Supporters' Shield

The Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield is the annual award granted to Major League Soccer (MLS ) to the point best team in the regular season. The award has been awarded since 1998 and has been with the Presidents' Trophy for the National Hockey League comparable.

Background

As in most other North American professional leagues such as the National Basketball Association or the National Football League, the Championship is decided by a playoff round in the MLS. The fans of the MLS clubs but wanted a ceremony for the team that would win in the traditional way the championship: the team that has the most points after the regular season. Thus it came to the introduction of the MLS Supporters' Shield, which was first awarded after the 1998 season. For the seasons 1996 and 1997, the awards have been made subsequently.

Even if it is an unofficial ceremony, the Supporters ' Shield is recognized by the MLS. In February 2006, the MLS, decided that the winner of the Supporters' Shields and the winner of MLS Cup represent the USA in the former CONCACAF Champions Cup now both teams in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League are set.

Mode

In the MLS, there are per game three points for a win and one point for a draw. The team that accumulates the most points during the regular season is the winner. If two or more teams finish the season tied applies first direct comparison between these teams. First, the number of points, then goal difference and then the number of goals scored be used. Should there still be a tie, this procedure is done again with the Away Games. If there is still a tie, the home games are used. If still a tie before, wins the team that has the fewer " Aryan discipline points ". Finally decided by a coin toss.

Previous titleholders

¹ Until 1999, there were three points for a win, one point for a win after shootout and no points for a defeat. As of 2000, there are three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a defeat. The score in parentheses in the seasons from 1996 to 1999 indicate how many points the teams would have achieved if the rules would have been valid at the time as of 2000.

A bad omen

Winning the Supporters' Shield has not always proven to be a good omen. Of the previous 17 Supporters' Shield winners won only six then the championship. A winner was runner-up after all.

Five Supporters' Shield winner missed the following season, the playoff round. 2001 won the Miami Fusion, the Supporters' Shield, but were disbanded after the season. The 2005 champion San Jose Earthquakes were relocated after the season and replaced by Houston Dynamo.

Trivia

• Only four teams have the Supporters ' Shield won more than once. D.C. United ( 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007 ), Los Angeles Galaxy ( 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011 ), Columbus Crew ( 2004, 2008, 2009) and the San Jose Earthquakes (2005 and 2012 ).

• Eleven times the Supporters ' Shield of teams in the Eastern Conference / Division was won. The Western Conference / Division was seven times successfully. The former Central Division could provide no winner.