History Lesson: Original 10 MLS Teams
Where are they now?
picture via mlssoccer.com
With the MLS going into its 25th season, they introduced their jerseys for their upcoming season the same way they did back in 1996, in New York Fashion Week. Since its inaugural season, the league has changed a lot, and now it has gone from just 10 to a 26 team league with more teams to come in the future. In today's post, however, we are going to look at those ten original teams and see where they are now as well as what they managed to accomplish in 25 years.
1. Colorado Rapids
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First on this list is the Colorado Rapids. Throughout their history in the MLS, they have appeared in two cup finals, winning one of them in 2010. They are one of two original ten teams not to win a Supporters' Shield. Colorado has struggled in the last couple of seasons to finish in a playoff position. Now with their star keeper, Tim Howard retiring it might be another down season for the mile-high club.
2. Columbus Crew
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Next, we have Columbus Crew. Similar to the Rapids, Columbus has appeared in two cup finals where they were victorious in one of them. However, where they are set apart from Colorado is they have won three Supporters' Shields, tied for the second-most in the MLS. Though their last MLS Cup victory was 12 years ago and last season they failed to qualify for the post-season playoffs, they have earned themselves a new stadium deal, which I discussed in a previous post. They still have to wait a couple of years for their stadium to come, they will look to make playoff runs in the next couple of seasons to hopefully move into their new season on a high note.
3. D.C. United
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D.C. United have had a heavily decorated history in the MLS. Behind LA Galaxy, they have appeared in five MLS Cup finals, winning four of them. They have also snagged four Supporters' Shields tied for the most with the before mentioned Galaxy. With the signing of Wayne Rooney in 2018, D.C. United made decent playoff runs even coming back from last place in their conference to clinch a playoff spot in the 2018 season. Now with the exit of Rooney this past transfer window, some might speculate how D.C. United will perform this coming season and how they will fill his vacant spot.
4. FC Dallas
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If there were a Cleveland Brown of the MLS, it would be FC Dallas. Despite being in the league for the full 25 years, they have failed to win one MLS Cup, only appearing in one in total. Though they were able to bring home one Supporters' Shield in 2016 during one of the club's best seasons in history, they still have failed to obtain the big prize. Formerly known as the Dallas Burn, the name was changed to a more formal football club name in 2005 along with their move into the new Pizza Hut Park. FC Dallas' biggest problem over the years has been its inability to attract good players. Time will tell how the club will perform and recover from the recent stints of bad form.
5. LA Galaxy
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Probably the most famous and renowned MLS team, LA Galaxy has, without a doubt, been the league powerhouse for some time. Though they have failed to bring home silverware in recent seasons and were unable to qualify for the playoffs in 2017 and 2018, they are beginning to bounce back. With names like David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all playing in Carson over the years the club has much history to boast. The California giants have five MLS Cups after appearing in nine finals, the most of any team. They have also brought home four Supporters' Shields tied for the most in the league. Now with Zlatan gone and Mexican icon, Chicharito there to take his place, how will Galaxy come back to reclaim their throne.
6. New England Revolution
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If FC Dallas is the Browns of the MLS, the New England Revolution is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are known for their four straight Super Bowl losses from 1991-1994 being the only team in NFL history to do so. For the Revolution, the team went to three straight cup finals losing in each one. On top of that, they have lost two more times, with the most recent coming in 2014. New England is the only original ten team not to have any domestic silverware to show for their 25 years. Now, last season the Revolution was successful in qualifying for the MLS Playoffs for the first time in three years. Though they went out in the first round, they still showed promise of improvement and maybe a future of an MLS Cup coming to Gillette Stadium.
7. New York Red Bulls
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Formerly known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, the team decided to rebrand when the popular Australian energy drink bought the club in 2005. Though the club has found no success in its search for an MLS Cup, they have brought home three Supporters' Shields in the last ten years. With the acquisition of players like Bradley Wright-Phillips and Thierry Henry, the club turned into a league powerhouse with the new influx of money from their lucrative sponsor. As the Red Bulls continue to have playoff seasons, not missing one in ten years, we could very well see a trophy lifted by the once MetroStars.
8. San Jose Earthquakes
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Now, back to the west coast with the San Jose Clash, now known as the Earthquakes. The club found much success in the early 2000s; however, after the name and brand were put on hiatus, the team was moved to Houston to become the Dynamo. The club has struggled to get back to winning ways, only managing to qualify for three playoffs since their reinstatement. Though they brought home a Supporters' Shield in 2012 in the club's best season ever, they have failed to make it to the next level since. On the brightside, they are the only team with over two final appearances to have won both times. Even though the 2019 season proved difficult for the team is showed signs of improvement within the squad. The club has gone seven years without a winning season and will look to the 2020 campaign to change that and possibly make another final appearance.
9. Sporting Kansas City
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The final rebranded team on this list is Sporting Kansas City. Originally known as Kansas City Wiz, the team's trophy cabinet includes two MLS Cups and one Supporters' Shield. Though they failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, their consistency before saw eight years of qualifications all the way back to 2011. Originally in the Eastern Conference, the league decided to move the team to the western side in 2014 along with the Houston Dynamo in preparation for New York City FC and Orlando FC joining a year later. Sporting KC's coach Steve Vermes is the first person to ever will an MLS Cup as a player and a coach. Now, with the upcoming season, he will try and add one more for the club and become the first MLS Cup victor of the new decade.
10. Tampa Bay Mutiny
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Last we have Tampa Bay Mutiny, who were dissolved in 2002 along with Miami Fusion. The once Florida team was home to one of the most iconic hairs in the football world with Carlos Valderrama, as seen above. The team won the very first Supporters' Shield after finishing first in the east in the 1996 season with a record of 20-12. The team being folded was ultimately caused by the lack of ownership when the world renowned and world hated Glazers backed out of a deal in 2002. The Glazers would eventually go on to buy Manchester United in 2005, and the MLS lost it's only two Florida based teams.
The MLS has had 29 teams over the years, with 26 currently playing the league today. The original ten teams, however, will always stand out. Even though one of the teams doesn't play in the league anymore and none of them have won a Cup in five years, they will forever be in the history of the MLS. Thanks for reading.