Western Conference (MLS)

Last updated

Western Conference
League Major League Soccer
Sport Soccer
Founded1996
No. of teams14
Most recent
champion(s)		 Los Angeles FC (2023)
(1st title)
Most titles LA Galaxy
(5 titles)
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Current Western Conference teams

The Western Conference is one of Major League Soccer's two conferences, along with the Eastern Conference. As of 2023, the division of the Conferences broadly follows the path of the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, with clubs on, or west of the River in the Western Conference.

Contents

As of 2023, the Western Conference contains fourteen teams. The conference has produced eleven Supporters' Shield champions and seventeen MLS Cup winners in Major League Soccer's first 27 seasons. In 2000 and 2001, the conference was referred to as the Western Division when Major League Soccer briefly reorganized into three divisions.

2024 standings

MLS Western Conference table (2024)
PosTeam
PldWLTGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 LA Galaxy 95132115+618Qualification for Round One and the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One
2 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 8521179+816Qualification for Round One
3 Real Salt Lake 9423158+715
4 Colorado Rapids 94231513+215
5 Minnesota United FC 8422139+414
6 Houston Dynamo FC 843198+113
7 Los Angeles FC 93331514+112
8 Austin FC 93331213−112Qualification for the Wild card round
9 St. Louis City SC 92161514+112
10 Sporting Kansas City 92251716+111
11 Portland Timbers 92341818010
12 Seattle Sounders FC 81439906
13 FC Dallas 8152712−55
14 San Jose Earthquakes 91801324−113
Updated to match(es) played on April 21, 2024. Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) fewer disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored; 8) home goals differential; 9) home goals scored; 10) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)

Members

Current

TeamCityStadium
Austin FC Austin, Texas Austin FC Stadium
Colorado Rapids Commerce City, Colorado Dick's Sporting Goods Park
FC Dallas Frisco, Texas Toyota Stadium
Houston Dynamo FC Houston, Texas BBVA Compass Stadium
LA Galaxy Carson, California StubHub Center
Los Angeles FC Los Angeles, California Banc of California Stadium
Minnesota United FC Saint Paul, Minnesota Allianz Field
Portland Timbers Portland, Oregon Providence Park
Real Salt Lake Sandy, Utah Rio Tinto Stadium
San Jose Earthquakes San Jose, California Earthquakes Stadium
Seattle Sounders FC Seattle, Washington Lumen Field
Sporting Kansas City Kansas City, Kansas Children's Mercy Park
St. Louis City SC St. Louis, Missouri Citypark
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Vancouver, British Columbia BC Place

Timeline

Western Conference (MLS)

Western Conference memberEastern Conference memberCentral Division member

Conference lineups by year

1996 (5 teams)

Changes from 1995: Creation of the Major League Soccer.

1997 (5 teams)

Changes from 1996: Kansas City changed their name from Wiz to Wizards.

1998–99 (6 teams)

  • Chicago Fire
  • Colorado Rapids
  • Dallas Burn
  • Kansas City Wizards
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • San Jose Clash

Changes from 1997: The Chicago Fire was added in the 1998 expansion.

2000–01 (as Western Division) (4 teams)

Changes from 1999: The Western Conference renamed itself the Western Division upon the creation of the Central Division; Chicago Fire and Dallas Burn moved into the new division; The San Jose Clash renamed to the Earthquakes.

2002–04 (5 teams)

  • Colorado Rapids
  • Dallas Burn
  • Kansas City Wizards
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • San Jose Earthquakes

Changes from 2001: The Western Division renamed back to Western Conference following the contraction of the Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny, resulting in the disbanding of the Central Division; Dallas Burn moved in from the Central Division.

2005 (6 teams)

Changes from 2004: Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake were added in the 2005 expansion; Kansas City Wizards moved to the Eastern Conference; The Dallas Burn renamed to FC Dallas.

2006–07 (6 teams)

  • Chivas USA
  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • Real Salt Lake

Changes from 2005: The San Jose Earthquakes was put on hiatus; The Houston Dynamo joined the league as an expansion franchise.

2008 (7 teams)

  • Chivas USA
  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes

Changes from 2007: The San Jose Earthquakes return to MLS after its hiatus.

2009–10 (8 teams)

  • Chivas USA
  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC

Changes from 2008: Seattle Sounders FC were added in the 2009 expansion.

2011–14 (9 teams)

Changes from 2010: The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC were added in the 2011 expansion; Houston Dynamo moved to the Eastern Conference.

2015–16 (10 teams)

  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Changes from 2014: Chivas USA ceases operations; Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo move in from the Eastern Conference. [1]

2017 (11 teams)

  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • Los Angeles Galaxy
  • Minnesota United FC
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Changes from 2016: Minnesota United FC was added in the 2017 expansion. [2]

2018–19 (12 teams)

  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • LA Galaxy
  • Los Angeles FC
  • Minnesota United FC
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Changes from 2017: Los Angeles FC was added in the 2018 expansion.

2020 (12 teams)

  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo
  • LA Galaxy
  • Los Angeles FC
  • Minnesota United FC
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Changes from 2019: Nashville SC was added in the 2020 expansion, but moved to the Eastern Conference since the MLS is Back Tournament up to the end of the 2020 season. [3]

2021 (13 teams)

  • Austin FC
  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo FC
  • LA Galaxy
  • Los Angeles FC
  • Minnesota United FC
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Changes from 2020: Nashville SC moved to the Eastern Conference; [4] Austin FC was added in the 2021 expansion; Houston Dynamo added "FC" to their name.

2022 (14 teams)

  • Austin FC
  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo FC
  • LA Galaxy
  • Los Angeles FC
  • Minnesota United FC
  • Nashville SC
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Change from 2021: Nashville SC moved in from the Eastern Conference. [5] [6]

2023–24 (14 teams)

  • Austin FC
  • Colorado Rapids
  • FC Dallas
  • Houston Dynamo FC
  • LA Galaxy
  • Los Angeles FC
  • Minnesota United FC
  • Portland Timbers
  • Real Salt Lake
  • San Jose Earthquakes
  • Seattle Sounders FC
  • Sporting Kansas City
  • St. Louis City SC
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Changes from 2022: Nashville SC moved back to the Eastern Conference as expansion side St. Louis City SC was added to the Western Conference. [7]

Western Conference playoff champions by year

Note: The conference finals were a best-of-three series through 2001 (including the MLS semifinals in 2000 and 2001, when a conference playoff format was not used). Matches tied after regulation were decided by a shoot-out. In 2002, a similar format was used except that draws were allowed and the team earning the most points advanced. From 2003 through 2011, the Finals were a single match. Matches tied after regulation went to extra time (Golden goal extra time was implemented for 2003 only), then a shoot-out if necessary. Beginning in 2012, the finals were a two-match aggregate series. The away goals rule for series that finished even on aggregate was first implemented in 2014. Extra time and shoot-outs were used if necessary, although away goals did not apply in extra time. In 2019, the playoffs returned to a single match, single elimination format (including the conference finals), which were hosted by the higher placed team in the regular season.

From 2015 to 2021, the Western Conference was represented in the MLS Cup by either Seattle Sounders FC or the Portland Timbers. [8]

Bold MLS Cup champions
SeasonChampionsScoreRunners-up
1996 LA Galaxy 2 matches to 0 Kansas City Wizards
1997 Colorado Rapids 2 matches to 0 Dallas Burn
1998 Chicago Fire 2 matches to 0 LA Galaxy
1999 LA Galaxy 2 matches to 1 Dallas Burn
2000 No conference playoffs
2001 No conference playoffs
2002 LA Galaxy 6 points to 0 Colorado Rapids
2003 San Jose Earthquakes 3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Kansas City Wizards
2004 Kansas City Wizards 2–0 LA Galaxy
2005 LA Galaxy 2–0 Colorado Rapids
2006 Houston Dynamo 3–1 Colorado Rapids
2007 Houston Dynamo 2–0 Kansas City Wizards
2008 New York Red Bulls E1–0 Real Salt Lake
2009 LA Galaxy 2–0 ( a.e.t. ) Houston Dynamo
2010 FC Dallas 3–0 LA Galaxy
2011 LA Galaxy 3–1 Real Salt Lake
2012 LA Galaxy 4–2 agg. Seattle Sounders FC
2013 Real Salt Lake 5–2 agg. Portland Timbers
2014 LA Galaxy 2–2 agg. (a) Seattle Sounders FC
2015 Portland Timbers 5–3 agg. FC Dallas
2016 Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 agg. Colorado Rapids
2017 Seattle Sounders FC 5–0 agg. Houston Dynamo
2018 Portland Timbers 3–2 agg. Sporting Kansas City
2019 Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 Los Angeles FC
2020 Seattle Sounders FC 3–2 Minnesota United FC
2021 Portland Timbers 2–0 Real Salt Lake
2022 Los Angeles FC 3–0 Austin FC
2023 Los Angeles FC 2–0 Houston Dynamo FC

E – Eastern Conference team.

Western Conference Champion counts by team

As of the 2023 season, a total of fourteen different teams have competed in the Western Conference finals, and twelve of those teams have won at least once. In the table below, teams are ordered first by the number of appearances in a Western Conference finals, then by the number of wins, and finally by year. Note that this table does not include years that a Western Conference team appeared in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs (such as 2010), and it does include appearances by Eastern Conference teams. Chivas USA (defunct), Nashville SC, St. Louis City SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC have never made it to the Western Conference finals.

ClubAppearancesWinsLossesMost recent Year of Appearance
LA Galaxy 11832014
Seattle Sounders FC 6422020
Houston Dynamo FC 5232023
Colorado Rapids 5142016
Sporting Kansas City 5142007
FC Dallas 4132015
Real Salt Lake 4132013
Portland Timbers 4312021
New York Red Bulls (Eastern Conference team)1102008
San Jose Earthquakes 1102003
Chicago Fire FC (now in Eastern Conference)1101998
Minnesota United FC 1012020
Los Angeles FC 3212023
Austin FC 1012022

Western Conference regular season champions by year

Bold Supporters' Shield champions
YearTeamRecord (W–L–T) (GD)Playoffs result
1996 LA Galaxy 19–13–0^ (+10)Lost MLS Cup
1997 Kansas City Wizards 21–11–0^ (+6)Lost conference semifinals
1998 LA Galaxy 24–8–0^ (+41)Lost conference finals
1999 LA Galaxy 20–12–0^ (+20)Lost MLS Cup
2000 Kansas City Wizards 16–7–9 (+18)Won MLS Cup
2001 LA Galaxy†14–7–5 (+16)Lost Semifinals
2002 LA Galaxy 16–9–3 (+11)Won MLS Cup
2003 San Jose Earthquakes 14–7–9 (+10)Won MLS Cup
2004 Kansas City Wizards 14–9–7 (+8)Lost MLS Cup
2005 San Jose Earthquakes 18–4–10 (+22)Lost conference semifinals
2006 FC Dallas 16–12–4 (+4)Lost conference semifinals
2007 Chivas USA 15–7–8 (+18)Lost conference semifinals
2008 Houston Dynamo 13–5–12 (+13)Lost conference semifinals
2009 LA Galaxy 12–6–12 (+5)Lost MLS Cup
2010 LA Galaxy 18–7–5 (+18)Lost conference finals
2011 LA Galaxy 19–5–10 (+20)Won MLS Cup
2012 San Jose Earthquakes 19–6–9 (+29)Lost conference semifinals
2013 Portland Timbers 14–5–15 (+21)Lost conference finals
2014 Seattle Sounders FC 20–10–4 (+15)Lost conference finals
2015 FC Dallas 18–10–6 (+13)Lost conference finals
2016 FC Dallas 17–8–9 (+10)Lost conference semifinals
2017 Portland Timbers 15–11–8 (+10)Lost conference semifinals
2018 Sporting Kansas City 18–8–8 (+25)Lost conference finals
2019 Los Angeles FC 21–4–9 (+48)Lost conference finals
2020 Sporting Kansas City 12–6–3 (+13)Lost conference semifinals
2021 Colorado Rapids 17–7–10 (+16)Lost conference semifinals
2022 Los Angeles FC 21–9–4 (+28)Won MLS Cup
2023 St. Louis City SC 17–12–5 (+17)Lost first round

^ – MLS did not have draws until the 2000 season.
† – The LA Galaxy were declared winners of the Western Division in 2001 after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks forced the cancellation of the rest of the regular season. The MLS Cup Playoffs began on September 20.

MLS West at the MLS All-Star Game

In 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2004, the Major League Soccer All-Star Game was contested between an all-star team from the Western Conference against an all-star team from the Eastern Conference. In total, the MLS West all-star team has 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses against the east.

Yearly results
YearResultScoreSeries
1996 Lost2–3East 1–0–0
1997 Lost4–5East 2–0–0
1999 Won6–4East 2–1–0
2000 Lost4–9East 3–1–0
2001 Tied6–6East 3–1–1
2004 Lost2–3East 4–1–1

See also

Related Research Articles

The 2012 Major League Soccer season was the 17th season of Major League Soccer. It was also the 100th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 34th with a national first-division league.

The 2012 Colorado Rapids season was the team's eighteenth year of existence. The team's first match was on March 10 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The 2012 Chivas USA season was the club's eighth year of existence. It was the club's eighth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top division in American soccer. Chivas USA competed in Major League Soccer's Western Conference.

The 2012 FC Dallas season was the seventeenth of the team's existence. The team's first game was on March 11 at FC Dallas Stadium. The team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

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The 2013 Chivas USA season was the club's ninth season of existence, and their ninth season in Major League Soccer, the top tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids. Chivas USA looked to rebound off a disappointing season, which saw the club finish at the bottom of the Western Conference table.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Minnesota United FC season</span> Minnesota United FC 2021 soccer season

The 2021 Minnesota United FC season was the club's fifth in Major League Soccer. Their season began on April 16, 2021 where they lost to the Seattle Sounders FC 4-0 in Seattle. The club will play its home matches at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The club reached the MLS Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive year, but lost in their first match to the Portland Timbers.

The 2022 Nashville SC season was the club's third season as a member of Major League Soccer. The club returned to the Western Conference following the addition of Charlotte FC to the Eastern Conference.

References

  1. ↑ "MLS announces new strategy for Los Angeles market, 2015 conference alignment". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Atlanta to join Eastern Conference in 2017, Minnesota to compete in West". Major League Soccer. August 20, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Nashville SC moves to Eastern Conference for remainder of 2020 season". MLSsoccer.com. June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  4. ↑ Hills, Drake (December 8, 2020). "MLS Commissioner: Nashville SC in Eastern Conference next season but spot unknown beyond 2021". Tennessean. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ "MLS Announces 2022 Schedule Format & Conference Alignment". MLSSoccer.com. MLS Digital. November 5, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  6. ↑ Hills, Drake (November 5, 2021). "MLS reassigns Nashville SC to Western Conference for 2022 season. Here's what it means". Tennessean. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  7. ↑ "MLS moving Nashville SC back to Eastern Conference". September 30, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Portland Timbers win continues Pacific Northwest dominance of Western Conference titles". MLSsoccer.com. December 4, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
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