Many fans wonder: can MLS end in a tie? The short answer: yes — under certain conditions. But whether a game ends in a draw depends entirely on which match you’re talking about: a regular-season fixture, a playoff elimination, or the MLS Cup final. JeansPitch will walk you through the rules, the drama, and why ties sometimes matter just as much as wins.
What it means for a match to end in a tie
In soccer (football), a “tie” or “draw” means that after the regulation playing time (usually 90 minutes plus stoppage time), the two teams have scored the same number of goals.
When matches end in ties, league standings are affected: points are shared, tie-breaker rules may come into play, or in knockout stages, extra time or penalties decide who advances.
Regular-season matches: yes, ties are allowed
- In MLS regular-season games, matches can end in a tie. There is no extra time or penalty shootout if the score is level after the 90 minutes. Each team is awarded one point for the draw. A win gives three points, a loss gives none.
- This system aligns with international soccer norms in most top leagues around the world. It helps teams accumulate points over a full schedule (34 matches currently, per team in MLS).
Playoffs and knockout rounds: no ties; tiebreakers decide
Once MLS shifts from regular-season play into playoff or elimination matches, ties can’t stand. Here’s how MLS handles tied situations in postseason:
Wild-card / elimination rounds
- Some early playoff matches are single-game elimination. If a match is tied after 90 minutes, it may go straight to a penalty shootout. Extra time may or may not be used depending on the specific round.
Conference Semifinals, Finals, and the MLS Cup Final
- In these important rounds, if teams are tied after regulation (90 minutes), games go into two 15-minute extra time periods.
- If still tied after extra time, the match is decided by a penalty shootout.
Tie-breakers in standings and seeding
Even when matches end in ties, MLS needs clear rules to rank teams, decide who qualifies for the playoffs, and determine seeding. Key tie-breaking criteria include:
- Total wins
- Goal differential
- Goals scored
- Fewest disciplinary points (yellow cards, red cards, etc.)
- Away goals differential
- Away goals scored
- Home goals differential
- Home goals scored
- If all else fails, a coin toss (for tie between two teams) or drawing of lots (three or more) is used.
Why the distinction between regular-season vs. playoffs matters
- Strategic approach: In regular season, teams may settle for a draw if away or under pressure. In playoffs, every minute matters more.
- Fan excitement: Knockout rounds deliver drama with extra time and penalties, which fans love.
- League structure: MLS mixes regular-season points (for standings and playoff qualification) with knockout qualification (for MLS Cup), so rules need to balance fairness and spectacle.
Historical context & changes
- Early in MLS history, especially in its first years, there were different rules involving shoot-outs or overtime to break draws. Over time, MLS aligned more with international soccer norms by eliminating those in regular-season play.
- The current format reflects more recent competition guidelines.
Common Misconceptions
- “Every MLS game goes to a shootout if tied” — false. Only some playoff games do.
- “A tie in an MLS Cup or conference final ends it” — also false. Extra time and often penalties decide such matches.
- “Tie compensation (points) is the same everywhere” — mostly yes in regular season, but playoff matches don’t award points because only one team advances.
Summary of rules at a glance
- Regular-season match ends tied → draw accepted, one point each.
- Wild-card / early knockout → possibly straight to penalties if tied, depending on round rules.
- Conference semis/finals & MLS Cup final → extra time + penalties if tied after regulation.
- Standings seeding and playoff qualification → resolved via detailed tie-breaker criteria.
Conclusion
Can MLS end in a tie? In regular-season matches, absolutely yes—draws are part of the fabric of the league. But once the stakes rise in playoffs, ties no longer suffice; extra time and penalties enter to force a winner.
JeansPitch hopes you now see clearly when MLS allows draws and when it requires decisive outcomes. If you like, I can also break down how MLS’s tie rules compare to those in European leagues, or show stats on how often regular-season games end in ties. Want me to pull that together?
