2001 Major League Soccer Season: San Jose Earthquakes Triumph
The 2001 Major League Soccer (MLS) season marked the league's sixth year of operation and the 89th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States. It was a year defined by both athletic achievement and unexpected disruption, as the league navigated a shortened schedule following the September 11 attacks.
The season saw the San Jose Earthquakes capture their first-ever MLS Cup, while the Miami Fusion claimed the Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season record. Despite the challenges of the year, the league maintained a high level of competition across its 12 teams, distributed among three divisions.
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Key Facts
- MLS Cup Winner: San Jose Earthquakes (1st title)
- Supporters' Shield Winner: Miami Fusion (1st shield)
- Top Goalscorer: Alex Pineda Chacon (19 goals)
- Total Attendance: 2,363,859 spectators
- Average Goals per Match: 3.28
- League MVP: Alex Pineda Chacon
Season Format and Structure
The 2001 season began on April 7 and was originally designed for each of the 12 teams to play 28 games. Teams were split into three divisions: Eastern, Central, and Western. The schedule was balanced between home and away matches, with teams playing divisional opponents four times and other opponents a mix of two or three times.
Due to the September 11 attacks, the regular season concluded prematurely on September 9. Because teams had played a varying number of games, the league adjusted its playoff qualification criteria, using points per game (PPG) rather than total points to determine the eight qualifying teams.
The Road to the MLS Cup
The playoffs began on September 20, utilizing a best-of-three series format for the quarterfinals and semifinals. In the event of a tie, draws were settled via penalty shootouts, as the away goals rule was not in effect. The season culminated in the MLS Cup on October 21, where the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 after extra time.
Regular Season Performance
The Miami Fusion dominated the regular season, securing the Supporters' Shield—an award given to the team with the most points. They were led by the offensive prowess of Alex Pineda Chacon and Diego Serna.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 158 |
| Total Goals Scored | 519 |
| Highest Attendance Team | D.C. United (258,213) |
| Lowest Attendance Team | San Jose Earthquakes (125,250) |
| Average Attendance | 14,961 |
Individual Honors and Statistics
The 2001 season was a standout year for Alex Pineda Chacon of the Miami Fusion, who swept several major awards, including Most Valuable Player, Scoring Champion, and the Fair Play Award. He finished the season as the top goalscorer with 19 goals.
Top Performers
- Goals: Alex Pineda Chacon (19), Diego Serna (15), John Spencer (14).
- Assists: Diego Serna led the league with 11 assists.
- Clean Sheets: Tony Meola (Kansas City Wizards) recorded the most clean sheets with 10.
Award Winners
- Defender of the Year: Jeff Agoos (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Goalkeeper of the Year: Tim Howard (MetroStars)
- Coach of the Year: Frank Yallop (San Jose Earthquakes)
- Rookie of the Year: Rodrigo Faria (MetroStars)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the 2001 MLS regular season shortened?
The season was shortened due to the September 11 attacks, which led to the cancellation of the final weeks of regular-season matches.
How was playoff qualification determined in 2001?
Because teams played a different number of games due to the shortened season, playoff ordering was determined by points per game (PPG) instead of total points.
Who won the first MLS Cup for the San Jose Earthquakes?
The San Jose Earthquakes won their first title by defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 in the final on October 21, 2001.
Which team won the Supporters' Shield in 2001?
The Miami Fusion won their first Supporters' Shield for finishing with the best regular-season record.
Who was the league's top goalscorer in 2001?
Alex Pineda Chacon of the Miami Fusion was the top goalscorer with 19 goals.