The MLS was founded in 1993 as a requirement to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States. The first few years were rough, starting with just 10 teams and eventually having 2 fold, but as years grew on more teams were added and now the league actually takes in a profit as attendances rank closely and sometimes over the likes of NHL or NBA. Right now there are 20 teams, 17 located in the U.S. and 3 located in Canada.

From the heartwarming 1914 Christmas Truce Match, where World War I soldiers paused fighting to share a game of soccer, to Pelé’s breakout performance in the 1958 World Cup that introduced Brazil’s magic to the world, soccer has long been a symbol of unity and inspiration. In 1986, Diego Maradona’s “Goal of the Century” stunned the world with unmatched skill, while Cameroon’s historic run in the 1990 World Cup showcased African talent on the global stage. The 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first ever held on African soil, brought the continent together in celebration. In 2016, Leicester City’s improbable Premier League title defied all odds, reminding fans of the beauty of underdog victories. And in 2019, Megan Rapinoe and the U.S. Women’s National Team won the World Cup while championing equality and empowerment, proving soccer’s impact reaches far beyond the pitch.

The season runs from March to October, below, you will find each team with their conference, title history, origin, and other key accomplishments as well as a link in their name to their respective sites.

Eastern

ATLANTA UNITED

Atlanta United were established in 2017, given the name from a survey by their supporters.

No Key accomplishments

CHICAGO FIRE

Chicago Fire were established in 1998, named after the great Chicago fire of 1871.

1 time MLS Cup Champions; 1998
3 MLS Cup appearances; 1998, 2000, 2003
1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2003
7 Semi-Finals appearances; 1998,2000,2003,2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
3 conference titles; 2000, 2001, 2003

COLUMBUS CREW

Columbus Crew were established in 1996 and got the name Crew after being dubbed the hardest working team in America.

1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2008
2 MLS Cup appearances; 2008, 2015
3 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2004, 2008, 2009
7 Semi-Finals appearances; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2008, 2015, 2018
3 conference titles; 2004, 2008, 2009

D.C. UNITED

D.C. United were established in 1996 and got the name from being home in the capital of the United States.

4 time MLS Cup Champions; 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004
5 MLS Cup appearances; 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004
4 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007
7 Semi-Finals appearances; 1996,1997,1998,1999, 2004, 2006, 2012
6 conference titles; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2014

MONTREAL IMPACT

Montreal Impact were established in 2012 and got their name from a lower level team that was barely holding Montreal’s Soccer identity with the North American Soccer League.

1 Semi-Finals appearances; 2016

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

New England Revolution were established in 1996 and got their name because New England was a big part of the American Revolution, as well as owner Robert Kraft wanted to keep a patriotic theme going with his other team; NFL’s Patriots.

5 MLS Cup appearances; 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014
7 Semi-Finals appearances; 2002,2003,2004,2005, 2006, 2007, 2014
2 conference titles; 2002, 2005

NEW YORK CITY FC

New York City FC were established in 2015 and got their name as a joint venture between the New York Yankees and Manchester City of the English Premier League.

No key accomplishments to note

RED BULL NEW YORK

Red Bull New York were established in 1996 as the NY/NJ Metro Stars, a few years later they were just Metro Stars, but when they were bought by the Austrian soft drink company, the name was changed to reflect the company.

1 MLS Cup appearances; 2008
2 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2013, 2015
4 Semi-Finals appearances; 2000, 2008, 2014, 2015
5 conference titles; 2000, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016

ORLANDO CITY SC

Orlando City SC were established in 2015 and were named as a traditional European Soccer style name, with counterpart Stoke City of the English Premier League.

No key accomplishments to note

PHILADELPHIA UNION

Philadelphia Union were established in 2010 and got their name from the original 13 colonies when Philadelphia was capital of the Union.

No key accomplishments outside of a playoff appearance.

TORONTO FC

Toronto FC was established in 2007 and stuck with the conventional Football Club initials from the traditional European clubs.

1 time MLS Cup Champion; 2017
1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2017
2 MLS Cup appearances; 2016, 2017
2 Semi-Finals appearances; 2016, 2017
1 conference title; 2017

Western

COLORADO RAPIDS

Colorado Rapids were established in 1996 and got their name from Colorado being well known for the white-water rafting in the rapids of the Rocky Mountains.

1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2010
2 MLS Cup appearances; 1997, 2010
6 Semi-Finals appearances; 1997, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2016

FC DALLAS

FC Dallas were established in 1996 as the Dallas Burn but owner Lamar Hunt decided to take on a name more synonymous withe the sport of soccer worldwide.

1 MLS Cup appearances; 2010
1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2016
3 Semi-Finals appearances; 1999, 2010, 2015
6 conference titles; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2015, 2016

HOUSTON DYNAMO

Houston Dynamo were established in 2006 as a new expansion team after they moved from San Jose, and they got their name in honor of the city’s energy industry.

2 time MLS Cup Champions; 2006, 2007
4 MLS Cup appearances; 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012
7 Semi-Finals appearances; 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017
1 conference titles; 2008

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Sporting Kansas City were established in 1996 as the Kansas City Wiz, then in 1997, they became the Kansas City Wizards, but in 2010 they decided to change their name again to continue the MLS trend of European style team names.

2 time MLS Cup Champions; 2000, 2013
3 MLS Cup appearances; 2000, 2004, 2013
2 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2000, 2012
6 Semi-Finals appearances; 1996, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2013
5 conference titles; 1997, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2012

LA GALAXY

LA Galaxy were established in 1996 and got the name from the barrage of stars that frequent Hollywood.

5 time MLS Cup Champions; 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014
9 MLS Cup appearances; 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
4 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011
13 Semi-Finals appearances; 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
8 conference titles; 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011

MINNESOTA UNITED FC

Former lower division team of the NASL, promoted to MLS in 2017 and named by the owner, former CEO of UnitedHealthcare

No key accomplishments to note

PORTLAND TIMBERS

Portland Timbers were established in 2011 and got their name in honor of Oregon’s timber industry

1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2015
3 MLS Cup appearances; 2015
2 Semi-Finals appearances; 2013, 2015
1 conference titles; 2013

REAL SALT LAKE

Real Salt Lake was established in 2005 and chose their name to pay homage to European Soccer and the Real Madrid team.

1 time MLS Cup Champions; 2009
2 MLS Cup appearances; 2009, 2013
4 Semi-Finals appearances; 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

San Jose Earthquakes were established in 1996 as the San Jose Clash. in 1999, they changed their look and name to be more familiar to the bay area, and since the bay is prone to Earthquakes, the name stuck. In 2005 the team moved to Houston but the history and records stayed behind for the new expansion team that was to come out in 2008.

2 time MLS Cup Champions; 2001, 2003
2 MLS Cup appearances; 2001, 2003
1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2005
3 Semi-Finals appearances; 2001, 2003, 2010
3 conference titles; 2003, 2005, 2012

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Seattle Sounders were established in 2009 and given the name in honor of Puget Sound, which is located in Seattle and was originally used by Seattle’s North American Soccer League team.

1 time MLS Cup Champion; 2016
2 MLS Cup appearance; 2016, 2017
1 time Supporter’s Shield winner; 2014
4 Semi-Finals appearances; 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017
2 conference titles; 2014, 2017

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC were established in 2011 and their name Whitecaps refers to the snowy tops on Vancouver’s mountains as well as the ocean waves of the Pacific.

No key accomplishments to note outside of a few playoff appearances.