List of MLS club post-season droughts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 29 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 New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, and FC Dallas 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 FC, 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.

List of active droughts[edit]

MLS Cup Playoffs appearance[edit]

Updated through 2023 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 6 seasons
D.C. United 2019 4 seasons
Toronto FC 2020 3 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2021 2 seasons
Portland Timbers 2021 2 seasons
Austin FC 2022 1 season
CF Montréal 2022 1 season
Inter Miami CF 2022 1 season
LA Galaxy 2022 1 season
Minnesota United FC 2022 1 season
New York City FC 2022 1 season

MLS Cup Round One appearance[edit]

Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include clubs that reached Round One as of that year.

Club Last appearance
in Round One
Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2017 6 seasons
D.C. United 2019 4 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2020 3 seasons
Toronto FC 2020 3 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2021 2 seasons
Portland Timbers 2021 2 seasons
Austin FC 2022 1 season
CF Montréal 2022 1 season
Inter Miami CF 2022 1 season
LA Galaxy 2022 1 season
Minnesota United FC 2022 1 season
New York City FC 2022 1 season

MLS Cup Conference Semifinals appearance[edit]

Updated through 2023 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 14 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 11 seasons
D.C. United 2015 8 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2017 6 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2018 5 seasons
Atlanta United FC 2019 4 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Toronto FC 2019 4 seasons
Minnesota United FC 2020 3 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2021 2 seasons
Nashville SC 2021 2 seasons
New England Revolution 2021 2 seasons
Portland Timbers 2021 2 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2021 2 seasons
Austin FC 2022 1 season
CF Montréal 2022 1 season
FC Dallas 2022 1 season
LA Galaxy 2022 1 season
New York City FC 2022 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 1 season

MLS Cup Conference Finals appearance[edit]

Updated through 2023 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 FC 2009 14 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2010 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
D.C. United 2012 11 seasons
LA Galaxy 2014 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
FC Dallas 2015 8 seasons
CF Montréal 2016 7 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2016 7 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2018 5 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2018 5 seasons
Atlanta United FC 2019 4 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Nashville SC never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Toronto FC 2019 4 seasons
Minnesota United FC 2020 3 seasons
New England Revolution 2020 3 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2020 3 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
Portland Timbers 2021 2 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2021 2 seasons
Austin FC 2022 1 season
New York City FC 2022 1 season
Philadelphia Union 2022 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 1 season

MLS Cup Final appearance[edit]

Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season. Does not include clubs that appeared in MLS Cup 2023.

Club Last appearance
in MLS Cup final
Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2003 20 seasons
D.C. United 2004 19 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2003 18 seasons1
New York Red Bulls 2008 15 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2010 13 seasons
FC Dallas 2010 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
CF Montréal never (club entered MLS in 2012) 12 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC 2012 11 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2013 10 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2013 10 seasons
LA Galaxy 2014 9 seasons
New England Revolution 2014 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017) 7 seasons
Atlanta United FC 2018 5 seasons
FC Cincinnati never (club entered MLS in 2019) 5 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Nashville SC never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Toronto FC 2019 4 seasons
Austin FC never (club entered MLS in 2021) 3 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2020 3 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
New York City FC 2021 2 seasons
Portland Timbers 2021 2 seasons
Philadelphia Union 2022 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 1 season
1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.

MLS Cup championship[edit]

Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season. Does not include the winner of MLS Cup 2023 (Columbus Crew).

Club Last MLS Cup Subsequent final losses Length of drought
FC Dallas never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2010 28 seasons
New England Revolution never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 28 seasons
New York Red Bulls never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2008 28 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 1998 2000, 2003 25 seasons
D.C. United 2004 19 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2003 18 seasons1
Houston Dynamo FC 2007 2011, 2012 16 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2009 2013 14 seasons
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 2022 14 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2010 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
CF Montréal never (club entered MLS in 2012) 12 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2013 10 seasons
LA Galaxy 2014 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
Portland Timbers 2015 2018, 2021 8 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017) 7 seasons
Toronto FC 2017 2019 6 seasons
Atlanta United FC 2018 5 seasons
FC Cincinnati never (club entered MLS in 2019) 5 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Nashville SC never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2019 2020 4 seasons
Austin FC never (club entered MLS in 2021) 3 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
New York City FC 2021 2 seasons
Los Angeles FC 2022 2023 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 1 season
1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.

Supporters' Shield win[edit]

Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include the current holder of the Supporters' Shield (FC Cincinnati).

Club Last Supporters' Shield won Length of drought
Colorado Rapids never (club entered MLS in 1996) 28 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2000 23 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 2003 20 seasons
Real Salt Lake never (club entered MLS in 2005) 19 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC never (club entered MLS in 2006) 18 seasons
D.C. United 2007 16 seasons
Columbus Crew 2009 14 seasons
Portland Timbers never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
CF Montréal never (club entered MLS in 2012) 12 seasons
LA Galaxy 2011 12 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 11 seasons
New York City FC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2014 9 seasons
Atlanta United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017) 7 seasons
FC Dallas 2016 7 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017) 7 seasons
Toronto FC 2017 6 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2018 5 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Nashville SC never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Austin FC never (club entered MLS in 2021) 3 seasons
Philadelphia Union 2020 3 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
New England Revolution 2021 2 seasons
Los Angeles FC 2022 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 1 season

CONCACAF Champions Cup appearance[edit]

Updated through 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. From the 2008–09 season to the 2023 season, the competition was known as the Champions League before reverting back to the Champions Cup name.

Club Last appearance in
CONCACAF Champions Cup
Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2004 20 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2013–14 10 seasons
D.C. United 2015–16 8 seasons
LA Galaxy 2015–16 8 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2015–16 8 seasons
FC Dallas 2018 6 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017)1 6 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2019 5 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2019 5 seasons
Atlanta United FC 2021 3 seasons
Portland Timbers 2021 3 seasons
Toronto FC 2021 3 seasons
CF Montréal 2022 2 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2022 2 seasons
New York City FC 2022 2 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2022 2 seasons
Austin FC 2023 1 season
Los Angeles FC 2023 1 season
1 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 drought from when they joined MLS.

Domestic cup championship[edit]

Updated through 2023 U.S. Open Cup and 2023 Canadian Championship. This list does not include the current champions (Houston Dynamo FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC).

Club Last domestic cup won Subsequent final losses Length of drought1
Colorado Rapids never (club entered MLS in 1996) 1999 26 seasons
New York Red Bulls never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2003, 2017 26 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes never (club entered MLS in 1996) 24 seasons2
Columbus Crew 2002 U.S. Open Cup 2010 19 seasons
Real Salt Lake never (club entered MLS in 2005) 2013 17 seasons
LA Galaxy 2005 U.S. Open Cup 2006 16 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 2006 U.S. Open Cup 2011 15 seasons
New England Revolution 2007 U.S. Open Cup 2016 14 seasons
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 2014, 2015, 2018 12 seasons
Portland Timbers never (club entered MLS in 2011)3 11 seasons
D.C. United 2013 U.S. Open Cup 8 seasons
New York City FC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 7 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2014 U.S. Open Cup 7 seasons
FC Dallas 2016 U.S. Open Cup 5 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017)3 2019 5 seasons
Los Angeles FC never (club entered MLS in 2018) 4 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2017 U.S. Open Cup 4 seasons
FC Cincinnati never (club entered MLS in 2019)3 3 seasons
Toronto FC 2020 Canadian Championship 2021, 2022 3 seasons4
Atlanta United FC 2019 U.S. Open Cup 2 seasons
Austin FC never (club entered MLS in 2021) 2 seasons
CF Montréal 2021 Canadian Championship 2023 2 seasons4
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 2023 2 seasons
Nashville SC never (club entered MLS in 2020)3 2 seasons
Orlando City SC 2022 U.S. Open Cup 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 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 This club played in another league 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.
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.

Competitive trophy win[edit]

Updated through 2023.

Club Last trophy won Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2006 U.S. Open Cup 17 seasons
Real Salt Lake MLS Cup 2009 14 seasons
Colorado Rapids MLS Cup 2010 13 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 Supporters' Shield 11 seasons
D.C. United 2013 U.S. Open Cup 10 seasons
LA Galaxy MLS Cup 2014 9 seasons
FC Dallas 2016 Supporters' Shield 7 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017) 7 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2017 U.S. Open Cup 6 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2018 Supporters' Shield 5 seasons
Atlanta United FC 2019 U.S. Open Cup 4 seasons
Nashville SC never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Austin FC never (club entered MLS in 2021) 3 seasons
Philadelphia Union 2020 Supporters' Shield 3 seasons
Portland Timbers MLS is Back Tournament 3 seasons
Toronto FC 2020 Canadian Championship 3 seasons
CF Montréal 2021 Canadian Championship 2 seasons
Charlotte FC never (club entered MLS in 2022) 2 seasons
New England Revolution 2021 Supporters' Shield 2 seasons
Los Angeles FC MLS Cup 2022 1 season
New York City FC 2022 Campeones Cup 1 season
Orlando City SC 2022 U.S. Open Cup 1 season
Seattle Sounders FC 2022 CONCACAF Champions League 1 season
St. Louis City SC never (club entered MLS in 2023) 1 season
Columbus Crew MLS Cup 2023 0 seasons
FC Cincinnati 2023 Supporters' Shield 0 seasons
Inter Miami CF 2023 Leagues Cup 0 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC 2023 U.S. Open Cup 0 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2023 Canadian Championship 0 seasons

Longest all-time droughts[edit]

Each list below shows the 20 longest droughts, plus ties, in the given category.

MLS Cup Playoffs appearance[edit]

The list only includes MLS clubs that failed to make the playoffs for three or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous post-season
appearance
Next post-season
appearance
Length of drought
Toronto FC never (club entered MLS in 2007) 2015 8 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 2017 6 seasons
Chivas USA 2009 never (club folded after 2014) 5 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 2020 5 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC 2017 2023 5 seasons
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes 1996 2001 4 seasons
D.C. United 2007 2012 4 seasons
Philadelphia Union 2011 2016 4 seasons
Chicago Fire 2012 2017 4 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 2017 4 seasons
D.C. United 2019 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
Houston Dynamo FC 2013 2017 3 seasons
New England Revolution 2015 2019 3 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2016 2020 3 seasons
Montreal Impact 2016 2020 3 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2017 2021 3 seasons
FC Cincinnati never (club entered MLS in 2019) 2022 3 seasons
Toronto FC 2020 3 seasons

MLS Cup Round One appearance[edit]

The list only includes MLS clubs that failed to make Round One for three or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous appearance Next appearance Length of drought
Toronto FC never (club entered MLS in 2007) 2015 8 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 2017 6 seasons
Chivas USA 20091 never (club folded after 2014) 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 2023 5 seasons
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes 19961 20011 4 seasons
D.C. United 20071 20122 4 seasons
Philadelphia Union 20112 2016 4 seasons
Chicago Fire 2012 2017 4 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 20122 2017 4 seasons
D.C. United 2019 4 seasons
D.C. United 19991 20031 3 seasons
Columbus Crew 20041 20081 3 seasons
Real Salt Lake never (club entered MLS in 2005) 20081 3 seasons
LA Galaxy 20051 20091 3 seasons
Colorado Rapids 20061 20101 3 seasons
New England Revolution 20091 20132 3 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC 2013 2017 3 seasons
New England Revolution 2015 2019 3 seasons
Colorado Rapids 20162 2020 3 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2017 2021 3 seasons
FC Cincinnati never (club entered MLS in 2019) 2022 3 seasons
Toronto FC 2020 3 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2020 3 seasons
1 This club did not actually appear in Round One because the round had not yet been created with the playoffs commencing with the Conference Semifinals. For the purposes of this table, the club is treated as if it did appear in Round One.
2 This club did not actually appear in Round One because it received a bye to the Conference Semifinals. For the purposes of this table, the club is treated as if it did appear.

MLS Cup Conference Semifinals appearance[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to make the conference semifinals for four or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous appearance Next appearance Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2009 14 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 11 seasons
Toronto FC never (club entered MLS in 2007) 2016 9 seasons
Philadelphia Union 2011 2019 7 seasons
D.C. United 2015 8 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2017 6 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 2023 5 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2018 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
Atlanta United FC 2019 4 seasons
Inter Miami CF never (club entered MLS in 2020) 4 seasons
Toronto FC 2019 4 seasons

MLS Cup Conference Finals appearance[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to make the conference finals for five or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous appearance Next appearance Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2009 14 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2010 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 2021 11 seasons
D.C. United 2012 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
Toronto FC never (club entered MLS in 2007) 2016 9 seasons
LA Galaxy 2014 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
FC Dallas 2015 8 seasons
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls 2000 2008 7 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2013 2021 7 seasons
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal 2016 7 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2016 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
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 2023 5 seasons
New York Red Bulls 2018 5 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2018 5 seasons

MLS Cup Final appearance[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to make the MLS Cup final for nine or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous appearance Next appearance Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2003 20 seasons
D.C. United 2004 19 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2003 18 seasons1
New York Red Bulls 2008 15 seasons
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2010 14 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2010 13 seasons
FC Dallas 2010 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 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
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal never (club entered MLS in 2012) 12 seasons
Houston Dynamo 2012 11 seasons
Chivas USA never (club entered MLS in 2005) never (club folded after 2014) 10 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2013 10 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2013 10 seasons
Toronto FC never (club entered MLS in 2007) 2016 9 seasons
LA Galaxy 2014 9 seasons
New England Revolution 2014 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.

MLS Cup championship[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to win an MLS Cup championship for nine or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous championship Next championship Length of drought
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas never (club entered MLS in 1996) 28 seasons
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls never (club entered MLS in 1996) 28 seasons
New England Revolution never (club entered MLS in 1996) 28 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 1998 25 seasons
D.C. United 2004 19 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2003 18 seasons1
Houston Dynamo FC 2007 16 seasons
Colorado Rapids never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2010 15 seasons
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 14 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2009 14 seasons
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City 2000 2013 13 seasons
Colorado Rapids 2010 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal never (club entered MLS in 2012) 12 seasons
Columbus Crew 2008 2020 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
Sporting Kansas City 2013 10 seasons
LA Galaxy 2014 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.

Supporters' Shield win[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to win a Supporters' Shield for nine or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 Major League Soccer season.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous Supporters' Shield won Next Supporters' Shield won Length of drought
Colorado Rapids never (club entered MLS in 1996) 28 seasons
New England Revolution never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2021 25 seasons
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City 2000 23 seasons
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2016 20 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 2003 20 seasons
Real Salt Lake never (club entered MLS in 2005) 19 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC never (club entered MLS in 2006) 18 seasons
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2013 17 seasons
D.C. United 2007 16 seasons
Columbus Crew 2009 14 seasons
Portland Timbers never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC never (club entered MLS in 2011) 13 seasons
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal never (club entered MLS in 2012) 12 seasons
LA Galaxy 2011 12 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 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 Clash/Earthquakes never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2005 9 seasons
New York City FC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 9 seasons
Seattle Sounders FC 2014 9 seasons

CONCACAF Champions Cup appearance[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup for five or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous appearance Next appearance Length of drought
Chicago Fire FC 2004 20 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 1998 2011–12 12 seasons
New England Revolution 2008–09 2022 12 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2013–14 10 seasons
Columbus Crew 2010-11 2021 9 seasons
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 2021 9 seasons
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City 2005 2013-14 8 seasons
D.C. United 2015–16 8 seasons
LA Galaxy 2015–16 8 seasons
Real Salt Lake 2015–16 8 seasons
Chivas USA 2008–09 never (club folded after 2014) 7 seasons
Columbus Crew 2003 2009–10 6 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2004 2013–14 6 seasons1
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015)2 2023 6 seasons
FC Dallas 2018 6 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017)2 6 seasons
Columbus Crew never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2003 5 seasons
New England Revolution never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2003 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
New York Red Bulls 2019 5 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2019 5 seasons
1 Does not include the 2007, 2008, and 2008−09 tournaments which San Jose could not qualify for due to being on hiatus.
2 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[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to win the U.S. Open Cup or Canadian Championship for seven or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023 U.S. Open Cup and 2023 Canadian Championship.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous championship Next championship Length of drought
Colorado Rapids never (club entered MLS in 1996) 26 seasons1
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls never (club entered MLS in 1996) 26 seasons1
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes never (club entered MLS in 1996) 24 seasons1, 2
Columbus Crew 2002 U.S. Open Cup 19 seasons1
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas 1997 U.S. Open Cup 2016 U.S. Open Cup 18 seasons
Real Salt Lake never (club entered MLS in 2005) 17 seasons1
LA Galaxy 2005 U.S. Open Cup 16 seasons1
Chicago Fire FC 2006 U.S. Open Cup 15 seasons1
New England Revolution 2007 U.S. Open Cup 14 seasons1
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 13 seasons1
Houston Dynamo FC never (club entered MLS in 2006) 2018 U.S. Open Cup 12 seasons
Portland Timbers never (club entered MLS in 2011)3 12 seasons1
New England Revolution never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2007 U.S. Open Cup 11 seasons
D.C. United 1996 U.S. Open Cup 2008 U.S. Open Cup 11 seasons
Chivas USA never (club entered MLS in 2005) never (club folded after 2014) 10 seasons
Kansas City Wizards never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2004 U.S. Open Cup 8 seasons
D.C. United 2013 U.S. Open Cup 8 seasons1
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City 2004 U.S. Open Cup 2012 U.S. Open Cup 7 seasons
New York City FC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 7 seasons1
Seattle Sounders FC 2014 U.S. Open Cup 7 seasons1
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.

Competitive trophy win[edit]

The list only includes clubs that failed to win a competitive trophy for six or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2023.

  Active club streak is highlighted
Club Previous trophy won Next trophy won Length of drought
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas 1997 U.S. Open Cup 2016 U.S. Open Cup 18 seasons
Chicago Fire FC 2006 U.S. Open Cup 17 seasons
MetroStars/New York Red Bulls never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2013 Supporters' Shield 16 seasons
Colorado Rapids never (club entered MLS in 1996) MLS Cup 2010 14 seasons
Real Salt Lake MLS Cup 2009 14 seasons
Colorado Rapids MLS Cup 2010 13 seasons
New England Revolution 2008 North American SuperLiga 2021 Supporters' Shield 12 seasons
New England Revolution never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2007 U.S. Open Cup 11 seasons
San Jose Earthquakes 2012 Supporters' Shield 11 seasons
Chivas USA never (club entered MLS in 2005) never (club folded after 2014) 10 seasons
Houston Dynamo FC MLS Cup 2007 2018 U.S. Open Cup 10 seasons
Columbus Crew 2009 Supporters' Shield MLS Cup 2020 10 seasons
Philadelphia Union never (club entered MLS in 2010) 2020 Supporters' Shield 10 seasons
D.C. United 2013 U.S. Open Cup 10 seasons
LA Galaxy MLS Cup 2014 9 seasons
Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City 2004 U.S. Open Cup 2012 U.S. Open Cup 7 seasons
Orlando City SC never (club entered MLS in 2015) 2022 U.S. Open Cup 7 seasons
FC Dallas 2016 Supporters' Shield, 2016 U.S. Open Cup 7 seasons
Minnesota United FC never (club entered MLS in 2017) 7 seasons
Columbus Crew never (club entered MLS in 1996) 2002 U.S. Open Cup 6 seasons
New York City FC never (club entered MLS in 2015) MLS Cup 2021 6 seasons
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2015 Canadian Championship 2022 Canadian Championship 6 seasons
Sporting Kansas City 2017 U.S. Open Cup 6 seasons

See also[edit]