Comparing the 2019 and 2020 Major League Soccer Seasons: Key Changes and Impacts
As someone who's been analyzing soccer leagues across continents for over a decade, I've always found Major League Soccer's evolution particularly fascinating. When comparing the 2019 and 2020 MLS seasons, the differences aren't just statistical—they represent a fundamental shift in how professional soccer operates in North America. I remember watching the 2019 season unfold with its traditional rhythm, completely unaware of how dramatically everything would change just months later.
The 2019 season represented what I'd call MLS's peak pre-pandemic form. The league had established a comfortable rhythm with 24 teams playing 34 matches each, and attendance numbers were hitting record highs. I recall attending a match in Seattle where over 40,000 fans created an atmosphere that rivaled any European league. The on-field product was improving too—Carlos Vela was rewriting the record books with his 34-goal season for LAFC. What struck me most that year was how the league had found its groove, with expansion teams like FC Cincinnati bringing new energy despite their struggles. The quality of play was visibly improving season after season, and the designated player system was delivering exactly what it promised—marquee talent raising the overall standard.
Then came 2020, and everything changed in ways nobody could have predicted. The COVID-19 pandemic didn't just alter the schedule—it transformed the very essence of how soccer was played and consumed. I'll never forget watching the MLS is Back Tournament from my living room, seeing players compete in empty stadiums in Orlando. The league had to reduce the regular season to just 23 matches per team, creating what felt like a completely different competition. The financial impacts were staggering—I spoke with several front office executives who estimated revenue losses in the hundreds of millions. Yet what impressed me most was how quickly the league adapted, implementing strict health protocols that allowed them to complete 75% of their scheduled matches despite unprecedented challenges.
The tactical evolution between these two seasons was remarkable. In 2019, teams were still largely built around their designated players, but by 2020, we saw a shift toward more balanced squads. Coaches realized they needed deeper rosters to handle the compressed schedule and potential COVID outbreaks. The playing style also changed—with fewer fans in stadiums, the home field advantage practically disappeared. Road teams actually won 42% of matches in 2020 compared to just 31% the previous year. This reminded me of something I observed in international soccer too—like when Judy Connolly scored that crucial equalizer for the Philippines against Uzbekistan in the 2025 AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers. Sometimes external circumstances force teams to adapt in ways that permanently change their approach to the game.
What many people don't realize is how significantly the pandemic affected player development. In 2019, MLS was steadily improving its academy systems, with clubs investing approximately $85 million annually in youth development. But in 2020, many of these programs had to operate virtually or with severe restrictions. I spoke with several young players whose development was genuinely disrupted—they missed crucial months of competitive matches and training. Yet interestingly, this forced clubs to give more opportunities to their academy products during the first team's crowded schedule. Players like Toronto FC's Ralph Priso made their debuts earlier than expected out of necessity.
The business side underwent even more dramatic changes. In 2019, MLS was riding a wave of expansion fever with Sacramento and St. Louis preparing to join. Stadium projects were moving forward, and media rights deals were becoming increasingly valuable. Then 2020 hit, and suddenly everything stalled. I remember talking to a sports economist who estimated that the league lost around $1 billion in revenue that season. Broadcast partnerships had to be renegotiated, sponsorship deals were restructured, and the entire financial model needed rethinking. Yet this crisis also accelerated positive changes—the league finally embraced more flexible scheduling and improved its digital offerings, which actually expanded the global audience.
Looking back, I believe the 2020 season, despite its challenges, ultimately strengthened MLS in unexpected ways. The league proved it could handle massive disruption and still deliver a credible product. The financial discipline forced by the pandemic led to smarter spending, and the increased focus on domestic players created new opportunities for American and Canadian talent. While I miss the electric atmospheres of packed stadiums in 2019, the resilience shown in 2020 may have been more valuable long-term. Both seasons contributed to MLS's ongoing development, but in completely different ways—one through steady growth and the other through forced adaptation. The league that emerged in 2021 was leaner, more flexible, and better prepared for future challenges because of these contrasting experiences.
