The 5 most successful clubs in Major League Soccer history
Major League Soccer first kicked off in 1993 with only 10 original clubs. Now, 28 years later, the American league has expanded to 27 teams with several more expansion sides in the works for the upcoming seasons.
There are four major titles up for grabs in Major League Soccer: Supporters Shield, MLS Cup, US Open Cup, and Concacaf Champions League. D.C. United and the LA Galaxy stand as the only two clubs to have won all four.
These are the top five most successful clubs in Major League Soccer history.
5. Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo made their Major League Soccer debut in 2006, and went on to win the league cup during their inaugural season. The expansion team made history by defending their title and lifting the trophy again in 2007.
The Houston Dynamo had one of the best starts in MLS history.
They also hold a US Open cup trophy, emerging as champions in 2018.
4. Seattle Sounders
The Seattle Sounders are one of the most successful teams in league history, winning the MLS Cup twice, Supporters Shield once and the US Open Cup four times.
The expansion team did not start out as one of the best, but slowly worked itself up to distinguish themselves among the rest. Now, the Sounders stand as leaders of the Western Conference and remain as favorites to win the 2021 league cup.
3. San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes are one of 10 founding members of the league. Rich in history, the Earthquakes have seen it all in Major League Soccer.
The Western Conference side has experienced its share of success, winning the MLS Cup on two occasions and the Supporters Shield twice.
In 2001, the Earthquakes defeated league rivals LA Galaxy to lift their first league trophy.
2. D.C. United
The Washington D.C. team made history by being the first to win the MLS Cup during the league’s inaugural season and extended their reign by successfully defending their title the following year.
D.C. United was also the first ever MLS side to win a Concacaf Champions League title against a Liga MX opponent.
The Eastern Conference side holds four MLS Cups, four Supporters Shields, one Concacaf Champions League victory and three US Open Cups.
1. LA Galaxy
The Western Conference giants are known for their historic list of players that includes David Beckham, Chicharito and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but there is a reason they are able to land international stars. The LA Galaxy stand as the most successful club in league history, lifting more titles than any other competitor.
The Galaxy lead with the most MLS Cup victories in history, lifting the trophy on five occasions. After winning the title in 2011, the California-based team defended their reign to win again in 2012.
The team boasts four Supporters Shields titles and two US Open Cup triumphs, and sit as the second MLS club to win the Concacaf Champions League after D.C. United in 1998.