Major League Soccer’s early years were marked by a willingness to experiment with formats that could bridge the gap between the sport’s global roots and the preferences of American sports fans.
The shootout mechanics
The rule placed the ball 35 yards from the goal and gave each side exactly five seconds to finish a one‑on‑one duel. Teams selected five players per round, and if the score remained level after those attempts, the contest moved into sudden death, continuing until a winner emerged.
Why the league tried it
Under commissioner Don Garber, MLS saw an opportunity to make the game more familiar to U.S. audiences who were accustomed to decisive outcomes in baseball, basketball and, notably, hockey.
A marathon on the field
The most famous illustration came in a 1996 clash between the Kansas City Wiz and the San Jose Clash, which stretched to 16 rounds before a winner was finally decided, underscoring both the drama and the absurd length the procedure could reach.
From shootout to overtime
After the 1999 season the shootout was retired in favor of a 10‑minute golden‑goal overtime period, a compromise that allowed games to end in draws if no goal was scored. The overtime rule itself was dropped in 2004, leaving the league with the current system of draws in the regular season.