MLS Cup: Your primer on the history of the MLS Cup Final

MLS Cup trophy

The countdown has begun. Just five days until #LAvNE.


With MLS Cup set to bring the season to a close on Sunday (3 pm ET, ESPN, UniMas, UDN in US, TSN1, RDS2 in Canada), we figured now would be a good a time to take a look back at the history of MLS' title-deciding match.


Most MLS Cup wins

MLS Cup: Your primer on the history of the MLS Cup Final - //league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Most%20MLS%20Cup%20wins.png

Most MLS Cup appearances

MLS Cup: Your primer on the history of the MLS Cup Final - //league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Most%20MLS%20Cup%20appearances.png

Most MLS Cup wins by a player

Jeff Agoos – 5 (1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003)
Landon Donovan – 5 (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012)
Brian Mullan – 5 (2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2010)


Most MLS Cup wins by a coach

• Bruce Arena – 4 (1996, 1997, 2011, 2012)
• Dominic Kinnear – 2 (2006, 2007)
• Sigi Schmid – 2 (2002, 2008)
• Frank Yallop – 2 (2001, 2003)


Most Consecutive MLS Cups

• D.C. United – 2 (1996, 1997)
• Houston Dynamo – 2 (2006, 2007)
• LA Galaxy – 2 (2011, 2012)


Most MLS Cups hosted

• StubHub Center – 6 (2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014)
• RFK Stadium – 3 (1997, 2000, 2007)
• Foxboro Stadium – 2 (1996, 1999)
• Toyota Stadium – 2 (2005, 2006)


Latest game-winning goals in a MLS Cup final

Carlos Ruiz (LA) – 113th minute (2002)
• Own goal (COL) – 107th minute (2010)
Guillermo Ramirez (LA) – 105th minute (2005)
Dwayne De Rosario (SJ) – 96th minute (2001)
Eddie Pope (DC) – 94th minute (1996)


Games that have gone to extratime: 8 (1996, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013)
Games that have gone to penalty kicks: 3 (2006, 2009, 2013)


Teams yet to reach a MLS Cup final: Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps


Be sure to check MLSsoccer.com's MLS Cup history page HERE