List of MLS club post-season droughts
These are lists of active and all-time Major League Soccer (MLS) droughts in the MLS Cup Playoffs, CONCACAF Champions League, U.S. Open Cup, and Canadian Championship. Those teams which have never made it in club history are listed by the season that they entered the league.
Among the current 28 MLS clubs to have completed at least one season, 14 have never won the MLS Cup. The longest MLS Cup drought is jointly held by FC Dallas, New England Revolution, and New York Red Bulls, all of whom have played in every MLS season without ever winning the championship. Among those clubs which have won the MLS Cup, the longest title drought is that of Chicago Fire, who have not won the honor since winning MLS Cup 1998. 15 clubs have never won the Supporters' Shield, with Colorado Rapids being the only club to play in every season without ever winning the Shield. Among those clubs who have won the Shield, the longest drought is that of Sporting Kansas City who have not won it since the 2000 Major League Soccer season.
The only team that has never qualified for the post-season tournament is Charlotte FC, who debuted in 2022.
Longest active droughts
MLS Cup Playoffs appearance
Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include clubs that made the post-season as of that year.
Club | Last appearance in post-season |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|
Chicago Fire FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
D.C. United | 2019 | 3 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2020 | 2 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Toronto FC | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | 2021 | 1 season |
Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 1 season |
Colorado Rapids | 2021 | 1 season |
New England Revolution | 2021 | 1 season |
Portland Timbers | 2021 | 1 season |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2021 | 1 season |
Sporting Kansas City | 2021 | 1 season |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2021 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Conference Semifinals appearance
Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include clubs that reached the Conference Semifinals that year.
Club | Last appearance in MLS Cup Conference Semifinals |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|
Chicago Fire FC | 2009 | 13 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 10 seasons |
D.C. United | 2015 | 7 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | 2018 | 4 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | 2019 | 3 seasons |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Toronto FC | 2019 | 3 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Minnesota United FC | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Orlando City SC | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 1 season |
Colorado Rapids | 2021 | 1 season |
Nashville SC | 2021 | 1 season |
New England Revolution | 2021 | 1 season |
Portland Timbers | 2021 | 1 season |
Real Salt Lake | 2021 | 1 season |
Sporting Kansas City | 2021 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Conference Finals appearance
Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season. Does not include clubs that reached the Conference Finals that year.
Club | Last appearance in MLS Cup Conference Final |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|
Chicago Fire | 2009 | 13 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2010 | 12 seasons |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons |
D.C. United | 2012 | 10 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2014 | 8 seasons |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2015 | 7 seasons |
CF Montréal | 2016 | 6 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2016 | 6 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 4 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | 2018 | 4 seasons |
Sporting Kansas City | 2018 | 4 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | 2019 | 3 seasons |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Toronto FC | 2019 | 3 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Minnesota United FC | 2020 | 2 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 1 season |
Portland Timbers | 2021 | 1 season |
Real Salt Lake | 2021 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Final appearance
Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season. Does not include clubs that appeared in MLS Cup 2022.
Club | Last appearance in MLS Cup final |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|
Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 19 seasons |
D.C. United | 2004 | 18 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 17 seasons1 |
New York Red Bulls | 2008 | 14 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 12 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2010 | 12 seasons |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons |
CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 11 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2012 | 10 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | 2013 | 9 seasons |
Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 9 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2014 | 8 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2014 | 8 seasons |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons |
Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 6 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | 2018 | 4 seasons |
FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 4 seasons |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Toronto FC | 2019 | 3 seasons |
Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 2 season |
Columbus Crew | 2020 | 2 season |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2020 | 2 season |
Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 1 season |
New York City FC | 2021 | 1 season |
Portland Timbers | 2021 | 1 season |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
MLS Cup championship
Updated through 2021 Major League Soccer season. Does not include the winner of MLS Cup 2021 (New York City FC).
Club | Last MLS Cup | Subsequent final losses | Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2010 | 26 seasons |
New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 | 26 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008 | 26 seasons |
Chicago Fire FC | 1998 | 2000, 2003 | 23 seasons |
D.C. United | 2004 | 17 seasons | |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 16 seasons1 | |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2007 | 2011, 2012 | 14 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | 2009 | 2013 | 12 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 12 seasons | |
Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 11 seasons | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 11 seasons | |
CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 10 seasons | |
Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 8 seasons | |
LA Galaxy | 2014 | 7 seasons | |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 7 seasons | |
Portland Timbers | 2015 | 2018, 2021 | 6 seasons |
Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 5 seasons | |
Los Angeles FC | never (club entered MLS in 2018) | 4 seasons | |
Toronto FC | 2017 | 2019 | 4 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | 2018 | 3 seasons | |
FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 3 seasons | |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 2 seasons | |
Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 2 seasons | |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2019 | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 1 season | |
Columbus Crew | 2020 | 1 season |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
Supporters' Shield win
Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include the current holder of the Supporters' Shield (Los Angeles FC).
Club | Last Supporters' Shield won | Length of drought |
---|---|---|
Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 27 seasons |
Sporting Kansas City | 2000 | 22 seasons |
Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 19 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 18 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | never (club entered MLS in 2006) | 17 seasons |
D.C. United | 2007 | 15 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2009 | 13 seasons |
Portland Timbers | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons |
CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 11 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2011 | 11 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 10 seasons |
New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2014 | 8 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 6 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2016 | 6 seasons |
Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 6 seasons |
Toronto FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 4 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | 2018 | 4 seasons |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons |
Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 2 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | 2020 | 2 seasons |
Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 1 season |
New England Revolution | 2021 | 1 season |
CONCACAF Champions League appearance
Updated through 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.
- 1 The first CONCACAF Champions League was in 2008–09. Dates before this reference qualification for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
- 2 Seattle Sounders FC qualified for the 2015-16 Champions League twice by winning both the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup. Their second berth was passed to the best US-based club in the Supporters' Shield standings not yet qualified.
- 3 This club qualified for the Champions League through multiple pathways.
- 4 This club played in another league before joining MLS and could have qualified for the Champions League by winning the U.S. Open Cup. This table only counts their droughts from when they joined MLS.
- 5 Toronto FC won MLS Cup 2017, but were ineligible for the Champions League berth because they are a Canadian club. The berth was passed to the best US-based club in the aggregate 2017 and 2018 MLS Supporters' Shield standings not yet qualified.
- 6 The 2020 U.S. Open Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. US Soccer decided to award the spot which would ordinarily go to its champion to the previous year's champion.
- 7 The final of the 2020 Canadian Championship was unable to be held prior to the start of the 2021 champions league due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Canada Soccer selected Toronto FC, one of the finalists, as Canada's representative.
- 8 The 2021 U.S. Open Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. US Soccer decided to award the spot which would ordinarily go to its champion to the best US-based club in the Supporters' Shield standings not yet qualified.
- 9 The winner of MLS Cup 2022 qualified for the 2023 Champions League twice. Their second berth was passed to the best US-based club in the Supporters' Shield standings not yet qualified.
Domestic cup championship
Updated through 2022 U.S. Open Cup and 2022 Canadian Championship.
Club | Last domestic cup won | Subsequent final losses | Length of drought1 |
---|---|---|---|
Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 1999 | 25 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2003, 2017 | 25 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 23 seasons2 | |
Columbus Crew | 2002 U.S. Open Cup | 2010 | 18 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 2013 | 16 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2005 U.S. Open Cup | 2006 | 15 seasons |
Chicago Fire | 2006 U.S. Open Cup | 2011 | 14 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2007 U.S. Open Cup | 2016 | 13 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2014, 2015, 2018 | 11 seasons |
Portland Timbers | never (club entered MLS in 2011)3 | 10 seasons | |
D.C. United | 2013 U.S. Open Cup | 7 seasons | |
New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 6 seasons | |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2014 U.S. Open Cup | 6 seasons | |
FC Dallas | 2016 U.S. Open Cup | 4 seasons | |
Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017)3 | 2019 | 4 seasons |
Los Angeles FC | never (club entered MLS in 2018) | 3 seasons | |
Sporting Kansas City | 2017 U.S. Open Cup | 3 seasons | |
FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019)3 | 2 seasons | |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2018 U.S. Open Cup | 2 seasons | |
Toronto FC | 2020 Canadian Championship | 2021, 2022 | 2 seasons4 |
Atlanta United FC | 2019 U.S. Open Cup | 1 season | |
Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 1 season | |
CF Montréal | 2021 Canadian Championship | 1 season4 | |
Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 1 season | |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 1 season | |
Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020)3 | 1 season |
- 1 Does not include 2020 and 2021 when the U.S. Open Cup was canceled.
- 2 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
- 3 FC Cincinnati, Minnesota United FC, Nashville SC, and Portland Timbers played in other leagues before joining MLS and competed in the U.S. Open Cup during those years. This table only counts their droughts from when they joined MLS.
- 4 The final of the 2020 Canadian Championship did not take place until after the conclusion of the 2021 tournament. This table nevertheless treats the 2020 tournament as happening before the 2021 tournament.
Longest all-time droughts
Each list below shows the 20 longest droughts, plus ties, in the given category.
MLS Cup Playoffs appearance
The list only includes MLS clubs that failed to make the playoffs for three or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season.
MLS Cup Conference Semifinals appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to make the conference semifinals for three or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season.
Club | Previous appearance in MLS Cup Conference Semifinal |
Next appearance in MLS Cup Conference Semifinal |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
Chicago Fire FC | 2009 | 13 seasons | |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 10 seasons | |
Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2016 | 9 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | 2011 | 2019 | 7 seasons |
D.C. United | 2015 | 7 seasons | |
Chivas USA | 2009 | never (club folded after 2014) | 5 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2014 | 2020 | 5 seasons |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 2020 | 5 seasons |
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | 2016 | 2022 | 5 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2017 | 5 seasons | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2017 | 5 seasons | |
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes | 1996 | 2001 | 4 seasons |
D.C. United | 2007 | 2012 | 4 seasons |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 2015 | 4 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2011 | 2016 | 4 seasons |
Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 2018 | 4 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2016 | 2021 | 4 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | 2018 | 4 seasons | |
D.C. United | 1999 | 2003 | 3 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2004 | 2008 | 3 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 2008 | 3 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2005 | 2009 | 3 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2006 | 2010 | 3 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2009 | 2013 | 3 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2010 | 2014 | 3 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2010 | 2014 | 3 seasons |
Montreal Impact | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 2015 | 3 seasons |
Houston Dynamo | 2013 | 2017 | 3 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | 2014 | 2018 | 3 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2016 | 2020 | 3 seasons |
FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 2022 | 3 seasons |
Atlanta United FC | 2019 | 3 seasons | |
Inter Miami CF | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 3 seasons | |
Toronto FC | 2019 | 3 seasons |
MLS Cup Conference Finals appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to make the conference finals for five or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season.
Club | Previous appearance in MLS Cup Conference Final |
Next appearance in MLS Cup Conference Final |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
Chicago Fire | 2009 | 13 seasons | |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2010 | 12 seasons | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons | |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2021 | 11 seasons |
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | 1999 | 2010 | 10 seasons |
Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
D.C. United | 2012 | 10 seasons | |
Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2016 | 9 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2014 | 8 seasons | |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons | |
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | 2000 | 2008 | 7 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | 2013 | 2021 | 7 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2015 | 7 seasons | |
New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2002 | 6 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2007 | 2014 | 6 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2008 | 2015 | 6 seasons |
New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 2021 | 6 seasons |
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | 2016 | 6 seasons | |
Colorado Rapids | 2016 | 6 seasons | |
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2001 | 5 seasons |
Tampa Bay Mutiny | 1996 | never (club folded after 2001) | 5 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2002 | 2008 | 5 seasons |
D.C. United | 2006 | 2012 | 5 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | 2008 | 2014 | 5 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 2016 | 5 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2014 | 2020 | 5 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2017 | 5 seasons |
MLS Cup Final appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to make the MLS Cup final for eight or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season.
Club | Previous appearance in MLS Cup Final |
Next appearance in MLS Cup Final |
Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 19 seasons | |
D.C. United | 2004 | 18 seasons | |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 17 seasons1 | |
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2010 | 14 seasons |
New York Red Bulls | 2008 | 14 seasons | |
Columbus Crew | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008 | 12 seasons |
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008 | 12 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 1997 | 2010 | 12 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2022 | 12 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 12 seasons | |
FC Dallas | 2010 | 12 seasons | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons | |
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 11 seasons | |
Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
Houston Dynamo | 2012 | 10 seasons | |
Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2016 | 9 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | 2013 | 9 seasons | |
Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 9 seasons | |
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City | 2004 | 2013 | 8 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2014 | 8 seasons | |
New England Revolution | 2014 | 8 seasons | |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
MLS Cup championship
The list only includes clubs that failed to win an MLS Cup championship for seven or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2021 Major League Soccer season.
Club | Previous championship | Next championship | Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 26 seasons | |
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 26 seasons | |
New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 26 seasons | |
Chicago Fire | 1998 | 23 seasons | |
D.C. United | 2004 | 17 seasons | |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 16 seasons1 | |
Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2010 | 14 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | 2007 | 14 seasons | |
Columbus Crew | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008 | 12 seasons |
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City | 2000 | 2013 | 12 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 12 seasons | |
Real Salt Lake | 2009 | 12 seasons | |
Columbus Crew | 2008 | 2020 | 11 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 11 seasons | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 11 seasons | |
Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2017 | 10 seasons |
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 10 seasons | |
Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 8 seasons | |
Seattle Sounders FC | never (club entered MLS in 2009) | 2016 | 7 seasons |
LA Galaxy | 2014 | 7 seasons | |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 7 seasons |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
Supporters' Shield win
The list only includes clubs that failed to win a Supporters' Shield for eight or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2022 Major League Soccer season.
Club | Previous Supporters' Shield won | Next Supporters' Shield won | Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 27 seasons | |
New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2021 | 25 seasons |
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City | 2000 | 22 seasons | |
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2016 | 20 seasons |
Chicago Fire | 2003 | 19 seasons | |
Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 18 seasons | |
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2013 | 17 seasons |
Houston Dynamo FC | never (club entered MLS in 2006) | 17 seasons | |
D.C. United | 2007 | 15 seasons | |
Columbus Crew | 2009 | 13 seasons | |
Portland Timbers | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 12 seasons | |
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 11 seasons | |
LA Galaxy | 2011 | 11 seasons | |
Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2017 | 10 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2020 | 10 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 10 seasons | |
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2005 | 9 seasons |
Columbus Crew | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2004 | 8 seasons |
New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons | |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 8 seasons | |
Seattle Sounders FC | 2014 | 8 seasons |
CONCACAF Champions League appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League for five or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.
Club | Previous Champions League qualification | Next Champions League qualification | Length of drought |
---|---|---|---|
Chicago Fire FC | 20041 | 19 seasons | |
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2011–12 | 14 seasons |
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2009–10 | 12 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 19981 | 2011–12 | 12 seasons |
New England Revolution | 2008–09 | 2022 | 12 seasons |
Columbus Crew | 2010-11 | 2021 | 9 seasons |
Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2021 | 9 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 2013–14 | 9 seasons | |
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City | 20051 | 2013-14 | 8 seasons |
Chivas USA | 2008–09 | never (club folded after 2014) | 7 seasons |
D.C. United | 2015–16 | 7 seasons | |
LA Galaxy | 2015–16 | 7 seasons | |
Real Salt Lake | 2015–16 | 7 seasons | |
Columbus Crew | 20031 | 2009–10 | 6 seasons |
San Jose Earthquakes | 20041 | 2013–14 | 6 seasons2 |
Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015)3 | 2023 | 6 seasons |
Columbus Crew | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 20031 | 5 seasons |
New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 20031 | 5 seasons |
Tampa Bay Mutiny | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | never (club folded after 2001) | 5 seasons |
Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 2010–11 | 5 seasons |
Colorado Rapids | 2011–12 | 2018 | 5 seasons |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2015–16 | 2023 | 5 seasons |
FC Dallas | 2018 | 5 seasons | |
Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017)3 | 5 seasons |
- 1 The first CONCACAF Champions League was in 2008–09. Dates before this reference qualification for the CONCACAF Champions' Cup.
- 2 Does not include the 2007, 2008, and 2008−09 tournaments which San Jose could not qualify for due to being on hiatus.
- 3 This club played in another league before joining MLS and could have qualified for the Champions League by winning the U.S. Open Cup. This table only counts its drought from when it joined MLS.
Domestic cup championship
The list only includes clubs that failed to win the U.S. Open Cup or Canadian Championship for six or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2022 U.S. Open Cup and 2022 Canadian Championship.
- 1 Does not include 2020–2021 when the U.S. Open Cup was canceled.
- 2 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
- 3 Portland Timbers played in other leagues before joining MLS and competed in the U.S. Open Cup during those years. This table only counts its drought from when it joined MLS.
Metro areas awaiting first MLS Cup
This list includes only metropolitan areas that have a club currently playing in MLS. Updated through 2021 Major League Soccer season.
Metro area | Seasons waited |
MLS Cup Final appearances |
MLS team(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Boston | 26 | 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 | New England Revolution |
Dallas | 26 | 2010 | FC Dallas |
Philadelphia | 12 | never | Philadelphia Union |
Vancouver | 11 | never | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
Montreal | 10 | never | CF Montréal |
Orlando | 7 | never | Orlando City SC |
Miami | 6 | never | Miami Fusion, Inter Miami CF |
Minneapolis | 5 | never | Minnesota United FC |
Cincinnati | 3 | never | FC Cincinnati |
Nashville | 2 | never | Nashville SC |
Austin | 1 | never | Austin FC |