List of MLS Cup Winners: Past Champions by year, History Since 1996

MLS Cup Champions: Complete list of winners by year, History Since 1996.

Inter Miami’s bold move to bring in Lionel Messi has culminated in a Major League Soccer championship trophy.

Messi delivered two assists in the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6, guiding Miami to a 3–1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, with Rodrigo De Paul netting the decisive goal in the 71st minute.

Since arriving in the summer of 2023, Messi helped the club secure its first trophy—the Leagues Cup—almost immediately. He followed that by earning league MVP honors in 2024 and leading Miami to the Supporters’ Shield, though the team exited in the first round of the playoffs that year.

Miami has continued to build around Messi, reuniting him with former Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, along with Argentina teammate De Paul. Manager Javier Mascherano, who took over ahead of the 2025 season, also played alongside Messi both at Barcelona and with the Argentine national team.

List of MLS Cup Winners: Past Results of every championship game 1996-2025

2025: Inter Miami FC beat Vancouver Whitecaps (Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale), 3-1

2024: Los Angeles Galaxy beat New York Red Bulls (Dignity Health Sports Park), 2-1.

2023: Columbus Crew beat Los Angeles FC (Lower.com Field), 2-1

2022: Los Angeles FC beat Philadelphia Union (Banc of California Stadium), 3-3 (LAFC won penalty shootout, 3-0)

2021: New York City FC beat Portland Timbers (Providence Park), 1-1 (NYCFC won penalty shootout, 4-2)

2020: Columbus Crew beat Seattle Sounders FC (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0

2019: Seattle Sounders FC beat Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1

2018: Atlanta United beat Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0

2017: Toronto FC beat Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0

2016: Seattle Sounders FC beat Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)

2015: Portland Timbers beat Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1

2014: Los Angeles Galaxy beat New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)

2013: Sporting Kansas City beat Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)

2012: Los Angeles Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1

2011: Los Angeles Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0

2010: Colorado Rapids beat FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)

2009: Real Salt Lake beat Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)

2008: Columbus Crew beat New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1

2007: Houston Dynamo beat New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1

2006: Houston Dynamo beat New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)

2005: Los Angeles Galaxy beat New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)

2004: D.C. United beat Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2

2003: San Jose Earthquakes beat Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2

2002: Los Angeles Galaxy beat New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)

2001: San Jose Earthquakes beat Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)

2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0

1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0

1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0

1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1

1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time) 

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