MLS CUP FINAL
MLS Cup Trophy: What is it made of, who designed it, size and weight?
Columbus Crew take on LAFC in the final of the MLS Cup: here’s all the information on the trophy, the prize at the end of the competition.
That’s it, we’re down to the final two. Columbus Crew will go up against LAFC for the biggest prize in North American soccer: MLS Cup. The two sides have battled their way to the final round of the competition and, after another gruelling season in MLS, will go one more round to find out who can be named as the champion of soccer in the entire country (Saturday, 9 December, KO 4pm ET / 1pm PT).
The final, to be held at Lower.com Field, will be flooded with over 20,000 fans who will try their best to make LAFC, the current holders, as uncomfortable as possible throughout. Columbus Crew, in what will be their fourth final, will be looking to get their third ever win; LAFC, for their part, will be in search of victory number two, with midfielder Kellyn Acosta telling AS that a victory would be “a beautiful opportunity for us to bring new supporters into the game”.
On offer, the prize everyone desires: MLS Cup. But what is the cup made of? What is the reason behind such a unique design?
The famous competition has had 3 trophies throughout its history. A trophy called the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy was first awarded in 1996 and was given out until 1998, before a second version with the same name was awarded between 1998 and 2007. After that, it has been the trophy we now all recognise.
Who makes MLS Cup?
The famous trophy, given along with the title of league winners, is made by Tiffany and Co. and is officially named the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, after the American billionaire. Anschutz bought out his father’s oil drilling company in 1961 and has since invested in everything from real estate to railroads... and soccer. Anschutz was one of the founders of MLS and pushed the building of soccer-specific stadiums across the US; he has had stakes in teams such as the LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire and the Colorado Rapids.
Anyway, enough of the billionaires and back to Tiffany & Co. The luxury jewellery company makes MLS Cup and have done since 2008.
Is MLS Cup real silver?
The trophy is made of sterling silver, say Tiffany and Co. For what it’s worth, that’s the same material that is used for The Commissioner’s Trophy in MLB, as well as NFL’s The Vince Lombardi Trophy, handed out to the Super Bowl winners.
How big is MLS Cup? How much does it weigh?
“The trophy stands 24 inches tall and weighs 43 pounds”, the succinct explanation reads on the official website of the manufacturer. Guess that’s that then.
How much does it cost?
The trophy is priceless. And by priceless I mean it’s estimated that it costs around $120,000.
Anything else?
The jewellery company say that the trophy boasts that “a map of North America can be found on the bottom of the trophy, with a star identifying the location of each MLS® Cup win”. As well as this, another curious design element is that “the trophy features two handles with 11 facets each, representing the 22 players on the field during a game”.
Tiffany also handcrafts the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship and MVP trophies: “reimagining the traditional soccer ball, whose panels form the NWSL shield, the awards signify the pinnacle of sporting excellence and our continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion”, they say.