Winners of the MLS Cup: Full List of Winners of the Major League Soccer Cup
MLS Champions: Major League Soccer Cup Winners List
Major League Soccer (MLS) was established in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
The inaugural MLS season took place in 1996 with ten teams, and it was a significant milestone for professional soccer in the United States.
The league aimed to develop soccer as a mainstream sport in the USA and provide a platform for American players while also attracting international stars from other leagues.
Despite some initial challenges, including financial difficulties and low attendance, MLS has gained momentum and is a league that has now garnered global attention.
Over the years, MLS has expanded, with new teams joining the league and therefore growing its reach across the United States and Canada.
The league implemented various initiatives to grow its fan base and improve the quality of play, such as the introduction of designated players, who are generally high-profile international players that teams can sign outside the salary cap restrictions.
This move brought in notable talents like Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović, further raising the league's profile.
Major League Soccer has continued to evolve and solidify its position as a professional soccer league. The addition of new teams, the construction of soccer-specific stadiums, and increased media coverage have contributed to its growth, driven by people like Beckham, whose contract with LA Galaxy included an option of owning an expansion franchise in the future.
The league has also made strides in youth development through academies and initiatives like the Generation Adidas program.
Teams fight for the MLS Cup, and the right to be crowned Major League Soccer Champions.
Winners of the MLS Cup
1996:
Winner: D.C. United
Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy
1997:
Winner: D.C. United
Runner-up: Colorado Rapids
1998:
Winner: Chicago Fire
Runner-up: D.C. United
1999:
Winner: D.C. United
Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy
2000:
Winner: Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City)
Runner-up: Chicago Fire
2001:
Winner: San Jose Earthquakes
Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy
2002:
Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy
Runner-up: New England Revolution
2003:
Winner: San Jose Earthquakes
Runner-up: Chicago Fire
2004:
Winner: D.C. United
Runner-up: Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City)
2005:
Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy
Runner-up: New England Revolution
2006:
Winner: Houston Dynamo
Runner-up: New England Revolution
2007:
Winner: Houston Dynamo
Runner-up: New England Revolution
2008:
Winner: Columbus Crew
Runner-up: New York Red Bulls
2009:
Winner: Real Salt Lake
Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy
2010:
Winner: Colorado Rapids
Runner-up: FC Dallas
2011:
Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy
Runner-up: Houston Dynamo
2012:
Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy
Runner-up: Houston Dynamo
2013:
Winner: Sporting Kansas City
Runner-up: Real Salt Lake
2014:
Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy
Runner-up: New England Revolution
2015:
Winner: Portland Timbers
Runner-up: Columbus Crew
2016:
Winner: Seattle Sounders FC
Runner-up: Toronto FC
2017:
Winner: Toronto FC
Runner-up: Seattle Sounders FC
2018:
Winner: Atlanta United FC
Runner-up: Portland Timbers
2019:
Winner: Seattle Sounders FC
Runner-up: Toronto FC
2020:
Winner: Columbus Crew
Runner-up: Seattle Sounders FC
2021:
Winner: New York City FC
Runner-up: Sporting Kansas City
2022:
Winner: Los Angles FC
Runner-up: Philadelphia Union
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