2001 Major League Soccer season

{{Short description|6th season of Major League Soccer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Use American English|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox football league season | season = 2001 | num_teams = 12 | mlscup = San Jose Earthquakes (1st title) | shield = Miami Fusion (1st shield) | continentalcup1 = 2002 CONCACAF Champions' Cup | continentalcup1 qualifiers= San Jose Earthquakes | league topscorer = Alex Pineda Chacon Miami Fusion F.C. Goals: 19 | matches = 158 | total goals = 519 | average goals = | biggest home win = | biggest away win = | highest scoring = | longest wins = | longest unbeaten = | longest losses = | highest attendance = D.C. United Season: 258,213 Game Avg.: 21,518 | lowest attendance = San Jose Earthquakes Season: 125,250 Game Avg.: 9,635 | attendance = 2,363,859 | average attendance = 14,961 | prevseason = 2000 | nextseason = 2002 }} {{Location map+ |United States |width=525 |float=right |caption=<div style="text-align: center;">Locations of teams for the 2001 Major League Soccer season 8px Western Division   8px Central Division   8px Eastern Division</div>|places= {{Location map~ |United States |lat=38.889722 |long=-76.971667 |label='''D.C. United''' |position=bottom |mark=ButtonGreen.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=40.737411 |long=-74.153763 |label='''MetroStars''' |position=left |mark=ButtonGreen.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=26.193056 |long=-80.161111 |label='''Miami''' |position=right |mark=ButtonGreen.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=42.090833 |long=-71.264444 |label='''New England''' |position=top |mark=ButtonGreen.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=41.742432 |long=-87.806789 |label='''Chicago''' |position=top |mark=ButtonGray.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=40.009444 |long=-82.991111 |label='''Columbus''' |position=left |mark=ButtonGray.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=33.154444 |long=-96.835278 |label='''Dallas''' |position=right |mark=ButtonGray.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=27.978889 |long=-82.503611 |label='''Tampa Bay''' |position=top |mark=ButtonGray.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=39.35 |long=-104.8918 |label='''Colorado''' |position=top |mark=ButtonViolet.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=33.864444 |long=-118.261111 |label='''Los Angeles''' |position=bottom |mark=ButtonViolet.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=39.1218 |long=-94.8237 |label='''Kansas City''' |position=bottom |mark=ButtonViolet.svg}} {{Location map~ |United States |lat=37.350556 |long=-121.936667 |label='''San Jose''' |position=top |mark=ButtonViolet.svg}} }}

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.<ref name=2001cancel>{{cite web |url=http://mlsnet.com:80/content/01/mls0913teleconference.html |title=MLS Teleconference: September 13, 2001 |website=MLSNET |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020211203952/http://mlsnet.com/content/01/mls0913teleconference.html |archive-date=February 11, 2002 |access-date=November 25, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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<ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Joseph |date=April 5, 2001 |title=Everything but attendance rising for Major League Soccer |page=B4 |work=News & Messenger] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-messenger-everything-but-attend/159525028/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 21, 2024}}</ref> 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=== {{main|List of Major League Soccer stadiums}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left" |- ! Team ! Stadium ! Capacity |- | Chicago Fire | Soldier Field | 66,944 |- |- | Colorado Rapids | Mile High Stadium | 76,273 |- | Columbus Crew | Columbus Crew Stadium | 22,555 |- | D.C. United | RFK Stadium | 46,000 |- | Dallas Burn | Cotton Bowl | 92,100 |- | Kansas City Wizards | Arrowhead Stadium | 81,425 |- | Los Angeles Galaxy | Rose Bowl | 92,542 |- | Miami Fusion | Lockhart Stadium | 20,450 |- |- | New England Revolution | Foxboro Stadium | 60,292 |- | MetroStars | Giants Stadium | 80,200 |- | San Jose Earthquakes | Spartan Stadium | 30,456 |- | Tampa Bay Mutiny | Raymond James Stadium | 69,218 |}

===Personnel and sponsorships=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left;" |- ! Team ! Head coach ! Captain ! Shirt sponsor |- | Chicago Fire | {{flagicon|USA}} Bob Bradley | | align="center" colspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray |— |- |- | Colorado Rapids | {{flagicon|USA}} Tim Hankinson | | |- | Columbus Crew | {{flagicon|USA}} Greg Andrulis | | align="center" colspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray |— |- | D.C. United | {{flagicon|NED}} Thomas Rongen | | MasterCard |- | Dallas Burn | {{flagicon|USA}} Mike Jeffries | | |- | Kansas City Wizards | {{flagicon|USA}} Bob Gansler | | align="center" colspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray |— |- | Los Angeles Galaxy | {{flagicon|USA}} Sigi Schmid | | align="center" colspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray |— |- | MetroStars | {{flagicon|ECU}} Octavio Zambrano | {{flagicon|USA}} Tab Ramos | New York Life |- | Miami Fusion | {{flagicon|ENG}} Ray Hudson | | align="center" colspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray |— |- | New England Revolution | {{flagicon|USA}} Fernando Clavijo | | align="center" colspan="1" style="background:#ececec; color:gray |— |- | San Jose Earthquakes | {{flagicon|CAN}} Frank Yallop | {{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Agoos | Yahoo! Sports |- | Tampa Bay Mutiny | {{flagicon|USA}} Perry Van der Beck | | |}

===Coaching changes=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Team!! Outgoing coach!! Manner of departure!! Date of vacancy!! Incoming coach!! Date of appointment

|- | Columbus Crew | {{flagicon|USA}} Tom Fitzgerald | Fired | May 17, 2001 | {{flagicon|USA}} Greg Andrulis | May 17, 2001 |- | Tampa Bay Mutiny | {{flagicon|SPA}} Alfonso Mondelo | Resigned | July 5, 2001 | {{flagicon|USA}} Perry Van der Beck | July 5, 2001 |- |}

==Standings==

===Eastern Division=== {{2001 Major League Soccer Eastern Conference table}}

===Central Division=== {{2001 Major League Soccer Central Conference table}}

===Western Division=== {{2001 Major League Soccer Western Conference table}}

===Overall standings=== {{2001 Major League Soccer season table}}

==MLS Cup Playoffs==

===Bracket===

{{8TeamBracket|legs=3/3/1 | RD1=Quarterfinals | RD2=Semifinals | RD3=MLS Cup | score-width=20px | team-width=260px | RD1-seed1=2 | RD1-team1='''Chicago Fire''' '''(7 Points)''' | RD1-score1-1='''2''' | RD1-score1-2=1 | RD1-score1-3='''2''' | RD1-seed2=7 | RD1-team2= Dallas Burn '''(1 Points)''' | RD1-score2-1=0 | RD1-score2-2=1 | RD1-score2-3=0 | RD1-seed3=3 | RD1-team3='''Los Angeles Galaxy''' (SDET)* '''(4 Points)''' | RD1-score3-1=1 | RD1-score3-2=1 | RD1-score3-3='''3'''* | RD1-seed4=6 | RD1-team4=MetroStars '''(4 Points)''' | RD1-score4-1=1 | RD1-score4-2='''4''' | RD1-score4-3=2 | RD1-seed5=1 | RD1-team5='''Miami Fusion''' '''(6 Points)''' | RD1-score5-1='''2''' | RD1-score5-2=0 | RD1-score5-3='''2''' | RD1-seed6=8 | RD1-team6=Kansas City Wizards '''(3 Points)''' | RD1-score6-1=0 | RD1-score6-2='''3''' | RD1-score6-3=1 | RD1-seed7=4 | RD1-team7=Columbus Crew '''(0 Points)''' | RD1-score7-1=1 | RD1-score7-2=0 | RD1-score7-3=x | RD1-seed8=5 | RD1-team8='''San Jose Earthquakes''' '''(6 Points)''' | RD1-score8-1='''3''' | RD1-score8-2='''3''' | RD1-score8-3=x | RD2-seed1=2 | RD2-team1=Chicago Fire '''(1 Points)''' | RD2-score1-1=1 | RD2-score1-2=0 | RD2-score1-3=1 | RD2-seed2=3 | RD2-team2='''Los Angeles Galaxy''' (ASDET)* '''(7 Points)''' | RD2-score2-1=1 | RD2-score2-2='''1'''* | RD2-score2-3='''2'''* | RD2-seed3=1 | RD2-team3=Miami Fusion '''(3 Points)''' | RD2-score3-1='''1''' | RD2-score3-2=0 | RD2-score3-3=0 | RD2-seed4=5 | RD2-team4='''San Jose Earthquakes''' (SDET)* '''(6 Points)''' | RD2-score4-1=0 | RD2-score4-2='''4''' | RD2-score4-3='''1'''* | RD3-seed1=3 | RD3-team1=Los Angeles Galaxy | RD3-score1=1 | RD3-seed2=5 | RD3-team2='''San Jose Earthquakes''' (ASDET)* | RD3-score2='''2''' }}

*'''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===

{{Football box |date = September 20, 2001 |team1 = Dallas Burn |score = 0–2 |team2 = Chicago Fire |goals1 = |goals2 = Bocanegra {{goal|40}} Whitfield {{goal|90}}+ |stadium = Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois Attendance: 8,314 }}

{{Football box |date = September 23, 2001 |team1 = Chicago Fire |score = 1–1 |team2 = Dallas Burn |goals1 = J. Beasley {{goal|84}} |goals2 = Deering {{goal|27}} |stadium = Cotton Bowl Dallas, Texas Attendance:: 17,149 }}

{{Football box |date = September 29, 2001 |team1 = Dallas Burn |score = 0–2 |team2 = Chicago Fire |goals1 = |goals2 = Kovalenko {{goal|17}} Armas {{goal|55}} |stadium = Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois Attendance: 12,811 }}

'''Chicago Fire advance 7–1 on points.'''

----

{{Football box |date = September 22, 2001 |team1 = Kansas City Wizards |score = 0–2 |team2 = Miami Fusion |goals1 = |goals2 = Serna {{goal|28}} Pineda Chacón {{goal|53}} |stadium = Lockhart Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida Attendance: 6,281 }}

{{Football box |date = September 26, 2001 |team1 = Miami Fusion |score = 0–3 |team2 = Kansas City Wizards |goals1 = |goals2 = Lowe {{goal|24}} McKeon {{goal|31|pen.}} Gomez {{goal|45}}+ |stadium = Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, Missouri Attendance: 5,803 }}

{{Football box |date = September 29, 2001 |team1 = Kansas City Wizards |score = 1–2 |team2 = Miami Fusion |goals1 = Lowe {{goal|13}} |goals2 = Preki {{goal|14}} Henderson {{goal|71}} |stadium = Lockhart Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida Attendance: 8,119 }}

'''Miami Fusion advance 6–3 on points.'''

----

{{Football box |date = September 23, 2001 |team1 = MetroStars |score = 1–1 |team2 = Los Angeles Galaxy |goals1 = Faria {{goal|29}} |goals2 = Caligiuri {{goal|63}} |stadium = Rose Bowl Pasadena, California Attendance: 11,580 }}

{{Football box |date = September 26, 2001 |team1 = Los Angeles Galaxy |score = 1–4 |team2 = MetroStars |goals1 = Victorine {{goal|4}} |goals2 = Faria {{goal|72}}, {{goal|80}} Chung {{goal|75}} Valencia {{goal|83}} |stadium = Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey Attendance: 12,817 }}

{{Football box |date = September 29, 2001 |team1 = MetroStars |score = 2–3 |team2 = Los Angeles Galaxy |goals1 = Villegas {{goal|49}}, {{goal|60}} |goals2 = Victorine {{goal|21}}, {{goal|33}} Frye {{goal|56}} |stadium = Rose Bowl Pasadena, California Attendance: 6,154 }} {{Football box |date = |team1 =   |score = 0–1 series (SDET) |team2 =   |goals1 = |goals2 = Cienfuegos {{golden goal|8}} |stadium = }}

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

----

{{Football box |date = September 22, 2001 |team1 = San Jose Earthquakes |score = 3–1 |team2 = Columbus Crew |goals1 = Donovan {{goal|5}} {{goal|45}}+ Lagos {{goal|31}} |goals2 = Warzycha {{goal|54|pen.}} |stadium = Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus, Ohio Attendance: 20,883 }}

{{Football box |date = September 26, 2001 |team1 = Columbus Crew |score = 0–3 |team2 = San Jose Earthquakes |goals1 = |goals2 = Lagos {{goal|9}} Cerritos {{goal|68}} Donovan {{goal|76}} |stadium = Spartan Stadium San Jose, California Attendance: 10,419 }}

'''San Jose Earthquakes advance 6–0 on points.'''

===Semifinals=== ----

{{Football box |date = October 10, 2001 |team1 = Los Angeles Galaxy |score = 1–1 |team2 = Chicago Fire |goals1 = Hernández {{goal|44}} |goals2 = Wynalda {{goal|32}} |stadium = Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois Attendance: 10,388 }}

{{Football box |date = October 13, 2001 |team1 = Chicago Fire |score = 0–1 (AET) |team2 = Los Angeles Galaxy |goals1 = |goals2 = Vagenas {{golden goal|94}} |stadium = Rose Bowl Pasadena, California Attendance: 10,100 }}

{{Football box |date = October 17, 2001 |team1 = Los Angeles Galaxy |score = 2–1 (AET) |team2 = Chicago Fire |goals1 = Califf {{goal|44}} Cienfuegos {{golden goal|98}} |goals2 = D. Beasley {{goal|30}} |stadium = Soldier Field Chicago, Illinois Attendance: 13,444 }}

'''Los Angeles Galaxy advance 7–1 on points.'''

----

{{Football box |date = October 10, 2001 |team1 = San Jose Earthquakes |score = 0–1 |team2 = Miami Fusion |goals1 = |goals2 = Preki {{goal|53}} |stadium = Lockhart Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida Attendance: 9,236 }}

{{Football box |date = October 14, 2001 |team1 = Miami Fusion |score = 0–4 |team2 = San Jose Earthquakes |goals1 = |goals2 = Donovan {{goal|16}} Russell {{goal|57}} Lagos {{goal|69}} De Rosario {{goal|89}} |stadium = Spartan Stadium San Jose, California Attendance: 16,119 }}

{{Football box |date = October 17, 2001 |team1 = San Jose Earthquakes |score = 1–0 (AET) |team2 = Miami Fusion |goals1 = Dayak {{golden goal|94}} |goals2 = |stadium = Lockhart Stadium Fort Lauderdale, Florida Attendance: 11,242 }}

'''San Jose Earthquakes advance 6–3 on points.'''

===MLS Cup=== {{Main|MLS Cup 2001}}

{{Football box |date = October 21, 2001 |team1 = Los Angeles Galaxy |score = 1–2 (AET) |team2 = San Jose Earthquakes |goals1 = Hernández {{goal|21}} |goals2 = Donovan {{goal|43}} De Rosario {{golden goal|96}} |stadium = Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus, Ohio Attendance: 21,626 }}

==Player statistics== ===Goals=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Rank !! Player !! Club !! Goals |- | 1 | align="left"|{{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón | align="left"| Miami Fusion | 19 |- | 2 | align="left"|{{flagicon|COL}} Diego Serna | align="left"| Miami Fusion | 15 |- | rowspan="2"| 3 | align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} John Spencer | align="left"| Colorado Rapids | rowspan="2"| 14 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|SLE}} Abdul Thompson Conteh | align="left"| D.C. United |- | rowspan="2"| 5 | align="left"|{{flagicon|SLV}} Ronald Cerritos | align="left"| San Jose Earthquakes | rowspan="2"| 11 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|ECU|1900}} Ariel Graziani | align="left"| Dallas Burn |- | rowspan="2"| 7 | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Cunningham | align="left"| Columbus Crew | rowspan="2"| 10 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Eric Wynalda | align="left"| New England Revolution, Chicago Fire |- | rowspan="2"| 9 | align="left"|{{flagicon|SEN}} Mamadou Diallo | align="left"| Tampa Bay Mutiny | rowspan="2"| 9 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|BOL}} Jaime Moreno | align="left"| D.C. United |- |}

===Hat-tricks=== {{Main|List of Major League Soccer hat-tricks}} {|class="wikitable" |- ! Player !! Club !! Against !! style="text-align:center"| Result !! Date |- |{{flagicon|USA}} Clint Mathis || MetroStars || Kansas City Wizards || style="text-align:center;"| 4–1 || {{dts|format=md|2001|5|2}} |- |{{flagicon|SLE}} Abdul Thompson Conteh || D.C. United || New England Revolution || style="text-align:center;"| 5–0 ||rowspan=2| {{dts|format=md|2001|5|9}} |- |{{flagicon|SEN}} Mamadou Diallo4 || Tampa Bay Mutiny || Los Angeles Galaxy || style="text-align:center;"| 4–1 |- |{{flagicon|COL}} Diego Serna || Miami Fusion || Dallas Burn || style="text-align:center;"| 6–2 || {{dts|format=md|2001|6|2}} |- |{{flagicon|USA}} Dante Washington || Columbus Crew || Tampa Bay Mutiny || style="text-align:center;"| 6–1 || {{dts|format=md|2001|6|16}} |- |{{flagicon|SCO}} John Spencer || Colorado Rapids || D.C. United || style="text-align:center;"| 3–1 || {{dts|format=md|2001|7|4}} |- |{{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón || Miami Fusion || D.C. United || style="text-align:center;"| 3–1 || {{dts|format=md|2001|9|8}} |}

===Assists=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Rank !! Player !! Club !! Assists |- | rowspan="2"| 1 | align="left"|{{flagicon|COL}} Diego Serna | align="left"| Miami Fusion | rowspan="2"| 11 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|COL}} John Wilmar Pérez | align="left"| Columbus Crew |- | rowspan="2"| 3 | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Ross Paule | align="left"| Colorado Rapids | rowspan="2"| 10 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Preki | align="left"| Miami Fusion |- | rowspan="4"| 5 | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Cunningham | align="left"| Columbus Crew | rowspan="4"| 8 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Cobi Jones | align="left"| Los Angeles Galaxy |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Manny Lagos | align="left"| San Jose Earthquakes |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|POL}} Piotr Nowak | align="left"| Chicago Fire |- | rowspan="4"| 9 | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Landon Donovan | align="left"| San Jose Earthquakes | rowspan="4"| 7 |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|BOL}} Marco Etcheverry | align="left"| D.C. United |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|ECU}} Ariel Graziani | align="left"| Dallas Burn |- | align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Eric Quill | align="left"| Tampa Bay Mutiny |- |}

===Clean sheets=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !Rank !Player !Club !Clean sheets |- |rowspan="2"|1 |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Matt Jordan |align="left"|Dallas Burn |rowspan="2"|9 |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Zach Thornton |align="left"|Chicago Fire |- |3 |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Joe Cannon |align="left"|San Jose Earthquakes |7 |- |4 |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Matt Reis |align="left"|Los Angeles Galaxy |6 |- |rowspan="2"|5 |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Tom Presthus |align="left"|Columbus Crew |rowspan="2"|5 |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Nick Rimando |align="left"|Miami Fusion |- |rowspan="3"|7 |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Hartman |align="left"|Los Angeles Galaxy |rowspan="3"|4 |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Howard |align="left"|MetroStars |- |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Tony Meola |align="left"|Kansas City Wizards |- |10 |align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} Bo Oshoniyi |align="left"|Kansas City Wizards |3 |- |}

==Awards== ===Individual awards=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%" !Award!!Player!!Club |- |Most Valuable Player||{{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón||Miami Fusion |- |Defender of the Year||{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Agoos||San Jose Earthquakes |- |Goalkeeper of the Year||{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Howard||MetroStars |- |Coach of the Year|| {{flagicon|CAN}} Frank Yallop||San Jose Earthquakes |- |Rookie of the Year||{{flagicon|BRA}} Rodrigo Faria||MetroStars |- |Comeback Player of the Year||{{flagicon|USA}} Troy Dayak||San Jose Earthquakes |- |Scoring Champion||{{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón||Miami Fusion |- |Goal of the Year||{{flagicon|USA}} Clint Mathis||MetroStars |- |Fair Play Award||{{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón||Miami Fusion |- |Humanitarian of the Year||{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Howard||MetroStars |}

===Best XI=== {| class="wikitable" !Goalkeeper !Defenders !Midfielders !Forwards |- |{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Howard, MetroStars |{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Agoos, San Jose {{flagicon|USA}} Carlos Llamosa, Miami {{flagicon|USA}} Pablo Mastroeni, Miami {{flagicon|USA}} Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy |{{flagicon|USA}} Chris Armas, Chicago {{flagicon|POL}} Piotr Nowak, Chicago {{flagicon|USA}} Preki, Miami |{{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón, Miami {{flagicon|COL}} Diego Serna, Miami {{flagicon|SCO}} John Spencer, Colorado |}

===Player of the Month=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Week!!Player!!Club |- |April|| {{flagicon|HON|1949}} Alex Pineda Chacón|| Miami Fusion |- |May|| {{flagicon|USA}} Clint Mathis|| MetroStars |- |June|| {{flagicon|COL}} Diego Serna|| Miami Fusion |- |July|| {{flagicon|BUL}} Hristo Stoitchkov|| Chicago Fire |- |August|| {{flagicon|USA}} Brian Maisonneuve|| Columbus Crew |}

==Attendance==

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%" !Team !Games !Total !Average |- |D.C. United |align=center|12 |align=center|258,213 |align=center|21,518 |- |MetroStars |align=center|13 |align=center|270,477 |align=center|20,806 |- |Columbus Crew |align=center|13 |align=center|227,644 |align=center|17,511 |- |Los Angeles Galaxy |align=center|13 |align=center|226,035 |align=center|17,387 |- |Colorado Rapids |align=center|13 |align=center|214,249 |align=center|16,481 |- |Chicago Fire |align=center|14 |align=center|229,438 |align=center|16,388 |- |New England Revolution |align=center|13 |align=center|203,501 |align=center|15,654 |- |Dallas Burn |align=center|13 |align=center|163,465 |align=center|12,574 |- |Miami Fusion |align=center|14 |align=center|156,481 |align=center|11,177 |- |Kansas City Wizards |align=center|13 |align=center|142,402 |align=center|10,954 |- |Tampa Bay Mutiny |align=center|14 |align=center|146,704 |align=center|10,479 |- |San Jose Earthquakes |align=center|13 |align=center|125,250 |align=center|9,635 |- |'''Totals''' |align=center|'''158''' |align=center|'''2,363,859''' |align=center|'''14,961''' |}

==International Competition==

'''CONCACAF Champions' Cup'''

*'''Kansas City Wizards''' 2001 edition canceled; Wizards advanced to CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2002. *'''Chicago Fire''' 2001 edition canceled; Fire advance to CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2002.

'''Copa Merconorte'''

*'''MetroStars''' Went 3-3-0 in group stage and did not advance. '''Defeated''' {{flagicon|VEN|1954}} Deportivo Italchacao, 2-0 at home. '''Awarded two forfeit wins against''' {{flagicon|MEX}} Club Deportivo Guadalajara, after the club refused to travel. '''Lost''' {{flagicon|VEN|1954}} Deportivo Italchacao, 2-1 away. '''Lost''' {{flagicon|COL}} Millonarios, 2-1 away and 1-0 at home. *'''Kansas City Wizards''' Went 1-4-1 in group stage and did not advance. '''Defeated''' {{flagicon|ECU|1900}} Barcelona, 3-2 away, Drew 1-1 at home. '''Lost''' {{flagicon|MEX}} Santos Laguna, 4-2 away and 1-0 at home. '''Lost''' {{flagicon|PER}} Sporting Cristal, 2-1 at home and 2-1 away.

'''CONCACAF Giants Cup'''

*'''D.C. United''' '''Defeated''' {{flagicon|JAM}} Arnett Gardens, 5-1 on aggregate in quarterfinals. '''Defeated''' {{flagicon|GUA}} Comunicaciones, 2-1 in semifinals. '''Lost''' {{flagicon|MEX}} Club América, 2-0 in final. *'''Columbus Crew''' '''Lost''' {{flagicon|CRC}} Deportivo Saprissa, 3-1 on aggregate in quarterfinals.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/season/2001 MLS Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719210604/http://www.mlssoccer.com/history/season/2001 |date=July 19, 2015 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Major League Soccer season}} Category:2001 Major League Soccer season 2001 1 Category:Sports events affected by the September 11 attacks