MLS
Which are the clubs with the most MLS titles in history?
The new season began with Inter Miami’s win over Real Salt Lake. The Herons are looking to pick up their first MLS Cup; who has the most titles?
MLS is back! The new season got underway at Chase Stadium on Wednesday evening, Inter Miami opening up with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
The Herons are searching for their first MLS Cup triumph and, with a squad stuffed with elite veterans, are many experts’ tip to go all the way this year. The 29th season of MLS is set to be one of the most competitive we’ve ever seen and the competition has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
The inaugural MLS Cup champions were crowned on October 20, 1996. DC United defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in the final at Foxboro Stadium, Massachusetts. DC triumphed in a ten-team competition which saw eight of the ten MLS sides progress to the playoffs.
DC United would go on to defend their title in 1997 and picked up a third MLS Cup in four seasons when they clinched the 1999 edition too. It was a dominant start for the capital’s club, but they have since been overtaken in the all-time rankings.
Which team has won MLS Cup the most times?
That impressive start to MLS life gave DC a considerable head-start on the competition, but they were eventually overtaken by LA Galaxy. The California club won two titles in 2002 and 2005 before enjoying a spell of domination under head coach Bruce Arena.
With the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Omar Gonzalez and Robbie Keane the Galaxy won three titles in four years (2011, 2012, 2014). They remain the last MLS team to retain the title and will be remembered as one of the strongest teams in league history.
| Team | MLS Cup wins | MLS Cup appearances |
|---|---|---|
| LA Galaxy | 5 | 9 |
| DC United | 4 | 5 |
| Columbus Crew | 3 | 4 |
| Houston Dynamo | 2 | 4 |
| Seattle Sounders | 2 | 4 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2 | 3 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2 | 2 |
Last year’s winners Columbus Crew are now sitting on three championships, just one short of DC United in second place. Wilfried Nancy’s team are looking to become the first team in more than a decade to go back-to-back and they could end the season in second place in the all-time standings.
Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers, Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles FC, Atlanta United and New York City FC have each won MLS Cup once.
Four teams have reached MLS Cup final and never won the tournament. New York Red Bulls, FC Dallas and Philadelphia Union have each lost once in the league’s showpiece final.
But spare a thought for fans of long-suffering New England Revolution, who have watched their team make it to MLS Cup on five occasions but are yet to see them win. The Revs were crowned Eastern Conference champions for three successive seasons 2005-2007 but fell each year in MLS Cup.