27)
PHI 4–4 NE
(September 7)
Longest winning run 5 matches:
Real Salt Lake[1]
(August 27 – Sep 21)
Longest unbeaten run 14 matches:
Los Angeles Galaxy[1]
(May 7 – July 30)
Sporting KC[1]
(May 28 – August 3)
Longest winless run 14 matches:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC[1]
(March 26 – June 11)
Longest losing run 5 matches:
Sporting KC[1]
(April 16 – May 21)
New England Revolution[1](September 16 – October 15)
Highest attendance 64,140[2]
SJ @ SEA
Lowest attendance 6,680[3]
TOR @ NE
Average attendance 17,872[4]
← 2010
2012 →

The 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, whose cities previously had clubs of similar name play in the USSF D2 Pro League. Those two new West Coast clubs led to a realignment of the league's conferences, with Houston Dynamo moving to the Eastern Conference to create two conferences of nine teams each.

Each team played a balanced 34-match regular season schedule, playing every team twice (once at home and once away). The regular season began on March 15, when the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 at Qwest Field, and concluded with the host Houston Dynamo defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 3–1 on October 23 at Robertson Stadium. The season also featured the 2011 MLS All-Star Game on July 27, when Manchester United defeated the MLS All-Stars 4–0 at Red Bull Arena (hosted by the New York Red Bulls). The 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs ran from October 26 until November 20, when the Los Angeles Galaxy claimed their third MLS championship by defeating Houston Dynamo 1–0 in MLS Cup 2011 at Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.[5][6][7]

Changes from 2010

A number of structural changes were made prior to this season, involving both on- and off-the field aspects of the league.

Structural changes

To accommodate the arrival of the two new franchises, the league expanded the number of regular season matches to 34 total games.

The MLS Cup Playoffs expanded from eight teams to ten.[8] Beginning with this season, the best three teams from each conference receive guaranteed playoff spots; the four teams with the next best point totals will play one-match knockout games to determine the final participant for each conference.[9] With the new playoff structure, comes a new incentive for the MLS Supporters Shield winner, who will play the lowest seeded team to qualify for the conference semifinals.

Furthermore, the MLS Reserve Division returned; the rosters accordingly expanded to 30 players. Other minor changes included the shortening of the MLS SuperDraft from four rounds, down to three,[10] and the expansion of the number of guaranteed spots reserved for away supporters from 150 to 500.

Roster rule changes

Team rosters were expanded to 30 players in order to accommodate the re-introduction of the MLS Reserve Division. Of these 30 players, 18–20 count against a club's salary cap of $2,675,000. Clubs may still have a maximum of three Designated Players per club, each of whom counts $335,000 for salary cap purposes. The transfer windows for acquisition of players under contract in another country run from January 21 – April 15 and from July 15 – August 14.

Other key roster rule changes were the introduction of Off-Budget players who do not count against a club's salary cap; the ability of clubs to forgo fielding a full roster of 30 players for salary reasons; the introduction of roster slots paid below last year's league minimum; the ability of the two Canadian clubs to count U.S. domestic players as domestic players for roster purposes; and the ability of clubs to buy out one guaranteed player contract during the off-season and free up the corresponding budget space.[11]

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Table Incoming coach Date of appointment Table
Portland Timbers
Expansion club
 John Spencer August 10, 2010 Pre-season
Chivas USA Martín Vásquez Fired October 27, 2010 8th West ('10) Robin Fraser January 4, 2011 Pre-season
Toronto FC Nick Dasovic Caretaker September 14, 2010 5th East ('09) Aron Winter January 6, 2011 Pre-season
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Teitur Thordarson Fired May 29, 2011 9th West ('11) Tom Soehn May 29, 2011 9th West ('11)
Chicago Fire Carlos de los Cobos Fired May 30, 2011 8th East ('11) Frank Klopas May 30, 2011 8th East ('11)

Teams

Two new expansion clubs entered the league: Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. These clubs, alluding to their history, are the immediate successors to clubs that played in the USSF D2 Pro League in 2010, and before that the USL First Division. Both clubs also bear the names of members of the original North American Soccer League.

Further, the Kansas City Wizards rebranded as Sporting Kansas City and moved into their new stadium at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Finally, with the arrival of two West Coast clubs, the Houston Dynamo transferred to the Eastern Conference.[12]

Stadiums and locations

Chicago Fire Chivas USA Colorado Rapids Columbus Crew D.C. United FC Dallas
Toyota Park The Home Depot Center Dick's Sporting Goods Park Crew Stadium RFK Memorial Stadium Pizza Hut Park
Capacity: 22,000 Capacity: 27,000 Capacity: 19,680 Capacity: 20,455 Capacity: 45,596 Capacity: 21,193
Houston Dynamo Los Angeles Galaxy New England Revolution New York Red Bulls Philadelphia Union Portland Timbers
Robertson Stadium The Home Depot Center Gillette Stadium Red Bull Arena PPL Park Jeld-Wen Field
Capacity: 32,000 Capacity: 27,000 Capacity: 22,385 Capacity: 25,189 Capacity: 18,500 Capacity: 20,323
Real Salt Lake San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC Sporting Kansas City Toronto FC Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Rio Tinto Stadium Buck Shaw Stadium CenturyLink Field Livestrong Sporting Park BMO Field BC Place1
Capacity: 20,008 Capacity: 10,300 Capacity: 36,700 Capacity: 18,467 Capacity: 23,000 Capacity: 22,000
Notes

1Vancouver Whitecaps played home matches at Empire Field prior to moving into the newly renovated BC Place on October 2, 2011.[13]

Personnel and sponsoring

Both of the new teams to MLS received jersey sponsors, while several existing teams saw changes in jersey sponsorships for the 2011 season.

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold one or more non-FIFA nationalities.

Team Head Coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Chicago Fire Klopas, FrankFrank Klopas United States Pause, LoganLogan Pause Adidas
Chivas USA Fraser, RobinRobin Fraser New Zealand Elliott, SimonSimon Elliott Adidas Corona
Colorado Rapids Smith, GaryGary Smith United States Mastroeni, PabloPablo Mastroeni Adidas
Columbus Crew Warzycha, RobertRobert Warzycha United States Marshall, ChadChad Marshall Adidas
D.C. United Olsen, BenBen Olsen United States Wolff, JoshJosh Wolff Adidas Volkswagen
FC Dallas Hyndman, SchellasSchellas Hyndman United States Hernández, DanielDaniel Hernández Adidas
Houston Dynamo Kinnear, DominicDominic Kinnear United States Ching, BrianBrian Ching Adidas Greenstar
Los Angeles Galaxy Arena, BruceBruce Arena United States Donovan, LandonLandon Donovan Adidas Herbalife
New England Revolution Nicol, SteveSteve Nicol Grenada Joseph, ShalrieShalrie Joseph Adidas UnitedHealthcare
New York Red Bulls Backe, HansHans Backe France Henry, ThierryThierry Henry Adidas Red Bull
Philadelphia Union Nowak, PiotrPiotr Nowak Colombia Mondragón, FarydFaryd Mondragón Adidas Bimbo
Portland Timbers Spencer, JohnJohn Spencer United States Jewsbury, JackJack Jewsbury Adidas Alaska Airlines
Real Salt Lake Kreis, JasonJason Kreis United States Beckerman, KyleKyle Beckerman Adidas XanGo
San Jose Earthquakes Yallop, FrankFrank Yallop United States Corrales, RamiroRamiro Corrales Adidas Amway Global
Seattle Sounders FC Schmid, SigiSigi Schmid United States Keller, KaseyKasey Keller Adidas Xbox
Sporting Kansas City Vermes, PeterPeter Vermes United States Arnaud, DavyDavy Arnaud Adidas
Toronto FC Winter, AronAron Winter Germany Frings, TorstenTorsten Frings Adidas Bank of Montreal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Soehn, TomTom Soehn United States DeMerit, JayJay DeMerit Adidas Bell Canada

League standings

Overall table

Pos
Team
 Pts
 GP
 W
 L
 T
 GF
 GA
 GD
Qualification or relegation
1 LA Galaxy (SS) (W1) 67 34 19 5 10 48 28+20 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage 2
2 Seattle Sounders FC 63 34 18 7 9 56 37+19
3 Real Salt Lake 53 34 15 11 8 44 36+8
4 FC Dallas 52 34 15 12 7 42 39+3
5 Sporting Kansas City (E1) 51 34 13 9 12 50 40+10
6 Houston Dynamo 49 34 12 9 13 45 41+4 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage 2
7 Colorado Rapids 49 34 12 9 13 44 41+3
8 Philadelphia Union 48 34 11 8 15 44 36+8
9 Columbus Crew 47 34 13 13 8 43 44−1
10 New York Red Bulls 46 34 10 8 16 50 44+6
11 Chicago Fire 43 34 9 9 16 46 45+1
12 Portland Timbers 42 34 11 14 9 40 48−8
13 D.C. United 39 34 9 13 12 49 52−3
14 San Jose Earthquakes 38 34 8 12 14 40 45−5
15 Chivas USA 36 34 8 14 12 41 43−2
16 Toronto FC 33 34 6 13 15 36 59−23 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round 3
17 New England Revolution 28 34 5 16 13 38 58−20
18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 28 34 6 18 10 35 55−20

Updated to matches played on October 22, 2011 (NER v TFC). Source: MLSSoccer.com
Notation Key:

(SS) = Supporters Shield winner
(E1) = Eastern Conference champion
(W1) = Western Conference champion

Conference standings

Eastern Conference

Pos
Team
 Pts
 GP
 W
 L
 T
 GF
 GA
 GD
Qualification or relegation
1 Sporting Kansas City (E1) 51 34 13 9 12 50 40+10 2011 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals
2 Houston Dynamo 49 34 12 9 13 45 41+4
3 Philadelphia Union 48 34 11 8 15 44 36+8
4 Columbus Crew 47 34 13 13 8 43 44−1 2011 MLS Cup Play-In Round
5 New York Red Bulls 46 34 10 8 16 50 44+6
6 Chicago Fire 43 34 9 9 16 46 45+1
7 D.C. United 39 34 9 13 12 49 52−3
8 Toronto FC 33 34 6 13 15 36 59−23
9 New England Revolution 28 34 5 16 13 38 58−20

Updated to matches played on October 20, 2011. Source: MLSSoccer.com
Notation Key:

(E1) = Eastern Conference champion
  • ^Note 1 - The top three clubs in each conference are guaranteed spots in the 2011 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals. The other four clubs in the playoffs enter via-wild card entrees, regardless of their conference, based on their overall standings in a single table.

Western Conference

Pos
Team
 Pts
 GP
 W
 L
 T
 GF
 GA
 GD
Qualification or relegation
1 LA Galaxy (SS) (W1) 67 34 19 5 10 48 28+20 2011 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals
2 Seattle Sounders FC 63 34 18 7 9 56 37+19
3 Real Salt Lake 53 34 15 11 8 44 36+8
4 FC Dallas 52 34 15 12 7 42 39+3 2011 MLS Cup Play-In Round
5 Colorado Rapids 49 34 12 9 13 46 42+4
6 Portland Timbers 42 34 11 14 9 40 48−8
7 San Jose Earthquakes 38 34 8 12 14 40 45−5
8 Chivas USA 36 34 8 14 12 41 43−2
9 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 28 34 6 18 10 35 55−20

Updated to matches played on October 22, 2011. Source: MLSSoccer.com
Notation Key:

(SS) = Supporters Shield winner
(W1) = Western Conference champion
  • ^Note 1 - The top three clubs in each conference are guaranteed spots in the 2011 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals. The other four clubs in the playoffs enter via wild card entrees, regardless of their conference, based on their overall standings in a single table.

Tiebreakers

  1. Head-to-Head (Points-per-match average)
  2. Overall Goal Differential
  3. Overall Total Goals Scored
  4. Tiebreakers 1–3 applied only to matches on the road
  5. Tiebreakers 1–3 applied only to matches at home
  6. Fewest team disciplinary points in the League Fair Play table
  7. Coin toss

If more than two clubs are tied, once a club advances through any step, the process reverts to Tiebreaker 1 among the remaining tied clubs recursively until all ties are resolved.[19]

Results

For the second year in a row, the league uses a balanced schedule. Each team will play every other team twice, home and away, for a total of 34 games.[20]

Home ╲ Away CHI CHV COLCLBDCUFCDHOULAGNERNYPHIPORRSLSJESEASKCTORVAN
Chicago Fire 3–2 2–0 3–2 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–0 2–2 0–0 3–2 2–0 0–0
Chivas USA 1–1 0–1 0–0 0–3 1–2 3–0 0–1 3–0 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 2–0 1–3 2–3 3–0 1–1
Colorado Rapids 1–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 1–0 0–0 1–3 2–2 4–1 1–1 3–1 0–0 1–1 0–1 1–1 0–0 2–1
Columbus Crew 0–1 3–3 4–1 2–1 2–0 2–2 0–1 3–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 2–4 2–1
D.C. United 1–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–0 2–2 1–1 0–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–4 2–1 0–1 3–3 4–0
FC Dallas 1–1 1–0 3–0 2–0 0–0 0–1 2–1 1–0 0–1 2–0 4–0 0–0 0–2 0–1 1–4 1–0 2–0
Houston Dynamo 1–1 2–1 1–2 0–2 4–1 2–2 3–1 1–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 3–2 2–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1
LA Galaxy 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 0–0 3–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 1–0 3–0 2–1 2–0 0–0 4–1 2–2 3–0
New England Revolution 1–1 2–3 0–0 0–3 2–1 2–0 1–1 0–1 2–2 4–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 1–2 3–2 0–0 1–0
New York Red Bulls 2–2 2–3 2–2 1–1 0–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–1 1–0 2–0 1–3 3–0 1–0 1–0 5–0 1–1
Philadelphia Union 2–1 3–2 1–2 1–0 3–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–0
Portland Timbers 4–2 1–0 0–1 1–0 2–3 3–2 0–2 3–0 3–0 3–3 1–0 1–0 1–1 2–3 1–2 2–2 2–1
Real Salt Lake 0–3 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–0 4–1 3–3 3–0 2–1 1–1 4–0 1–2 1–0 3–1 2–0
San Jose Earthquakes 2–0 1–2 1–2 3–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 0–0 2–1 2–2 0–0 1–1 0–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2
Seattle Sounders FC 2–1 0–0 4–3 6–2 3–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 2–1 4–2 0–2 1–1 1–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 2–2
Sporting Kansas City 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–3 3–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–2 4–2 2–1
Toronto FC 2–2 1–1 2–1 1–1 0–3 0–1 2–1 0–0 2–2 1–1 2–6 2–0 1–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–0
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4–2 0–0 1–2 0–1 2–1 1–2 1–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–0 0–1 3–0 1–1 1–3 3–3 4–2

Updated to games played on October 20, 2011.
Source: official website
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.

Playoff bracket

Main article: 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
  Knockout Round Conference Semifinals Conference Finals MLS Cup 2011
                                       
    E1  Sporting Kansas City 2 2  
8  Colorado Rapids 1     WC  Colorado Rapids 0 0    
  E1  Sporting Kansas City 0  
9  Columbus Crew 0     Eastern Conference
  E2  Houston Dynamo 2    
E2  Houston Dynamo 2 1
   
  E3  Philadelphia Union 1 0  
    E2  Houston Dynamo 0
  W1  LA Galaxy 1
  W2  Seattle Sounders FC 0 2    
W3  Real Salt Lake 3 0    
  W3  Real Salt Lake 1
7  FC Dallas 0   Western Conference
  W1  LA Galaxy 3  
10  New York Red Bulls 2     W1  LA Galaxy 1 2  
 
    WC  New York Red Bulls 0 1  

Note: The LA Galaxy, as MLS Supporters Shield winners, were assured of playing the lower seeded Wild Card series winner (New York Red Bulls) in the Conference Semifinals, while Sporting Kansas City would play the higher seeded Wild Card series winner (Colorado Rapids).

Statistical leaders

Full article: MLS Golden Boot

Top scorers

Rank Scorer Club Goals[21]
1 Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United 16
United States Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 16
3 France Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls 14
4 Peru Andrés Mendoza Columbus Crew 13
5 Brazil Camilo Vancouver Whitecaps FC 12
United States Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy 12
Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC 12
Ghana Dominic Oduro Chicago Fire 12
9 United States Charlie Davies D.C. United 11
France Sébastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union 11
Costa Rica Álvaro Saborío Real Salt Lake 11
United States Brek Shea FC Dallas 11

Last updated on October 23, 2011. Source: MLSsoccer.com statistics – Goals

Most assists

Rank Player Club Assists[21]
1 United States Brad Davis Houston Dynamo 16
2 England David Beckham Los Angeles Galaxy 15
3 Argentina Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC 13
4 Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United 12
5 United States Kyle Beckerman Real Salt Lake 9
Switzerland Davide Chiumiento Vancouver Whitecaps FC 9
France Sebastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union 9
Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC 9
Ghana Patrick Nyarko Chicago Fire 9
10 United States Jack Jewsbury Portland Timbers 8

Last updated on October 23, 2011. Source: MLSsoccer.com statistics – Assists

Top goalkeepers

(Minimum of 1,000 minutes played)[1]

Rank Goalkeeper Club
 GAA SV GA Mins GP W-L-T ShO
1 Jamaica Donovan Ricketts Los Angeles Galaxy 0.77 41 11 1284 15 7–3–4 7
2 Puerto Rico Josh Saunders Los Angeles Galaxy 0.93 55 17 1639 19 12–2–4 8
3 United States Kevin Hartman FC Dallas 1.06 85 35 2970 33 15–11–7 13
Colombia Faryd Mondragón Philadelphia Union 1.06 49 28 2385 27 8–8–11 7
5 United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC 1.09 110 37 3060 34 18–7–9 9
United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake 1.09 95 36 2970 33 14–11–8 13
7 Senegal Bouna Coundoul New York Red Bulls 1.13 37 13 1035 12 3–2–6 3
8 Denmark Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City 1.14 79 35 2767 31 12–8–11 7
9 United States Tally Hall Houston Dynamo 1.21 99 41 3060 34 12–9–13 6
United States Matt Pickens Colorado Rapids 1.21 77 41 3060 34 12–9–13 8
11 United States Dan Kennedy Chivas USA 1.22 100 39 2880 31 8–12–12 9
12 United States Troy Perkins Portland Timbers 1.31 91 38 2610 29 9–12–8 9

Last updated on October 23, 2011. Source: MLSsoccer.com statistics – Goalkeeping

Individual awards

Annual awards

MLS Player of the Year[22]
Player Club
Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United

Monthly awards

Month MLS Player of the Month MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Month
Player Club Link Player Club Link
March United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake 1GA 2–0–0 Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC March Humanitarian
April United States Brad Davis Houston Dynamo 6A 3–0–2 United States Daniel Hernández FC Dallas April Humanitarian
May United States Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy 6G United States Danny Cruz Houston Dynamo May Humanitarian
June United States Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City 2G 3GWA 3–0–3 United States Zak Boggs New England Revolution June Humanitarian
July United States Kevin Hartman FC Dallas 4SO 6GS United States Jeb Brovsky Vancouver Whitecaps FC July Humanitarian
August Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United 3G 2A United States Jack Jewsbury Portland Timbers August Humanitarian
September France Sébastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union 7G Morocco Mehdi Ballouchy
United States Jason Hernandez
Sierra Leone Michael Lahoud
United States Logan Pause		 New York Red Bulls
San Jose Earthquakes
Chivas USA
Chicago Fire		 September Humanitarians
October United States Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 5G United States Geoff Cameron Houston Dynamo October Humanitarian

Weekly awards

Week Player of the Week AT&T Goal of the Week[23] MLS Save of the Week[24]
Player Club Player Club Player Club
Week 1[25] Mexico Omar Bravo Sporting Kansas City United States Juan Agudelo New York Red Bulls United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
Week 2[26] Argentina Javier Morales Real Salt Lake Netherlands Javier Martina Toronto FC New Zealand Jake Gleeson Portland Timbers
Week 3[27] Brazil Camilo Vancouver Whitecaps FC Jamaica Khari Stephenson San Jose Earthquakes United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Week 4[28] Colombia David Ferreira FC Dallas Jamaica O'Brian White Seattle Sounders FC United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Week 5[29] England Luke Rodgers New York Red Bulls Colombia Jorge Perlaza Portland Timbers New Zealand Jake Gleeson Portland Timbers
Week 6[30] United States Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy United States Juan Agudelo New York Red Bulls Jamaica Donovan Ricketts Los Angeles Galaxy
Week 7[31] United States Will Bruin Houston Dynamo United States Brek Shea FC Dallas United States Bobby Shuttleworth New England Revolution
Week 8[32] Ecuador Joao Plata Toronto FC France Thierry Henry New York Red Bulls United States Tim Ream New York Red Bulls
Week 9[33] United States Justin Braun Chivas USA England David Beckham Los Angeles Galaxy Switzerland Stefan Frei Toronto FC
Week 10[34] United States Jeff Parke Seattle Sounders FC Guatemala Carlos Ruiz Philadelphia Union United States Troy Perkins Portland Timbers
Week 11[35] United States Justin Mapp Philadelphia Union United States Lamar Neagle Seattle Sounders FC United States Donovan & DeLaGarza Los Angeles Galaxy
Week 12[36] Haiti Jean Alexandre Real Salt Lake Haiti Jean Alexandre Real Salt Lake United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Week 13[37] United States Steven Lenhart San Jose Earthquakes France Eric Hassli Vancouver Whitecaps FC Canada Greg Sutton New York Red Bulls
Week 14[38] Venezuela Bernardo Anor Columbus Crew Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC Finland Teemu Tainio New York Red Bulls
Week 15[39] United States Mike Magee Los Angeles Galaxy United States Tyson Wahl Seattle Sounders FC United States Mike Magee Los Angeles Galaxy
Week 16[40] Estonia Joel Lindpere New York Red Bulls Liberia Darlington Nagbe Portland Timbers United States Brian Perk Los Angeles Galaxy
Week 17[41] Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC England David Beckham Los Angeles Galaxy United States Troy Perkins Portland Timbers
Week 18[42] Argentina Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC Guatemala Carlos Ruiz Philadelphia Union United States Troy Perkins Portland Timbers
Week 19[43] The Gambia Sanna Nyassi Colorado Rapids Sierra Leone Kei Kamara Sporting Kansas City Denmark Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Week 20[44] Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United Colombia Roger Torres Philadelphia Union United States Andy Gruenebaum Columbus Crew
Week 21[45] Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United United States Luis Gil Real Salt Lake Denmark Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Week 22[46] United States Chris Pontius D.C. United Scotland Adam Moffat Houston Dynamo Serbia Miloš Kocić Toronto FC
Week 23[47] United States Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City United States Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Week 24[48] United States Lamar Neagle Seattle Sounders FC United States Lamar Neagle Seattle Sounders FC United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
Week 25[49]
No award given
 United States Kyle Beckerman Real Salt Lake Denmark Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
Week 26[50] United States Charlie Davies D.C. United Switzerland Davide Chiumiento Vancouver Whitecaps FC United States Joe Cannon Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Week 27[51] Netherlands Danny Koevermans Toronto FC Uruguay Álvaro Fernández Seattle Sounders FC United States Zac MacMath Philadelphia Union
Week 28[52] Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC United States Troy Perkins Portland Timbers
Week 29[53] Guatemala Marco Pappa Chicago Fire United States Kenny Cooper Portland Timbers United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
Week 30[54]
No award given
 United States Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Week 31[55] United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC United States Danny Cruz Houston Dynamo United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Week 32[56] United States Jalil Anibaba Chicago Fire Scotland Adam Moffat Houston Dynamo Denmark Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City

Transfers

Main article: List of Major League Soccer transfers 2011

Major League Soccer employs no fewer than 12 methods to acquire players. These include: signing players on transfers/free transfers as is done in most of the world; via trades; drafting players through mechanisms such as the MLS SuperDraft, MLS Supplemental Draft, or MLS Re-Entry Draft; rarely used methods which cover extreme hardship and injury replacement; signing players as Designated Players or Homegrown Players; placing a discovery claim on players; waivers; and methods peculiar to MLS such as through allocation or a weighted lottery.[57]

Allocation ranking

The allocation ranking is the mechanism used to determine which MLS club has first priority to acquire a U.S. National Team player who signs with MLS after playing abroad, or a former MLS player who returns to the League after having gone to a club abroad for a transfer fee. The allocation rankings may also be used in the event two or more clubs file a request for the same player on the same day. The allocations will be ranked in reverse order of finish for the 2010 season, taking playoff performance into account.

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 League season.[57]

Original Ranking Club Date Allocation Used Player Signed Previous Club Ref
1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC November 18, 2010 United States Jay DeMerit England Watford [58]
2 Portland Timbers January 17, 2011 United States Kenny Cooper Germany 1860 Munich [59]
3 D.C. United February 16, 2011 United States Charlie Davies France Sochaux¤ [60]
4 Chivas USA
5 Philadelphia Union August 12, 2011 United States Freddy Adu Portugal Benfica[61]
6 New England Revolution April 19, 2011 United States Benny Feilhaber Denmark AGF Aarhus [62]
7 Houston Dynamo
8 Toronto FC
9 Seattle Sounders FC¤¤ August 26, 2011 United States Sammy Ochoa Mexico Estudiantes Tecos [63]
10 Sporting Kansas City

¤ Davies was signed by United on a twelve-month loan deal.
¤¤ Chicago originally had the No. 9 ranking but traded it to Seattle on August 26, 2011.[64]

The remaining order after Sporting Kansas City is: Chicago Fire¤¤, Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Colorado Rapids. In the unlikely event that all clubs use an allocation, the order begins anew with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Weighted lottery

Some players are assigned to MLS teams via a weighted lottery process. A team can only acquire one player per year through a weighted lottery. The players made available through lotteries include: (i) Generation adidas players signed after the MLS SuperDraft; and (ii) Draft eligible players to whom an MLS contract was offered but who failed to sign with the League prior to the SuperDraft.

The team with the worst record over its last 30 regular season games (dating back to previous season if necessary and taking playoff performance into account) will have the greatest probability of winning the lottery. Teams are not required to participate in a lottery. Players are assigned via the lottery system in order to prevent a player from potentially influencing his destination club with a strategic holdout.

The results of 2011 weighted lotteries thus far:

Lottery Date Player Position Winning Club Other Clubs Participating Ref
January 26, 2011 United States David Bingham GK San Jose Earthquakes New England Revolution, Toronto FC, Chicago Fire, Seattle Sounders FC, Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, Los Angeles Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC [65]
February 11, 2011 United States Cody Arnoux FW Real Salt Lake Houston Dynamo, Seattle Sounders FC, Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC [66]
February 14, 2011 United States Chris Agorsor FW Philadelphia Union Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC [67]
February 15, 2011 United States Korey Veeder DF Columbus Crew Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Colorado Rapids [68]
July 5, 2011 United States Soony Saad FW Sporting Kansas City Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers [69]

Related competitions

International competitions

CONCACAF Champions League

Main articles: 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League and 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League

Prior to the start of the MLS regular season, Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake played against each other in the quarterfinals of 2010–11 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League. The first leg, contested at Crew Stadium on February 22, 2011; ended in a scoreless draw between the sides. On March 1, 2011; the second leg at Rio Tinto Stadium was played, where Real Salt Lake won the series against the Crew 4–1 in the game and on aggregate, this ending Columbus' Champions League campaign.

As a result, Salt Lake became the first MLS team to advance into the semifinals of the Champions League under its current format. The team won its home fixture against Saprissa of Costa Rica 2–0 on March 15, 2011. Real Salt Lake lost the away fixture 2–1 on April 5, 2011, but advanced 3–2 on aggregate. They faced Monterrey of Mexico in the first leg of the final on April 20 in Monterrey. The game concluded in a 2–2 draw. The second leg was played at Rio Tinto on April 27, 2011. Monterrey won 1–0 (3–2 on aggregate) with a late goal in the first half.

Colorado Rapids and Los Angeles Galaxy have qualified directly into Group Stage for the 2011–12 edition of the Champions League by being the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield winners, respectively. Both Seattle Sounders FC and FC Dallas have earned preliminary entries in the tournament by winning the U.S. Open Cup and finishing runner up in the MLS Cup, respectively. Toronto FC secured the Canadian berth in the preliminary round with their Voyageurs Cup victory on July 2.

World Football Challenge

Main article: 2011 World Football Challenge

On March 29, 2011 MLS Commissioner Don Garber confirmed that the 2011 edition of the North American SuperLiga would be replaced by the World Football Challenge,[70] a friendly tournament which started play on July 14 and will end on August 6.[71]

The following MLS sides entered the tournament based on invitation: Los Angeles Galaxy, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Domestic competitions

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Main articles: 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification

The MLS clubs that finished first through sixth place overall during last year's regular season earned a direct bye to the third round proper of the U.S. Open Cup. Clubs that finished seventh or lower will have to play for the final two spots in a series of play-in propers, based on their geographic location as well as their final regular season position.

Canadian championship

Main article: 2011 Canadian Championship

The two Canadian-based MLS clubs, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC participated in the Canadian Championship, Canada's domestic soccer cup. They competed against two other professional Canadian soccer teams from the NASL for the Voyageurs Cup, as well as a Preliminary Round birth in the CONCACAF Champions League. The tournament is organized in a knockout format with two-legged ties in both the semifinals and final, with the away goals rule in place.

The two began in the semifinal round, where the Whitecaps defeated the Montreal Impact and Toronto defeated FC Edmonton. The first leg of the final, held in Vancouver on May 18, ended in a 1–1 draw. The second leg, on May 25 in Toronto, was abandoned due to torrential rains with the Whitecaps leading 1–0. Under competition rules, the second leg was to be replayed in its entirety the following day, but the field remained unplayable. The second leg was replayed, again in its entirety, on July 2, with Toronto winning the game 2–1 and the championship 3–2 on aggregate.

League competitions

MLS Cup

Main article: 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs

Following the 2011 season, ten MLS clubs will qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs postseason tournament. Of the ten clubs, six will be automatic qualifiers from the top three clubs in each conference. These automatic qualifiers earn a bye to the conference semifinal, or quarterfinal round proper. Four more qualifiers will enter in a play-in round, where these for clubs will be determined by their final regular season standing, regardless of their conference. The winners of the play-in games will play in the conference semifinals, where the lowest seeded club will play against the Supporters' Shield winners.

The cup final will be held on a neutral venue.

Cups and Rivalries

Main article: MLS rivalry cups

This season marks the first time that the Cascadia Cup will be contested in Major League Soccer. Seattle, Portland and Vancouver contested this cup from 2004–08 until Seattle joined Major League Soccer. The competition continued between Portland and Vancouver for the next two years.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "2011 Extended Stats". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  2. ↑ "2011-06-23: Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Toronto FC – New England Revolution". revolutionsoccer.net. June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ Jeremiah Oshan (October 24, 2011). "MLS Attendance Was Up Almost Across The Board In 2011". Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Landon Donovan's strike gives L.A. Galaxy MLS Cup crown". Washington Times. November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Galaxy's Big Three finish season on top". Fox Sports. November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Galaxy defeats Dynamo, 1–0, to win championship". Los Angeles Times. November 20, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  8. ↑ Jonah Freedman (November 21, 2010). "Playoffs to expand to 10 teams; more changes ahead | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  9. ↑ "MLS sets expanded playoffs format". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 25, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ Borg, Simon (January 5, 2011). "MLS SuperDraft trimmed to three rounds". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  11. ↑ "2011 MLS Roster Rules". Major League Soccer. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Houston Dynamo switch to Eastern Conference". Major League Soccer. January 28, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Cooper's goal lifts Timbers past Whitecaps," from Associated Press via The Score, 10/2/2011
  14. ↑ "Glidden withdraws Columbus Crew shirt sponsorship". FoxSoccer.com. Associated Press. January 10, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Dynamo unveil Greenstar as jersey sponsor". Houston Dynamo. December 7, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Union Partner with Bimbo Bakeries as Official Jersey Sponsor". Philadelphia Union. January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Crossing cultures". Chivas USA. February 22, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  18. ↑ Summers, Lizz. "UnitedHealthcare, Revolution Announce Partnership". New England Revolution. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Playoff Standings: If postseason started today". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Videos | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  21. 1 2 "Major League Soccer Statistics". Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Dwayne De Rosario named MLS Player of the Year for 2011". USA Today. November 18, 2011.
  23. ↑ "AT&T Goal of the Week: Vote Now". mls.com. May 27, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  24. ↑ "MLS Save of the Week: Vote Now". mls.com. May 27, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Bravo takes first Player of the Week award". March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  26. ↑ "RSL's Morales is voted league's best in Week 2". March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  27. ↑ "Vancouver's Camilo named Player of the Week". April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Reigning MVP Ferreira wins Player of the Week". April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Rodgers sparks RBNY, earns Player of the Week". April 18, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Donovan back in form, wins Player of the Week". April 25, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Bruin is 1st rookie to win Player of the Week in '11". May 1, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  32. ↑ "TFC's Plata wins first MLS Player of the Week Award". May 8, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Hat trick earns Chivas' Braun Player of the Week honors". May 16, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Parke earns first career MLS Player of the Week award". May 21, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Union midfielder Mapp Earns Player of the Week award". May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  36. ↑ "RSL's Alexandre wins first career Player of the Week award". June 6, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Quakes' Lenhart Wins first career Player of the Week award". June 13, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Columbus' Anor wins first MLS Player of the Week Award". June 20, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  39. ↑ "Magee becomes first GK to win Player of the Week award". June 27, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  40. ↑ "RBNY's Lindpere earns first Player of the Week award". July 5, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  41. ↑ "Seattle's Montero earns first Player of the Week award". July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  42. ↑ "Seattle's Rosales named Week 18's Player of the Week". July 18, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  43. ↑ "Colorado's Nyassi named MLS Player of the Week". July 25, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  44. ↑ "De Rosario's two goals earn him Player of the Week honors". August 1, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Hat trick nets De Rosario Player of the Week honors". August 8, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  46. ↑ "Pontius gives DC a hat trick of Player of the Week awards". August 15, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  47. ↑ "Sporting's Zusi earns first career Player of the Week award". August 22, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  48. ↑ "Seattle's Neagle claims Player of the Week honors". August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  49. ↑ "No award given for Week 25 because of the paucity of games". September 12, 2011.
  50. ↑ "DC's Davies claims first Player of the Week award". September 12, 2011.
  51. ↑ "TFC's Koevermans claims first Player of the Week award". September 19, 2011.
  52. ↑ "De Rosario wins third Player of the Week award of 2011". September 26, 2011.
  53. ↑ "Pappa takes Player of the Week honors for Week 29". October 3, 2011.
  54. ↑ "No award given for Week 30 because of the paucity of games". October 17, 2011.
  55. ↑ "Keller takes Player of the Week after dramatic night in Seattle". October 17, 2011.
  56. ↑ "Chicago's Anibaba wins 2011's final Player of the Week". October 24, 2011.
  57. 1 2 "2011 MLS Roster Rules | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  58. ↑ "USA World Cup star Jay DeMerit becomes first Whitecaps FC MLS signing | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. November 18, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  59. ↑ Portland Timbers (January 17, 2011). "Timbers Sign Forward Kenny Cooper". Portland Timbers. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  60. ↑ "acquires forward Charlie Davies". D.C. United. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  61. ↑ Dave Zeitlin (August 12, 2011). "Freddy Adu returns to MLS, joins Philadelphia Union". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  62. ↑ "New England Revolution Acquire Midfielder Benny Feilhaber | New England Revolution". Revolutionsoccer.net. April 20, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  63. ↑ Public, Sounders FC. "Sounders FC adds Sammy Ochoa – Seattle Sounders Football Club". Soundersfc.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Sounders pick up ex-US youth forward Sammy Ochoa". MLSsoccer.com. August 26, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  65. ↑ "Quakes land goalkeeper David Bingham | San Jose Earthquakes". Sjearthquakes.com. January 26, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  66. ↑ Simon Borg (February 11, 2011). "Real Salt Lake land forward Cody Arnoux in lottery | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  67. ↑ Philadelphia Union Communications (February 14, 2011). "Union Acquire Forward Chris Agorsor". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  68. ↑ "Crew land right back Korey Veeder in lottery | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  69. ↑ "Sporting Kansas City win lottery for college phenom Saad | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. July 5, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  70. ↑ Borg, Simon. "World Football Challenge will replace SuperLiga". MLSSoccer.com. D.C. United. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  71. ↑ "Rules of the Competition". World Football Challenge. MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
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