The MLS Timeline Series (and SoccerTherapy.net for that matter) is back! Take a look at the 2001 tile and write up. 2002 is in the works and it’s going to be crazy. Keep an eye out for a belated-to-the-point-of-being-worthless post, MLS: Good, Bad & the Ugly from 2015
Regular Season
This season is likely most remembered for the fact that it was shortened due to the events of 9/11. Of the 12 teams, four played 27 matches while the other eight played 26 (teams were scheduled to play 32 matches). As a result, only two teams cracked the 50 point mark – Chicago and Miami finished tied atop the table with 53 points apiece. More about that coming up.
2001 represented the last year that a Florida club competed in MLS play, and both Tampa and Miami went out in historic fashion. Miami finished with 53 points to take the Shield while Tampa struggled to just 14 points in 27 matches. Miami went out on top, but Tampa’s 14 points still holds as the fewest an MLS club has collected in one season.
The Shield Race
Due to the 9/11 tragedy, this race didn’t play out in full, but in the end, they had to give the trophy to someone. Miami played attractive and entertaining soccer en route to collecting 53 points in their Swan Song season (can you say that about clubs or just players?). They took the Shield from Chicago on a tiebreaker; Miami defeated the Fire in two regular season meetings and played 26 games compared with Chicago’s 27, so they were deserving winners of the regular season hardware. But for Chicago to achieve the high point total in MLS for the second straight year and miss out on the Shield due to a tiebreaker yet again? That had to be pure devastation for their supporters.
All Star Game
This is the way All-Star games were meant to be played: the best players in the league going head-to-head, showing mutual respect and playing no defense whatsoever. The game took place in San Jose and hometown youngster Landon Donovan put on a show for his supporters, scoring a hat trick in the opening 19 minutes of the match and taking MVP honors.
These are highlights you have to see to believe: the defending is nonexistent, and reminiscent of the high-flying, outrageously entertaining NBA All Star Game that I’ve loved since I was a boy. After falling behind early, the East found their way back into the contest and even took a 6-5 lead on the strength of a brace from USMNT legend Brian McBride. Landon wasn’t done just yet, though, as he put his fourth past the ‘keeper in the 92nd minute to earn his side the draw, the first in MLS ASG history.
Donovan’s standout performance in this midseason showdown was a sign of things to come, not only for this 2001 season, but over the next decade as he would go on to became the greatest player in league history.
US Open Cup
A handful of established MLS clubs fought for the Cup in 2001, with the Galaxy and up and coming New England Revolution joining previous winners DC United and Chicago Fire in the semifinals. On Oct. 27th, LA Galaxy defeated New England 2-1 in dramatic fashion to take their first ever US Open Cup title.
It was a pretty legendary run for the SoCal side. In the quarters they took down in-state rival San Jose after an epic 10-9 penalty shootout. In the semis they defeated Chicago 1-0 on a 94th minute goal from Alexi Lalas. Then in the final it was Danny Califf who scored the winner in the 92nd minute to break the deadlock.
MLS Cup Playoffs
The first round (quarterfinals) was all chalk other than the 4-seed vs. 5-seed matchup, where San Jose made short work of the fourth seeded Columbus Crew. But the second round (semis) must have been an absolute joy for MLS fans at the time. Regular season juggernaut Chicago played USOC winners LA Galaxy in what looked to be a tight three game series. LA were always in control, though, as they drew Chicago in the first matchup and went on to win the next two. The other semifinal looks pretty epic on the score sheet. I’ll just put it here for you, but, suffice it to say, it went down to the wire:
MLS Cup Final: San Jose 2 – 1 LAG
After losing MLS Cup in 1996 and 1999, the Galaxy were determined to take home the precious hardware for the first time. They showed as much, taking a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute. But 2001 was the year of Landon Donovan, and the budding star bagged the equalizer just before halftime. The game went into overtime at 1-1, where legend Dwayne De Rosario scored what has to be the greatest cup winner in league history.
With their third loss in the cup final after just six years of league play, LA were quickly becoming the bridesmaids of MLS. But as you will see throughout this series, the Galaxy finally figured out how to win the big one, and proceeded on their way to becoming the Evil Empire of American soccer.
Awards
Most Valuable Player: Alex Pineda Chacón – Miami Fusion
Goalkeeper of the Year: Tim Howard – MetroStars
Defender of the Year: Jeff Agoos – San Jose Earthquakes
Goal of the Year: Clint Mathis – MetroStars vs. Dallas Burn – April 28, 2001 (Watch here)
Coach of the Year: Frank Yallop – San Jose Earthquakes
Soccer Therapy 