Western Conference
15 records in this category
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Q2 Stadium Location: Austin, TX, United States, United States Founded: 2021 About Austin FC Austin FC is an American professional soccer club based in Austin, Texas. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Founded in 2018, the club began play in the 2021 season. Their home stadium is Q2 Stadium in north-central Austin. They are the first major professional sports league team to play in Texas' capital, which pri
- SportsDB Team ID: 140079
- Forum ID: 24
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/a3dlg61595434277.png
- Stadium: Q2 Stadium
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Austin, TX, United States
- Country: United States
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Description: Austin FC is an American professional soccer club based in Austin, Texas. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. Founded in 2018, the club began play in the 2021 season. Their home stadium is Q2 Stadium in north-central Austin. They are the first major professional sports league team to play in Texas' capital, which prior to 2021 was the largest city in the United States without such a team.
Austin FC is the first top-division major professional sports team in the Austin area. The city's previous experience with professional soccer includes the Austin Aztex FC, which moved to Orlando in 2008 and eventually became MLS side Orlando City SC; the 2011 reincarnation of the Austin Aztex, which went on indefinite hiatus following the 2015 Memorial Day floods washing out their venue at House Park; and Austin Bold FC, which play in the second-division USL Championship at Circuit of the Americas
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Location: Commerce City, Colorado, United States Founded: 1996 About Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are an American professional men's soccer team based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer as a member of the Western Conference. The franchise began play in 1996 as one of the charter clubs in MLS. Colorado won the MLS Cup in 2010, their second MLS Cup appearan
- SportsDB Team ID: 134794
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/uppupv1473536412.png
- Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Commerce City, Colorado
- Country: United States
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Description: The Colorado Rapids are an American professional men's soccer team based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer as a member of the Western Conference. The franchise began play in 1996 as one of the charter clubs in MLS.
Colorado won the MLS Cup in 2010, their second MLS Cup appearance. The first appearance was in 1997, losing to D.C. United. They were also runners up of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the 1999 tournament, where they lost to the Rochester Raging Rhinos, which was the last time a non-MLS team has won the Cup. The Rapids play their home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City since its opening in the 2007 season.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Toyota Stadium Dallas Location: Frisco, Texas, United States Founded: 1996 About FC Dallas FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas. The club competes as a member of Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise began play in 1996 as a charter club of the league. The club was founded in 1995 as the Dallas Burn before adopting its current name in 2004. Dallas plays its home games at their 20,500-capacity
- SportsDB Team ID: 134146
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/vxy8xy1602103187.png
- Stadium: Toyota Stadium Dallas
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Frisco, Texas
- Country: United States
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Description: FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas. The club competes as a member of Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise began play in 1996 as a charter club of the league. The club was founded in 1995 as the Dallas Burn before adopting its current name in 2004.
Dallas plays its home games at their 20,500-capacity (16,215 beginning with the 2016 season due to the United States Soccer Hall of Fame construction in the south end) soccer-specific Toyota Stadium, where they have played since 2005. In the club's early years, Dallas played their home games in the Cotton Bowl. The team is owned by the Hunt Sports Group led by brothers Clark Hunt and Dan Hunt, who is the team's president. The Hunt family also owns the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and part of the Chicago Bulls.
FC Dallas in 2016 won their first Supporters' Shield. In 2010 they were runners-up in the MLS Cup, losing to the Colorado Rapids in extra time. The team has won the U.S. Open Cup on two occasions (in 1997 and again in 2016). The International Federation of Football History & Statistics, in its Club World Ranking for the year ending December 31, 2016, placed FC Dallas as the 190th best club in the world and the ninth best club in CONCACAF.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Location: Houston, Texas, United States Founded: 2005 About Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo are an American professional soccer club based in Houston, Texas. The franchise competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), as a member of the Western Conference. The Dynamo had first played their home games at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus until 2011. Since 2012, the Dynamo has played home matches at BBVA Compass Stadium, a soc
- SportsDB Team ID: 134144
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/yvz9dq1707631352.png
- Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Houston, Texas
- Country: United States
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Description: Houston Dynamo are an American professional soccer club based in Houston, Texas. The franchise competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), as a member of the Western Conference. The Dynamo had first played their home games at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus until 2011. Since 2012, the Dynamo has played home matches at BBVA Compass Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium located in Houston. The team's head coach is Wilmer Cabrera.
The Dynamo was established on December 15, 2005 when the then owner of the San Jose Earthquakes, Anschutz Entertainment Group, announced that the team was relocating to Houston after failed attempts in securing a soccer-specific stadium in San Jose, California. The club would then be an expansion team of the league, which began play in 2006. The Dynamo is owned by Gabriel Brener, Jake Silverstein, Ben Guill, and world Olympic boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya.
Houston Dynamo's domestic success consists of winning the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cups in their first two seasons. They also won the U.S. Open Cup in 2018. In 2008, Houston became the first American club to secure a point on Mexican soil in the CONCACAF Champions League era during the 2008–2017 format of the tournament
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park Location: Carson, California, United States Founded: 1995 About LA Galaxy The LA Galaxy, also known as the Los Angeles Galaxy, is an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's most-decorated club. The Galaxy have won the MLS Cup five times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 201
- SportsDB Team ID: 134153
- Forum ID: 19
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/ysyysr1420227188.png
- Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Carson, California
- Country: United States
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Description: The LA Galaxy, also known as the Los Angeles Galaxy, is an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's most-decorated club.
The Galaxy have won the MLS Cup five times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014), the MLS Supporters' Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011), the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and is one of just two MLS teams to win the CONCACAF Champions' Cup (now replaced by the CONCACAF Champions League) which they accomplished in 2000.
Initially, the Galaxy played their home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, but since 2003 they have played at the StubHub Center in Carson, which they shared with their rival, Chivas USA from 2005 until the latter's dissolution in 2014. The club's current head coach is former US national team coach Bruce Arena. The team holds a fierce rivalry with the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clásico.
In January 2007, the club made international headlines by signing English superstar David Beckham from Real Madrid, which was the highest-profile signing in the history of MLS. Other significant signings include Robbie Keane, who currently captains the club, Robbie Rogers and Landon Donovan.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: BMO Stadium Location: Los Angeles, United States Founded: 2014 About Los Angeles FC Los Angeles Football Club is an American professional soccer franchise based Los Angeles, California. The team will begin play in Major League Soccer (MLS) starting in 2018, as a member of the Western Conference. The team was established in 2014. LAFC will play their home games at the Banc of California Stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood. The team shares the Los An
- SportsDB Team ID: 136050
- Forum ID: 18
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/7nbj2a1602103638.png
- Stadium: BMO Stadium
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Los Angeles
- Country: United States
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Description: Los Angeles Football Club is an American professional soccer franchise based Los Angeles, California. The team will begin play in Major League Soccer (MLS) starting in 2018, as a member of the Western Conference. The team was established in 2014. LAFC will play their home games at the Banc of California Stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood. The team shares the Los Angeles area with the LA Galaxy.
The ownership group is headed by venture capitalist Henry Nguyen, entrepreneur Peter Guber, and former National Basketball Association executive Tom Penn. The ownership group also includes businessmen Ruben Gnanalingam and Vincent Tan. In addition, the club has a further 21 named investors including Magic Johnson, Nomar and Mia Hamm-Garciaparra, Chad Hurley, Tony Robbins and Will Ferrell.
John Thorrington was hired as executive vice president of soccer operations.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Allianz Field Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Founded: 2015 About Minnesota United Minnesota United FC is an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area that plays in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The club began play in 2017 as the league's 22nd club, and replaced the North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise of the same name. The club currently plays its home games at TCF Ban
- SportsDB Team ID: 135852
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/vl67t41492453433.png
- Stadium: Allianz Field
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Country: United States
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Description: Minnesota United FC is an American professional soccer club based in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area that plays in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. The club began play in 2017 as the league's 22nd club, and replaced the North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise of the same name.
The club currently plays its home games at TCF Bank Stadium, on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The club eventually plans to play in Saint Paul (becoming the city's second major professional sports team after the Minnesota Wild), in a soccer-specific stadium to be built at an old "bus barn" site in the Midway neighborhood.
Minnesota United FC's ownership is led by Bill McGuire, former CEO of UnitedHealth Group, and includes other Minnesota sports owners: the Pohlad family, owners of the Twins; Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor; former Wild investor Glen Nelson, and his daughter Wendy Carlson Nelson of the Carlson hospitality company.
Minnesota United are the sixth MLS expansion team to join from a lower division, following Seattle Sounders FC (2009), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2011), Portland Timbers (2011), Montreal Impact (2012), and Orlando City SC (2015).
On March 25, 2015, Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber announced Minnesota United as the league's 23rd club and awarded the franchise to a group led by former UnitedHealth CEO Bill McGuire. The ownership group includes other Minneapolis sports owners, Twins owner Jim Pohlad, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, and Wild investor Glen Nelson. They beat out a competing bid by Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf. Garber said Minnesota would begin play in 2017 or 2018 – if Los Angeles FC is not ready to play in 2017, Minnesota would take its place.
McGuire bought the team, then named the Minnesota Stars, in November 2012 when it was under NASL's caretaker ownership. In September 2013, 2020 Partnership, a consortium of Downtown Minneapolis businesses, approached United about building a soccer-specific stadium by the Minneapolis Farmers Market near Target Field.
The Minnesota Legislature had passed a bill in May 2012 for a new NFL stadium projected to open by fall 2016 and gave a provision allowing for the Vikings to pursue an MLS franchise, including a five-year exclusive window to host MLS games in the new stadium. The Wilfs' bid also had the support of Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, and Minnesota Senator Tom Bakk called Major League Soccer to inform them that the state legislature would not be providing financing for a soccer-specific stadium. However, Commissioner Garber said that whenever possible, the league preferred a stadium that would be an "outdoor, soccer-specific stadium, 20,000 seats, playing on grass" as opposed to larger, covered venues with artificial turf like U.S. Bank Stadium, and McGuire had the support of Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat and at least three members of the Minneapolis City Council.
On August 19, 2016, it was announced that Minnesota United would play in the 2017 Major League Soccer season, with home matches at TCF Bank Stadium.
The team played their inaugural Major League Soccer match on March 3, 2017, a 5–1 away defeat to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. The result represented the heaviest defeat by an expansion side making their debut. Previously no MLS expansion team had lost by more than two goals in their first game. Christian Ramirez scored the team's first MLS goal. The following weekend they played their home opener against fellow expansion team Atlanta United FC in a recorded temeperature at kick-off of 19 °F (−7 °C), the lowest record in MLS to date. They lost the game 6–1, handing Minnesota more unwanted records including the record defeat of any expansion side and becoming the only team in MLS history to concede five or more in consecutive games. Following a 2–2 draw at the Colorado Rapids and a 5–2 loss at New England Revolution, United had conceded 18 goals in their first four games, which is an MLS record through the first six games of a season. The team got its first win in MLS with a 4–2 home victory over Real Salt Lake on April 1.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Providence Park Location: Portland, OR, United States Founded: 1975 About Portland Timbers The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon, that competes in Major League Soccer. The Timbers are the 18th club of Major League Soccer, and replace the USL First Division's team of the same name, while retaining the same ownership. The MLS club is the fourth Portland team to share the legacy of the Timbers name, which orig
- SportsDB Team ID: 134155
- Forum ID: 31
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/skm30j1557953559.png
- Stadium: Providence Park
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Portland, OR
- Country: United States
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Description: The Portland Timbers are an American professional soccer club based in Portland, Oregon, that competes in Major League Soccer. The Timbers are the 18th club of Major League Soccer, and replace the USL First Division's team of the same name, while retaining the same ownership. The MLS club is the fourth Portland team to share the legacy of the Timbers name, which originated in the old North American Soccer League in 1975.
The announcement of the Timbers' entry into MLS was the culmination of a nearly two-year-long process for Merritt Paulson, dating back at least to May 2007, when Paulson led a group that bought the Portland Beavers and the USL Timbers. The group included former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (Meritt Paulson's father) who holds a 20% stake. The biggest issue for the city of Portland was that due to league concerns about seating configuration, field surface, and scheduling, obtaining an MLS club would require a new stadium.
In October 2007, Paulson was told PGE Park could be upgraded for about $20 million, and a new baseball stadium (with 8,000 to 9,000 seats) would cost about $30 million. By November 2008, Paulson told The New York Times he expected Portland taxpayers would spend $85 million to "build a new baseball stadium for his Beavers and renovate PGE Park—just remodeled in 2001 at a cost to taxpayers of $38.5 million—for soccer", and that in exchange, he would spend $40 million for the franchise fee to bring a new Major League Soccer team to Portland. MLS was in support of the proposal, wanting to continue to expand the number of owners in the league (for a while, all of its teams were owned by three men: Phil Anschutz, Lamar Hunt, and Robert Kraft).
Timbers thank their fans after a home victory
Though supporting the acquisition of an MLS franchise raised numerous issues for Mayor Sam Adams and the Portland City Council, the Timbers were announced as Major League Soccer's eighteenth team on March 20, 2009 by Commissioner Don Garber. The announcement occurred during the first and second round games of the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament being held in Portland the same week. The announcement noted that the team would retain the Portland Timbers name.
The team owner is Peregrine Sports, LLC, a group led by Merritt Paulson. Paulson was also the head of Shortstop, LLC which owned the USL-1 Timbers as well as the Pacific Coast League's Portland Beavers.
Former MLS forward and assistant coach John Spencer was named the first head coach of the MLS-era Timbers on August 10, 2010. It was also announced that Gavin Wilkinson, head coach of the USL-1/USSF D-2 Timbers, would stay on as the general manager/technical director of the MLS side.
The Timbers signed five players before the MLS Expansion Draft on November 24, 2010. Three were part of the Timbers D-2 Pro League squad in 2010 (Steve Cronin, Bright Dike, and Ryan Pore), one was signed from D-2 Pro League team Austin Aztex (forward Eddie Johnson) and one was acquired via trade with New York Red Bulls (midfielder Jeremy Hall). On November 24, 2010, the Timbers, along with the other 2011 expansion team, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, participated in an MLS Expansion Draft, each selecting 10 players from existing teams. Immediately after the Expansion Draft, the Timbers announced the trade of their first pick (midfielder Dax McCarty), from FC Dallas to DC United for defender Rodney Wallace. The Timbers and Whitecaps also participated in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011 with the Whitecaps having the first pick, and the Timbers having the second pick. Vancouver surprised some by selecting youngster Omar Salgado and Portland swiftly selected Akron midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: America First Field Location: Sandy, Utah, United States Founded: 2004 About Real Salt Lake Real Salt Lake (RSL) is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes as a member of the Western Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS). They play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won the 2009 MLS Cup and were runners-up of the 2013 MLS Cup, the 2010 MLS Supporters Shield, the 2010-11 C
- SportsDB Team ID: 134158
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/kkjlfa1556488022.png
- Stadium: America First Field
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Sandy, Utah
- Country: United States
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Description: Real Salt Lake (RSL) is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes as a member of the Western Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS). They play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won the 2009 MLS Cup and were runners-up of the 2013 MLS Cup, the 2010 MLS Supporters Shield, the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, and the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The team's head coach is former MLS goalkeeper Jeff Cassar.
Real Salt Lake became the twelfth MLS franchise when Major League Soccer awarded an expansion franchise on July 14, 2004, to SCP Worldwide, headed by Dave Checketts. Jason Kreis became the first player in RSL history, coming in a trade from the Dallas Burn. Other notable players that played in RSL includes veterans Clint Mathis, Eddie Pope and Jeff Cunningham to these early teams.
RSL began play on April 2, 2005, by coach John Ellinger, in a windy, rain-soaked game against New York MetroStars at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, which ended in a tie. The following week, Jason Kreis scored the first goal in franchise history in a 3-1 loss to LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center. RSL returned to Utah to play its first-ever home match on April 16. Before 25,287 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Brian Dunseth scored a header in the 81st minute to deliver a 1-0 victory over the rival Colorado Rapids. The season was mostly a disappointment, however, with the team setting a league record by posting a 557-minute scoreless streak (later broken by Toronto FC). They were also on a 10-game losing streak before managing a 2–2 draw on the road against San Jose Earthquakes. The first season finished with a record of 5-22-5 for Real Salt Lake.
In 2006, Real Salt Lake's second MLS season, the team recorded five losses and one tie in the first six matches of the season. RSL had gone 18 consecutive matches without a victory—the longest winless streak in MLS history. The team managed two wins and four draws in their last eight matches, but failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing with a 10-13-9 record. Cunningham provided most of Real's highlights during the up-and-down 2006 season. He had come to Salt Lake from Colorado in exchange for Mathis, who had been a major disappointment for RSL.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Location: San Diego, CA, United States Founded: 2023 About San Diego FC San Diego Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in San Diego. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. The team plays its home matches at Snapdragon Stadium. The club will begin play in the 2025 season as an expansion team. The club's ownership group is led by British-Egyptian businessman
- SportsDB Team ID: 150261
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/7ka2xd1734621068.png
- Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: San Diego, CA
- Country: United States
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Description: San Diego Football Club is an American professional soccer club based in San Diego. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. The team plays its home matches at Snapdragon Stadium. The club will begin play in the 2025 season as an expansion team.
The club's ownership group is led by British-Egyptian businessman and former politician Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe. The group was awarded an expansion team on May 18, 2023; the club is the 30th in MLS.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: PayPal Park Location: San Jose, California, United States Founded: 1994 About San Jose Earthquakes The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States, that competes as a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise began play in 1996, (originally as the San Jose Clash), as one of the charter clubs of the league. The Earthquakes took part in the first game in MLS his
- SportsDB Team ID: 134157
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/xyrqqt1420781048.png
- Stadium: PayPal Park
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: San Jose, California
- Country: United States
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Description: The San Jose Earthquakes are an American professional soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States, that competes as a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The franchise began play in 1996, (originally as the San Jose Clash), as one of the charter clubs of the league. The Earthquakes took part in the first game in MLS history, defeating D.C. United 1–0. The Earthquakes have won two MLS Cup titles, in 2001 and 2003, and two Supporters' Shields in 2005 and 2012. In 2002, the team played in its first CONCACAF Champions Cup (now called the CONCACAF Champions League), making it to the quarterfinals. The team holds a fierce rivalry with the LA Galaxy known as the California Clásico.
In 2005, the then owner of the Earthquakes, Anschutz Entertainment Group, announced plans of the team relocating to Houston due to failing efforts to secure a soccer-specific stadium in San Jose. The organization in Houston would be considered an expansion team by the league, eventually becoming the Houston Dynamo, who began play in 2006. The Earthquakes returned after a two-year hiatus, resuming play in 2008. Steve Ralston currently serves as interim head coach. The Earthquakes play their home games at Avaya Stadium beginning in 2015. The team previously played its home games at Buck Shaw Stadium on the Santa Clara University campus in Santa Clara, California from 2008 to 2014.
In 2018, the club added the dubious MLS Wooden Spoon to its trophy case for ending up bottom of the MLS league table, finishing the season with 21 points in 34 games.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Lumen Field Location: Seattle, Washington, United States Founded: 2007 About Seattle Sounders Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). Sounders FC was established on November 13, 2007, as an MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in the league. Fans chose the Sounders name through an online poll in 2008, making the Seattle Sounders FC the third Seattle soccer c
- SportsDB Team ID: 134149
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/2dy5cx1706711036.png
- Stadium: Lumen Field
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Seattle, Washington
- Country: United States
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Description: Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). Sounders FC was established on November 13, 2007, as an MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in the league. Fans chose the Sounders name through an online poll in 2008, making the Seattle Sounders FC the third Seattle soccer club to share the name.
The club's majority owner is Hollywood producer Joe Roth, and its minority owners are Adrian Hanauer, Paul Allen and Drew Carey. Two-time MLS Cup winner Sigi Schmid is the club's head coach. Sounders FC home matches are played at CenturyLink Field. Along with several organized groups, a 53-member marching band called 'Sound Wave' supports the club at each home match. Seattle competes with rival MLS clubs Portland and Vancouver in the Cascadia Cup.
Sounders FC played its inaugural match on March 19, 2009, winning 3–0 over the New York Red Bulls. Seattle has set MLS records for average attendance, led the league in season ticket sales, and qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of its first five seasons. Sounders FC has led MLS attendance since their inaugural season, consistently drawing an average of 50-65% more than the next highest-drawing team in the league, LA Galaxy. The club's announced attendance average was 43,144 in 2012. The team's players have included United States men's national soccer team captain Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Academy product and Tottenham Hotspur signing DeAndre Yedlin, striker Fredy Montero, and Osvaldo Alonso.
In 2009, Sounders FC became the second expansion club in MLS history to win the U.S. Open Cup, and in 2010 became the first ever MLS club to repeat as Open Cup champions. Sounders FC won a third consecutive Open Cup in 2011, defeating the Chicago Fire 2–0. In 2012, the Sounders went to their fourth consecutive Open Cup final, losing to Sporting Kansas City in a penalty shootout. In 2014, Seattle won their fourth U.S. Open Cup title, defeating the Philadelphia Union in extra time, 3–1, as well as winning the Supporters' Shield over the LA Galaxy to complete their double.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Children's Mercy Park Location: Kansas City, KS, United States Founded: 1995 About Sporting Kansas City Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently playing in Kansas City, Kansas. The club is presently a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The club is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since it began play in 1996. The team was co-founde
- SportsDB Team ID: 134143
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/tqupxw1473536504.png
- Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Kansas City, KS
- Country: United States
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Description: Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently playing in Kansas City, Kansas. The club is presently a member of the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The club is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since it began play in 1996. The team was co-founded by Ron Bishop and Josh Whisenhunt in 1995.
For the majority of their existence, the franchise were known as the Kansas City Wizards. The team was rebranded in November 2010, coinciding with its move to a new stadium, Sporting Park. The club won both the MLS Cup and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2000, and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004 and 2012. In 2013, the club again won the MLS Cup, its first since rebranding.
The Kansas City MLS franchise was founded by Lamar Hunt, who was also the founder of the American Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs, the United Soccer Association, and Major League Soccer. The Kansas City Wiz played their first game on April 13, 1996, defeating the Colorado Rapids at Arrowhead Stadium, 3-0. The Wiz players included Preki, Mo Johnston and Digital Takawira, and were coached by Ron Newman. The team finished 5th in the 1996 regular season with a 17–15 record, qualifying for the first ever MLS Playoffs. In the 1996 conference semi-finals, the Wiz beat the Dallas Burn in three games, winning the final game in a shootout, before losing the conference final to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Following the 1996 season, the Wiz changed names, becoming the "Wizards". For the 1997 MLS season, their record was 21–11; they won the Western Conference regular season championship. Preki was named 1997 MLS MVP. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards lost to the last-seeded Colorado Rapids. The Wizards had losing records for the 1998 and 1999 seasons, finishing last in the Western Conference both years. The Wizards fired Ron Newman early during the 1999 season, and replaced him with Bob Gansler. The Wizards finished the 1999 season with a record of 8–24, which put them in last place in the Western Conference once again.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: Energizer Park Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA, United States Founded: 2019 About St. Louis City SC St. Louis City SC (stylized as St. Louis CITY SC) is an American professional men's soccer club based in St. Louis, Missouri. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference and will join in 2023 as an expansion team. The club was established in 2019 and will play home matches at the Citypark, a new soccer-specific stadium
- SportsDB Team ID: 147062
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/22wanp1674118724.png
- Stadium: Energizer Park
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Country: United States
- Description: St. Louis City SC (stylized as St. Louis CITY SC) is an American professional men's soccer club based in St. Louis, Missouri. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference and will join in 2023 as an expansion team. The club was established in 2019 and will play home matches at the Citypark, a new soccer-specific stadium near Downtown St. Louis.
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Conference: Western Conference Stadium: BC Place Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Founded: 2009 About Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia that competes in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Whitecaps were the 17th team to enter Major League Soccer and replaced the USSF Division 2 team of the same name in the city. The club has been owned and managed by the same group sinc
- SportsDB Team ID: 134147
- Logo: https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/team/badge/tpwxpy1473536521.png
- Stadium: BC Place
- Conference: Western Conference
- Founded: 01/01/1970
- City: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Country: Canada
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Description: Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia that competes in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Whitecaps were the 17th team to enter Major League Soccer and replaced the USSF Division 2 team of the same name in the city. The club has been owned and managed by the same group since their USSF days, having graduated to MLS after the conclusion of the USSF's 2010 season. The MLS version of the team is a phoenix club, and the third to carry the legacy of the Whitecaps name. In the 2012 season, the team became the first Canadian team to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
History
Main article: History of Vancouver Whitecaps FC
An ownership group in Vancouver were granted the seventeenth Major League Soccer franchise on March 18, 2009 by MLS Commissioner Don Garber. While no name was provided at the Vancouver announcement, over a year later the club confirmed it would keep the Whitecaps name.
In preparation for its first MLS season, the Whitecaps brought in executive talent from around the world. On November 24, 2009, Paul Barber, former Tottenham Hotspur F.C. executive, was announced to join the club as CEO. Others joining him included former D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn as Director of Operations and Dutch national Richard Grootscholten as the Technical Director and head coach of the residency program.
As the head coach of the USL and later USSF Division 2 Vancouver Whitecaps, former Iceland international Teitur Thordarson was confirmed as head coach on September 2, 2010 for the inaugural MLS season. He was subsequently relieved of his duties on May 30, 2011 after the Whitecaps won just one of their first twelve matches. Tom Soehn, the Whitecaps director of soccer operations, replaced Thordarson on an interim basis.
The Whitecaps began play in the 2011 MLS season with their first match on March 19, 2011, against rival Canadians Toronto FC, which they won 4–2. The first goal in the Whitecaps' MLS era was scored by Eric Hassli. After their winning start the Whitecaps struggled, and failed to secure another victory in their next 11 MLS games, drawing six and losing five. In the aftermath of their 1–1 draw with the New York Red Bulls on May 30 head coach Teitur Thordarson was fired. Tom Soehn took over coaching duties for the remainder of the 2011 season, while Martin Rennie was announced as the new permanent head coach on August 9, taking over officially on November 2.
On March 3, 2012, the Whitecaps won their first minor, pre-season cup at the 2012 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic defeating Toronto FC 1–0 thanks to a goal by Camilo. The Whitecaps finished the regular season with 11 wins, 3 losses, and 10 ties positioning the club, 5th in the Western Conference and 11th on the league overall table. On October 21, 2012, the Whitecaps became the first Canadian team to earn a spot in the MLS playoffs. Vancouver were eliminated in the knockout round.
In the 2013 season, Vancouver finished in 7th in the Western Conference, 13th in the league table with 13 wins, 12 losses, and 9 ties in the regular season. They were not able to qualify for the post season, in the playoffs as they had accomplished in the season prior. Two days after the end of the 2013 MLS regular season, Rennie's contract was not renewed sparking a search for the next head coach. In their off-season, the Whitecaps were in the midst of controversy with one of their then players, Camilo, who had played for the team since their inaugural campaign, after the Brazilian went on to join Liga MX club Querétaro. The Mexican club believed that he was no longer under contract, while the Whitecaps reported that he was still on a contract with Vancouver. The scandal was resolved with the Liga MX club paying a transfer fee from Vancouver to acquire the Brazilian forward.
In October 2014, the Whitecaps qualified for the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League for the very first time as a result of becoming the highest ranked Canadian team in the 2014 MLS season and due to a reformatting of the Canadian Championship in the following season. A week later they qualified for the MLS playoffs for the second time, an achievement unmatched by any Canadian team.
