2000 Major League Soccer season


The 2000 Major League Soccer season was the 88th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States and Canada, the 22nd with a national first-division league, and the fifth season of Major League Soccer. The regular season began on March 25 and continued through September 9, culminating with the 2000 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Overview

Changes from 1999

Most notably the 2000 season marked the first time in Major League Soccer history, that ties were allowed to stand. Following a ten-minute sudden death extra time, rather than going to a penalty shoot-out, if two teams were tied, the tie would stand. Also, the league adopted the IFAB-standard running clock, as well as injury time.
Additionally, the league broke into three separate divisions, the East, Central and West divisions. The league would use this format until 2002, when the two Florida franchises, Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion folded.

Standings

Division standings

Eastern Division

Central Division

Western Division

Overall standings

MLS Cup Playoffs

Bracket

Win = 3 Pts.
Loss = 0 Pts.
Draw = 1 Pt.
SDET**=Sudden Death Extra Time
Teams will advance at 5 points.

Quarterfinals

Kansas City Wizards advance 7–1 on points.
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Chicago Fire advance 6–3 on points.
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MetroStars advance 6–0 on points.
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Los Angeles Galaxy advance 6–0 on points.

Semifinals

Chicago Fire advance 6-3 on points.
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Kansas City Wizards advance 1–0 in series overtime after 4–4 tie on points.

[MLS Cup 2000]

Player awards

End of season awards

AwardPlayerClub
Most Valuable Player Tony MeolaKansas City Wizards
Scoring Champion Mamadou Diallo Tampa Bay Mutiny
Defender of the Year Peter VermesKansas City Wizards
Goalkeeper of the Year Tony MeolaKansas City Wizards
Rookie of the Year Carlos BocanegraChicago Fire
Coach of the Year Bob GanslerKansas City Wizards
Comeback Player of the Year Tony MeolaKansas City Wizards
Goal of the Year Marcelo BalboaColorado Rapids
Fair Play Award Steve RalstonTampa Bay Mutiny
Humanitarian of the Year Abdul Thompson ContehSan Jose Earthquakes

Player statistics

Top Goal Scorers

PositionPlayerClubGoals
1 Mamadou DialloTampa Bay Mutiny26
2 Ante RazovChicago Fire18
3 Clint MathisMetroStars*16
Diego SernaMiami Fusion16
Adolfo ValenciaMetroStars16
6 Ariel GrazianiDallas Burn15
Dante WashingtonColumbus Crew15
Wolde HarrisNew England Revolution15
9 Alex ComasMetroStars13
10 Miklos MolnarKansas City Wizards12
Jaime MorenoD.C. United12

Played for more than one team – Most Recent Team Listed*

Attendance

ClubGamesSeasonGame Avg.
Los Angeles Galaxy16326,39220,400
D.C. United16297,27918,580
MetroStars16281,93817,621
New England Revolution16247,40915,463
Columbus Crew16247,22015,451
Chicago Fire16214,18913,387
Dallas Burn16209,63713,102
Colorado Rapids16201,28012,580
San Jose Earthquakes16199,36412,460
Tampa Bay Mutiny16151,2329,452
Kansas City Wizards16145,7939,112
Miami Fusion F.C.16119,3527,460
OVERALL1922,641,08513,756

International Competition

2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Defeated Real C.D. España 5-3 in PK, 0-0 draw.
Defeated D.C. United 4-2 in PK, 1-1 draw.
Defeated C.D. Olimpia 3-2 in regulation.
Defeated L.D. Alajuelense 2-1.
Lost Los Angeles Galaxy 4-2 in PK, 1-1 draw.

Coaches

Eastern Conference