<P> This format rewarded player skills, as players were able to attempt to deceive goalkeepers and play the ball in an attempt to make the shot, as in a one - on - one skills contest, and goalkeepers could take on the attackers without restrictions that are normally implemented in penalty shootouts . Soccer Bowl' 81, the NASL's 1981 championship final, was decided by this format . </P> <P> From its inception in 1968, the NASL used an unconventional point system in determining the league standings . Teams were awarded six points for a win and three points for a draw . In addition, teams earned one bonus point for each goal scored in a game up to a maximum of three per game . Thus, a team that lost 5--3 would earn three points . However, a team that lost 1--0 would earn no points . Also, a team that won 5--4 would earn nine points (the same as a 3--0 win). But a team that won 2--0 would earn only eight points . In the league's second season (1969), the Kansas City Spurs were the league champions with 10 wins, 2 losses and 4 ties even though the Atlanta Chiefs had 11 wins, 2 losses and 3 ties, because Kansas City earned more bonus points . Starting with 1971 postseason playoff matches, the NASL used a golden goal rule, and every match had a winner decided from the run of play . Extra-time sessions were 15 minutes long before a brief break and change of ends . Game 1 of the 1971 NASL semifinal series between the Rochester Lancers and the Dallas Tornado went six extra-time periods with Rochester scoring the game - winning goal in the 176th minute . Game 3 of that same series went four extra time periods with Dallas scoring in the 148th minute to win the match and the series . In 1975, the NASL adopted a conventional penalty - kick shootout system for all regular - season and postseason playoff matches, and there were no longer any NASL matches that ended in ties . In the standings, a team that won in regulation time was awarded six points . A team that won in a penalty - kick shootout was awarded one point . Bonus points continued to be awarded for each goal scored up to a maximum of three per game . In 1977, the NASL adopted the experimental North American shootout procedure described above . If a match was tied after 90 minutes, a maximum of two golden goal extra time periods of 7.5 minutes each were played . If neither team scored, the shootout was held to determine the winner of the match . In the standings, a team that won was awarded six points whether the win came in regulation time, extra time or by shootout . Bonus points continued to be awarded for each goal scored up to a maximum of three per game . No bonus points were awarded for goals scored in extra time . Postseason playoff games were decided in the same manner . In 1981, the number of points awarded to a team that won a game in a shootout was reduced from six to four . This remained the system until the NASL's final season in 1984 . </P> <P> From its inception in 1996, MLS used the shootout system that had been used by the NASL to determine winners of matches . No regular - season or postseason playoff games ended in a tie . In general, no extra time was played; the shootout commenced immediately after 90 minutes had been played . The only exception was in the MLS Cup Final in which a match tied after 90 minutes would be followed by a maximum of two 15 - minute extra time sessions on a golden goal basis . In the regular - season standings, a team that won a match in regulation was awarded three points . A team that won a match in a shootout was awarded one point . There were no bonus points or points awarded to teams that lost whether in regulation time or a shootout . In the playoffs, the conference semifinals and conference finals were organized as best - of - three matches series . A shootout win counted as a win . Thus, a team could win two of the three matches by shootout and lose the other match in regulation and still advance to the next round . This was inconsistent with how the teams were rewarded during the regular season when the team with one win would have earned three points, and the team with two wins would have earned only two points . In 1999, a maximum of two 15 - minute golden goal extra time periods were added for matches that were tied after 90 minutes of regulation play . If neither team scored during extra time, the match was decided by a shootout . MLS abandoned the North American style shootout starting with the 2000 season . If penalties are required to determine a winner during the playoffs, MLS now uses the shoot - out procedure specified by the International Football Association Board . </P>

When is a penalty kick completed in soccer