MLS Overtime Rules

MLS, or Major League Soccer, is the soccer league in the United States. Overtime in soccer occurs when both teams are tied after regulation. In 2004, MLS decided to eliminate overtimes for regular season games. Thus, there would be a draw if the teams were tied. However, the overtime rules are still enforced during tournament games.

  1. Extra Time

    • Regulation consists of two 45-minute halves with a break in between. If the score is tied after regulation, the teams play two overtime periods to completion. Each period is 15 minutes in length with a 5-minute break in between. There are no golden goals. A golden goal is a goal scored during extra time that would end the game immediately. If a goal is scored during extra time, the game is continued to the completion of the overtime period.

    Penalty Kicks

    • If the game is still tied after both overtime periods, then the teams shoot penalty kicks. Each team is given five penalty kicks and selects five different players to kick one shot. The teams alternate the five kicks until each of the five selected players has had a penalty kick. If each team scores an equal number of goals during the five-kick sequence, each team will be granted one extra kick until the tie is broken. Penalty kicks are shot at a distance of 12 yards from the goal.

    Substitutions

    • Each team has 11 players on the field. Each team is allowed three substitutions for the duration of the game. This includes the overtime period. If a player is substituted out of the game, the player may not re-enter the match at any point. If a player receives two yellow cards or one red card, the player is ejected from the game and cannot re-enter. The team may not substitute another player for the ejected one and must play the remainder of the game with one less person on the field.