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2011 Major League Soccer season

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Major League Soccer
Season2011
MLS CupLA Galaxy (3rd title)
Supporters' ShieldLA Galaxy (4th shield)
Champions League (U.S.)LA Galaxy
Seattle Sounders FC (via U.S. Open Cup)
Real Salt Lake
Houston Dynamo
Champions League (Canada)Toronto FC (via Canadian Championship)
Matches played306
Goals scored791 (2.58 per match)
Top goalscorerDwayne De Rosario and Chris Wondolowski (16 goals)
Biggest home winNY 5–0 TOR
(July 6)
Biggest away winDCU 0–4 NY
(April 21)
TOR 2–6 PHI
(May 28)
VAN 0–4 LA
(July 30)
Highest scoring8 goals:
TOR 2–6 PHI
(May 28)
SEA 6–2 CLB
(August 27)
PHI 4–4 NE
(September 7)
Longest winning run5 matches:
Real Salt Lake[1]
(August 27 – Sep 21)
Longest unbeaten run14 matches:
LA Galaxy[1]
(May 7 – July 30)
Sporting KC[1]
(May 28 – August 3)
Longest winless run14 matches:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC[1]
(March 26 – June 11)
Longest losing run5 matches:
Sporting KC[1]
(April 16 – May 21)
New England Revolution[1](September 16 – October 15)
Highest attendance64,140[2]
SJ @ SEA
Lowest attendance6,680[3]
TOR @ NE
Average attendance17,872[4]
← 2010
2012 →
class=notpageimage|
Locations of teams for the 2011 Major League Soccer season
Western Conference   Eastern Conference

The 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 16th season of Major League Soccer. It was also the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 33rd with a national first-division league.

This season marked the arrival of two new clubs, the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who replaced teams of the same name that last played in the USSF D2 Pro League. The addition of those two clubs led to a realignment of the league's conferences, with the Houston Dynamo moving to the Eastern Conference to create two conferences of nine teams each.

The Kansas City Wizards rebranded as Sporting Kansas City, which coincided with its move to its new stadium, Livestrong Sporting Park.

The MLS Reserve League returned this season after previously disbanding following the 2008 season.

The regular season began on March 15 and concluded on October 23. The MLS Cup Playoffs began on October 26 and ended on November 20, when the LA Galaxy claimed their third league title by defeating the Houston Dynamo, 1–0, in MLS Cup.

Overview

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Season format

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The season began on March 15 and concluded with MLS Cup on November 20. The 18 teams were split evenly into two conferences. Each team played 34 games that were evenly divided between home and away. Each team played every other team in the league twice.

This was the first playoffs to include ten teams. The top three teams in each conference earned a bye to the conference semifinals, while the next four teams with the most points earned wild card berths. The wild card round included two single-elimination matches where the winners advanced to the conference semifinals. In all rounds, draws were broken with two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary. The away goals rule was not used in any round.

The team with the most points in the regular season was awarded the MLS Supporters' Shield and qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League. Additionally, the winner of MLS Cup, and the runner-up, also qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League. An additional berth in the Champions League was also awarded to the winner of the U.S. Open Cup. If a team qualified for multiple berths into the Champions League, then additional berths were awarded to the highest overall finishing MLS team(s) not already qualified. Also, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, as Canadian-based teams, could not qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League through MLS, and had to instead qualify through the Canadian Championship.

Roster rule changes

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Team rosters were expanded to 30 players in order to accommodate the re-introduction of the MLS Reserve League. 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 to April 15 and from July 15 to 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.[5]

Stadiums and locations

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Main article: List of Major League Soccer stadiums
Team Stadium Capacity
Chicago Fire Toyota Park 20,000
Chivas USA Home Depot Center 27,000
Colorado Rapids Dick's Sporting Goods Park 18,061
Columbus Crew Columbus Crew Stadium 22,555
D.C. United RFK Stadium 45,596
FC Dallas Pizza Hut Park 21,193
Houston Dynamo Robertson Stadium 32,000
LA Galaxy Home Depot Center 27,000
New England Revolution Gillette Stadium 68,756
New York Red Bulls Red Bull Arena 25,000
Philadelphia Union PPL Park 18,500
Portland Timbers Jeld-Wen Field 18,627
Real Salt Lake Rio Tinto Stadium 20,213
San Jose Earthquakes Buck Shaw Stadium 10,525
Seattle Sounders FC Qwest Field 68,740
Sporting Kansas City Livestrong Sporting Park 18,467
Toronto FC BMO Field 21,566
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Empire Field
BC Place 		27,528
22,120

Personnel and sponsorships

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Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Head Coach Captain Shirt sponsor
Chicago Fire United States Frank Klopas United States Logan Pause —
Chivas USA United States Robin Fraser New Zealand Simon Elliott Corona
Colorado Rapids England Gary Smith United States Pablo Mastroeni —
Columbus Crew Poland Robert Warzycha United States Chad Marshall —
D.C. United United States Ben Olsen United States Josh Wolff Volkswagen
FC Dallas United States Schellas Hyndman United States Daniel Hernández —
Houston Dynamo United States Dominic Kinnear United States Brian Ching Greenstar Recycling
LA Galaxy United States Bruce Arena United States Landon Donovan Herbalife
New England Revolution Scotland Steve Nicol Grenada Shalrie Joseph UnitedHealthcare
New York Red Bulls Sweden Hans Backe France Thierry Henry Red Bull
Philadelphia Union Poland Piotr Nowak Colombia Faryd Mondragón Bimbo
Portland Timbers Scotland John Spencer United States Jack Jewsbury Alaska Airlines
Real Salt Lake United States Jason Kreis United States Kyle Beckerman XanGo
San Jose Earthquakes Canada Frank Yallop United States Ramiro Corrales Amway Global
Seattle Sounders FC United States Sigi Schmid United States Kasey Keller Xbox
Sporting Kansas City United States Peter Vermes United States Davy Arnaud —
Toronto FC Netherlands Aron Winter Germany Torsten Frings Bank of Montreal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC United States Tom Soehn United States Jay DeMerit Bell Canada

Managerial changes

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

Results table

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Home \ Away CHI CHV COL CLB DCU FCD HOU LAG NER NY PHI POR RSL SJE SEA SKC TOR VAN
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 match(es) played on October 20, 2011. Source: official website
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Standings

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Eastern Conference

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

Western Conference

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

Overall standings

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Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 LA Galaxy (S, C) 34 19 5 10 48 28 20 67 CONCACAF Champions League
2 Seattle Sounders FC 34 18 7 9 56 37 19 63
3 Real Salt Lake 34 15 11 8 44 36 8 53
4 FC Dallas 34 15 12 7 42 39 3 52
5 Sporting Kansas City 34 13 9 12 50 40 10 51
6 Houston Dynamo 34 12 9 13 45 41 4 49 CONCACAF Champions League
7 Colorado Rapids 34 12 9 13 44 41 3 49
8 Philadelphia Union 34 11 8 15 44 36 8 48
9 Columbus Crew 34 13 13 8 43 44 −1 47
10 New York Red Bulls 34 10 8 16 50 44 6 46
11 Chicago Fire 34 9 9 16 46 45 1 43
12 Portland Timbers 34 11 14 9 40 48 −8 42
13 D.C. United 34 9 13 12 49 52 −3 39
14 San Jose Earthquakes 34 8 12 14 40 45 −5 38
15 Chivas USA 34 8 14 12 41 43 −2 36
16 Toronto FC 34 6 13 15 36 59 −23 33 CONCACAF Champions League
17 New England Revolution 34 5 16 13 38 58 −20 28
18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 34 6 18 10 35 55 −20 28
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (S) Supporters' Shield

MLS Cup Playoffs

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Main article: 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
Play-in round Conference semifinals Conference finals MLS Cup
E1 Sporting Kansas City 2 2
8 Colorado Rapids 1 WC Colorado Rapids 0 0
9 Columbus Crew 0 Eastern ConferenceE1 Sporting Kansas City 0
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
7 FC Dallas 0 W3 Real Salt Lake 3 0
10 New York Red Bulls 2 Western ConferenceW3 Real Salt Lake 1
W1 LA Galaxy 3
W1 LA Galaxy 1 2
WC New York Red Bulls 0 1


Player statistics

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Goals

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

Assists

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Rank Player Club Goals
1 United States Brad Davis Houston Dynamo 16
2 England David Beckham LA 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
France Sébastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union
Colombia Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC
Ghana Patrick Nyarko Chicago Fire
10 United States Jack Jewsbury Portland Timbers 8

Clean sheets

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Rank Player Club Clean
sheets
1 United States Kevin Hartman FC Dallas 13
United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake
3 United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC 9
United States Dan Kennedy Chivas USA
United States Troy Perkins Portland Timbers
6 United States Will Hesmer Columbus Crew 8
Denmark Jimmy Nielsen Sporting Kansas City
United States Matt Pickens Colorado Rapids
Puerto Rico Josh Saunders LA Galaxy
10 United States Jon Busch San Jose Earthquakes 7
United States Bill Hamid D.C. United
United States Sean Johnson Chicago Fire
Colombia Faryd Mondragón Philadelphia Union
Jamaica Donovan Ricketts LA Galaxy

Awards

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Individual awards

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Award Player Club
Most Valuable Player Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United
Defender of the Year United States Omar Gonzalez LA Galaxy
Goalkeeper of the Year United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Coach of the Year United States Bruce Arena LA Galaxy
Rookie of the Year United States C.J. Sapong Sporting Kansas City
Newcomer of the Year Argentina Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC
Comeback Player of the Year England David Beckham LA Galaxy
Golden Boot Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United
Goal of the Year United States Darlington Nagbe Portland Timbers
Save of the Year United States Kasey Keller Seattle Sounders FC
Fair Play Award France Sébastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union
Humanitarian of the Year United States Zak Boggs New England Revolution

Best XI

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Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
United States Kasey Keller, Seattle United States Todd Dunivant, LA Galaxy
United States Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy
Colombia Jámison Olave, Salt Lake 		England David Beckham, LA Galaxy
United States Brad Davis, Houston
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
United States Brek Shea, Dallas 		France Thierry Henry, Red Bulls
United States Chris Wondolowski, San Jose

Player of the Month

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Month Player Club Stats
March United States Nick Rimando Real Salt Lake 1GA
April United States Brad Davis Houston Dynamo 6A
May United States Landon Donovan LA Galaxy 6G
June United States Graham Zusi Sporting Kansas City 2G, 3A
July United States Kevin Hartman FC Dallas 4GA
August Canada Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United 3G, 2A
September France Sébastien Le Toux Philadelphia Union 7G
October United States Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 5G

Weekly awards

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

Transfers

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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.[40]

Allocation ranking

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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.[40]

Original Ranking Club Date Allocation Used Player Signed Previous Club Ref
1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC November 18, 2010 United States Jay DeMerit England Watford [41]
2 Portland Timbers January 17, 2011 United States Kenny Cooper Germany 1860 Munich [42]
3 D.C. United February 16, 2011 United States Charlie Davies France Sochaux¤ [43]
4 Chivas USA
5 Philadelphia Union August 12, 2011 United States Freddy Adu Portugal Benfica [44]
6 New England Revolution April 19, 2011 United States Benny Feilhaber Denmark AGF Aarhus [45]
7 Houston Dynamo
8 Toronto FC
9 Seattle Sounders FC¤¤ August 26, 2011 United States Sammy Ochoa Mexico Estudiantes Tecos [46]
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.[47]

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

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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:

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 [48]
February 11, 2011 United States Cody Arnoux FW Real Salt Lake Houston Dynamo, Seattle Sounders FC, Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC [49]
February 14, 2011 United States Chris Agorsor FW Philadelphia Union Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC [50]
February 15, 2011 United States Korey Veeder DF Columbus Crew Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Colorado Rapids [51]
July 5, 2011 United States Soony Saad FW Sporting Kansas City Chivas USA, Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers [52]
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International competitions

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CONCACAF Champions League

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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.[citation needed] 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

[edit]
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,[53] a friendly tournament which started play on July 14 and will end on August 6.[54]

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

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Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

[edit]
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

[edit]
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 berth 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

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MLS Cup

[edit]
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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "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. ^ "2011 MLS Roster Rules". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  6. ^ "AT&T Goal of the Week: Vote Now". mls.com. May 27, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  7. ^ "MLS Save of the Week: Vote Now". mls.com. May 27, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  8. ^ "Bravo takes first Player of the Week award". March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  9. ^ "RSL's Morales is voted league's best in Week 2". March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  10. ^ "Vancouver's Camilo named Player of the Week". April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  11. ^ "Reigning MVP Ferreira wins Player of the Week". April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  12. ^ "Rodgers sparks RBNY, earns Player of the Week". April 18, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  13. ^ "Donovan back in form, wins Player of the Week". April 25, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  14. ^ "Bruin is 1st rookie to win Player of the Week in '11". May 1, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  15. ^ "TFC's Plata wins first MLS Player of the Week Award". May 8, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  16. ^ "Hat trick earns Chivas' Braun Player of the Week honors". May 16, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  17. ^ "Parke earns first career MLS Player of the Week award". May 21, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  18. ^ "Union midfielder Mapp Earns Player of the Week award". May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  19. ^ "RSL's Alexandre wins first career Player of the Week award". June 6, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  20. ^ "Quakes' Lenhart Wins first career Player of the Week award". June 13, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  21. ^ "Columbus' Anor wins first MLS Player of the Week Award". June 20, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  22. ^ "Magee becomes first GK to win Player of the Week award". June 27, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  23. ^ "RBNY's Lindpere earns first Player of the Week award". July 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  24. ^ "Seattle's Montero earns first Player of the Week award". July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  25. ^ "Seattle's Rosales named Week 18's Player of the Week". July 18, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  26. ^ "Colorado's Nyassi named MLS Player of the Week". July 25, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  27. ^ "De Rosario's two goals earn him Player of the Week honors". August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
  28. ^ "Hat trick nets De Rosario Player of the Week honors". August 8, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  29. ^ "Pontius gives DC a hat trick of Player of the Week awards". August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  30. ^ "Sporting's Zusi earns first career Player of the Week award". August 22, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  31. ^ "Seattle's Neagle claims Player of the Week honors". August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  32. ^ "No award given for Week 25 because of the paucity of games". September 12, 2011.
  33. ^ "DC's Davies claims first Player of the Week award". September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  34. ^ "TFC's Koevermans claims first Player of the Week award". September 19, 2011.
  35. ^ "De Rosario wins third Player of the Week award of 2011". September 26, 2011. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  36. ^ "Pappa takes Player of the Week honors for Week 29". October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  37. ^ "No award given for Week 30 because of the paucity of games". October 17, 2011.
  38. ^ "Keller takes Player of the Week after dramatic night in Seattle". October 17, 2011.
  39. ^ "Chicago's Anibaba wins 2011's final Player of the Week". October 24, 2011.
  40. ^ a b "2011 MLS Roster Rules | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  41. ^ "USA World Cup star Jay DeMerit becomes first Whitecaps FC MLS signing | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com. November 18, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  42. ^ Portland Timbers (January 17, 2011). "Timbers Sign Forward Kenny Cooper". Portland Timbers. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  43. ^ "acquires forward Charlie Davies". D.C. United. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  44. ^ Dave Zeitlin (August 12, 2011). "Freddy Adu returns to MLS, joins Philadelphia Union". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  45. ^ "New England Revolution Acquire Midfielder Benny Feilhaber | New England Revolution". Revolutionsoccer.net. April 20, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  46. ^ Public, Sounders FC. "Sounders FC adds Sammy Ochoa – Seattle Sounders Football Club". Soundersfc.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  47. ^ "Sounders pick up ex-US youth forward Sammy Ochoa". MLSsoccer.com. August 26, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  48. ^ "Quakes land goalkeeper David Bingham | San Jose Earthquakes". Sjearthquakes.com. January 26, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  49. ^ Simon Borg (February 11, 2011). "Real Salt Lake land forward Cody Arnoux in lottery | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  50. ^ Philadelphia Union Communications (February 14, 2011). "Union Acquire Forward Chris Agorsor". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  51. ^ "Crew land right back Korey Veeder in lottery | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  52. ^ "Sporting Kansas City win lottery for college phenom Saad | Major League Soccer". Mlssoccer.com. July 5, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  53. ^ Borg, Simon. "World Football Challenge will replace SuperLiga". MLSSoccer.com. D.C. United. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  54. ^ "Rules of the Competition". World Football Challenge. MLSSoccer.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
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