How Long Do Mls Soccer Games Last

How Long Do MLS Soccer Games Last?

Okay, soccer fans! You’re excited for the game, maybe you’ve got your jersey on, snacks ready, and you’re wondering, “Just how long am I going to be sitting here cheering?” That’s a great question! When it comes to Major League Soccer (MLS), games have a pretty standard length, but there are also some things that can make them a bit longer. Let’s get into all the details about how long an MLS game really takes.

The Standard 90 Minutes of Play

The main part of an MLS soccer match, like most professional soccer games around the world, is 90 minutes long. This 90 minutes is divided into two equal halves of 45 minutes each. There’s a break in the middle, called halftime, which is usually 15 minutes. It gives players a chance to catch their breath, talk strategy with their coach, and maybe grab a quick drink. It’s also a good time for you to refill your snacks!

Understanding Halftime

Halftime is a crucial part of a soccer game. It’s not just a time to rest; it’s also a chance for teams to make adjustments. The coaches might change tactics or switch players around. For us fans, it’s a great moment to get up and stretch or chat with our friends about how the game is going. The halftime length is set and rarely changes, offering a consistent break in the action.

Added Time: Injury Time or Stoppage Time

Now, here’s where it can get a little tricky. The game isn’t exactly 90 minutes from start to finish. There’s something called added time, or injury time, or stoppage time—all of which mean the same thing! This is extra time added at the end of each 45-minute half by the referee. It’s there to make up for any time lost during the half because of things like:

• Player injuries that stop the game
• Substitutions
• Time-wasting tactics by players
• Other delays, such as video reviews (VAR)

The amount of added time isn’t always the same. Sometimes, it could be just one minute. Other times, if there were a lot of interruptions, it could be five or even more minutes! Referees keep track of these time losses and then add it to the end of each half.

How Referees Calculate Stoppage Time

Referees don’t just guess how much added time to give. They carefully monitor the match, paying close attention to stoppages. When a player gets injured and the game is paused while they get treatment, or when a substitution is made that takes some time, the referee keeps track of these delays. They may also consider the length of time it takes to review video footage. It’s like they have a mental stopwatch going during the whole game to ensure fairness and accurate game length.

What About Overtime or Extra Time?

You might be thinking, “Okay, what happens if the score is tied at the end of the regular 90 minutes plus added time?” Well, in most regular-season MLS games, there’s no overtime. If the score is tied, the game ends as a draw. However, there are times when games cannot end in a draw, like in playoff matches, the MLS Cup, or certain tournaments. In these cases, there is an extra time.

Extra Time in MLS

When a game requires a winner, extra time is usually played. In these situations, if the score is tied at the end of regulation, teams play two additional periods of 15 minutes each, also with a small break between the two periods. If the score is still tied after the extra time, we move into penalty kicks to decide the winner.

Penalty Kick Shootouts

Penalty shootouts are exciting but can be nerve-wracking! Each team gets five shots at the goal, taken by different players. The team that scores the most goals wins. If the score is tied after the first five penalty shots for both the teams, they continue with the sudden death. It means that each team gets one shot until the first one who wins.

These penalty shootouts always add to the total game time. So, if your game goes to penalty kicks, be prepared for some extended viewing!

The Total Time of an MLS Game: Putting it All Together

Let’s break down the typical time for an MLS soccer game:

• 90 minutes of regular play (two 45-minute halves)
• 15 minutes for halftime
• Added time (ranges from 1-10 minutes generally, sometimes more)

So, in general, the typical MLS game lasts between 1 hour and 50 minutes and 2 hours. However, if you add in an extra time, then penalty shootouts, then a game can last much more than 2 hours.

Factors That Can Affect Game Length

Many different things can change how long an MLS soccer game lasts. These things add up time and they can be due to various factors that are inside or outside the game. These include:

• Lots of Injuries: If a number of players get hurt during the game, the game can take longer than usual because the referee pauses the game while a player is being treated.
• Multiple Substitutions: When many substitutions happen, each substitution can eat up some extra time which is then added at the end of the period by the referee.
• VAR Reviews: If VAR (Video Assistant Referee) reviews happen several times during a game, the time it takes to review footage can add a couple of minutes to the game time.
• Weather Conditions: In cases of severe weather conditions like heavy rain or thunderstorms, the game might be delayed or suspended, leading to increased overall time for the game.
• Crowd Delays: Sometimes, if there are issues with the crowd or fans, the game can be delayed. This could be because of on-field incidents or fan disruptions.

MLS Game Length Compared to Other Sports

It can be helpful to compare MLS game time to other sports so you can get a better idea of how it fits in the world of sports.

MLS vs. NFL (American Football)

NFL games can take 3 hours or even more! This is because American football has a lot of stoppages in between plays. The actual playing time is much lower than game time.

MLS vs. NBA (Basketball)

NBA games usually run around 2 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes. It depends on how much extra time is taken for timeouts and other stoppages during the game.

MLS vs. MLB (Baseball)

Baseball games can vary a lot in their length. Sometimes a baseball game can be as short as 2 hours and some games go over 3 hours. It depends on the number of innings played.

As you can see, the typical MLS game length is relatively consistent compared to other sports, and falls in the middle of these other famous sports when it comes to time. This makes it a good option for a sports fan who wants a standard and consistent game length.

Why Understanding Game Length is Important

Knowing how long an MLS game usually lasts helps a fan in many ways:

• Planning: You can plan the day around the match, knowing what time it will likely start and end.
• Transportation: If you’re going to a match, you can plan your rides or public transport accordingly.
• Family Time: For families, it helps in scheduling the activities for kids and having a good match experience.
• Television Time: If you are watching on tv, you can be prepared with your snacks and beverages when the game starts and you can also make sure that you do not miss any of the action.

Watching Live vs. Watching On TV

There are some things you might experience at the stadium that you don’t when watching the game on TV, or vice versa:

• Live Stadium Experience: When at the stadium, you might encounter time delays due to crowd movement or lines for concessions. This can add more time to your experience.
• TV Broadcasts: When you watch on TV, the broadcaster might cut to commercials during breaks. These do add time, but it doesn’t feel like a part of game time for the viewer.
• Added Analysis: TV broadcasts often include commentary and analysis before, during, and after the game. So, your overall TV viewing time will be longer than the actual game length.

The Key Takeaway

The main point about the length of an MLS soccer game is that it is 90 minutes of playing time, plus halftime and any added time. While it is mostly consistent, it can sometimes be longer depending on the number of interruptions in the game. The typical match, however, will be approximately 2 hours. By understanding all of these parts, you can enjoy the game without feeling surprised about when it ends. Now, sit back, relax, and cheer on your favorite team!