American soccer clubs in international competitions

Last updated

This is a list of American soccer clubs in international competitions. American clubs have participated in competitive international soccer competitions since 1963, when New York Hungaria entered the 1963 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Contents

Unlike other major professional sports leagues in the United States, the winners of Major League Soccer and National Women's Soccer League are not universally considered to be world champions in their respective sport. Yearly, MLS and NWSL teams will compete against other soccer clubs abroad in competitions to determine the champions of North America, the Americas, and the world.

Since 1963, American men's soccer clubs have won three CONCACAF Champions' Cup/Champions League titles, and finished runners-up five times. since 2024 Women's clubs competed in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.Gotham FC won the inaugural 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

Qualification for CONCACAF competitions

Men's clubs

For the CONCACAF Champions Cup, up to nine American soccer clubs are eligible for entry into the competition. Starting in 2024, all MLS clubs (United States or Canada based) may qualify through MLS or Leagues Cup. [1]

CompetitionDetailsSinceEligible clubsRef.
MLS Cup champion Major League Soccer (Division I) championship1996MLS-only [2]
Supporters' Shield winnerMajor League Soccer regular season winner2006 [3]
Conference regular season winnerMLS Conference regular season champion of conference opposite of Shield winner2014 [4] [5]
Next best clubsTwo highest-ranked clubs in MLS regular season standings that have not already qualified2023 [1]
Leagues Cup champion, runner-up, and third-place finisherCompetition between clubs from MLS and Liga MX 2023 [1]
U.S. Open Cup championDomestic cup competition1963All U.S. clubs [6]

If one (or more) MLS club(s) were to qualify through multiple methods, then the next MLS club(s) with the most overall table points, regardless of conference, would qualify in the remaining slot(s). If the U.S. Open Cup champion has qualified through multiple methods, then the runner-up would fill the slot; should the runner-up have already qualified, then the next best MLS club in the overall table would earn the slot. If the Leagues Cup champion were to win the MLS Cup, then the MLS Cup runner-up would qualify to the round of 16; should the Leagues Cup slot(s) have already qualified, then MLS would be awarded with one additional slot to be given to the next best non-qualified team in the overall table. [7]

In past competitions, such as the North American SuperLiga (held from 2007 to 2010), the best teams based on regular season record to not qualify for the Champions League participated. [8]

Leagues Cup

For the 2025 Leagues Cup 18 Major League Soccer clubs that reached 2024 MLS Cup playoffs qualified, with one exception. San Diego FC replaced Vancouver Whitecaps who competed in two other cup competitions in 2025. [9]

Women's clubs

For the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, three American soccer clubs qualify.

CompetitionDetailsSinceEligible clubsref
National Women's Soccer League playoff champion National Women's Soccer League (Women's Division 1) championship2023NWSL [10]
National Women's Soccer League Shield winnersNational Women's Soccer League regular season winners2023
National Women's Soccer League Shield runners-upNWSL that finished second in regular season2023

Cups and finals

Men's Competitive tournaments

CONCACAF Champions' Cup / Champions League

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
LA Galaxy 11 2000 1997
D.C. United 10 1998
Seattle Sounders FC 10 2022
Los Angeles FC 02 2020, 2023
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms 01 1984
Real Salt Lake 01 2011
Columbus Crew 01 2024

North American SuperLiga (defunct)

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
New England Revolution 11 2008 2010
Houston Dynamo 01 2008
LA Galaxy 01 2007
Chicago Fire 01 2009

CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup / Giants Cup (defunct)

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
D.C. United 01 2001

Copa Interamericana (defunct)

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
D.C. United 10 1998

Leagues Cup

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
Inter Miami CF 11 2023 2025
Seattle Sounders FC 11 2025 2021
Columbus Crew 10 2024
Nashville SC 01 2023
Los Angeles FC 01 2024

FIFA Club World Championship / Club World Cup

No American club has reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup or the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The furthest a club has reached is the round of 16 by Inter Miami CF in the 2025 edition.

Friendly tournaments

Emirates Cup

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
New York Red Bulls 10 2011

International Champions Cup

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
New York Red Bulls 01 2015

La Manga Cup (defunct)

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
MetroStars 10 2004

Pan-Pacific Championship (defunct)

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
Houston Dynamo 01 2008
LA Galaxy 01 2009

Women's tournaments

CONCACAF W Champions Cup

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
Gotham FC 10 2024–25

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
Kansas City Current 10 2024
NJ/NY Gotham FC 01 2024

Full international record

Competitive tournaments only.

FIFA Club World Championship / Club World Cup

YearTeamProgressResultOpponents
2001 LA Galaxy Group stageCanceled Flag of Ghana.svg Hearts of Oak, Flag of Japan.svg Júbilo Iwata, Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2022 Seattle Sounders FC Second round0–1 Flag of Egypt.svg Al Ahly
2025 Inter Miami CF Round of 160–4 Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain
Seattle Sounders FC 4th in group stage Flag of Spain.svg Atlético Madrid, Flag of Brazil.svg Botafogo, Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain
Los Angeles FC 4th in group stage Flag of England.svg Chelsea, Flag of Tunisia.svg Espérance de Tunis, Flag of Brazil.svg Flamengo

Copa Interamericana (defunct)

YearTeamProgressAggregateOpponentsResults
1998 D.C. United Winners2–1 Flag of Brazil.svg Vasco da Gama 0–1 at home, 2–0 away

CONCACAF Champions' Cup / Champions League

The competition was named CONCACAF Champions' Cup until 2008 and CONCACAF Champions League until 2024, when it was renamed back to CONCACAF Champions Cup.

North American SuperLiga (defunct)

YearTeamProgressResultOpponent(s)
2007 D.C. United Semi-finals0–2 Flag of the United States.svg LA Galaxy
FC Dallas 4th in group stage Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara, Flag of the United States.svg LA Galaxy, Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca
Houston Dynamo Semi-finals2–2 (3–4 p) Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca
LA Galaxy Final1–1 (3–4 p) Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca
2008 Chivas USA 3rd in group stage Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution, Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca, Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna
D.C. United 4th in group stage Flag of Mexico.svg Atlante, Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara, Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo Final2–2 (5–6 p) Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution
New England Revolution Winners2–2 (6–5 p) Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dynamo
2009 Chicago Fire Final1–1 (3–4 p) Flag of Mexico.svg UANL
Chivas USA 4th in group stage Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Fire, Flag of Mexico.svg San Luis, Flag of Mexico.svg UANL
Kansas City Wizards 4th in group stage Flag of Mexico.svg Atlas, Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution, Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna
New England Revolution Semi-finals1–2 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Fire
2010 Chicago Fire 3rd in group stage Flag of Mexico.svg Morelia, Flag of the United States.svg New England Revolution, Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM
Chivas USA 3rd in group stage Flag of the United States.svg Houston Dynamo, Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca, Flag of Mexico.svg Puebla
Houston Dynamo Semi-finals0–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Morelia
New England Revolution Final1–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Morelia

CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup / Giants Cup (defunct)

YearTeamProgressAggregateOpponentsResults
1991 Brooklyn Italians First round1–6 Flag of Mexico.svg U de G 0–3 at home, 1–3 away
1994 El Farolito Quarter-finals1–5 Flag of Mexico.svg Necaxa 0–0 at home, 1–5 away
1995 New York Greek American First round Flag of Mexico.svg Tecos Withdrew
1996 Richmond Kickers Second round Flag of Guadeloupe (local).svg Siroco Canceled
1997 Dallas Burn 3rd in group stage Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul, Flag of Mexico.svg Necaxa
2001 Columbus Crew Quarter-finals1–3 Flag of Costa Rica.svg Saprissa 1–1 at home, 0–2 away
D.C. United Final0–2 Flag of Mexico.svg América

Campeones Cup

YearTeamResultOpponents
2019 Atlanta United FC 3–2 Flag of Mexico.svg América
2020 Seattle Sounders FC Canceled
2021 Columbus Crew 2–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul
2022 New York City FC 2–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Atlas
2023 Los Angeles FC 0–0 (2–4 p) Flag of Mexico.svg UANL
2024 Columbus Crew 1–1 (4–5 p) Flag of Mexico.svg América

Leagues Cup

YearTeamProgressResultOpponents
2019 Chicago Fire Quarter-finals0–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul
Houston Dynamo Quarter-finals1–1 (5–6 p) Flag of Mexico.svg América
LA Galaxy Semi-finals1–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul
Real Salt Lake Quarter-finals0–1 Flag of Mexico.svg UANL
2020 D.C. United Canceled
LA Galaxy
Minnesota United FC
New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
2021 New York City FC Quarter-finals1–1 (2–3 p) Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM
Orlando City SC Quarter-finals0–1 Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna
Seattle Sounders FC Final2–3 Flag of Mexico.svg León
Sporting Kansas City Quarter-finals1–6 Flag of Mexico.svg León
in 2023 & 2024, all MLS clubs qualified.
2025 Atlanta United FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Necaxa, Flag of Mexico.svg UNAM, Flag of Mexico.svg Atlas
FC Cincinnati League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey, Flag of Mexico.svg Juárez, Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara
Columbus Crew League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca, Flag of Mexico.svg Puebla, Flag of Mexico.svg León
Charlotte FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Juárez, Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara, Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey
Colorado Rapids League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna, Flag of Mexico.svg Tijuana, Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul
Houston Dynamo FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg UANL, Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán, Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca
LA Galaxy 3rd2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Orlando City SC
Los Angeles FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán, Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca, Flag of Mexico.svg UANL
Inter Miami CF Final0-3 Flag of the United States.svg Seattle Sounders FC
Minnesota United FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Queretaro, Flag of Mexico.svg América, Flag of Mexico.svg Atlético San Luis
New York City FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Puebla, Flag of Mexico.svg León, Flag of Mexico.svg Toluca
New York Red Bulls League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara, Flag of Mexico.svg Monterrey, Flag of Mexico.svg Juárez
Orlando City SC 4th1-2 Flag of the United States.svg LA Galaxy
Portland Timbers League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Atlético San Luis, Flag of Mexico.svg Queretaro, Flag of Mexico.svg América
Real Salt Lake League stage Flag of Mexico.svg América, Flag of Mexico.svg Atlético San Luis, Flag of Mexico.svg Queretaro
Seattle Sounders FC Winners3-0 Flag of the United States.svg Inter Miami CF
San Diego FC League stage Flag of Mexico.svg Pachuca, Flag of Mexico.svg UANL, Flag of Mexico.svg Mazatlán

Copa Sudamericana

YearTeamProgressAggregateOpponentsResults
2005 D.C. United Round of 163–4 Flag of Chile.svg Universidad Católica 1–1 at home, 2–3 away
2007 D.C. United Round of 162–2 (a) Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara 2–1 at home, 0–1 away

Copa Merconorte (defunct)

YearTeamProgressAggregateOpponentsResults
2001 Kansas City Wizards 3rd in group stage Flag of Ecuador.svg Barcelona, Flag of Mexico.svg Santos Laguna, Flag of Peru (state).svg Sporting Cristal
MetroStars 3rd in group stage Flag of Venezuela.svg Deportivo Italchacao, Flag of Mexico.svg Guadalajara, Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios

CONCACAF W Champions Cup

YearTeamProgressScoreOpponent(s)
2024–25 Gotham FC Winners1–0 Flag of Mexico.svg UANL
San Diego Wave FC 3rd in group stage Flag of Mexico.svg América, Flag of the United States.svg Portland Thorns FC, Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Whitecaps FC Girls Elite, Flag of Panama.svg Santa Fe
Portland Thorns FC Third place3–0 Flag of Mexico.svg América
2025–26 Orlando Pride
Washington Spirit
Gotham FC

FIFA Women's Champions Cup

YearTeamProgressScoreOpponent(s)
2026 Gotham FC semi-finals

FIFA Women's Club World Cup

YearTeamProgressScoreOpponent(s)
2028 Gotham FC Group stage

Appearances in CONCACAF competitions

Men's clubs

As of March 11, 2021.

ClubTotal Stats [A] CLSLGCCWCOtherFirst AppearanceLast Appearance
AppsPldWDLWin%
A.A.C. Eagles 12002.00010000 1991 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Atlanta United FC 39613.65020001 2019 CONCACAF Champions League 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Brooklyn Italians 410217.25030100 1980 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1991 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Chicago Croatian 12002.00010000 1985 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Chicago Fire 6201037.57532001 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2019 Leagues Cup
Chivas USA 411245.36413000 2008 North American SuperLiga 2010 North American SuperLiga
Colorado Rapids 512426.41740001 1998 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Columbus Crew 522859.47740100 2001 CONCACAF Giants Cup 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Dallas Rockets 18512.68810000 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
D.C. United 1762261323.524122102 1997 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2020 Leagues Cup
Detroit Express 12002.00010000 1983 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
El Farolito 11001.00000100 1994 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Elizabeth 12011.25010000 1971 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
FC Dallas [B] 523959.50031100 1997 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup 2018 CONCACAF Champions League
Hercules 12002.00010000 1993 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Houston Dynamo 1141161213.53773001 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2019 Leagues Cup
Jacksonville Tea Men 12002.00010000 1984 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
LA Galaxy 1352241414.596101011 1997 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2019 Leagues Cup
Los Angeles FC 15302.60010000 2020 CONCACAF Champions League
Los Angeles Salsa 12011.25010000 1994 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Maccabi Los Angeles 24022.25020000 1974 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1978 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New England Revolution 620956.57533000 2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2010 North American SuperLiga
New York City FC 24202.50010001 2020 CONCACAF Champions League 2021 Leagues Cup
New York Greek American 5133010.23140100 1968 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1995 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
New York Hungaria 14121.50010000 1963 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New York Inter-Giuliana 24004.00020000 1976 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1977 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms 316475.46930000 1982 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1984 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New York Red Bulls [C] 7271179.53750002 2001 Copa Merconorte 2019 CONCACAF Champions League
Orlando City SC 1000000001 2021 Leagues Cup
Philadelphia Ukrainians 12002.00010000 1967 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Philadelphia Union 111001.00010000 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Portland Timbers 39522.66730000 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Real Salt Lake 4231166.60930001 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League 2019 Leagues Cup
Richmond Kickers 14220.75000100 1996 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Rochester Lancers 17322.57110000 1971 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Sacramento Gold 12002.00010000 1980 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
San Francisco Bay Blackhawks 16501.83310000 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
San Francisco Greek-American 12011.25010000 1989 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
San Jose Earthquakes 414725.57140000 2002 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League
San Pedro Yugoslavs 12002.00010000 1987 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Seattle Mitre Eagles 12011.25010000 1988 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Seattle Sounders FC [D] 83817615.52670011 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Soccer Universidad 12002.00010000 1979 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
St. Louis Busch 12101.50010000 1989 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
St. Louis Kutis 12002.00010000 1987 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
St. Petersburg Kickers 13102.33310000 1990 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Sporting Kansas City [E] 93814816.47461002 2001 Copa Merconorte 2021 Leagues Cup
Washington Diplomats 12002.00010000 1988 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Total155539209115215.494114167117

Women's clubs

ClubTotal Stats [A] CCCWCOtherFirst AppearanceLast Appearance
AppsPldWDLWin%
San Diego Wave FC 14301.750100 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Gotham FC 16420.667100 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Portland Thorns FC 16402.667100 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup

Summer Olympics

YearTeamRoundProgress
1904 Christian Brothers College Group stage Runner-up
St. Rose ParishGroup stage Third place

Notes

  1. ^
    For statistical purposes if a team withdrew or forfeited a match, each match that was withdrawn or forfeited is counted as a loss. Double forfeits are counted as a draw. Finally, matches where a team advanced because their opponent with draw are counted as a win for each match their opponent withdrew.
  2. ^
    FC Dallas were called the Dallas Burn from 1996–2004. [11]
  3. ^
    New York Red Bulls were called the MetroStars from 1994–2006. [12]
  4. ^
    This includes CONCACAF and international records collectively held by the NASL Sounders, USL Sounders, and the MLS Sounders.
  5. ^
    Sporting Kansas City were called the Kansas City Wiz from 1995–1996, and Kansas City Wizards from 1996–2011. [13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Concacaf announces qualification criteria for Confederation's expanded Champions League starting in 2024". CONCACAF . June 30, 2022 [First published June 1, 2022]. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. "2011–12 Champions League Qualification". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  3. "Colorado clinch spot in 2017 CONCACAF Champions League, joining Dallas, TFC". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  4. "Portland Timbers headed to 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League after USSF rule change approved". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. "CONCACAF Approves U.S. Soccer's/MLS Request to Amend Their Qualification Process to CONCACAF Champions League". CONCACAF.com. December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  6. "Qualifying Format Unveiled for 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League" (Press release). New York City: Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. May 14, 2008. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  7. "2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Regulations" (PDF). Concacaf. October 25, 2023. pp. 14–19. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  8. "MLS announces competition changes for 2009". November 21, 2008. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  9. Benatar, Orri (January 29, 2025). "MLS adjusts cup qualifying criteria, sending Crew to Leagues Cup and Crew 2 to U.S. Open Cup". Yahoo Sports.
  10. "Concacaf launches region's first official women's continental club competition with annual W Champions Cup". CONCACAF . March 12, 2024 [First published March 12, 2024]. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  11. Hall, Cheryl (July 13, 2013). "Lamar Hunt's soccer vision a pipe dream no more, sons say". The Dallas Morning News . Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  12. Jensen, Ric; Wang, Yawei (January 7, 2008). "How Do Fans React When Sports Teams Are Named After Corporations?". The Sport Journal. Archived from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  13. "Pro Lax in Kansas City?!". Central Iowa Lacrosse & Sports Ramblings. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013.