Major League Soccer lore

Major League Soccer lore is a collection of information that Major League Soccer (MLS) fans retain and share.
Since MLS was founded in 1996, the league has grown into the most successful top division soccer league to exist in the United States. During its existence, it has battled with rules between FIFA and old-NASL codes, competed for attention with the A-League and new North American Soccer League, and established several historic games amongst fans of the sport.
Matches
The following is a selected list of memorable plays and events that have stood the test of time and are considered common knowledge by MLS fans:
1990s
*Inaugural MLS game (April 6, 1996, San Jose Clash vs. D.C. United, Week 1 fixture, 1996 season)
*:On April 6, 1996 the first ever Major League Soccer match was played, contested between the San Jose Clash (now Earthquakes) and D.C. United. Headed into a likely 0-0 draw with overtime, Eric Wynalda scored a curling shot in the 88th minute of play to score the first ever goal in MLS history.
2000s
*Loophole Bob (July 5, 2003, D.C. United vs. MetroStars, Week 11 fixture, 2003 season)
*:Atlantic Cup rivals, D.C. United and the MetroStars (now known as New York Red Bulls) played each other in a midseason fixture at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. At the time, MLS allowed for four substitutes: three field players, and one goalkeeper. Additionally, from 2000-2003, MLS played one ten minute golden goal period of extra time if the match was tied, although the tie would stand if still tied at the end of overtime. Then-MetroStars coach, Bob Bradley used the four player substitution to exploit a loophole in the rules. Upon using all three substitutes, Bradley put goalkeeper-Tim Howard in the field as a field player right before overtime began, and placed midfielder Mark Lisi in goal. Bradley substituted Eddie Gaven on for Mark Lisi, which was technically a legal goalkeeper substitution. After the stop of play, Gaven and Howard leagally switched from goalkeeper to field player. Gaven ultimately scored the over-time winning goal, winning 3-2 at United. This match is likely a reason in which MLS abolished overtime as well as the goalkeeper substitution starting in 2004.
*November 6, 2004, D.C. United vs. New England Revolution, 2004 MLS Eastern Conference Championship
*: The 2004 Eastern Conference Championship has been considered by many pundits to be one of the best matches in MLS history. The attack-oriented match league four goals netted in the first half, which each D.C. United goal being responded by a Revolution goal. United stars, Alecko Eskandarian and Jaime Moreno netted two early goals for United, but were responded by New England's Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston tying the match back up. In the second half, Christian Gomez score the go-ahead goal against the Revolution to give United a 3-2 lead. Looking like a victory for United, Pat Noonan's 85th minute equalizer sent the match into extra time drawn at 3-3, ultimately leading to a penalty shoot-out. In the first round, Ralston and Ben Olsen of New England and D.C., respectively missed their opening shots. After the first round, Matt Reis, Twellman and Shalrie Joseph scored their penalties for New England, while Santino Quaranta, Freddy Adu, and Eskandarian scored for United. After Jaime Moreno missed his penalty, New England had the opportunity to take the lead in sudden death penalties and potentially win the match. New England striker, Clint Dempsey had his penalty saved by Nick Rimando, while D.C.'s Brian Carroll scored his penalty to win the shootout and send United into MLS Cup 2004. United then defeated the Kansas City Wizards to win their fourth MLS Cup.
2010s
*The Red Bull Wedding (May 21, 2016, New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls, Week 12 fixture, 2016 season)
*:Hudson River derby rivals, New York City FC and New York Red Bulls played their first match against each other of the 2016 MLS season. New York was on at three-match winning streak, then a franchise-record, while New York Red Bulls were recovering from a slump that had the squad starting the season off with a 1-6-0 record. The Red Bulls won 7-0 at New York City FC, with team captain Dax McCarty scoring twice, striker Bradley Wright-Phillips netting twice, and every substitute scoring a goal. The result tied the league record for the largest margin of defeat in MLS history.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu