2001 Major League Soccer season

2001 Major League Soccer season
Season2001
Teams12
MLS CupSan Jose Earthquakes (1st title)
Supporters' ShieldMiami Fusion (1st shield)
2002 CONCACAF Champions' CupSan Jose Earthquakes
Matches158
Goals519 (3.28 per match)
Top goalscorerAlex Pineda Chacon
Miami Fusion F.C.
Goals: 19
Highest attendanceD.C. United
Season: 258,213
Game Avg.: 21,518
Lowest attendanceSan Jose Earthquakes
Season: 125,250
Game Avg.: 9,635
Total attendance2,363,859
Average attendance14,961
← 2000
2002 →
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Locations of teams for the 2001 Major League Soccer season
Western Division   Central Division   Eastern Division

The 2001 Major League Soccer season was the sixth season of Major League Soccer. It was also the 89th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 23rd with a national first-division league.

The season was shortened due to the September 11 attacks, with the final weeks' regular season matches being canceled. Due to the different number of games played, playoff ordering was determined by points per game, instead of total points.[1]

The regular season began on April 7, and concluded prematurely on September 9. The 2001 MLS Cup Playoffs began on September 20, and concluded with MLS Cup 2001 on October 21. The Miami Fusion won their first Supporters' Shield and the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy in the final to win their first MLS Cup.

Overview

Season format

The season began on April 7 and concluded with MLS Cup on October 21. The 12 teams were split into three divisions. Each team was to play 28 games[2] that were evenly divided between home and away. Each team would play every other team in their division four times, for a total of 12 games. The remaining schedule consisted of three games against four select opponents in one of the other divisions, and two games against the remaining four teams.

The eight teams with the most points per game qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. The quarterfinals and semifinals were played as a best-of-three series, and the winners advanced to MLS Cup. In all rounds, draws were broken by penalty shootout 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. The winner of MLS Cup, and the runner-up, qualified for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Stadiums and locations

TeamStadiumCapacity
Chicago FireSoldier Field66,944
Colorado RapidsMile High Stadium76,273
Columbus CrewColumbus Crew Stadium22,555
D.C. UnitedRFK Stadium46,000
Dallas BurnCotton Bowl92,100
Kansas City WizardsArrowhead Stadium81,425
Los Angeles GalaxyRose Bowl92,542
Miami FusionLockhart Stadium20,450
New England RevolutionFoxboro Stadium60,292
MetroStarsGiants Stadium80,200
San Jose EarthquakesSpartan Stadium30,456
Tampa Bay MutinyRaymond James Stadium69,218

Personnel and sponsorships

TeamHead coachCaptainShirt sponsor
Chicago FireUnited States Bob Bradley—
Colorado RapidsUnited States Tim Hankinson
Columbus CrewUnited States Greg Andrulis—
D.C. UnitedNetherlands Thomas RongenMasterCard
Dallas BurnUnited States Mike Jeffries
Kansas City WizardsUnited States Bob Gansler—
Los Angeles GalaxyUnited States Sigi Schmid—
MetroStarsEcuador Octavio ZambranoUnited States Tab RamosNew York Life
Miami FusionEngland Ray Hudson—
New England RevolutionUnited States Fernando Clavijo—
San Jose EarthquakesCanada Frank YallopUnited States Jeff AgoosYahoo! Sports
Tampa Bay MutinyUnited States Perry Van der Beck

Coaching changes

TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming coachDate of appointment
Columbus CrewUnited States Tom FitzgeraldFiredMay 17, 2001United States Greg AndrulisMay 17, 2001
Tampa Bay MutinySpain Alfonso MondeloResignedJuly 5, 2001United States Perry Van der BeckJuly 5, 2001

Standings

Eastern Division

PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Miami Fusion2616555736+2153MLS Cup Playoffs
2MetroStars26131033835+342
3New England Revolution2771463552−1727
4D.C. United2681624250−826
Source: MLS

Central Division

PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Chicago Fire2716655030+2053MLS Cup Playoffs
2Columbus Crew2613764936+1345
3Dallas Burn26101154847+135
4Tampa Bay Mutiny2742123268−3614
Source: MLS

Western Division

PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Los Angeles Galaxy2614755236+1647MLS Cup Playoffs
2San Jose Earthquakes2613764729+1845
3Kansas City Wizards27111333353−2036
4Colorado Rapids2651383647−1123
Source: MLS

Overall standings

PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1Miami Fusion (S)2616555736+21532.04CONCACAF Champions' Cup
2Chicago Fire2716655030+20531.96
3Los Angeles Galaxy2614755236+16471.81
4Columbus Crew2613764936+13451.73
5San Jose Earthquakes (C)2613764729+18451.73CONCACAF Champions' Cup
6MetroStars26131033835+3421.62
7Dallas Burn26101154847+1351.35
8Kansas City Wizards27111333353−20361.33
9New England Revolution2771463552−17271.00
10D.C. United2681624250−8261.00
11Colorado Rapids2651383647−11230.88
12Tampa Bay Mutiny2742123268−36140.52
Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points per game; 2) total goal differential per match played; 3) total goals scored per match played; 4) away record; 5) away goal differential; 6) total goals scored in away matches; 7) home record; 8) home goal differential; 9) total goals scored in home matches; 10) fewest disciplinary points per match played; 6) away goal differential per away match played; 11) coin toss or drawing of lots.
(C) Champion; (S) Supporters' Shield

MLS Cup Playoffs

Bracket

QuarterfinalsSemifinalsMLS Cup
             
2Chicago Fire (7 Points)212
7Dallas Burn (1 Points)010
2Chicago Fire (1 Points)101
3Los Angeles Galaxy (ASDET)* (7 Points)11*2*
3Los Angeles Galaxy (SDET)* (4 Points)113*
6MetroStars (4 Points)142
3Los Angeles Galaxy1
5San Jose Earthquakes (ASDET)*2
1Miami Fusion (6 Points)202
8Kansas City Wizards (3 Points)031
1Miami Fusion (3 Points)100
5San Jose Earthquakes (SDET)* (6 Points)041*
4Columbus Crew (0 Points)10x
5San Jose Earthquakes (6 Points)33x
  • Points system
    Win = 3 Pts.
    Loss = 0 Pts.
    Draw = 1 Pt.
  • ASDET*=Added sudden death extra time (game tie breaker)
    SDET**=Sudden death extra time (series tie breaker)
    Teams will advance at 5 points.

Quarterfinals

Dallas Burn0–2Chicago Fire
Bocanegra 40'
Whitfield 90'+
Chicago Fire1–1Dallas Burn
J. Beasley 84'Deering 27'
Cotton Bowl
Dallas, Texas
Attendance:: 17,149
Dallas Burn0–2Chicago Fire
Kovalenko 17'
Armas 55'

Chicago Fire advance 7–1 on points.

Kansas City Wizards0–2Miami Fusion
Serna 28'
Pineda Chacón 53'
Miami Fusion0–3Kansas City Wizards
Lowe 24'
McKeon 31' (pen.)
Gomez 45'+
Kansas City Wizards1–2Miami Fusion
Lowe 13'Preki 14'
Henderson 71'

Miami Fusion advance 6–3 on points.

MetroStars1–1Los Angeles Galaxy
Faria 29'Caligiuri 63'
Los Angeles Galaxy1–4MetroStars
Victorine 4'Faria 72', 80'
Chung 75'
Valencia 83'
MetroStars2–3Los Angeles Galaxy
Villegas 49', 60'Victorine 21', 33'
Frye 56'
 0–1 series (SDET) 
Cienfuegos gold-colored soccer ball 8'

Los Angeles Galaxy advance 1-0 in series overtime (SDET) after 4-4 tie on points.

San Jose Earthquakes3–1Columbus Crew
Donovan 5' 45'+
Lagos 31'		Warzycha 54' (pen.)
Columbus Crew0–3San Jose Earthquakes
Lagos 9'
Cerritos 68'
Donovan 76'

San Jose Earthquakes advance 6–0 on points.

Semifinals

Los Angeles Galaxy1–1Chicago Fire
Hernández 44'Wynalda 32'
Chicago Fire0–1 (AET)Los Angeles Galaxy
Vagenas gold-colored soccer ball 94'
Los Angeles Galaxy2–1 (AET)Chicago Fire
Califf 44'
Cienfuegos gold-colored soccer ball 98'		D. Beasley 30'

Los Angeles Galaxy advance 7–1 on points.

San Jose Earthquakes0–1Miami Fusion
Preki 53'
Miami Fusion0–4San Jose Earthquakes
Donovan 16'
Russell 57'
Lagos 69'
De Rosario 89'
San Jose Earthquakes1–0 (AET)Miami Fusion
Dayak gold-colored soccer ball 94'

San Jose Earthquakes advance 6–3 on points.

MLS Cup

Los Angeles Galaxy1–2 (AET)San Jose Earthquakes
Hernández 21'Donovan 43'
De Rosario gold-colored soccer ball 96'

Player statistics

Goals

RankPlayerClubGoals
1Honduras Alex Pineda ChacónMiami Fusion19
2Colombia Diego SernaMiami Fusion15
3Scotland John SpencerColorado Rapids14
Sierra Leone Abdul Thompson ContehD.C. United
5El Salvador Ronald CerritosSan Jose Earthquakes11
Ecuador Ariel GrazianiDallas Burn
7United States Jeff CunninghamColumbus Crew10
United States Eric WynaldaNew England Revolution,
Chicago Fire
9Senegal Mamadou DialloTampa Bay Mutiny9
Bolivia Jaime MorenoD.C. United

Hat-tricks

PlayerClubAgainstResultDate
United States Clint MathisMetroStarsKansas City Wizards4–1May 2
Sierra Leone Abdul Thompson ContehD.C. UnitedNew England Revolution5–0May 9
Senegal Mamadou Diallo4Tampa Bay MutinyLos Angeles Galaxy4–1
Colombia Diego SernaMiami FusionDallas Burn6–2June 2
United States Dante WashingtonColumbus CrewTampa Bay Mutiny6–1June 16
Scotland John SpencerColorado RapidsD.C. United3–1July 4
Honduras Alex Pineda ChacónMiami FusionD.C. United3–1September 8

Assists

RankPlayerClubAssists
1Colombia Diego SernaMiami Fusion11
Colombia John Wilmar PérezColumbus Crew
3United States Ross PauleColorado Rapids10
United States PrekiMiami Fusion
5United States Jeff CunninghamColumbus Crew8
United States Cobi JonesLos Angeles Galaxy
United States Manny LagosSan Jose Earthquakes
Poland Piotr NowakChicago Fire
9United States Landon DonovanSan Jose Earthquakes7
Bolivia Marco EtcheverryD.C. United
Ecuador Ariel GrazianiDallas Burn
United States Eric QuillTampa Bay Mutiny

Clean sheets

RankPlayerClubClean
sheets
1United States Matt JordanDallas Burn9
United States Zach ThorntonChicago Fire
3United States Joe CannonSan Jose Earthquakes7
4United States Matt ReisLos Angeles Galaxy6
5United States Tom PresthusColumbus Crew5
United States Nick RimandoMiami Fusion
7United States Kevin HartmanLos Angeles Galaxy4
United States Tim HowardMetroStars
United States Tony MeolaKansas City Wizards
10United States Bo OshoniyiKansas City Wizards3

Awards

Individual awards

AwardPlayerClub
Most Valuable PlayerHonduras Alex Pineda ChacónMiami Fusion
Defender of the YearUnited States Jeff AgoosSan Jose Earthquakes
Goalkeeper of the YearUnited States Tim HowardMetroStars
Coach of the YearCanada Frank YallopSan Jose Earthquakes
Rookie of the YearBrazil Rodrigo FariaMetroStars
Comeback Player of the YearUnited States Troy DayakSan Jose Earthquakes
Scoring ChampionHonduras Alex Pineda ChacónMiami Fusion
Goal of the YearUnited States Clint MathisMetroStars
Fair Play AwardHonduras Alex Pineda ChacónMiami Fusion
Humanitarian of the YearUnited States Tim HowardMetroStars

Best XI

GoalkeeperDefendersMidfieldersForwards
United States Tim Howard, MetroStarsUnited States Jeff Agoos, San Jose
United States Carlos Llamosa, Miami
United States Pablo Mastroeni, Miami
United States Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy		United States Chris Armas, Chicago
Poland Piotr Nowak, Chicago
United States Preki, Miami		Honduras Alex Pineda Chacón, Miami
Colombia Diego Serna, Miami
Scotland John Spencer, Colorado

Player of the Month

WeekPlayerClub
AprilHonduras Alex Pineda ChacónMiami Fusion
MayUnited States Clint MathisMetroStars
JuneColombia Diego SernaMiami Fusion
JulyBulgaria Hristo StoitchkovChicago Fire
AugustUnited States Brian MaisonneuveColumbus Crew

Attendance

TeamGamesTotalAverage
D.C. United12258,21321,518
MetroStars13270,47720,806
Columbus Crew13227,64417,511
Los Angeles Galaxy13226,03517,387
Colorado Rapids13214,24916,481
Chicago Fire14229,43816,388
New England Revolution13203,50115,654
Dallas Burn13163,46512,574
Miami Fusion14156,48111,177
Kansas City Wizards13142,40210,954
Tampa Bay Mutiny14146,70410,479
San Jose Earthquakes13125,2509,635
Totals1582,363,85914,961

International Competition

CONCACAF Champions' Cup

Copa Merconorte

CONCACAF Giants Cup

References

  1. ^ "MLS Teleconference: September 13, 2001". MLSNET. Archived from the original on February 11, 2002. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  2. ^ White, Joseph (April 5, 2001). "Everything but attendance rising for Major League Soccer". News & Messenger]. Associated Press. p. B4. Retrieved November 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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