Relive the 2016 Major League Soccer Season Scores and Key Match Highlights

2025-11-15 11:00

I still remember the 2016 MLS season like it was yesterday—what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, dramatic finishes, and yes, some truly controversial moments that had us all talking for weeks. That year wasn't just about goals and standings; it was about momentum shifts, morale swings, and those critical referee decisions that could make or break a team's campaign. I vividly recall one post-match interview where a coach, visibly frustrated, pointed out something that stuck with me: "Sa isang malapitan na laro, kung magkakaron ka ng apat na bad calls against you, ang laking bagey na nun. That will cost you 6-8 points in a close game, plus it will cost your momentum, it will cost your morale to go down." That statement, though specific to one game, encapsulated the entire season's tension. Teams weren't just fighting opponents; they were battling circumstances, and every point mattered in a league known for its parity.

Let's start with the Western Conference, where the battle was particularly fierce. Seattle Sounders, my personal favorite, had a rocky start that had many fans, including myself, worried. They finished the regular season with 14 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses, accumulating 51 points. But what stood out were those close games where refereeing decisions felt pivotal. I remember their 2-1 loss to Sporting KC in May—a match where a disputed offside call negated what could have been a tying goal. According to my notes, Seattle faced at least three such "bad calls" in crucial matches early on, and you could see it affecting their morale. Clint Dempsey's leadership was tested, and honestly, I think those moments fueled their later resurgence. Meanwhile, FC Dallas dominated with 60 points, but even they had their share of controversies. Their 2-2 draw against Colorado Rapids featured a missed handball that, if called, might have swung the result. In a league where the margin for error is slim, these incidents weren't just footnotes; they were game-changers.

Over in the Eastern Conference, Toronto FC's journey was nothing short of cinematic. They racked up 53 points with 14 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses, but it was their playoff run that had everyone on edge. I'll never forget that Eastern Conference Final against Montreal Impact—a series decided by narrow margins. In the second leg, a questionable foul led to a free-kick that Montreal converted, and you could feel the momentum shift. Toronto's Jozy Altidore later admitted in an interview that such calls "suck the life out of you," echoing that earlier quote about morale. For me, this highlights how MLS's competitiveness amplifies the impact of refereeing. It's not just about one game; it's about the cumulative effect over a season. New York Red Bulls, with 57 points, had their own highs, like Sacha Kljestan's 20 assists, but they too faced moments where a single bad call, like in their 1-0 loss to Philadelphia Union, cost them precious points. Statistically, I'd estimate that poor refereeing decisions affected at least 10-12 points across the league's top teams—a huge number in a tight race.

The playoffs were where everything crystallized. Seattle's eventual MLS Cup win over Toronto in a penalty shootout was a story of redemption, but it almost didn't happen. In the semifinals, they benefited from a dubious offside call against Colorado that spared them a goal. As a fan, I have to admit it felt like karma balancing out earlier injustices. Toronto, on the other hand, had their fair share of bad luck, including a potential penalty not given in the final. Reflecting on that season, I believe the league's officiating inconsistencies were a major talking point. Sure, the data shows Seattle scored 44 goals and conceded 43, but the intangibles—like how a team bounces back from a controversial loss—are what made 2016 so memorable. In my view, MLS should have implemented video review sooner; it might have saved teams like Portland Timbers, who missed the playoffs by just 2 points, from what felt like unfair setbacks.

Looking back, the 2016 MLS season was a masterclass in resilience. Teams didn't just play soccer; they navigated a landscape where a single call could derail months of hard work. I still think about how different the standings might have been with perfect officiating—maybe Seattle wouldn't have lifted the Cup, or Toronto would have broken their curse earlier. But that's the beauty of it: the human element, flaws and all, adds a layer of drama that pure stats can't capture. As we move forward, let's not forget those lessons. The 2016 season taught us that in soccer, as in life, it's not just about the goals you score, but how you respond when the odds seem stacked against you. And for me, that's why it remains one of the most compelling chapters in MLS history.