The first soccer game on the Xbox, MLS ExtraTime 2002 continues the partnership forged between ESPN and Konami of America. The ESPN license once again means professional-style menu screens and commentary by professional broadcasters, this time with Luis Tapia and Jack Edwards. Players can choose from 61 international teams, 24 club teams, ten MLS teams, four original teams, and two All-Star teams before entering one of six game modes: Match, MLS, League, Cup, Scenario, and Training.
Match mode is a single game between two teams, while MLS mode involves managing a franchise. Players can compete in the league for up to five consecutive years as they deal with retirement and prepare for a six-round draft at the end of each season. Teams can also earn Transfer Points for each win and tie, allowing them to make one-on-one trades with players from the same position. The more skilled the player is, the more points it will cost to make a trade. League mode is structured like a round-robin tournament with a choice of 16 teams.
Cup mode allows players to compete in a series of tournaments held in different parts of the world, with the Open Cup featuring an additional 40 teams. Scenario offers players the chance to complete specific objectives in a series of ten contests. Training lets players familiarize themselves with the controls, practicing such skills as shooting, throw-ins, free kicks, and more. In addition to the six game modes, MLS ExtraTime also features a Player Edit function where players can create up to 176 athletes. Teams, logos, rosters, and strategies can also be freely edited and saved.