MLS rules that finally make the league click in your head
MLS can feel confusing when you first try to follow it. Conference tables, playoff spots, weird tiebreakers, extra time rules, all layered on top of travel that crosses a whole continent. One minute you are just trying to watch a match. The next minute you are wondering why a team still has a chance to sneak into the postseason with a record that would look strange in any other league.
This piece is the simple version of the rulebook. It walks through how the regular season actually works, what matters for playoff qualification, how draws, wins, and losses are scored, and what changes once knockout games start. No legal language, just clear answers so you can watch a match and know exactly what is at stake when the commentator starts throwing numbers around.
If you have ever tried to explain MLS to a friend and felt yourself getting stuck halfway through, this is the link to keep handy.
Clear guide to 15 key MLS rules and roster mechanisms that shape transfers, cap decisions, and squad building for every curious fan.