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Playing surface, match outcomes, and formation usage patterns in Major League Soccer

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  • John David Johnson II
  • Michael Hales
  • Joshua Pitts

Abstract

Playing surface is a routine contextual factor in professional football, yet its association with tactical behavior and match outcomes remains unclear. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to examine whether playing surface is associated with starting formation, performance metrics, and match outcomes in professional football. Using 6,764 team-match observations from 3,383 Major League Soccer (MLS) matches (2017–2024; 6,761 team-match observations with identifiable surface), this study evaluated how surface type (grass, turf, hybrid) is associated with formation usage, performance metrics, and match outcomes. Team-level data were analyzed using chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression models incorporating surface type, match location, and their interaction. Surface type was not significantly associated with match outcomes (χ²(4) = 7.71, p = 0.103; Cramer’s V = 0.034), suggesting similar competitive outcomes across modern playing surfaces. However, differences in league-wide formation distributions and aspects of attacking performance were observed across surface categories. Formation usage varied significantly by surface (χ², p

Suggested Citation

  • John David Johnson II & Michael Hales & Joshua Pitts, 2026. "Playing surface, match outcomes, and formation usage patterns in Major League Soccer," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 21(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0358364
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0358364
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