Messi and Inter Miami on the brink of a historic triumph

Major League Soccer has been on an impressive high these last couple of years, and one of the reasons behind the hype that's been going around is the Supporters' Shield. For the benefit of those who might not know, this is a trophy given to the team that finishes atop the table at the end of the regular season. And trust me, winning the Supporters' Shield isn't reserved for just anyone.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

We are talking about a prize which asks for consistency, talent, and so much resilience. Unlike the playoffs, where results can be really unpredictable, the Supporters' Shield is an award to regularity. The champion of the regular season is the one that wins in the marathon, not only in the final sprint.

Supporters' Shield Road

Since its first year in 1999, the trophy has changed hands many times and reflects exactly how MLS is a league of surprises and quick changes. For example, both D.C. United and LA Galaxy top the chart with four titles each, but the real beauty of the Supporters' Shield is in the variety of teams that have hoisted this trophy.

Let's go back in time and have a look at those historic teams who have made it and grabbed the trophy throughout the years. A sum of 15 teams has won the Supporters' Shield; this being a number signaling the league's competitiveness. Of those champions, New York Red Bulls stands out with three wins as does Columbus Crew. Other teams like FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC, and Chicago Fire have made it too.

Inter Miami CF v New England Revolution / Tim Bouwer/ISI Photos/GettyImages

What impresses, however, is how MLS keeps reinventing itself. The clubs which have just been at the bottom of the table, quickly became powerhouses. All this unpredictability makes the league exciting; therefore more and more soccer fans from the U.S. and worldwide prefer it. Disappointments and Comebacks

Of course, the regular-season champion doesn't always take home the playoff title. MLS history is full of teams that dominated the regular season but couldn't maintain that momentum in the playoffs. LA Galaxy, for example, has been on top of the Supporter's Shield four times but only converted that into MLS Cup titles twice: 2002 and 2011.

And who could forget New England Revolution in 2021? A record in MLS points was equaled at 73 in that incredible season, but they couldn't show up in the postseason glory. Quite truthfully, though the Supporters' Shield may be one of the most prestigious, it sometimes just doesn't equate to ultimate success in the playoffs. Even the best of the best do fall.

Inter Miami's Turnaround

In 2024, Inter Miami CF is about to join that club. What a change for a team that was fighting desperately just one year ago to stay off the bottom of the table. Soccer is full of surprises, and the addition of international stars such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets has completely flipped the script for Miami.

This is a strong lead, with 65 points on the board, between Inter Miami and competitors. With seven points separating them from LA Galaxy, a win in the next round mathematically secures the trophy. Even with a draw, the chances of their clinching the Supporters' Shield remain good. All in all, it's a spectacular turn for a team once thought to be average.

Charlotte FC v Inter Miami CF / Megan Briggs/GettyImages

Competitiveness of MLS and Legacy of the Supporters' Shield

Looking back into Supporters' Shield history means looking at how Major League Soccer came to be one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Since its founding in 1996, MLS was designed to be different from the major soccer leagues around the globe. The Supporters' Shield is an important part of that identity, rewarding the most consistent club throughout the season.

But the road to the hardware isn't exactly linear. In 2017, Toronto FC ran roughshod over MLS with 69 points and actually converted that into an MLS Cup victory, something few teams have done. Another memorable example is FC Cincinnati, which, in 2023, shocked the country by capturing the Supporters' Shield with 69 points, just a year after finishing mid-table.

And that is how it goes on with the winner's rotation. Recent history includes championships from the likes of LAFC in 2022, Philadelphia Union in 2020, and New York Red Bulls in 2018-all turning out to be quite unpredictable for MLS. This is very intensive competition; this fact has made it pretty much possible for so many different clubs to win the Supporters' Shield-the dynamic nature of the league.

Supporters' Shield Meaning

Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles FC / Shaun Clark/GettyImages

The Supporters' Shield is way beyond a simple trophy; it is an honor. It stands for the consistency of a team throughout months of tough matches and draining travel. It is not an award that can be won with luck, as it takes planning and a good roster to keep your mentality of winning for that long.

From its modest roots in a supporter-driven movement to its current recognized status by CONCACAF, the Supporters' Shield is an honored trophy in North American soccer. It also carries with it a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, raising the stakes even that much more for clubs fighting for first place in the regular season.

What's Next?

The 2024 season could be a year to remember, as Inter Miami win their first Supporters' Shield with Messi and company at the head. If they continue with this trend, they have all it takes to continue dominating Major League Soccer for seasons yet to come.

More unpredictable and thrilling, day after day, Inter Miami at the top is preparing MLS for something exciting. We once again have the Supporters' Shield as a barometer of excellence to crown the best team that overcame all the challenges of the tough season.

So, who will be next to leave an indelible mark on this much-coveted trophy? Only time can tell, but one thing for sure is that the Supporters' Shield has remained one of the biggest labels of strength and competitiveness in Major League Soccer.

Supporters' Shield Champions Over the Years

The Supporters' Shield winners actually depict what competitive spirit MLS has. Since the institution of this trophy back in 1999, different clubs have had different winning moments. Here's a list of the champions over the years.

1996 – Tampa Bay Mutiny – 58 points
1997 – D.C. United – 55 points
1998 – LA Galaxy – 68 points
1999 – D.C. United – 57 points
2000 – Kansas City Wizards – 53 points
2001 – Miami Fusion – 53 points
2002 – LA Galaxy – 51 points
2003 – Chicago Fire – 53 points
2004 – Columbus Crew – 49 points
2005 – San Jose Earthquakes – 64 points
2006 – D.C. United – 55 points
2007 – D.C. United – 55 points
2008 – Columbus Crew – 57 points
2009 – Columbus Crew – 49 points
2010 – LA Galaxy – 59 points
2011 – LA Galaxy – 67 points
2012 – San Jose Earthquakes – 66 points
2013 – New York Red Bulls – 59 points
2014 – Seattle Sounders – 64 points
2015 – New York Red Bulls – 60 points
2016 – FC Dallas – 60 points
2017 – Toronto FC – 69 points
2018 – New York Red Bulls – 71 points
2019 – Los Angeles FC – 72 points
2020 – Philadelphia Union – 47 points (shortened season)
2021 – New England Revolution – 73 points
2022 – Los Angeles FC – 67 points
2023 – FC Cincinnati – 69 points

While we can see the dominance of early teams like D.C. United and LA Galaxy, MLS showed us time and again that the landscape is never permanent. Nowadays, clubs like Los Angeles FC, New York Red Bulls, and now Inter Miami CF have been reshaping the league's future.

feed