1996 Major League Soccer season

Inaugural season of Major League Soccer June 2017 May 2017 1996 10 D.C. United (1st title) Tampa Bay Mutiny (1st shield) Roy Lassiter(27 goals) CONCACAF Champions' Cup D.C. UnitedLos Angeles Galaxy 160 539 Los Angeles GalaxyGames: 12(04/13 – 06/30) Columbus CrewGames: 6(05/15 – 06/22) 2,785,001 17,406 92,216LA 2–2 TB (June 16, 1996) 6,013COL 4–2 KC (August 7, 1996) 1997 United States 525 right Locations of teams for the 1996 Major League Soccer season8px Western Conference   8px Eastern Conference United States 38.889722 -76.971667 D.C. United bottom ButtonBlue.svg United States 40.737411 -74.153763 MetroStars left ButtonBlue.svg United States 27.978889 -82.503611 Tampa Bay top ButtonBlue.svg United States 40.009444 -82.991111 Columbus left ButtonBlue.svg United States 42.090833 -71.264444 New England top ButtonBlue.svg United States 39.35 -104.8918 Colorado top ButtonRed.svg United States 33.154444 -96.835278 Dallas right ButtonRed.svg United States 33.864444 -118.261111 Los Angeles bottom ButtonRed.svg United States 39.1218 -94.8237 Kansas City bottom ButtonRed.svg United States 37.350556 -121.936667 San Jose top ButtonRed.svg The 1996 Major League Soccer season was the inaugural season of Major League Soccer. It was the 84th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 18th with a national first-division league. Overview Preparation for first season Major League Soccer had originally intended to begin competitive action in 1995. Various difficulties forced the league to postpone its first season until 1996. In preparation for its first season, the league began signing what it called marquee players, https://90soccer.com/the-marquee-players-of-the-1996-mls-season/ 1996 season: Marquee players January 27, 2022 Ken Salmon 90Soccer beginning with Tab Ramos on January 3, 1995.SPORTS PEOPLE: SOCCER; Ramos Signs With Major League Soccer (Published 1995) The New York Times January 5, 1995 https://web.archive.org/web/20230213165531/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/05/sports/sports-people-soccer-ramos-signs-with-major-league-soccer.html 2023-02-13 live https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/05/sports/sports-people-soccer-ramos-signs-with-major-league-soccer.html Beginning in October 1995, the league apportioned the marquee players in the MLS Inaugural Allocations.SOCCER; Major League Soccer Gets Set for Unveilings (Published 1995) The New York Times October 17, 1995 https://web.archive.org/web/20230408163101/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/17/sports/soccer-major-league-soccer-gets-set-for-unveilings.html 2023-04-08 live https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/17/sports/soccer-major-league-soccer-gets-set-for-unveilings.html Yannis Alex Each team received two national team and two foreign players in the allocation.SOCCER;Giants Stadium Will Go Natural Again (Published 1995) The New York Times October 18, 1995 https://web.archive.org/web/20230408082421/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/18/sports/soccer-giants-stadium-will-go-natural-again.html 2023-04-08 live https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/18/sports/soccer-giants-stadium-will-go-natural-again.html Yannis Alex The league then invited about 250 players to a tryout the second week of January 1996 on the campus of UC Irvine.Pro Soccer Combine Begins Today at UC Irvine On February 6 and 7, 1996, the league held its 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft in which the ten teams selected 160 players over sixteen rounds. The Columbus Crew selected Brian McBride with the first pick of the draft. On March 4, 1996, the league then held the 1996 MLS College Draft followed by the 1996 MLS Supplemental Draft later that day. Despite the numerous drafts, the teams were not obligated to sign only players from the drafts.1996 draft - latimes.com Preseason The preseason began the first week of March. The teams reduced their rosters to twenty-two players by March 25 and had to make a final roster reduction to eighteen by April 15.RAPIDS RELEASE THREE PLAYERS The teams had a $1,200,000 salary cap with no player allowed to receive more than $192,500. In order to promote American players, teams were limited to five foreigners on the roster.http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1995.html#MLS The Year in American Soccer - 1995 January 27, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120226150651/http://homepages.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1995.html#MLS February 26, 2012 dead Season Each of the 10 MLS teams played 32 games. A regulation win was worth three points, a shootout win one point, and zero points for a loss in any manner. Fear of alienating fans with tied games had led the league to adopting the shootout when games ended even. The league also adopted a countdown clock instead of running clock, unlike IFAB's standards. The league also divided the teams equally into two conferences – Eastern and Western. The league began its first season on Saturday, April 6, 1996, when the San Jose Clash hosted D.C. United at Spartan Stadium. ESPN carried the game live which the Clash won on a goal by Eric Wynalda. That goal was selected as the Goal of the Year. The regular season ended on September 22. The playoffs began two days later.https://90soccer.com/how-don-garber-transformed-the-league-after-a-tough-start/?_thumbnail_id=53312 MLS: Legacy of NASL and Don Garber’s impact February 24, 2025 Ken Salmon 90Soccer Stadiums and locations List of Major League Soccer stadiums Team Stadium Capacity Colorado Rapids Mile High Stadium 76,273 Columbus Crew Ohio Stadium 102,329 D.C. United RFK Stadium 46,000 Dallas Burn Cotton Bowl 92,100 Kansas City Wiz Arrowhead Stadium 81,425 Los Angeles Galaxy Rose Bowl 92,542 New England Revolution Foxboro Stadium 60,292 NY/NJ MetroStars Giants Stadium 80,200 San Jose Clash Spartan Stadium 30,456 Tampa Bay Mutiny Houlihan's Stadium 74,301 Personnel and sponsorships Team Head coach Captain Shirt sponsor Colorado RapidsUSA Roy Wegerle Budweiser Columbus Crew USA Tom Fitzgerald RSA Doctor Khumalo Snickers D.C. United USA Bruce Arena MasterCard Dallas Burn USA Dave Dir AT&T Kansas City Wiz ENG Ron Newman AT&T Los Angeles Galaxy GER Lothar Osiander Budweiser New England Revolution IRE Frank Stapleton BIC NY/NJ MetroStars POR Carlos Queiroz USA Peter Vermes Fujifilm San Jose Clash ENG Laurie Calloway USA John Doyle Honda Tampa Bay Mutiny NED Thomas Rongen Bandai Coaching changes Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Incoming coach Date of appointmentNY/NJ MetroStarsITA Eddie FirmaniFiredMay 24, 1996POR Carlos QueirozMay 30, 1996Columbus CrewFIN Timo LiekoskiResignedAugust 2, 1996USA Tom FitzgeraldAugust 2, 1996Colorado RapidsENG Bob HoughtonFiredSeptember 10, 1996USA Roy WegerleSeptember 13, 1996 Standings Eastern Conference Western Conference Overall standings MLS Cup playoffs Bracket 3/3/1 Conference semifinals Conference finals MLS Cup Eastern Conference Western Conference 35px 170px E1 Tampa Bay Mutiny 2 1 4 E4 Columbus Crew 0 2 1 E2 D.C. United 2 (5) 1 2 E3 NY/NJ MetroStars *(pen.) 2 (6)* 0 1 W1 Los Angeles Galaxy 0 2 2 W4 San Jose Clash 1 0 0 W2 Dallas Burn 2 2 2 (2) W3 Kansas City Wiz *(pen.) 3 1 2 (3)* E1 Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 1 x E2 D.C. United 4 2 x W1 Los Angeles Galaxy *(pen.) 2 1 (3)* x W3 Kansas City Wiz 1 1 (1) x E2 D.C. United (aet) 3 W1 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Best of Three series winners will advance. Conference semifinals Eastern Conference September 24, 1996 Game 1 NY/NJ MetroStars 2 D.C. United 2 https://fbref.com/en/matches/88719fdb/NYNJ-MetroStars-DC-United-September-24-1996-Major-League-Soccer De Ávila 38 Savarese 75 Díaz Arce 24 Moreno 56 De Ávila Donadoni Ramos Joseph Knowles Silvera Savarese Zaun Meola Johnson Vermes 6–5 Agoos Etcheverry Moreno Díaz Arce Sanneh Harkes Gori Williams Peay Pope Causey Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey 14,416 Esse Baharmast September 27, 1996 Game 2 D.C. United 1 NY/NJ MetroStars 0 https://fbref.com/en/matches/d303470a/DC-United-NYNJ-MetroStars-September-27-1996-Major-League-Soccer Etcheverry 72 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 21,442 Paul Tamberino October 2, 1996 Game 3 D.C. United 2 NY/NJ MetroStars 1 https://fbref.com/en/matches/a40faa34/DC-United-NYNJ-MetroStars-October-2-1996-Major-League-Soccer Rammel 67 Díaz Arce 89 pen. De Ávila 86 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 20,423 Brian Hall D.C. United wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals. September 25, 1996 Game 1 Columbus Crew 0 Tampa Bay Mutiny 2 https://fbref.com/en/matches/3eb3151f/Columbus-Crew-Tampa-Bay-Mutiny-September-25-1996-Major-League-Soccer Lassiter 82 87 Ohio Stadium Columbus, Ohio 20,807 Brian Hall September 28, 1996 Game 2 Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 Columbus Crew 2 https://fbref.com/en/matches/278c92e5/Tampa-Bay-Mutiny-Columbus-Crew-September-28-1996-Major-League-Soccer Lassiter 26 Paz 1 McBride 58 Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, Florida 13,009 Rich Grady October 2, 1996 Game 3 Tampa Bay Mutiny 4 Columbus Crew 1 https://fbref.com/en/matches/6dde66f2/Tampa-Bay-Mutiny-Columbus-Crew-October-2-1996-Major-League-Soccer Vásquez 3 Lassiter 41 58 Pittman 55 McBride 35 Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, Florida 6,871 Tim Weyland Tampa Bay Mutiny wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals. Western Conference September 26, 1996 Game 1 Kansas City Wiz 3 Dallas Burn 2 https://fbref.com/en/matches/436c2b3d/Kansas-City-Wiz-Dallas-Burn-September-26-1996-Major-League-Soccer Johnston 16 McKeon 79 Preki 89 Elliott 21 Ashton 25 Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri 4,466 Tim Weyland September 29, 1996 Game 2 Dallas Burn 2 Kansas City Wiz 1 https://fbref.com/en/matches/1a3a20c5/Dallas-Burn-Kansas-City-Wiz-September-29-1996-Major-League-Soccer Kreis 5 Washington 32 Preki 30 Cotton Bowl Dallas, Texas 10,125 Esse Baharmast October 2, 1996 Game 3 Dallas Burn 2 Kansas City Wiz 2 https://fbref.com/en/matches/09bac697/Dallas-Burn-Kansas-City-Wiz-October-2-1996-Major-League-Soccer Sánchez 27 Elliott 66 Chung 41 Takawira 62 Haynes Lozzano Sánchez Farrer Ashton 2–3 Johnston Preki Klopas Wright Takawira Cotton Bowl Dallas, Texas 9,802 Rich Grady Kansas City Wiz wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals. September 26, 1996 Game 1 San Jose Clash 1 Los Angeles Galaxy 0 https://fbref.com/en/matches/80cbf9c4/California-Clasico-San-Jose-Clash-LA-Galaxy-September-26-1996-Major-League-Soccer Ianni 36 Spartan Stadium San Jose, California 17,209 Kevin Stott September 29, 1996 Game 2 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 San Jose Clash 0 https://fbref.com/en/matches/43ed0c77/California-Clasico-LA-Galaxy-San-Jose-Clash-September-29-1996-Major-League-Soccer Fraser 84 Hurtado 90 Rose Bowl Pasadena, California 27,833 Joshua Patlak October 2, 1996 Game 3 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 San Jose Clash 0 https://fbref.com/en/matches/cfd890e5/California-Clasico-LA-Galaxy-San-Jose-Clash-October-2-1996-Major-League-Soccer Hurtado 31 Cienfuegos 36 pen. Rose Bowl Pasadena, California 30,231 Esse Baharmast Los Angeles Galaxy wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals. Conference finals Eastern Conference October 10, 1996 Game 1 D.C. United 4 Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 https://fbref.com/en/matches/2242f769/DC-United-Tampa-Bay-Mutiny-October-10-1996-Major-League-Soccer Díaz Arce 36 58 60 Rammel 54 Lassiter 42 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 23,566 Kevin Stott October 12, 1996 Game 2 Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 D.C. United 2 https://fbref.com/en/matches/48da5340/Tampa-Bay-Mutiny-DC-United-October-12-1996-Major-League-Soccer Ralston 14 Williams 49 Díaz Arce 82 Houlihan's Stadium Tampa, Florida 9,339 Rich Grady D.C. United wins series 2–0, advances to MLS Cup. Western Conference October 10, 1996 Game 1 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 Kansas City Wiz 1 https://fbref.com/en/matches/31d5407e/LA-Galaxy-Kansas-City-Wiz-October-10-1996-Major-League-Soccer Armas 48 Vanney 57 Preki 52 Rose Bowl Pasadena, California 25,212 Brian Hall October 13, 1996 Game 2 Kansas City Wiz 1 Los Angeles Galaxy 1 https://fbref.com/en/matches/3f00dc60/Kansas-City-Wiz-LA-Galaxy-October-13-1996-Major-League-Soccer Preki 69 Vanney 77 Chung Preki Wright Sorber 1–3 Noamouz Fraser Jones Cienfuegos Vanney Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri 11,041 Zimmerman Boulos Los Angeles Galaxy wins series 2–0, advances to MLS Cup. MLS Cup MLS Cup 1996 October 20, 1996 Los Angeles Galaxy 2 yes D.C. United 3 https://fbref.com/en/matches/053a9edd/LA-Galaxy-DC-United-October-20-1996-Major-League-Soccer Hurtado 5 Armas 56 Sanneh 72 Medved 81 Pope 94 Foxboro Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts 34,643 Esse Baharmast Player statistics Goals RankPlayerClubGoals1USA Roy LassiterTampa Bay Mutiny272SLV Raúl Díaz ArceD.C. United233ECU 1900 Eduardo HurtadoLos Angeles Galaxy214 USA PrekiKansas City Wiz185USA Brian McBrideColumbus Crew176USA Steve RammelD.C. United147USA Paul BravoSan Jose Clash13USA Jason KreisDallas BurnVEN 1954 Giovanni SavareseNY/NJ MetroStarsZWE Vitalis TakawiraKansas City Wiz Hat-tricks List of Major League Soccer hat-tricks Player Club Against Result DateUSA Steve Rammel D.C. United Columbus Crew 5–2 md 1996 5 15VEN Giovanni Savarese NY/NJ MetroStars Colorado Rapids 3–0 md 1996 5 16ECU Eduardo Hurtado Los Angeles Galaxy NY/NJ MetroStars 4–0 md 1996 6 9ECU Eduardo Hurtado Los Angeles Galaxy Colorado Rapids 3–1 md 1996 6 26SLV Raúl Díaz Arce4 D.C. United Dallas Burn 6–1 md 1996 7 7USA Cobi Jones Los Angeles Galaxy Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–4 md 1996 7 27USA Roy Lassiter Tampa Bay Mutiny Colorado Rapids 3–1 md 1996 8 3USA Brian Maisonneuve Columbus Crew Kansas City Wiz 5–1 md 1996 9 7 Assists RankPlayerClubAssists1BOL Marco EtcheverryD.C. United162USA Eric WynaldaSan Jose Clash11COL Carlos ValderramaTampa Bay Mutiny4 SLV Mauricio CienfuegosLos Angeles Galaxy105USA PrekiKansas City Wiz9USA Mark ChungKansas City WizUSA Tab RamosNY/NJ Metrostars8URU Adrián PazColumbus Crew8ITA Roberto DonadoniNY/NJ MetroStarsUSA John HarkesD.C. United Clean sheets RankPlayerClubCleansheets1USA Tony MeolaNY/NJ Metrostars92USA Mark DoddDallas Burn63MEX Jorge CamposLos Angeles Galaxy4 USA Brad FriedelColumbus CrewENG Aidan HeaneyNew England RevolutionUSA Tom LinerSan Jose ClashUSA Dave SalzwedelSan Jose Clash8USA Mark DoughertyTampa Bay Mutiny3USA Garth LagerwayKansas City WizUSA Mark SimpsonD.C. United Awards Individual awards AwardPlayerClubMost Valuable PlayerCOL Carlos ValderramaTampa Bay MutinyDefender of the YearUSA John DoyleSan Jose ClashGoalkeeper of the YearUSA Mark DoddDallas BurnCoach of the YearNED Thomas RongenTampa Bay MutinyRookie of the YearUSA Steve RalstonTampa Bay MutinyScoring ChampionUSA Roy Lassiter Tampa Bay MutinyGoal of the YearUSA Eric WynaldaSan Jose Clash Best XI GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwardsUSA Mark Dodd, DallasCOL Leonel Álvarez, DallasUSA John Doyle, San JoseUSA Robin Fraser, LA GalaxySLV Mauricio Cienfuegos, LA GalaxyITA Roberto Donadoni, MetroStarsBOL Marco Etcheverry, D.C. UnitedUSA Preki, Kansas CityCOL Carlos Valderrama, Tampa BayECU Eduardo Hurtado, LA GalaxyUSA Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay Player of the Month MonthPlayerClubStatsApril ESA Mauricio Cienfuegos Los Angeles Galaxy 2GMay COL Carlos Valderrama Tampa Bay Mutiny 2G, 4AJune ECU 1900 Eduardo Hurtado Los Angeles Galaxy 7G, 1AJuly USA Jason Kreis Dallas Burn 5GAugust BOL Marco Etcheverry D.C. United 1G, 8ASeptember USA Brad Friedel Columbus Crew 2GA Weekly awards Player of the WeekWeekPlayerClubWeek 1 USA Eric Wynalda San Jose ClashWeek 2 USA Brian McBride Columbus CrewWeek 3 USA Marcelo Balboa Colorado RapidsWeek 4 USA Bo Oshoniyi Columbus CrewWeek 5 VEN 1954 Giovanni Savarese NY/NJ MetroStarsWeek 6 USA Brian McBride Columbus CrewWeek 7 MEX Jorge Campos Los Angeles GalaxyWeek 8 USA Preki Kansas City WizWeek 9 USA John Doyle San Jose ClashWeek 10 ECU 1900 Eduardo Hurtado Los Angeles GalaxyWeek 11 USA Mark Dodd Dallas BurnWeek 12 USA Mark Chung Kansas City WizWeek 13 USA Tony Meola NY/NJ MetroStarsWeek 14 ESA Raúl Díaz Arce D.C. UnitedWeek 15 USA Paul Bravo San Jose ClashWeek 16 USA Cobi Jones Los Angeles GalaxyWeek 17 USA Joe-Max Moore New England RevolutionWeek 18 USA Tony Meola NY/NJ MetroStarsWeek 19 URU Adrián Paz Columbus CrewWeek 20 BOL Marco Etcheverry D.C. UnitedWeek 21 USA Brad Friedel Columbus CrewWeek 22 USA Brian Maisonneuve Columbus CrewWeek 23 CAN Frank Yallop Tampa Bay MutinyWeek 24 USA Brad Friedel Columbus Crew Attendance Major League Soccer attendance RankTeamGP Home games playedCumulative Cumulative total of all home games attendanceHigh Highest season attendanceLow Lowest season attendanceMean Statistical mean season attendance 1 Los Angeles Galaxy 16 92,216 8,561 2 NY/NJ Metrostars 16 53,250 14,007 3 New England Revolution 16 38,633 11,009 4 Columbus Crew 16 31,550 12,832 5 San Jose Clash 16 31,728 10,894 6 Dallas Burn 16 35,250 7,338 7 D.C. United 16 35,032 7,360 8 Kansas City Wiz 16 21,141 8,062 9 Tampa Bay Mutiny 16 26,473 6,281 10 Colorado Rapids 16 21,711 6,013 Total 160 2,785,001 92,216 6,013 References External links 1996 MLS Regular Season stats https://web.archive.org/web/20100801173853/http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/1996-full-season-stats August 1, 2010 Soccer Hall of Fame 1996 1 United States