- Source: 2003 Major League Soccer season
The 2003 Major League Soccer season was the eighth season of Major League Soccer. It was also the 91st season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 25th with a national first-division league.
The Los Angeles Galaxy moved into the league's second soccer-specific stadium when the Home Depot Center opened on June 1, 2003. The Chicago Fire continued to play at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville but returned to the newly renovated Soldier Field for their final regular season game.
The number of games was increased to 30 after a reduction to 28 for the 2002 season. Instead of a best-of-three series, the playoffs were tweaked so that the conference semifinals would be determined by a home-and-away aggregate score over two matches. Additionally, the two conference finals became one match fixtures instead of two legs.
The regular season began on April 5, and concluded on October 26. The 2003 MLS Cup Playoffs began on November 1, and concluded with MLS Cup 2003 on November 23. The San Jose Earthquakes won their second MLS Cup in three years with a victory over Chicago.
Overview
= Season format
=The season began on April 5 and concluded with MLS Cup on November 23. The 10 teams were split evenly into two conferences. Each team played 30 games that were evenly divided between home and away. Each team played every other team in their conference, and two designated opponents from the opposite conference, four times, and the remaining teams in the opposite conference twice.
The top four teams from each conference qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs. In the first round, aggregate goals over two matches determined the winners. The conference finals were played as a single match, and the winners advanced to MLS Cup. In all rounds, draws were broken with two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks 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. Additionally, the winner of MLS Cup and the runner-up qualified for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
= Stadiums and locations
== Personnel and sponsorships
== Coaching changes
=Standings
= Eastern Conference
== Western Conference
== Overall standings
=MLS Cup Playoffs
= Bracket
== Eastern Conference semifinals
=Chicago Fire won 4–0 on aggregate.
New England Revolution won 3–1 on aggregate.
= Western Conference semifinals
=San Jose Earthquakes won 5–4 on aggregate after golden goal extra time.
Kansas City Wizards won 3–1 on aggregate.
= Conference finals
=Eastern Conference
Western Conference
= MLS Cup
=Player statistics
= Goals
== Assists
== Clean sheets
=Awards
= Individual awards
== Best XI
=Attendance
References
External links
MLS Site
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Inter Miami CF
- National Women's Soccer League
- D.C. United
- Mikel Arteta
- Women's Professional Soccer
- Tim Howard
- Arsenal F.C.
- Real Madrid C.F.
- Cobi Jones
- Didier Drogba
- 2003 Major League Soccer season
- List of Major League Soccer seasons
- 2003–04 Major Indoor Soccer League season
- 2004 Major League Soccer season
- Major League Soccer
- 2002 Major League Soccer season
- Major League Soccer attendance
- 2003 MLS supplemental draft
- Major League Soccer records and statistics
- Expansion of Major League Soccer
