The 2011 MLS season was notable for several significant developments in the league's growth and competitiveness. The season featured 18 teams playing a 34-game regular season schedule, with the LA Galaxy claiming both the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record and MLS Cup championship, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the final at the Home Depot Center.
This was a landmark year for MLS as it marked David Beckham's continued influence on the league's global profile, while also seeing the emergence of Landon Donovan as the league's all-time leading scorer at that time. The season concluded with strong attendance figures and increased television viewership, continuing MLS's steady growth trajectory during this period.
The 2011 season also featured the introduction of several international players who would become MLS stars, and saw continued expansion of the league's footprint across North America. The competitive balance was evident with several teams competing for playoff positions until the final weeks of the regular season.