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1996 Major League Soccer season

Inaugural season of Major League Soccer

Inaugural season of Major League Soccer

FieldValue
season1996
num_teams10
mlscupD.C. United (1st title)
shieldTampa Bay Mutiny (1st shield)
league topscorerRoy Lassiter
(27 goals)
continentalcup1[CONCACAF Champions' Cup](1997-concacaf-champions-cup)
continentalcup1 qualifiersD.C. United
Los Angeles Galaxy
matches160
total goals539
longest winsLos Angeles Galaxy
Games: 12
(04/13 – 06/30)
longest lossesColumbus Crew
Games: 6
(05/15 – 06/22)
attendance2,785,001
average attendance17,406
highest attendance92,216
LA 2–2 TB
(June 16, 1996)
lowest attendance6,013
COL 4–2 KC
(August 7, 1996)
nextseason[1997](1997-major-league-soccer-season)

(27 goals) Los Angeles Galaxy Games: 12 (04/13 – 06/30) Games: 6 (05/15 – 06/22) LA 2–2 TB (June 16, 1996) COL 4–2 KC (August 7, 1996)

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, beginning with Tab Ramos on January 3, 1995. Beginning in October 1995, the league apportioned the marquee players in the MLS Inaugural Allocations. Each team received two national team and two foreign players in the allocation. The league then invited about 250 players to a tryout the second week of January 1996 on the campus of 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.

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. 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.

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.

Stadiums and locations

Main article: List of Major League Soccer stadiums

TeamStadiumCapacity
Colorado RapidsMile High Stadium76,273
Columbus CrewOhio Stadium102,329
D.C. UnitedRFK Stadium46,000
Dallas BurnCotton Bowl92,100
Kansas City WizArrowhead Stadium81,425
Los Angeles GalaxyRose Bowl92,542
New England RevolutionFoxboro Stadium60,292
NY/NJ MetroStarsGiants Stadium80,200
San Jose ClashSpartan Stadium30,456
Tampa Bay MutinyHoulihan's Stadium74,301

Personnel and sponsorships

TeamHead coachCaptainShirt sponsor
Colorado RapidsUSA Roy WegerleBudweiser
Columbus CrewUSA Tom FitzgeraldRSA Doctor KhumaloSnickers
D.C. UnitedUSA Bruce ArenaMasterCard
Dallas BurnUSA Dave DirAT&T
Kansas City WizENG Ron NewmanAT&T
Los Angeles GalaxyGER Lothar OsianderBudweiser
New England RevolutionIRE Frank StapletonBIC
NY/NJ MetroStarsPOR Carlos QueirozUSA Peter VermesFujifilm
San Jose ClashENG Laurie CallowayUSA John DoyleHonda
Tampa Bay MutinyNED Thomas RongenBandai

Coaching changes

TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming coachDate of appointment
NY/NJ MetroStarsITA Eddie FirmaniFiredMay 24, 1996POR Carlos QueirozMay 30, 1996
Columbus CrewFIN Timo LiekoskiResignedAugust 2, 1996USA Tom FitzgeraldAugust 2, 1996
Colorado RapidsENG Bob HoughtonFiredSeptember 10, 1996USA Roy WegerleSeptember 13, 1996

Standings

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Overall standings

MLS Cup Playoffs

Bracket

| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference | RD1-group2=Western Conference | score-width=35px | team-width=170px | RD1-seed1=E1 | RD1-team1=Tampa Bay Mutiny | RD1-score1-1=2 | RD1-score1-2=1 | RD1-score1-3=4 | RD1-seed2=E4 | RD1-team2=Columbus Crew | RD1-score2-1=0 | RD1-score2-2=2 | RD1-score2-3=1 | RD1-seed3=E2 | RD1-team3=D.C. United | RD1-score3-1=2 (5) | RD1-score3-2=1 | RD1-score3-3=2 | RD1-seed4=E3 | RD1-team4=NY/NJ MetroStars (pen.) | RD1-score4-1=2 (6) | RD1-score4-2=0 | RD1-score4-3=1 | RD1-seed5=W1 | RD1-team5=Los Angeles Galaxy | RD1-score5-1=0 | RD1-score5-2=2 | RD1-score5-3=2 | RD1-seed6=W4 | RD1-team6=San Jose Clash | RD1-score6-1=1 | RD1-score6-2=0 | RD1-score6-3=0 | RD1-seed7=W2 | RD1-team7=Dallas Burn | RD1-score7-1=2 | RD1-score7-2=2 | RD1-score7-3=2 (2) | RD1-seed8=W3 | RD1-team8=Kansas City Wiz (pen.) | RD1-score8-1=3 | RD1-score8-2=1 | RD1-score8-3=2 (3) | RD2-seed1=E1 | RD2-team1=Tampa Bay Mutiny | RD2-score1-1=1 | RD2-score1-2=1 | RD2-score1-3=x | RD2-seed2=E2 | RD2-team2=D.C. United | RD2-score2-1=4 | RD2-score2-2=2 | RD2-score2-3=x | RD2-seed3=W1 | RD2-team3=Los Angeles Galaxy (pen.) | RD2-score3-1=2 | RD2-score3-2=1 (3) | RD2-score3-3=x | RD2-seed4=W3 | RD2-team4=Kansas City Wiz | RD2-score4-1=1 | RD2-score4-2=1 (1) | RD2-score4-3=x | RD3-seed1=E2 | RD3-team1=D.C. United (aet) | RD3-score1-1=3 | RD3-seed2=W1 | RD3-team2=Los Angeles Galaxy | RD3-score2-1=2

  • Best of Three series winners will advance.

Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference

  • de Ávila

  • Savarese

  • Díaz Arce

  • Moreno

  • de Ávila

  • Donadoni

  • Ramos

  • Joseph

  • Knowles

  • Silvera

  • Savarese

  • Zaun

  • Meola

  • Johnson

  • Vermes

  • Agoos

  • Etcheverry

  • Moreno

  • Díaz Arce

  • Sanneh

  • Harkes

  • Gori

  • Williams

  • Peay

  • Pope

  • Causey

  • Etcheverry

  • Rammel

  • Díaz Arce

  • de Ávila

  • D.C. United wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals.

  • Lassiter

  • Lassiter

  • Paz

  • McBride

  • Vásquez

  • Lassiter

  • Pittman

  • McBride

  • Tampa Bay Mutiny wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals.

Western Conference

  • Johnston

  • McKeon

  • Preki

  • Elliott

  • Ashton

  • Kreis

  • Washington

  • Sánchez

  • Elliott

  • Chung

  • Takawira

  • Haynes

  • Lozzano

  • Sánchez

  • Farrer

  • Ashton

  • Johnston

  • Preki

  • Klopas

  • Wright

  • Takawira

  • Kansas City Wiz wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals.

  • Ianni

  • Fraser

  • Hurtado

  • Hurtado

  • Cienfuegos

  • Los Angeles Galaxy wins series 2–1, advances to Conference finals.

Conference finals

Eastern Conference

  • Díaz Arce

  • Rammel

  • Lassiter

  • Ralston

  • Williams

  • Díaz Arce

  • D.C. United wins series 2–0, advances to MLS Cup.

Western Conference

  • Armas

  • Vanney

  • Preki

  • Vanney

  • Chung

  • Preki

  • Wright

  • Sorber

  • Noamouz

  • Fraser

  • Jones

  • Cienfuegos

  • Vanney

  • Los Angeles Galaxy wins series 2–0, advances to MLS Cup.

MLS Cup

Main article: MLS Cup 1996

  • Hurtado
  • Armas
  • Sanneh
  • Medved
  • Pope

Player statistics

Goals

RankPlayerClubGoals
1USA Roy LassiterTampa Bay Mutiny27
2SLV Raúl Díaz ArceD.C. United23
3ECU Eduardo HurtadoLos Angeles Galaxy21
4USA PrekiKansas City Wiz18
5USA Brian McBrideColumbus Crew17
6USA Steve RammelD.C. United14
7USA Paul BravoSan Jose Clash13
USA Jason KreisDallas Burn
VEN Giovanni SavareseNY/NJ MetroStars
ZWE Vitalis TakawiraKansas City Wiz

Hat-tricks

Main article: List of Major League Soccer hat-tricks

PlayerClubAgainstResultDate
USA Steve RammelD.C. UnitedColumbus Crew5–2
VEN Giovanni SavareseNY/NJ MetroStarsColorado Rapids3–0
ECU Eduardo HurtadoLos Angeles GalaxyNY/NJ MetroStars4–0
ECU Eduardo HurtadoLos Angeles GalaxyColorado Rapids3–1
SLV Raúl Díaz Arce4D.C. UnitedDallas Burn6–1
USA Cobi JonesLos Angeles GalaxyTampa Bay Mutiny3–4
USA Roy LassiterTampa Bay MutinyColorado Rapids3–1
USA Brian MaisonneuveColumbus CrewKansas City Wiz5–1

Assists

RankPlayerClubAssists
1BOL Marco EtcheverryD.C. United16
2USA Eric WynaldaSan Jose Clash11
COL Carlos ValderramaTampa Bay Mutiny
4SLV Mauricio CienfuegosLos Angeles Galaxy10
5USA PrekiKansas City Wiz9
USA Mark ChungKansas City Wiz
USA Tab RamosNY/NJ Metrostars
8URU Adrián PazColumbus Crew8
ITA Roberto DonadoniNY/NJ MetroStars
USA John HarkesD.C. United

Clean sheets

RankPlayerClubClean
sheets
1USA Tony MeolaNY/NJ Metrostars9
2USA Mark DoddDallas Burn6
3MEX Jorge CamposLos Angeles Galaxy4
USA Brad FriedelColumbus Crew
ENG Aidan HeaneyNew England Revolution
USA Tom LinerSan Jose Clash
USA Dave SalzwedelSan Jose Clash
8USA Mark DoughertyTampa Bay Mutiny3
USA Garth LagerwayKansas City Wiz
USA Mark SimpsonD.C. United

Awards

Individual awards

AwardPlayerClub
Most Valuable PlayerCOL Carlos ValderramaTampa Bay Mutiny
Defender of the YearUSA John DoyleSan Jose Clash
Goalkeeper of the YearUSA Mark DoddDallas Burn
Coach of the YearNED Thomas RongenTampa Bay Mutiny
Rookie of the YearUSA Steve RalstonTampa Bay Mutiny
Scoring ChampionUSA Roy LassiterTampa Bay Mutiny
Goal of the YearUSA Eric WynaldaSan Jose Clash

Best XI

GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwards
USA Mark Dodd, DallasCOL Leonel Álvarez, Dallas
USA John Doyle, San Jose
USA Robin Fraser, LA GalaxySLV Mauricio Cienfuegos, LA Galaxy
ITA Roberto Donadoni, MetroStars
BOL Marco Etcheverry, D.C. United
USA Preki, Kansas City
COL Carlos Valderrama, Tampa BayECU Eduardo Hurtado, LA Galaxy
USA Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay

Player of the Month

MonthPlayerClubStats
AprilESA Mauricio CienfuegosLos Angeles Galaxy2G
MayCOL Carlos ValderramaTampa Bay Mutiny2G, 4A
JuneECU Eduardo HurtadoLos Angeles Galaxy7G, 1A
JulyUSA Jason KreisDallas Burn5G
AugustBOL Marco EtcheverryD.C. United1G, 8A
SeptemberUSA Brad FriedelColumbus Crew2GA

Weekly awards

Player of the WeekWeekPlayerClub
Week 1USA Eric WynaldaSan Jose Clash
Week 2USA Brian McBrideColumbus Crew
Week 3USA Marcelo BalboaColorado Rapids
Week 4USA Bo OshoniyiColumbus Crew
Week 5VEN Giovanni SavareseNY/NJ MetroStars
Week 6USA Brian McBrideColumbus Crew
Week 7MEX Jorge CamposLos Angeles Galaxy
Week 8USA PrekiKansas City Wiz
Week 9USA John DoyleSan Jose Clash
Week 10ECU Eduardo HurtadoLos Angeles Galaxy
Week 11USA Mark DoddDallas Burn
Week 12USA Mark ChungKansas City Wiz
Week 13USA Tony MeolaNY/NJ MetroStars
Week 14ESA Raúl Díaz ArceD.C. United
Week 15USA Paul BravoSan Jose Clash
Week 16USA Cobi JonesLos Angeles Galaxy
Week 17USA Joe-Max MooreNew England Revolution
Week 18USA Tony MeolaNY/NJ MetroStars
Week 19URU Adrián PazColumbus Crew
Week 20BOL Marco EtcheverryD.C. United
Week 21USA Brad FriedelColumbus Crew
Week 22USA Brian MaisonneuveColumbus Crew
Week 23CAN Frank YallopTampa Bay Mutiny
Week 24USA Brad FriedelColumbus Crew

Attendance

Main article: Major League Soccer attendance

RankTeamGPCumulativeHighLowMeanTotal1602,785,00192,2166,013
1Los Angeles Galaxy1692,2168,561
2NY/NJ Metrostars1653,25014,007
3New England Revolution1638,63311,009
4Columbus Crew1631,55012,832
5San Jose Clash1631,72810,894
6Dallas Burn1635,2507,338
7D.C. United1635,0327,360
8Kansas City Wiz1621,1418,062
9Tampa Bay Mutiny1626,4736,281
10Colorado Rapids1621,7116,013

References

References

  1. Ken Salmon. "1996 season: Marquee players". 90Soccer.
  2. (January 5, 1995). "SPORTS PEOPLE: SOCCER; Ramos Signs With Major League Soccer (Published 1995)". The New York Times.
  3. (October 17, 1995). "SOCCER; Major League Soccer Gets Set for Unveilings (Published 1995)". The New York Times.
  4. (October 18, 1995). "SOCCER;Giants Stadium Will Go Natural Again (Published 1995)". The New York Times.
  5. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-06-sp-21675-story.html Pro Soccer Combine Begins Today at UC Irvine]
  6. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-06-sp-32850-story.html 1996 draft - latimes.com]
  7. [http://www.intermark.com/rapids/rp032596.html RAPIDS RELEASE THREE PLAYERS]
  8. "The Year in American Soccer - 1995".
  9. Ken Salmon. "MLS: Legacy of NASL and Don Garber’s impact". 90Soccer.
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