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Comparing the 2019 and 2020 Major League Soccer Seasons: Key Differences and Performance Analysis
Having spent years analyzing football leagues across different continents, I must confess there's something uniquely compelling about Major League Soccer's evolution. When I sat down to compare the 2019 and 2020 MLS seasons, I noticed patterns that reminded me of watching emerging football nations develop their distinctive styles - much like how the Philippines' women's futsal team demonstrated their growing prowess in that thrilling 3-3 draw against Uzbekistan in the recent Asian Cup qualifiers. Both scenarios showcase how teams and leagues adapt under varying circumstances, though admittedly on completely different scales.
The 2019 season represented what I'd call MLS in its purest form - 24 teams competing in a traditional format where the Supporters' Shield winner, LAFC, absolutely dominated the regular season with an impressive 72 points, setting what I believe to be one of the highest standards we've seen in league history. Their attacking trio of Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi, and Brian Rodriguez created what I consider some of the most entertaining football the league has ever produced. Vela's record-breaking 34 goals in 31 appearances wasn't just statistically remarkable - it demonstrated how world-class players were beginning to treat MLS as a primary destination rather than a retirement league. The playoff structure felt familiar, the schedule followed its usual rhythm, and frankly, the entire season had this beautiful predictability that allowed teams to build momentum naturally.
Then came 2020, and wow, what a different beast that turned out to be. The pandemic didn't just tweak the season - it completely rewrote the rulebook in ways nobody could have predicted. I remember watching the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando thinking this might become the new normal, and frankly, it was both terrifying and fascinating to witness. The league condensed what would normally be a 34-match season into 23 games per team, creating this intense, almost World Cup-like atmosphere where every match carried disproportionate weight. Columbus Crew's championship run was particularly impressive to me because they demonstrated that consistency and tactical discipline could triumph even in the most chaotic circumstances. Their 1-0 victory over Seattle in the MLS Cup final wasn't just another championship - it felt like a statement about resilience in professional sports.
What really stood out to me was how differently teams approached these two seasons from a tactical perspective. In 2019, we saw more expansive, attacking football with teams averaging 2.89 goals per game compared to 2020's 2.48 - a significant drop that I attribute to the compressed schedule and heightened stakes. Coaches in 2020 seemed more cautious, more calculated in their approach, perhaps understanding that player fitness couldn't be maintained at 2019 levels given the unusual circumstances. The difference in attendance figures tells its own story - 2019's robust average of 21,310 fans per game contrasted sharply with 2020's largely empty stadiums, creating what I felt was a fundamentally different competitive environment.
From a statistical standpoint, the disparities go beyond just goals and attendance. The 2020 season saw a 15% increase in substitutions per game after MLS implemented the five-substitute rule - a change I initially questioned but eventually came to appreciate for how it allowed coaches to be more strategically flexible. Player salaries saw an interesting shift too, with the average base compensation increasing by approximately 8% despite the shortened season, suggesting to me that the league's financial health remained surprisingly robust despite external challenges. The number of international players in the league actually grew from 48.2% to 49.8% between seasons, continuing what I see as MLS's steady transformation into a truly global competition.
When I reflect on these two seasons, I can't help but view 2020 as a pressure cooker that accelerated certain trends that were already brewing in 2019. The increased reliance on youth academy products, the tactical innovations born from necessity, the financial adjustments that forced smarter roster construction - all these elements created what I believe was a crucial turning point for the league's development. While 2019 might represent the pinnacle of MLS's traditional model, 2020 demonstrated the league's adaptability and resilience in ways that will likely influence its trajectory for years to come. Both seasons, in their own ways, contributed to MLS's ongoing story - much like how emerging football nations like the Philippines continue to write their own narratives through performances like their recent futsal qualification campaign.