Major League Soccer Discusses Stopped Clock Trial With Global Rulemaking Body

Major League Soccer has held discussions with the International Football Association Board about testing a stopped clock in matches. The clock would stop for injuries, substitutions and set pieces. A continuously running clock has been standard in soccer since the sport's early rules.

Paul Grafer, vice-president of competition for MLS, said reintroducing a stopped clock is one topic the league often discusses when considering future changes.

MLS used a stopped clock from its founding in 1996 until the end of the 1999 season. The league also used a countdown clock during that period. At that time the board chose smaller adjustments instead.

Ali Curtis, MLS executive vice-president of sporting development, confirmed the league has held preliminary conversations with the board about timekeeping innovations. Grafer said the league would formally submit a proposal and test any new rule first in MLS Next Pro before wider use.

A source within the board said the idea currently has little support and that concerns remain about unpredictable game lengths for broadcasters.