A look back at the last five MLS Cup winners
As Los Angeles FC and the Philadelphia Union prepare for the 2022 MLS Cup final on Saturday, we take a look back at the last five winners of the title.
5. Toronto FC (2017)
In 2017, Toronto FC hosted the Seattle Sounders. The Canadian side looked to get revenge against the Sounders to capture their first-ever MLS Cup title in club history.
After a scoreless first half, Jozy Altidore found the back of the net to earn the lead. Victor Vazquez then extended the score with a stoppage time goal to send BMO Field into a frenzy. The Canadian side has finally won the Cup.
4. Atlanta United (2018)
In just their second year in Major League Soccer, Gerardo Martino hosted the Portland Timbers in front of a sell-out crowd of 73,019 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Goals from Josef Martinez and Franco Escobar propelled Atlanta United to victory, eventually triumphing 2-0 to become the 13th club to ever MLS Cup and give the city of Atlanta its first major sports title since 1995.
3. Seattle Sounders (2019)
In a rematch of the 2016 and 2017 MLS Cup finals, the Seattle Sounders hosted Toronto FC.
After a scoreless first half, the goals finally came flooding in for the Western Conference side as Kelvin Leerdam, Victor Rodriguez, and Raul Ruidiaz all scored. Though Toronto managed to pull one back with a goal from Jozy Altidore, the Sounders sealed the win and clinched their first title in three years.
2. Columbus Crew (2020)
2020 saw a different Major League Soccer season, with the COVID-19 pandemic adjusting several aspects. But we still saw an MLS Cup final take place, where the Columbus Crew took on the then defending champions Seattle Sounders.
In front of only 1,500 fans at Mapfre Stadium, the home side snuck three past the Seattle Sounders. Goals from Lucas Zelarayán and Derrick Etienne propelled the Crew to the trophy, lifting their second MLS Cup in team history.
1. New York City FC (2021)
After finishing in fourth place on the Eastern Conference table, NYCFC worked their way through the MLS playoffs to reach their first-ever Cup final appearance. The team traveled all the way to Providence Park to take on match-favorites Portland Timbers.
The final saw a chaotic match, with Valentin Castellanos opening up the scoring in the 41st minute, before Felipe Mora managed an extra time equalizer to send things into overtime, and eventual penalties. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson made two vital saves before Alexander Callens scored the winning kick to help NYCFC clinch their first-ever MLS Cup title.