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Winners of the MLS Cup: Full List of Winners of the Major League Soccer Cup

Winners of the MLS Cup: Full List of Winners of the Major League Soccer Cup

MLS Champions: Major League Soccer Cup Winners List

Major League Soccer (MLS) was established in 1993 as part of the United States' successful bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

Football on the grass in a stadium with the text 'MLS Cup: All Winners'

The inaugural MLS season took place in 1996 with ten teams, and it was a significant milestone for professional soccer in the United States.

The league aimed to develop soccer as a mainstream sport in the USA and provide a platform for American players while also attracting international stars from other leagues.

Despite some initial challenges, including financial difficulties and low attendance, MLS has gained momentum and is a league that has now garnered global attention.

Over the years, MLS has expanded, with new teams joining the league and therefore growing its reach across the United States and Canada.

The league implemented various initiatives to grow its fan base and improve the quality of play, such as the introduction of designated players, who are generally high-profile international players that teams can sign outside the salary cap restrictions.

This move brought in notable talents like Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimović, further raising the league's profile.

Major League Soccer has continued to evolve and solidify its position as a professional soccer league. The addition of new teams, the construction of soccer-specific stadiums, and increased media coverage have contributed to its growth, driven by people like Beckham, whose contract with LA Galaxy included an option of owning an expansion franchise in the future.

The league has also made strides in youth development through academies and initiatives like the Generation Adidas program.

Teams fight for the MLS Cup, and the right to be crowned Major League Soccer Champions.

Winners of the MLS Cup

1996:

  • Winner: D.C. United

  • Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy

1997:

  • Winner: D.C. United

  • Runner-up: Colorado Rapids

1998:

  • Winner: Chicago Fire

  • Runner-up: D.C. United

1999:

  • Winner: D.C. United

  • Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy

2000:

  • Winner: Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City)

  • Runner-up: Chicago Fire

2001:

  • Winner: San Jose Earthquakes

  • Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy

2002:

  • Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy

  • Runner-up: New England Revolution

2003:

  • Winner: San Jose Earthquakes

  • Runner-up: Chicago Fire

2004:

  • Winner: D.C. United

  • Runner-up: Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City)

2005:

  • Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy

  • Runner-up: New England Revolution

2006:

  • Winner: Houston Dynamo

  • Runner-up: New England Revolution

2007:

  • Winner: Houston Dynamo

  • Runner-up: New England Revolution

2008:

  • Winner: Columbus Crew

  • Runner-up: New York Red Bulls

2009:

  • Winner: Real Salt Lake

  • Runner-up: Los Angeles Galaxy

2010:

  • Winner: Colorado Rapids

  • Runner-up: FC Dallas

2011:

  • Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy

  • Runner-up: Houston Dynamo

2012:

  • Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy

  • Runner-up: Houston Dynamo

2013:

  • Winner: Sporting Kansas City

  • Runner-up: Real Salt Lake

2014:

  • Winner: Los Angeles Galaxy

  • Runner-up: New England Revolution

2015:

  • Winner: Portland Timbers

  • Runner-up: Columbus Crew

2016:

  • Winner: Seattle Sounders FC

  • Runner-up: Toronto FC

2017:

  • Winner: Toronto FC

  • Runner-up: Seattle Sounders FC

2018:

  • Winner: Atlanta United FC

  • Runner-up: Portland Timbers

2019:

  • Winner: Seattle Sounders FC

  • Runner-up: Toronto FC

2020:

  • Winner: Columbus Crew

  • Runner-up: Seattle Sounders FC

2021:

  • Winner: New York City FC

  • Runner-up: Sporting Kansas City

2022:

  • Winner: Los Angles FC

  • Runner-up: Philadelphia Union

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