Most Games Played in a Season

The expanded CONCACAF Champions League has meant more games for more MLS teams. The group stage guarantees at least six games added to the schedule, which means that 40+ game seasons are no longer an unusual occurrence.

Already this season, Toronto is on schedule to play 42 total games. Columbus and Seattle are in line for 41, while Real Salt Lake gets a slightly lighter load of 38. The numbers could increase if any of them qualify for the playoffs, and if CLB/SEA make the Open Cup final.

However, none will be able to break the MLS record for most competitive games in a season. That happened in 2008, which was the year CONCACAF switched formats, playing the Champions Cup early in 2008 followed by starting the new Champions League later in the season. Houston and DC had to deal with plenty of fixture congestion, and rank 1-2 all time games played. It's no surprise that their players dominate the individual list below.

Most Competitive Games in a Season

1	2008	Houston	48
2	2008	DC United	47
3	2000	Chicago	44
3	1997	DC United	44
3	2009	DC United	44
3	2009	Houston	44
7	1998	DC United	43
7	2007	DC United	43
7	2007	Houston	43
10	1999	DC United	42
10	2005	DC United	42
10	2008	New England	42

Most Games Played in a Season (all competitions)

		Year	Team	Total		Start	Sub
1	Clyde Simms	2008	DC	45		43	2
2	Brian Mullan	2008	HOU	44		37	7
2	Marc Burch	2008	DC	44		34	10
4	Dema Kovalenko	2000	CHI	43		40	3
4	Bobby Boswell	2008	HOU	43		43	0
6	Jaime Moreno	1998	DC	42		42	0
6	Ben Olsen	1998	DC	42		35	7
6	Richie Williams	1998	DC	42		41	1
6	Brian Carroll	2005	DC	42		40	2
6	Wade Barrett	2007	HOU	42		42	0
6	Gonzalo Martinez	2008	DC	42		37	5
6	Devon McTavish	2008	DC	42		40	2

Simms holds the record for playing the most games in a calendar year with 45. He's tied with Boswell for the most starts at 43, while in 2005 Carroll played the most games of anyone to play every game for their team in a season.