Apr 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot outside Toyota Park prior to a game between the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
#9 – Chicago Fire
Matches Played: 642
Wins: 258
Percentage: 40.2%
It will be nearly impossible for any expansion team to ever top the Chicago Fire’s entrance to MLS. Joining the league in 1998, the club went on to win the MLS Cup (as well as the US Open Cup) in their debut season. However, that also marked the franchise’s one and only MLS title. 2003 marked the closest they’ve gotten, winning the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference title before losing to the San Jose Earthquakes in the final.
Chicago’s most successful years are beginning to drift back in memory. The club finished in the top three in their conference ten of their first 12 years in the league. The past few years have not been kind to the Fire, winning eight or fewer matches each season since 2014. That likely dropped them a few spots, but even with those poor years their, position in 9th illustrates the franchise’s successful history. Not to mention their great US Open Cup runs and titles.