MLS Cup Champions: Looking Back at 16 Years of MLS Cup Champions

Major League Soccer kicks off its 17th season this weekend. Nineteen teams will compete for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy over the course of a 34-game regular season.

MLS will return to an unbalanced schedule for the first time in a few years. The Montreal Impact will become the league's 19th team, and LA Galaxy will hope to repeat as champions for the first time in their history. 

The 2012 season will culminate on December 1, making this MLS's longest season to date. For the first time in the cup's history, the final will not be held at a neutral site. Instead, it will be held at the stadium of the finalist with best regular season record.

In preparation for kickoff, I take a look back at the previous 16 MLS Cup champions.

DC United 3-2 LA Galaxy

The first MLS season came to an end on a soaking wet New England night at Foxboro Stadium. LA Galaxy had finished with the second-best record in MLS behind the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996. Meanwhile, DC United entered the playoffs with the third-best overall record. 

In the league's first season, 10 teams competed for the opportunity to raise the MLS Cup trophy. Of the 10 teams, eight made the playoffs: Tampa Bay Mutiny, DC United, NY/NJ Metrostars, Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz and San Jose Clash.

The playoffs consisted of a best-of-three series quarterfinal and semifinal, giving them a North American feel rather than the traditional aggregate two-legs it has now. 

On the night, the Galaxy were the best team over the course of 72 minutes. They dominated United as the heavens unleashed torrential rains. But with 18 minutes to play, United fought back from two goals down, first with a goal from substitute Tony Sanneh and then the equalizer from substitute Shawn Medved. 

The two clubs went to extra time, and four minutes after the re-start, 22-year old defender Eddie Pope headed in the golden goal winner. 

The Washington Post's Steven Goff said of the match, "... in an improbable finish that American professional leagues with decades of history surely would envy, United charged back to tie the Major League Soccer championship match in regulation."

DC United 2-1 Colorado Rapids

United played in their second straight MLS Cup Final, which was also the second straight final played in a downpour. Ten teams contested the regular season with eight making the playoffs again. This time it was United finishing with the best points total in MLS with 55. 

Colorado, on the other hand, struggled for much of the season and collected 17 fewer points than their cup final opponents. They barely squeezed into the playoffs, beating out NY/NJ Metrostars in the end. 

In the final, Jaime Moreno put United on top in the 37th minute, though he looked to be offside when the original pass was made. United kept the Rapids under pressure, and passing maestro Marco Etcheverry controlled the midfield. 

United got their second goal from a Sanneh header as he became the first MLS player to score in back-to-back finals. Colorado was handed a lifeline from Adrian Paz when he smashed a goal past United keeper Scott Garlick.

However, United held on for the last 15 minutes for their second MLS Cup.

Chicago Fire 2-0 DC United

DC United's two-year dominance in MLS came to an end thanks to the Chicago Fire. The Fire brought United's burgeoning dynasty to a momentary halt, and they collected their second trophy of the season. The club had already won the US Open Cup, and they became the first MLS team to win a cup double. 

United and Chicago finished second and third respectively in the overall points total, and at the time Chicago was in the Western Conference. MLS had expanded for the first time and now featured 12 clubs. Eight of which made the MLS Cup playoffs. 

In the final, Chicago's two-goal win doesn't quite paint the picture of the afternoon. Despite Piotr Nowak winning man of the match for his contributions on the day, United was continually thwarted by Chicago's defense and their goalkeeper Zach Thornton. 

Thornton made several key saves to keep United out of goal and preserve the Fire's lead. The champions were frustrated in front of goal, though they had numerous opportunities to get back into the game.

In the end, the Fire held on to win their first—and thus far only—MLS Cup.

DC United 2-0 LA Galaxy

The 1999 final was a rematch of the first MLS Cup Final and was even played in the same stadium as the inaugural final. 

LA Galaxy and DC United were the best teams in the MLS regular season, making this the first final to feature the regular season's two best clubs. 

United had the best points total of any team in MLS, while the Galaxy had given up the least amount of goals. 

During the first half, the Galaxy's defense took a major blow as Robin Fraser was taken off with a broken collarbone. The injury occurred after he collided with Roy Lassiter, and many believed Fraser was fouled, though no foul was given.  

It's thought that the final would have ended differently if Fraser hadn't been substituted, because United took control once Fraser went off. Twelve minutes after Fraser was replaced, Jaime Moreno put United ahead, and they never looked back. 

Ben Olsen got a second in first half stoppage time, and United won their third MLS Cup in four years quite comfortably. 

Kansas City Wizards 1-0 Chicago Fire

The 2000 final featured the league's best attack in the Chicago Fire taking on the Kansas City Wizards, who had the league's best defense. The Wizards matched an all-time MLS record (set by the LA Galaxy the year before) with 29 goals allowed during the regular season.

The Wizards' defense was led by goalkeeper Tony Meola, who set an MLS league record with 16 cleansheets during the regular season. Traded to the Wizards in 1999, Meola rejuvenated his career with the club, and he won the league MVP, Comeback Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2000. 

In Meola's remaining four seasons with the Wizards, he never reached the heights of the 2000 campaign again. 

The 2000 season featured MLS breaking the league into three divisions—Eastern, Central and Western—with the top eight in points making the postseason. The Wizards claimed the Supporters' Shield over the Fire thanks to their head-to-head record, despite both clubs finishing with 57 points.

In the final, Kansas City's Meola and company proved too much. The Wizards took the lead in the 11th minute after Chris Klein crossed the ball into the box where it was met by Miklos Molnar. Molnar scuffed his shot, but somehow poked it home after it deflected off a defender. 

Chicago piled on the pressure in the second half. But Meola was up to the task—though a few poor decisions nearly cost him—and the Wizards secured their first MLS Cup trophy. 

San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 LA Galaxy

The 2001 MLS Cup Final introduced Landon Donovan and Dwayne De Rosario to the North American soccer community. 

For the second straight year, MLS was divided into three divisions with the top eight teams in points making the playoffs. LA and San Jose finished first and second in the Western Conference respectively, marking the first time the final featured teams from the same conference. The MLS regular season was also cut short as the final weeks' matches were cancelled following the events of 9/11

The match started with both teams in high gear, and the Galaxy drew first blood. Luis Hernandez beat the San Jose offside trap, running on to a ball played over the top, and struck it on the half-volley. 

The Earthquakes levelled the game just before half time. The Galaxy was unable to clear a Ronnie Ekelund cross, and Donovan quickly pounced to send the ball into the back of the net. Both teams had plenty of chances in the second half, but as regulation came to an end, neither could make a breakthrough.

It took just six minutes of extra time for De Rosario to bring the cup to San Jose. De Rosario, who came on as a second half substitute, settled a ball played from the back and cut inside. Defender Greg Vanney gave the Canadian acres of space, and De Rosario struck the ball off the inside of the far post. 

The cup final was still under golden goal rules, and the Galaxy never had the chance to retaliate. This was San Jose's first of two MLS Cups, and the game that put De Rosario on the map

LA Galaxy 1-0 New England Revolution

On the strength of the USA's performance at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, the 2002 MLS Cup Final hosted its largest crowd to date—61,316.

However, MLS had a few growing pains in 2002. The Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion ceased operations, and the league reverted to a 10-team, two-conference league. 

LA Galaxy won the Supporters' Shield with 51 points, and for the first time in MLS history, all the teams in the Western Conference made the playoffs. The Metrostars and DC United were the only two clubs not to make the playoffs in 2002. 

The Galaxy had played in three previous cup finals and lost each time. Meanwhile, the Revolution was playing in their first, and it was only the second time the club had ever made the playoffs.

In the final, scoring chances were few and far between, with neither team making a breakthrough. Both teams traded fouls as the game went on, and the play became more physical. The game meandered into extra time, where a golden goal would settle things. 

As the first half of extra time neared its end, the Galaxy caught New England on a counter attack. Striker Carlos Ruiz slipped through the Revolution defense and struck the ball first time past goalkeeper Adin Brown.

LA finally picked up their first MLS Cup, and this would be New England's first in a long line of heartbreaks. 

San Jose 4-2 Chicago Fire

A recurring theme has enveloped the MLS playoffs: Every year—or nearly every year—the league changes the rules governing playoff entrance. 

In 2003, the league still contained 10 teams—five in each conference—and four teams made the playoffs from each conference. This was the first time in some years the league didn't take an overall table to decide the playoff teams.

Chicago and San Jose were the two best teams over the course of the regular season, finishing with the highest points. In the playoffs, the league finally did away with the three-game series in the quarterfinal and semifinal stage, preferring the traditional aggregate score over two legs.

The final was played at LA's Home Depot Center for the first time. It was also the first time two former MLS Cup winners were pitted against each other in the final. The match was a showcase of two of the USA's most promising young players in DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan. 

San Jose got on the scoreboard first and never looked back. Ronnie Ekelund scored from a free kick just out side the box. Donovan would score just before halftime, putting the 'Quakes in front.

Beasley cut the lead in half four minutes after the restart, but San Jose's Richard Murooney restored the two goal lead only a minute later. 

Chicago got a lifeline in the 54th minute thanks to a San Jose own goal and should have drawn level shortly after. However, Ante Razov's penalty was saved by Pat Onstad.

San Jose put the game on ice with 20 minutes to go as Donovan got his second thanks to a Dwayne De Rosario assist. San Jose claimed their second and last MLS Cup; not long after, the original club was moved to Houston. 

DC United 3-2 Kansas City Wizards

The 2004 MLS Cup Final saw the return of three-time winners DC United, and 15-year old Freddy Adu play in his first and only cup final.

Adu was United's number one pick in the 2004 Super Draft, and he became the youngest player to appear in an MLS match that April at the age of 14.

Many felt Adu wasn't ready for the riggers of professional sports, and an argument can be made that his career has suffered due to United's decision to play him at such a young age. (The league's decision to market such a young professional should also come under criticism, for that matter.)

Kansas City, on the other hand, finished the season tied on points with Columbus and earned the Supporters' Shield based on head-to-head matches. 

United and Kansas City met at the Home Depot Center, which was the first stadium to hold back-to-back finals. The Wizards got on the board first, following a 35-yard strike from left back Jose Burciaga Jr. 

Unfortunately for the Wizards, their defense let them down, and United was able to amass three goals in seven minutes. Alecko Eskandarian got the first after a quick turn just inside the 18-yard box slotting the ball home.

He struck again for the second when Jimmy Conrad made a ridiculous attempt to pass the ball under pressure, allowing Eskandarian to deflect the ball with his upper arm (missed handball), then strike it past KC goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi.

United got their third thanks to a Kerry Zavagnin own goal, but  the Wizards pulled one back with a Josh Wolff penalty. United's Dema Kovalenko handled the ball in the United area, resulting not only in the penalty call, but also in Kovalenko's dismissal. 

The game finished 3-2, with KC aggrieved that the Eskandarian handball wasn't called. It was DC United's fourth and final cup success, and Adu's biggest moment in MLS—despite only playing 25 minutes and not being on the pitch for any of the team's goals.

LA Galaxy 1-0 New England Revolution

The 2005 cup final was a rematch of the 2002 final, and it would play out in much the same way. This was the Galaxy's fifth appearance in an MLS Cup Final.

The 2005 season saw the league once again expand to 12 teams, with the entrance of Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake. It also saw the addition of Pizza Hut Park in Dallas, a soccer specific stadium (though numerous American football games take place there every year) that hosted the cup final.

Real Salt and Lake Chivas USA were the whipping boys of the league in 2005, picking up 20 and 18 points respectively.

Landon Donovan returned to MLS and signed with hometown team LA Galaxy after an unsuccessful spell with Bayer Leverkusen. The Kansas City Wizards, losers of the 2004 final, would set the record for the season's worst attendance, beating out Real Salt Lake with just over an average of 9,600 per game.

New England came into the final as favourites, but it was LA that got off to the stronger start. Striker Herculez Gomez had a goal disallowed early in the first half after coming from an offside position. New England remained on the back foot for much of the match and was continually bailed out of trouble by goalkeeper Matt Reis and poor LA finishing. 

For the third time in MLS history, the final went to extra time. Unlike in LA's 2002 extra time win, there was no golden goal rule.

Galaxy manager Steve Sampson brought on striker Pando Ramirez, who had scored only once all season. With the game deadlocked in the 105th minute, Donovan sent a corner into the box that was punched out by Reis. Ramirez hit the ball on the volley straight into the Revolution's net, giving LA their second cup title.  

Houston Dynamo 1-1 New England Revolution

MLS saw several changes in 2006, including the Metrostars changing their name to the New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire opening Toyota Park and San Jose moving to Houston, where they were to be named Houston 1836. However, due to protest from Hispanic fans over the reference to Texas' 1836 independence from Mexico, the franchise renamed itself Houston Dynamo.

DC United and FC Dallas were the top teams in MLS, but neither were good enough in the postseason. The Columbus Crew had the worst points total in MLS, while Kansas City once again had the worst league attendance average.

The 2006 final took place a few months after the USA's horrendous performance at the World Cup. Both teams had players that featured for the US team in Germany, including Brian Ching and Clint Dempsey. 

Scoring chances were few during the 90-minute match, and neither team could get the upper hand. Like their two previous trips to MLS Cup Final, New England saw the match into extra time.

In the 113th minute New England took the lead thanks to a perfectly slotted shot by Taylor Twellman. The Revolution finally looked like breaking their MLS Cup Final duck. However, it was not to be. Ching answered with a thumping header from a looping cross. 

After 120 minutes, the MLS Cup Final was decided by penalties for the first time ever. At 3-2 in the penalty shootout, New England's Pat Noonan skewed a shot of the crossbar, giving Houston the upper hand. 

Reis kept New England in it by saving Brad Davis' penalty, and the shootout was level after Twellman blasted his into the roof of the net. In sudden death, Ching broke the deadlock putting a shot just out of Reis' reach.

New England tasted heartbreak yet again, as their current manager Jay Heaps—still in his playing days—weakly rolled a shot into a diving Joe Cannon. Three finals, three losses.  

Houston Dynamo 2-1 New England Revolution

The 2007 season culminated with Houston and New England once again playing in the MLS Cup Final. As in 2006, the Supporters' Shield was won by DC United, who amassed 55 points. 

The season has been credited for bringing MLS into the modern era as Toronto FC became the league's 13th club. Again the playoffs were revamped, with the top two teams in each conference automatically making the playoffs, and the remaining places made up by teams with the next best point totals.

Most importantly, to some, MLS established the designated player rule, which changed the league forever. 

One of the biggest surprises of the regular season was Chivas USA finishing second in total points and making the playoffs for the first time. However, they were defeated by Kansas City in the conference semifinals.

In the final, New England got the first goal thanks to a Taylor Twellman header. However, like the year before, New England was unable to hold the lead.

Houston fought back in the second half and levelled things on a goal by Joesph Ngwenya. Houston got the winner 15 minutes later when Dwayne De Rosario drilled a header into the back of Matt Reis' net. 

Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad and the Houston defense withstood a late barrage from New England to win their second MLS title and send New England to their third straight cup defeat. 

Columbus Crew 3-1 New York Red Bulls

The league's 14 teams were split into two conferences of seven in 2008, as San Jose returned to MLS as an expansion team. Eight teams made the playoffs in 2008, with the top three in each conference making the playoffs automatically and the remaining two based on total points. 

The Galaxy, with Landon Donovan and David Beckham, finished 13th overall. Meanwhile, the Crew became the fourth MLS club to capture the MLS Cup after winning the Supporters' Shield in the regular season.

The Red Bulls had an unlikely run to the final after knocking off two-time defending champions Houston prior to defeating Real Salt Lake. The Crew swept Kansas City and Chicago aside to set up the final at the Home Depot Center.

New York started the brighter of the two sides and looked the likelier side to score in the opening 30 minutes. Columbus then struck against the run of play as Alejandro Moreno slid a ball past a diving Jon Conway. New York equalized in the 51st minute when Dane Richards slipped a ball through the Crew defense for John Wolyniec to toe poke home.

The lead didn't last, and two minutes later Chad Marshall crashed home a header from a Crew corner. Frankie Hejduk put the championship on ice with a header from a Guillermo Barros Schelotto's chipped pass. 

Columbus took home their first and only MLS Cup trophy

Real Salt Lake 1-1 LA Galaxy

The 2009 season saw the MLS debut of Seattle Sounders FC and another tweak to the playoffs. The top two sides from each conference automatically made the postseason, and they were joined by the four teams with the highest point totals, regardless of conference.

Fifteen teams competed for the league's postseason, with Columbus winning the Supporters' Shield with a mere 49 points. LA and Houston were next best with 48 apiece.

Only three teams from the East—Columbus, Chicago and New England—made the playoffs, and New York posted the worst record with five wins, 19 losses and six draws.

The final took place at Seattle's Qwest field, now CenturyLink Field, and it was the largest crowd to see an MLS Cup Final since 2002.

In the playoffs, Real Salt Lake made an unlikely run, knocking off Columbus and Chicago on their way to the final. Meanwhile, LA beat Chivas USA and two-time champion Houston Dynamo to punch their ticket to Seattle.

The first 30 minutes of the final saw both teams jockeying for position. However, the Galaxy began to assert themselves as the first half neared its end. Landon Donovan's pinpoint cross was guided into the back of the net by Mike Magee. 

In the 64th minute, Real Salt Lake answered, thanks to some schoolboy defending by LA. Robbie Findley got the goal after the Galaxy failed to clear their lines. 

A minute later, Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts went off injured and was replaced by backup Josh Saunders. Ricketts and Findley collided earlier in the half, and the goalkeeper injured his right hand. He wasn't the only key player to leave the pitch injured on the night. Real's Javier Morales left in the first half after a hard tackle from David Beckham.

In the remaining 25 minutes, Real was the stronger team but couldn't break the deadlock. The match went to extra time, where LA looked increasingly fatigued, giving Real plenty of chances to snatch the win. However, after the 20-minute extra period, the match went to penalties.

Both teams converted their first two kicks, but neither could hit their third. Uncharacteristically, Donovan missed the Galaxy's fourth penalty. Ned Grabavoy then converted his, putting Salt Lake up 3-2. Magee drew the sides level, and Saunders saved Andy Williams' kick to force the shootout into sudden death. 

Unfortunately, it was another of LA's top players, Edson Buddle, that had his shot saved. A moment later, Real full back Robbie Russell converted, and Real celebrated their cup victory.

Colorado Rapids 2-1 FC Dallas

The weather, teams and match preparations have all been cited as reasons why the 2010 final was the league's worst to date.

The season started with the Philadelphia Union becoming the 16th team in MLS, and New York opening their state of the art stadium Red Bull Arena. 

By season's end, LA proved to be the league's best team, and the Western Conference the league's best as well. Of the eight playoff teams, six came from the West. New York and Columbus were the East's only postseason representatives. 

Yet again, the final was an all West affair, this time featuring Colorado and Dallas. Colorado returned to the final after a 12-year absence, while Dallas was playing in their first. 

Both teams had chances early on in the final, but it was Dallas that made the breakthrough thanks to a David Ferreira goal. Dallas continued to have the lion's share of chances in the first half but couldn't add to their lead. 

However, Colorado came back in the second half when Conor Casey converted a Jamie Smith cross. A few chances were created in the second half, but both keepers were up to the task. Neither team could break the stalemate, and the 2010 final became the sixth to go into extra time. 

In the 107th minute, Colorado took the lead in anticlimactic fashion thanks to a George John own goal. The Rapids held on and took their first MLS Cup back to Colorado. 

LA Galaxy 1-0 Houston Dynamo

The 2011 MLS season saw the introduction of the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps to the league. It also saw the Kansas City Wizards re-branded, and become Sporting KC. The playoffs yet again were reshuffled, and 10 teams made the postseason. 

LA's 67-point total was good enough for the Supporters' Shield after dominating the regular season. The playoffs were much the same, as LA bulldozed their way into the final. Meanwhile, Houston surprised many with their solid, yet unspectacular season and made the final after eliminating Philadelphia and Sporting KC. 

The final took place at LA's Home Depot Center which gave the Galaxy an added advantage. The Galaxy, runner-up in 2009, was playing in their seventh final. On the other hand, the Dynamo was in their third final in six years of existence. 

LA started very strong and would have been up early if Adam Cristman could have finished one of his several chances. The first half came to an end with LA the dominate side.

Early in the second half, the Galaxy looked to have the lead when Robbie Keane slotted a David Beckham pass into the back of the net. However, Keane was wrongly judged offside, and the game remained scoreless. 

Around the 60-minute mark, Houston created a few opportunities and nearly caught LA asleep. But poor finishing again kept the final scoreless. 

The Galaxy finally got the breakthrough in the 72nd minute with a Landon Donovan goal. The club's three designated players contributed to the goal, and LA put their third MLS Cup trophy in the cabinet.