Major League Soccer (MLS) has seen a multitude of outstanding teams since its inception in 1996. Over the years, these teams have displayed exceptional skill, passion, and determination, contributing to the growth and popularity of soccer in the United States and Canada.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the best MLS teams of all time that have made a lasting impact on the league’s history.
Various factors such as league titles, Supporters’ Shields, and overall performance and consistency have been considered while determining the greatness of these teams. Through their achievements and memorable moments, these select few have set the standards for excellence in the MLS and continue to be benchmarks for current and future clubs.
Best MLS Teams in the 1990s
In the early years of Major League Soccer (MLS), a number of teams emerged as powerhouses, leaving a lasting impact on the league’s history. Let’s take a look back at a few of the most impressive teams of the 1990s.
D.C United – The 90s Dominants
Despite the MLS inaugural season being in 1996, D.C United was the absolute dominance of the league in the 90s. Here are some detailed reasons why:
- MLS Cup Champions: D.C. United won the MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, and 1999, making them the first team to win multiple championships in MLS history. Their victories in 1996 and 1997 were impressive, as they won back-to-back championships and became the first team in MLS history to do so.
- Supporters’ Shield Winners: In addition to their MLS Cup victories, D.C. United also won the Supporters’ Shield in 1997 and 1999. The Supporters’ Shield is awarded to the team with the best regular season record in MLS, making it a testament to D.C. United’s consistency and dominance.
- Talented Roster: The D.C. United teams of the 1990s were stacked with talented players, including Marco Etcheverry, Jaime Moreno, Eddie Pope, and Raul Diaz Arce. These players were instrumental in the team’s success and helped them achieve their impressive records during those years.
- Best Offensive Teams: D.C. United was consistently one of the best offensive teams in MLS during the 1990s, scoring a total of 189 goals in 96 games during those three seasons. Their attacking prowess was due in large part to the skill and creativity of Marco Etcheverry, who led the league in assists in 1996 and 1998, and Raul Diaz Arce, who was in the top 3 of the league’s leading scorers in 1996, 1997, and 1998, and Jaime Moreno being the league’s top scorer in 1997
You can look back at D.C United’s first MLS Cup title in 1996 after beating LA Galaxy with a golden goal by Eddie Pope in the 94th minute after a corner kick delivered by Marco Etcheverry.
Chicago Fire – 90s Memorable Team
Another memorable team from this era was the 1998 Chicago Fire. As an expansion team, they exceeded all expectations by winning the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural season. Coached by Bob Bradley, the roster included players like Lubos Kubik, Peter Nowak, and future US national team member Chris Armas. Their quick success set a high bar for other expansion teams to follow.
Top MLS Teams of the 2000s
In the 2000s, Major League Soccer saw the rise of some truly remarkable teams that left a lasting impression on the sport in the United States. This section focuses on two standout teams from that era: The LA Galaxy and D.C. United.
The Golden Era of the LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy was a defining team of the 2000s in MLS, achieving unprecedented success and setting new achievements along the way. The team started making history by winning the 2002 MLS Cup, followed by the 2005 MLS Cup, the 2002 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup.
Not mentioning the team was close to winning the MLS Cups in 2001 and 2009, but the Galaxy lost against San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew respectively
Their success during the 2000s can be attributed to the arrival of legendary players like Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Donovan, who joined the team in 2005, scored 12 regular-season goals and registered 10 assists for the Galaxy during that period.
On the other hand, David Beckham’s arrival in 2007 had a significant impact, not only on the team’s performance but also on the overall popularity of MLS in the United States and around the world.
D.C. United’s Dominance
D.C. United was another force to be reckoned with in the 2000s, as they claimed back-to-back Supporters’ Shields in 2006 and 2007, in addition to their victory in the 2004 MLS Cup. The team’s roster featured a mix of experienced veterans and young talents such as Ben Olsen, Jaime Moreno, and Christian Gomez.
One standout player for D.C. United during this period was Jaime Moreno, who scored over 60 regular-season goals and ranked on the list of all-time MLS goal leaders as of the end of the 2000s. Moreno’s skill and leadership on the field played a significant role in the team’s success, as did head coach Peter Nowak, who guided United to their 2004 MLS Cup win.
Standout MLS Teams in the 2010s
The 2010s saw the rise of several standout Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, setting new standards in performance and achievements. In this section, we will discuss the Seattle Sounders’ rise to prominence and Toronto FC’s unforgettable season.
The LA Galaxy: MLS Champions first half of the 2010s
Here are some detailed reasons why LA Galaxy continue to stand out in the MLS in the 2010s:
- MLS Cup Champions: The LA Galaxy won three MLS Cup championships in the 2010s, in 2011, 2012, and 2014. These victories made them the most successful team in MLS Cup history, with a total of five championships.
- Supporters’ Shield Winners: In addition to their MLS Cup victories, the LA Galaxy also won the Supporters’ Shield in 2010, and 2011.
- Talented Roster: The LA Galaxy teams of the 2010s were stacked with talented players, including Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and Gyasi Zardes. These players were instrumental in the team’s success and helped them achieve their impressive records during the decade.
- Best Offensive Teams: The LA Galaxy was consistently one of the best offensive teams in MLS during the 2010s, scoring a total of 273 regular season goals from 2010 to 2014. Their attacking prowess was due in large part to the skill and creativity of Landon Donovan, who was the league’s all-time leading scorer at the time of his retirement, and Robbie Keane, who was the league’s MVP in 2014.
Seattle Sounders Rise to Prominence at the end of the 2010s
The Seattle Sounders emerged as one of the dominant forces in the MLS at the end of the 2010s. Some notable achievements of the team in this decade include:
- MLS Cup Victories: The Sounders secured their first MLS Cup in 2016 and went on to win it again in 2019. The Sounders were close to winning the MLS Cup back to back in 2017 but lost it against Toronto FC.
- Supporters’ Shield: They claimed the Supporters’ Shield in 2014, indicating they had the best regular-season record in the league.
- U.S. Open Cup: The Seattle Sounders also marked their dominance by winning the U.S. Open Cup three times in a row from 2009 to 2011.
Check out the highlights of the 2010 U.S Open Cup final that resulted in the first of the many trophies Seattle Sounders won in the 2010s, a successful decade for The Rave Green.
Toronto FC’s 2017 Unforgettable Season
On the other hand, Toronto FC made history with their unforgettable 2017 season. This was a year that saw the team achieve numerous milestones and records in MLS history, including:
- Supporters’ Shield: Toronto FC finished the regular season with 69 points, securing the Supporters’ Shield and matching the record for most points in a season held by the 1998 LA Galaxy.
- Canadian Championship: They added the Canadian Championship to their trophy cabinet, demonstrating their dominance within Canada.
- MLS Cup: Capping off their incredible season, Toronto FC won their first MLS Cup, becoming the first Canadian team to achieve this feat.
| Achievement | Description |
|---|---|
| Supporters’ Shield | Best regular-season record (69 points) |
| Canadian Championship | Champions in Canada |
| MLS Cup | First MLS Cup title |
Successful Expansion Teams
Major League Soccer (MLS) has seen several expansion teams make a significant impact in the league since its inception. This section will focus on two of the most successful expansion teams in MLS history: Atlanta United FC and Los Angeles FC.
Atlanta United FC
Atlanta United FC joined MLS in 2017 and quickly became one of the league’s most competitive teams. In their debut season, they reached the playoffs and set several records, such as the highest average attendance for any MLS club, attracting more than 48,000 fans per game.
Their success didn’t stop there; in 2018, Atlanta United FC won both the MLS Cup and the US Open Cup, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in American soccer.
The team’s impressive roster includes standout players like Josef Martinez, who set a new MLS single-season goal-scoring record in 2018 with 31 goals, and Paraguayan playmaker Miguel Almirón, who was instrumental in Atlanta’s 2018 title-winning campaign. This combination of on-field success and passionate fan support has made Atlanta United FC an example of successful MLS expansion.
Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC (LAFC) entered MLS in 2018 and set a new standard for expansion teams in the league. In their debut season, they finished third in the Western Conference and reached the playoffs.
LAFC’s quick success can be attributed to their well-rounded roster, which includes Mexican international star Carlos Vela and Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi, both of whom have been key contributors to the team’s scoring prowess.
In 2019, just their second season in the league, LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield, an award given to the team with the best regular-season record. They also set a new MLS points record with 72 points in a single season, surpassing the previous record held by the New York Red Bulls. LAFC’s meteoric rise has garnered widespread attention from soccer fans and serves as a blueprint for future expansion teams in MLS.
Honorable Mentions
Although selecting the best MLS teams of all time is a challenging task, a few teams deserve special recognition for their impact on the league and their remarkable achievements. This section will touch upon some of these teams, highlighting the key aspects that made them stand out.
San Jose Earthquakes – 2005
One MLS team that stands out is the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes. Though they are known more for their victories in 2006 and 2007 (the team was moved to Houston becoming the Houston Dynamos), their 2005 squad displayed exceptional performance, averaging 2 points per game. The Earthquakes’ ability to maintain a consistent level of play throughout the season is commendable.
LAFC – 2022
Another team worth mentioning is LAFC. In their inaugural 2018 season, they managed to make a mark in the MLS landscape. Their captain, a three-time MLS Best XI pick, led the team to win an MLS Cup in 2022 and two Supporters’ Shields in 2019 and 2022, demonstrating their prowess as a formidable team.
Toronto FC – 2015
A nod should also be given to the 2015 Toronto FC team. The acquisition of Sebastian Giovinco quite possibly marked the beginning of a new era for MLS, with high-quality players choosing to join the league in their prime. Giovinco’s presence not only elevated Toronto FC’s game but also had a lasting impact on the league as a whole.
These honorable mentions serve as a reminder of the diverse teams and talented players that have graced the MLS throughout its history. While comparing teams across different eras is difficult, one cannot deny the impressive achievements and indelible marks left by these squads on the American soccer landscape.
