NewsThe GuardianMay 20, 2026United States
MLS Proposes Stopping the Game Clock for Pauses
Major League Soccer is in talks with the International Football Association Board to test a game clock that stops during injuries, substitutions, and set pieces. This change would mirror the timekeeping methods used in other American sports like basketball and football.
Read the full story at The GuardianWhy It Matters
This potential rule change could fundamentally alter the flow and duration of professional soccer matches in the United States.
Key Facts
- MLS previously utilized a stopping clock system from 1996 to 1999.
- The International Football Association Board last considered this rule change in 2017.
- A stopping clock is currently standard in US college soccer and other major American sports.