Who’re the best MLS groups of all time? After Wilfried Nancy led the Columbus Crew to their second trophy in solely 9 months, a glance wanted to be taken at how issues have unfolded from the primary season in 1996 all the best way to 2024. From robust common seasons to playoff success and continental runs, a lot wanted to be taken under consideration.
That’s why we’ve provide you with an inventory of the best MLS groups in historical past by period. They will run not than 5 seasons with elements reminiscent of home success, continental success and common league end. Particular consideration was given to groups that did the double in addition to consecutive seasons of success. So let’s check out the best MLS groups eras ranked:
10. New England Revolution (2005-07)
Trophies:
This run from the Revolution could also be the most effective groups to by no means win the MLS Cup, profitable the Japanese Convention championship each season from 2005-07 however then dropping within the closing match every time. The 12 months 2007 at the very least introduced silverware with a U.S. Open Cup overcome FC Dallas in an exciting 3-2 match. Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman, and Wells Thompson all discovered the again of the web for the Revolution in that match and Twellman got here in second in scoring for all the event with 4 objectives. Led by Steve Nicol, the Revolution grew to become a dominant pressure whereas additionally spawning a younger Clint Dempsey. They’ll want that that they had extra to indicate for his or her dominance, nevertheless.
9. Kansas Metropolis Wizards (2000-04)
Trophies:
- 2000 MLS Cup
- 2000 Supporters’ Protect
- 2004 U.S. Open Cup
With the Wizards we start to get into constant success additionally bringing silverware together with it. With Bob Gansler taking up through the 1999 season, he instantly led the crew to a Supporters’ Protect-winning season earlier than doing the double and profitable MLS Cup behind heroics from none aside from Tony Meola. The Wizards would take a step again in following seasons however including a U.S. Open Cup triumph in 2004 by stopping the red-hot Chicago Hearth was sufficient to maintain them on this listing.
8. Chicago Hearth (2000-03)
Trophies:
- 2000 U.S. Open Cup
- 2003 U.S. Open Cup
- 2003 Supporters’ Protect
Trying on the Chicago Hearth at present, it could be exhausting to imagine how a lot success this crew had up to now however with Jesse Marsch and Chris Armas roaming the midfield, the early 2000’s was a time to recollect for the Hearth. After setting the stage for fulfillment underneath Bob Bradley by profitable MLS Cup of their inaugural season in 1998, the Hearth received the 2000 Open Cup and in addition made the MLS Cup closing. Even submit Bradley, when the crew needed to transfer to Naperville, Illinois whereas Soldier Area underwent renovations, Dave Sarachan led the Hearth to a double profitable the Supporter’s Protect and U.S. Open Cup in 2003. Little did the Hearth know that this could be the height of their success as from 2003 till now, the Hearth have solely captured another trophy.
7. Columbus Crew (2008-11)
Trophies:
- 2008 MLS Cup
- 2008 Supporters’ Protect
- 2009 Supporters’ Protect
For the Crew, contemplating how a lot success they’ve had, the hardest factor to determine is which period to characterize in these rankings as they’ve had success within the early 2000s in addition to within the present period of MLS too. However profitable their first MLS Cup in 2008 felt like the primary peak of the Crew’s powers. Signing Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Alejandro Moreno to bolster the aspect in 2007, whereas it didn’t result in success proper then and there, Sigi Schmid would lead the Crew to the Supporters Protect and MLS Cup in 2008 with Chad Marshall additionally profitable defender of the 12 months. This may be the top of the Schmid period in Columbus with him departing for Seattle however that didn’t imply that the Crew’s success was carried out. They adopted issues up in 2009 by including one other Supporters’ Protect underneath Robert Warzycha.
6. Los Angeles FC (2019-22)
Trophies:
- 2019 Supporters’ Protect
- 2022 Supporters’ Protect
- 2022 MLS Cup
Bursting onto the scene with success from day one, it’s one other look for Bob Bradley on this listing. LAFC together with Atlanta United raised the bar of what was anticipated from an growth crew. Starting play in 2018, the Black and Gold received the Supporters’ Protect whereas Carlos Vela received MLS Golden Boot and MVP. In 2020, Diego Rossi joined and in addition received MLS Golden Boot earlier than serving to lead the crew to a different Supporters Protect triumph and an MLS Cup together with it in 2022.
5. Toronto FC (2016-18)
Trophies:
- 2016 Canadian Championship
- 2017 MLS Cup
- 2017 Supporters’ Protect
- 2017 Canadian Championship
- 2018 Canadian Championship
One other crew which will have peaked increased than another is Toronto FC. Their 2017 season is without doubt one of the finest ever. Profitable the Supporters’ Protect, MLS Cup, and the Canadian Championship underneath Greg Vanney, Toronto established themselves as the most effective groups in league historical past whereas Sebastian Giovinco cemented his league legacy. Profitable the Supporters’ Protect by a whopping 12 factors, it was domination from begin to end with Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Victor Vazquez, all scoring 20 or extra objectives in all competitions. TFC would bookend these seasons with Canadian Championships in a memorable current run earlier than falling again all the way down to actuality after Giovinco’s departure. Toronto FC went from first total within the league in factors to nineteenth a season later, a distinction of 33 factors earned, and did not qualify for the playoffs.
4. Seattle Sounders (2014-19)
Trophies:
- 2014 U.S. Open Cup
- 2014 Supporters’ Protect
- 2016 MLS Cup
- 2019 MLS Cup
With the Stefan Frei period starting in Seattle underneath Schmid in 2014, it might additionally carry Seattle their first Supporters’ Protect earlier than dropping within the within the Western Convention Finals to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Schmid would depart to handle the LA Galaxy in 2016 with Brian Schmetzer returning to the pinnacle coach function. Probably the greatest signings in MLS historical past would quickly observe in Nicolas Lodeiro. Jordan Morris and Lodeiro would offset the lack of Clint Dempsey to an irregular heartbeat to guide Seattle to their first MLS Cup title in 2016 however they wouldn’t be carried out grabbing one other MLS Cup title in 2019.
3. Columbus Crew (2020-24)
Trophies:
- 2020 MLS Cup
- 2021 Campeones Cup
- 2023 MLS Cup
- 2024 Leagues Cup
In all places there are acquainted faces because the Crew make their second look on this listing. After being bought by Jimmy Haslam — proprietor of the Cleveland Browns — a brand new period started in Columbus with Lucas Zelerayan and Darlington Nagbe becoming a member of in 2020. The duo rapidly led the Crew to an MLS Cup title underneath Caleb Porter. Following a dip in kind, Nancy would take over the Crew in 2022 and Cucho Hernandez would include him. Whereas Zelerayan was bought to Saudi Arabia, Rossi joined the Crew to assist reload main a nine-month run throughout which the Crew received the 2023 MLS Cup, made a Concacaf Champions Cup closing, and received the 2024 Leagues Cup. This can be a crew that would find yourself increased on this listing as they’re nonetheless within the race for the Supporters’ Protect and may seize back-to-back MLS Cup titles. It’s a powerful technique to reinvent your self.
2. Los Angeles Galaxy (2010-14)
Trophies:
- 2010 Supporters’ Protect
- 2011 Supporters’ Protect
- 2011 MLS Cup
- 2012 MLS Cup
- 2014 MLS Cup
Considering of high groups in MLS historical past, the Galaxy with Robbie Keane, David Beckham, and Landon Donovan will at all times be a aspect that involves thoughts. Whereas there have been loads of different essential gamers they usually have been coached by Bruce Area, this was a crew of world superstars they usually performed to expectations. Profitable MLS Cup in three out of 4 years between 2011 and 2014 whereas including Supporters’ Protect victories in 2010 and 2011 is sort of a powerful feat. They grew to become the primary crew to ever win 5 MLS Cups in 2014.
1. D.C. United (1996-99)
Trophies:
- 1996 MLS Cup
- 1996 Supporters’ Protect
- 1996 U.S. Open Cup
- 1997 Supporters’ Protect
- 1997 MLS Cup
- 1998 Concacaf Champions Cup
- 1998 Copa Interamericana
- 1999 MLS Cup
D.C. United’s feats could by no means be equaled with eight trophies collected in solely three years. One of many few groups actually worthy of being known as a dynasty, D.C. have been led by Area and instantly discovered success with the trio of Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry, and Raul Diaz Arce. It wouldn’t cease there with U.S. internationals together with Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos, and John Harkes additionally within the aspect. D.C. would win consecutive MLS Cups in 1996 and 1997 but in addition collected two Supporters’ Shields throughout this span, an Open Cup trophy, a Concacaf Champions Cup title and a Copa Interamericana. In addition they took dwelling MLS Cup in 1999 with CBS Sports activities soccer analyst Thomas Rongen on the helm.