Summary
Major League Soccer (MLS) has been in existence since 1996 and has grown rapidly in popularity over the years. With 27 teams currently in the league, there have been a number of teams that have left their mark on the league and have achieved great success.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 MLS teams of all time, based on their accomplishments and impact on the league.
1. LA Galaxy (2011)
The 2011 LA Galaxy team is widely regarded as the best team in MLS history. They won the Supporters’ Shield with a record of 19-5-10, and then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the final, and were led by league MVP and legendary midfielder Landon Donovan.
The team also boasted a solid defense and legendary midfielder, David Beckham, with goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and defenders Omar Gonzalez and Todd Dunivant playing crucial roles. Donovan scored the winning goal, capping off a historic season for the Galaxy.
2. D.C. United (1997)
The inaugural MLS Cup champions, D.C. United dominated the league in its early years, winning four MLS Cup titles in the first decade of the league’s existence. The 1997 team, in particular, stands out as one of the best in league history, with league MVP Marco Etcheverry leading the way.
The 1997 DC United team was the first-ever MLS Cup champions, and they did it in style. The team finished the regular season with a record of 17-7, winning the Eastern Conference title. They then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating the Colorado Rapids 2-1 in the final.
Midfielder Marco Etcheverry was named the MVP of the match, while forward Jaime Moreno scored the winning goal in extra time.
3. Toronto FC (2017)
Toronto FC’s 2017 squad was one of the most dominant in MLS history, setting records for most points in a season and the highest goal differential. The team was led by league MVP Sebastian Giovinco and future MLS Cup MVP Jozy Altidore and won the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in the same season.
Led by forward Sebastian Giovinco and midfielder Michael Bradley, the team finished the regular season with a record of 20-5-9, setting a new MLS record for most points in a season with 69. They then went on to win the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup, defeating the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the final.
Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez scored the goals in the final, while goalkeeper Alex Bono was named the MVP.
4. LA Galaxy (2002)
The 2002 LA Galaxy team was the first in league history to win both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in the same season. Led by midfielder and league MVP Carlos Ruiz, the team was known for its high-powered offense, scoring a league-leading 57 goals.
The team finished the regular season with a record of 16-9-3, winning the Western Conference title. They then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating the New England Revolution 1-0 in the final. Forward Carlos Ruiz scored the winning goal, while Donovan was named the MVP of the match.
5. Seattle Sounders (2014)
The 2014 Seattle Sounders team was a juggernaut, finishing the regular season with a league-leading 64 points and scoring a league-high 65 goals. The team boasted a stingy defense, allowing just 50 goals in 34 games. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei had a standout season, recording 11 shutouts and making several crucial saves throughout the year.
Led by forward Obafemi Martins and midfielder Clint Dempsey, the Sounders set a new record for points in a season with 64, finishing with a record of 20-10-4. They also set a new record for goals scored in a season with 65, thanks in large part to the deadly strike partnership of Martins and Dempsey, who combined for 32 goals and 20 assists.
6. Columbus Crew (2008)
The 2008 Columbus Crew team was one of the most complete teams in MLS history, with a balanced attack and solid defense. They won both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup, with midfielder and league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto leading the way.
Led by league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto and goalkeeper Will Hesmer, the 2008 Crew finished the regular season with a record of 17-7-6, winning the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in franchise history.
They then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-1 in the final. Schelotto was named the MVP of the final, scoring two goals and assisting on the other.
7. San Jose Earthquakes (2001)
The 2001 San Jose Earthquakes team won both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup, with a dominant offense led by league MVP and Golden Boot winner Dwayne De Rosario. The team also boasted a solid defense, allowing just 29 goals in 28 games.
The 2001 San Jose Earthquakes team had a remarkable season. Led by forward Landon Donovan and midfielder Richard Mulrooney, the team finished the regular season with a record of 19-12-1, winning the Western Conference title.
They then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating the LA Galaxy 2-1 in the final. Donovan scored both goals in the match and was named the MVP.
8. New York Red Bulls (2013)
The 2013 New York Red Bulls team won the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in franchise history, with league MVP and Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips leading the way. The team also featured a solid defense, allowing just 39 goals in 34 games.
The 2013 New York Red Bulls team, finished the regular season with a record of 17-9-8, winning the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in franchise history. Led by forward Thierry Henry and midfielder Tim Cahill, the team then went on to reach the Eastern Conference Final but ultimately lost to the Houston Dynamo in a dramatic series that ended with a 4-3 aggregate score.
9. Sporting Kansas City (2013)
The 2013 Sporting Kansas City team won both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup, with a balanced attack and stingy defense. The team was led by league MVP and Golden Boot winner Dom Dwyer and allowed just 30 goals in 34 games.
The Sporting Kansas City team was a dominant force in the league, finishing the regular season with a record of 17-10-7, winning the Eastern Conference title. They then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating Real Salt Lake 7-6 in a penalty shootout in the final.
Midfielder Graham Zusi scored the winning penalty, while goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was named the MVP of the match.
10. Chicago Fire (1998)
The 1998 Chicago Fire team won both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural season, with a dominant defense led by goalkeeper and league MVP Zach Thornton.
The 1998 Chicago Fire team was an expansion team that made an immediate impact, winning both the U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup in their inaugural season. Led by forward Ante Razov and midfielder Peter Nowak, the team finished the regular season with a record of 20-12, winning the Eastern Conference title.
They then went on to win the MLS Cup, defeating DC United 2-0 in the final. Razov scored both goals in the match and was named the MVP.
Honorable Mentions
While these are the top 10 MLS teams of all time, there have been a number of other teams that have achieved great success in the league. Here are some honorable mentions:
New York Red Bulls (2015): The 2015 Red Bulls won the Supporters’ Shield and set a new MLS record for most points in a season with 71.
Real Salt Lake (2009): The 2009 Real Salt Lake team won the MLS Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating the LA Galaxy in a penalty shootout.
Portland Timbers (2015): The 2015 Timbers won their first MLS Cup, with a balanced attack led by midfielders Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe.
Houston Dynamo (2006): The 2006 Houston Dynamo team won the MLS Cup in their first year in the league, led by midfielder and league MVP Dwayne De Rosario.
DC United (1999): The 1999 DC United team won their third MLS Cup in four years, with forward Jaime Moreno leading the way.
Conclusion
MLS has come a long way since its inception in 1996, and there have been a number of great teams that have left their mark on the league. From the dominant LA Galaxy teams of the early 2000s to the more recent success of Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders, the league has seen some truly great teams. While these rankings are subjective, there is no doubt that these top 10 MLS teams of all time have had a significant impact on the league and its history.
These 10 teams represent the cream of the crop in MLS history, showcasing some of the most dominant performances and most talented players to ever play in the league. It’s no coincidence that many of these teams were led by some of the greatest players in MLS history, such as Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Sebastian Giovinco, among others.
While each of these teams had their own unique style and approach to the game, they all shared a common trait – a winning mentality and a desire to be the best. It’s this kind of competitive spirit that has helped MLS grow into the successful league it is today, and it’s sure to inspire the next generation of talented players and teams to strive for greatness.
