The MLS Supporters' Shield

The Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system - much like the Presidents' Trophy in the NHL. While MLS is similar to other North American sport leagues in that the winner of the end-of-season playoff final - the MLS Cup - is crowned league champion, fans wanted a way to recognize the team that would have become champion in a traditional soccer format: the team that scored the most points in league play over the regular season. To this end, the Supporters' Shield was created and first awarded following the 1998 season. While the Shield remains an unofficial honor, it has been acknowledged and recognized by the league in multiple ways, and is seen by some fans as equal or near-equal in importance to the MLS Cup. Image File history File links Supporters_shield. ... Image File history File links Supporters_shield. ... Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada. ... The regular season is a term used, primarily, in North American sports. ... The Presidents Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team which finished with the best record in the entire league during the regular season. ... NHL can also be an abbreviation for National Historic Landmark or Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. ... A playoff in sports (North American professional sports in particular) is a game or series of games played after the regular season is over with the goal of determining a league champion. ... The Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. ... Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ... The regular season is a term used, primarily, in North American sports. ... This is a summary of the 1998 Major League Soccer season. ...

The MLS points system, like others worldwide, awards three points for a win, one for a tie, and none for a loss. In the event of an end-of-season tie in total accumulated points, the win-loss record of head-to-head matchups between the tied teams is used as the first tiebreaker, goal difference as the second, and the total number of goals scored as the third. Should these measures fail to resolve the tie, the fourth breaker takes the previous methods and applies them only to away games, the fifth does the same for games played at home, the sixth awards the title to the team with the fewest disciplinary points, and, failing that, the seventh and final tiebreaker is a coin toss.^[1] These are standard MLS regulations for breaking ties in point totals.^[2] To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. ... In sports such as ice hockey and soccer, goal difference (that is, goals scored less goals conceded) is often the first tie-breaker used to rank teams which finish a competition with an equal number of points. ...

In February 2006, MLS decided that the Supporters' Shield winner and the MLS Cup winner will represent the United States in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.^[3] If the Supporters Shield winner also wins the MLS Cup, the team with the second-most points qualifies as well.^[4] CONCACAF Champions cup logo The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the annual international football competition held in the CONCACAF region (North America and the Caribbean). ...

Winners of the Supporters' Shield

This is a summary of the 1996 Major League Soccer season. ... Year Founded 1995 - 2002 League Major League Soccer Stadium Raymond James Stadium Coach - First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3 - 2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Last Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 - 2 Columbus Crew (Raymond James Stadium; September 9, 2001) Largest Win 5 - 1, twice; 4 - 0... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... The Rochester Raging Rhinos are a USL First Division professional soccer team in Rochester, New York. ... This is a summary of the 1997 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Rapids Stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High Coach Fernando Clavijo, 2005— Owner Stan Kroenke First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Colorado Rapids 4–0 Kansas City Wiz (Mile High Stadium; May 5... Year founded 1995 as Dallas Burn League Major League Soccer Nickname Hoops, FCD, Toros Stadium Pizza Hut Park Coach Steve Morrow Owner Clark Hunt First Game Dallas Burn 0–0 San Jose Clash (Cotton Bowl; April 14, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn 5–0 Kansas City Wizards (Cotton Bowl; July... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... This is a summary of the 1998 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... This is a summary of the 1999 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... The Rochester Raging Rhinos are a USL First Division professional soccer team in Rochester, New York. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Rapids Stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High Coach Fernando Clavijo, 2005— Owner Stan Kroenke First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Colorado Rapids 4–0 Kansas City Wiz (Mile High Stadium; May 5... This is a summary of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... This is a summary of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... This is a summary of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... This is a summary of the 2003 Major League Soccer season in the United States. ... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... MetroStars logo 2002-2005 The MetroStars was the name of a soccer club based in New Jersey that participated in Major League Soccer between 1996 and 2005. ... This is a summary of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... This is a summary of the 2005 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 as Dallas Burn League Major League Soccer Nickname Hoops, FCD, Toros Stadium Pizza Hut Park Coach Steve Morrow Owner Clark Hunt First Game Dallas Burn 0–0 San Jose Clash (Cotton Bowl; April 14, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn 5–0 Kansas City Wizards (Cotton Bowl; July... The 11th Major League Soccer season began on April 1, 2006 and will end with MLS Cup 2006 on November 12, 2006 at the same site: Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 as Dallas Burn League Major League Soccer Nickname Hoops, FCD, Toros Stadium Pizza Hut Park Coach Steve Morrow Owner Clark Hunt First Game Dallas Burn 0–0 San Jose Clash (Cotton Bowl; April 14, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn 5–0 Kansas City Wizards (Cotton Bowl; July... Year founded 2005 League Major League Soccer Nickname Dynamo, The Men in Orange Stadium Robertson Stadium Coach Dominic Kinnear, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Largest Win Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Worst Defeat... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn...

Regular Season Successes By Franchise

Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Year Founded 1995 - 2002 League Major League Soccer Stadium Raymond James Stadium Coach - First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3 - 2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Last Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 - 2 Columbus Crew (Raymond James Stadium; September 9, 2001) Largest Win 5 - 1, twice; 4 - 0... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... Year founded 1995 as Dallas Burn League Major League Soccer Nickname Hoops, FCD, Toros Stadium Pizza Hut Park Coach Steve Morrow Owner Clark Hunt First Game Dallas Burn 0–0 San Jose Clash (Cotton Bowl; April 14, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn 5–0 Kansas City Wizards (Cotton Bowl; July... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Rapids Stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High Coach Fernando Clavijo, 2005— Owner Stan Kroenke First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Colorado Rapids 4–0 Kansas City Wiz (Mile High Stadium; May 5...

All Time Regular Season Records By Franchise

Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... Year founded 1995 as Dallas Burn League Major League Soccer Nickname Hoops, FCD, Toros Stadium Pizza Hut Park Coach Steve Morrow Owner Clark Hunt First Game Dallas Burn 0–0 San Jose Clash (Cotton Bowl; April 14, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn 5–0 Kansas City Wizards (Cotton Bowl; July... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Rapids Stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High Coach Fernando Clavijo, 2005— Owner Stan Kroenke First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Colorado Rapids 4–0 Kansas City Wiz (Mile High Stadium; May 5... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1995 (as NY/NJ MetroStars) League Major League Soccer Nickname New York Red Bulls, Metro Stadium Giants Stadium Coach Bruce Arena, 2006— Owner Red Bull First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 NY/NJ MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Red Bull New York 6–0... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Earthquakes Soccer, LLC First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los... Year Founded 1995 - 2002 League Major League Soccer Stadium Raymond James Stadium Coach - First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3 - 2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Last Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 - 2 Columbus Crew (Raymond James Stadium; September 9, 2001) Largest Win 5 - 1, twice; 4 - 0... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... Year founded 2004 League Major League Soccer Nickname Goats, Chivas Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach open Owner Jorge Vergara First Game Chivas USA 0–2 D.C. United (The Home Depot Center; April 2, 2005) Largest Win Chivas USA 5–1 Real Salt Lake (The Home Depot Center; July... Year founded 2005 League Major League Soccer Nickname RSL, Real Stadium Rice-Eccles Stadium Coach John Ellinger, 2005— Owner Dave Checketts First Game MetroStars 0–0 Real Salt Lake (Giants Stadium; April 2, 2005) Largest Win Real Salt Lake 3–0 FC Dallas (Rice-Eccles Stadium; July 23, 2005) Los... Year founded 2005 League Major League Soccer Nickname Dynamo, The Men in Orange Stadium Robertson Stadium Coach Dominic Kinnear, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Largest Win Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Worst Defeat... Year founded 2006 League Major League Soccer Nickname TBD Stadium BMO Field Coach Mo Johnston Owner MLSE First Game Chivas USA - Toronto FC (Home Depot Center; April 7, 2007) Largest Win TBD Worst Defeat TBD All-time Top Scorer TBD Supporter Groups Red Patch Boys, U-Sector MLS Cup none...

The Supporters' Shield's Jinx

On several occasions, the Supporters' Shield winners have in fact faltered badly in the next season(s), notable examples were:

• In 1996, Tampa Bay Mutiny won the first Supporters' Shield,^[31] but could not achieve much successes in the next few seasons, either by missing the playoffs (1998, 2001) or getting knocked out in the Conference Semifinals (1997, 1999, 2000). They eventually folded after the 2001 season.

• In 1999, D.C. United won the Supporters' Shield, but missed the playoffs in the next season, finishing last in the Eastern Conference (11th out of 12 overall). In fact they also failed to make the playoffs in 2001 (last in the Eastern Conference, 10th out of 12) and 2002 (last in the Eastern Conference, 10th out of 10), while barely made the playoffs in 2003, finishing 2nd last (just a point ahead of last-placed Columbus Crew) in the Eastern Conference (7th out of 10), and they were knocked out by Chicago Fire in the Conference Semifinals with 2 straight losses.

• In 2000, Kansas City Wizards won the Supporters' Shield, but barely made the playoffs in the next season, finishing 2nd last in the Western Conference (7th out of 12), and they were knocked out by Miami Fusion in the Conference Semifinals. In 2002 they barely made the playoffs as well, despite finishing last in the Western Conference (8th out of 10), and they were knocked out by Los Angeles Galaxy in the Conference Semifinals.

• In 2001, Miami Fusion won the Supporters' Shield, but folded the next season.

• In 2002, Los Angeles Galaxy won the Supporters' Shield, but barely made the playoffs in the next season, finishing 2nd last in the Western Conference (9th out of 10), and they were knocked out by San José Earthquakes in the Conference Semifinals, having actually taken a 4-goals aggregate lead in the tie.

• In 2003, Chicago Fire won the Supporters' Shield, but missed the playoffs in the next season, finishing last in the Eastern Conference (10th out of 10).

• In 2004, Columbus Crew won the Supporters' Shield, but missed the playoffs in the next season, finishing last in the Eastern Conference (10th out of 12). They again failed to make the playoffs in 2006, with an even worse record (last in the Eastern Conference, 12th out of 12).

• In 2005, San José Earthquakes won the Supporters' Shield, but were relocated the following season to Houston (as a brand new franchise: Houston Dynamo) without inheriting the franchise's successful history (especially being two-time winners of the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003).

This is a summary of the 1996 Major League Soccer season. ... Year Founded 1995 - 2002 League Major League Soccer Stadium Raymond James Stadium Coach - First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3 - 2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Last Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 1 - 2 Columbus Crew (Raymond James Stadium; September 9, 2001) Largest Win 5 - 1, twice; 4 - 0... This is a summary of the 1998 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 1997 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 1999 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 1999 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Black and Red Stadium RFK Stadium Coach Peter Nowak, 2004— Owner AEG First Game San Jose Clash 1–0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Largest Win 6–1, once; 5–0, 4 times Worst Defeat Kansas City Wizards 6... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2003 Major League Soccer season in the United States. ... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... This is a summary of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... This is a summary of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. ... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... This is a summary of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... This is a summary of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Galaxy, Gals, The Gs, The Green and Gold, Los Galacticos de Los Angeles Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach Frank Yallop, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 MetroStars (Rose Bowl; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Dallas Burn... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... This is a summary of the 2003 Major League Soccer season in the United States. ... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The 11th Major League Soccer season began on April 1, 2006 and will end with MLS Cup 2006 on November 12, 2006 at the same site: Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2005 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... Houston redirects here. ... Year founded 2005 League Major League Soccer Nickname Dynamo, The Men in Orange Stadium Robertson Stadium Coach Dominic Kinnear, 2006— Owner AEG First Game Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Largest Win Houston Dynamo 5–2 Colorado Rapids (Robertson Stadium; April 2, 2006) Worst Defeat... The Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. ... This is a summary of the 2001 Major League Soccer season. ... This is a summary of the 2003 Major League Soccer season in the United States. ...

The Runners-up Woes

Several Shield Runners-up also collapsed dramatically in the next season(s), such as:

• In 1997, Kansas City Wizards finished as Shield Runners-up, but missed the playoffs in the next season, finishing last in the Western Conference (11th out of 12). They again failed to make the playoffs in 1999, with an equally dismal record (last in the Western Conference, 11th out of 12).

• In 2003, San José Earthquakes finished as Shield Runners-up, but barely made the playoffs in the next season, finishing 2nd last in the Western Conference (7th out of 10, only 2 points ahead of last-placed Dallas Burn), and they were knocked out by Kansas City Wizards in the the Conference Semifinals, having actually taken a 2-goals aggregate lead in the tie.

• In 2004, Kansas City Wizards finished as Shield Runners-up, but missed the playoffs in the next season, finishing 2nd last in the Eastern Conference (7th out of 12). They again failed to make the playoffs in 2006, with an even worse record (2nd last in the Eastern Conference, 11th out of 12).

This is a summary of the 1997 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 1999 Major League Soccer season. ... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2003 Major League Soccer season in the United States. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... Year Founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Stadium Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Center Coach Colin Clarke, 2003- All-Time Leaders* Games Jason Kreis, 247 Goals Jason Kreis, 91 Assists Jason Kreis, 65 Points Jason Kreis, 247 Shutouts Matt Jordan, 30 First Game Dallas Burn 0 - 0 San Jose Clash (Cotton... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... This is a summary of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The 11th Major League Soccer season began on April 1, 2006 and will end with MLS Cup 2006 on November 12, 2006 at the same site: Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ...

The Wooden Spoon's Rebounds

On the other hand, a few teams have actually achieved remarkable turn-around after a bad regular season campaign, notable instances were: A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. ... The regular season is a term used, primarily, in North American sports. ...

• In 1996, Colorado Rapids finished last overall with 29 points. In the next season, they improved to 4th in the Western Conference (7th out of 10) with 38 points, and reached the MLS Cup final.

• In 1999, MetroStars finished last overall with 15 points.^[32] In the next season, they finished 1st in the Eastern Conference (3rd out of 12) with 54 points,^[33] and reached the Eastern Conference playoff final.

• In 1999, Kansas City Wizards finished last in the Western Conference (11th out of 12) with 20 points. In the next season, they won the Supporters' Shield^[34] and the MLS Cup!

• In 2000, San José Earthquakes finished last overall with 29 points. In the next season, they improved to 2nd in the Western Conference (4th out of 12) with 45 points, and won the MLS Cup!

• In 2003, Columbus Crew finished last in the Eastern Conference (8th out of 10) with 38 points. In the next season, they improved to 49 points, and won the Supporters' Shield.

• In 2004, Chicago Fire finished last overall with 33 points.^[35] In the next season, they improved to 4th out of 10 (albeit only 3rd in the much more competitive Eastern Conference) with 49 points, and reached the Eastern Conference playoff final.

• In 2005, C.D. Chivas USA finished last overall with 18 points.^[36] In the next season, they more than doubled their points total with 43 points,^[37] and reached the playoff for the first time in franchise history, having finished 3rd in the Western Conference (6th out of 12).

This is a summary of the 1996 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Rapids Stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High Coach Fernando Clavijo, 2005— Owner Stan Kroenke First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Colorado Rapids 4–0 Kansas City Wiz (Mile High Stadium; May 5... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. ... This is a summary of the 1999 Major League Soccer season. ... MetroStars logo 2002-2005 The MetroStars was the name of a soccer club based in New Jersey that participated in Major League Soccer between 1996 and 2005. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 1999 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Wizards Stadium Arrowhead Stadium Coach Brian Bliss, 2006 (interim) Owner OnGoal, LLC. First Game Kansas City Wiz 3–0 Colorado Rapids (Arrowhead Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 6–0 MetroStars (Arrowhead Stadium; June 20, 1999) Worst Defeat Kansas... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. ... This is a summary of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. ... This is a summary of the 2003 Major League Soccer season in the United States. ... Year founded 1994 League Major League Soccer Nickname Crew Stadium Columbus Crew Stadium Coach Sigi Schmid, 2006 Owner Lamar Hunt First Game Columbus Crew 4–0 D.C. United (Ohio Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win Columbus Crew 6–1 New England Revolution (Ohio Stadium; August 8, 1998) Columbus Crew... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2005 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 2004 League Major League Soccer Nickname Goats, Chivas Stadium The Home Depot Center Coach open Owner Jorge Vergara First Game Chivas USA 0–2 D.C. United (The Home Depot Center; April 2, 2005) Largest Win Chivas USA 5–1 Real Salt Lake (The Home Depot Center; July... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ...

Other Significant Recoveries

The following teams, though didn't finish exactly last (either overall or in their conferences), had recoveries worthy of note as well:

• In 2000, Miami Fusion finished 2nd last in the Eastern Conference (8th out of 12) with 41 points. In the next season, they improved to 53 points, and won the Supporters' Shield.

• In 2002, Chicago Fire finished 8th out of 10 overall (albeit still finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference) with 37 points. In the next season, they improved to 53 points, and won the Supporters' Shield.

• In 2004, New England Revolution finished joint-last with 33 points as well (tied with last-placed Chicago Fire).^[38] In the next season, they finished 1st in the Eastern Conference (2nd out of 12) with 59 points, and reached the MLS Cup final.

• In 2004, San José Earthquakes finished 2nd last in the Western Conference (7th out of 10) with 38 points. In the next season, they improved to 64 points,^[39] and won the Supporters' Shield.

• In 2005, Real Salt Lake finished 2nd last overall with 20 points.^[40] In the next season, they almost doubled their points total with 39 points, though that was still not enough to make the playoff for the first time in franchise history, having finished last in the Western Conference (10th out of 12).

This is a summary of the 2000 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1997 - 2002 (defunct) League Major League Soccer Nickname Fusion Stadium Lockhart Stadium Coach Owner First Game Miami Fusion 0 - 2 D.C. United (Lockhart Stadium; March 15, 1998) Last Game Miami Fusion 0 - 1 San Jose Earthquakes (Lockhart Stadium; October 17, 2001) Largest Win D.C. United 2... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2002 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Revolution, Revs Stadium Gillette Stadium Coach Steve Nicol, 2002— Owner Robert Kraft First Game Tampa Bay Mutiny 3–2 New England Revolution (Tampa Stadium; April 13, 1996) Largest Win New England Revolution 6–1 Colorado Rapids (Gillette Stadium; September 18, 2004) Worst... Year founded 1997 League Major League Soccer Nickname La Maquina Roja, Men in Red, CF97 Stadium Toyota Park Coach Dave Sarachan, 2003— Owner AEG First Game Miami Fusion 0–2 Chicago Fire (Lockhart Stadium; March 21, 1998) Largest Win Kansas City Wizards 0–7 Chicago Fire (Arrowhead Stadium; July 4... The MLS Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... The Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy The MLS Cup is the final game of the Major League Soccer postseason, officially recognized as the championship of the league. ... This is a summary of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 1995 League Major League Soccer Nickname Earthquakes, Quakes, The Boys in Blue, Los Terremotos de San José Stadium Spartan Stadium Coach - Owner Lewis Wolff First Game San Jose Clash 1 - 0 D.C. United (Spartan Stadium; April 6, 1996) Last Game San Jose Earthquakes 1 - 1 Los Angeles... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ... This is a summary of the 2005 Major League Soccer season. ... Year founded 2005 League Major League Soccer Nickname RSL, Real Stadium Rice-Eccles Stadium Coach John Ellinger, 2005— Owner Dave Checketts First Game MetroStars 0–0 Real Salt Lake (Giants Stadium; April 2, 2005) Largest Win Real Salt Lake 3–0 FC Dallas (Rice-Eccles Stadium; July 23, 2005) Los... The MLS Western Conference is one of Major League Soccers two conferences. ...

Trivia

• Only 2 teams managed to win the Shield multiple times:
  D.C. United (1997, 1999, 2006),
  Los Angeles Galaxy (1998, 2002).

• No team has ever manage to defend the Shield in the next season after winning it.

• The highest regular season finish managed by the Shield Winners in the next season was Runners-up, by:
  D.C. United (Winners 1997, Runners-up 1998),
  Los Angeles Galaxy (Winners 1998, Runners-up 1999).

• 4 teams managed to finish as regular season Runners-up more than once:
  Los Angeles Galaxy (1996, 1999),
  Kansas City Wizards (1997, 2004),
  Chicago Fire (2000, 2001),
  San José Earthquakes (2002, 2003).

• D.C. United was the only team who managed to finish in the top-2 for 3 consecutive seasons (Winners 1997, Runners-up 1998, Winners 1999).

• 3 other teams managed to finish in the top-2 for 2 consecutive seasons:
  Los Angeles Galaxy (Winners 1998, Runners-up 1999),
  Chicago Fire (Runners-up 2000 and 2001) and
  San José Earthquakes (Runners-up 2002 and 2003).

• Chicago Fire and San José Earthquakes were the only teams who managed to maintain Runners-up finish in consecutive seasons.

• D.C. United was the only Runners-up to win the Shield in the next season (Runners-up 1998, Winners 1999).

• 3 Runners-up managed to win the Shield 2 seasons later: