The Most Popular MLS Team, Ranked

Choose the team you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:43
Fans of Major League Soccer often debate which team holds the top spot in popularity. These discussions fuel friendly rivalries and showcase the diverse loyalties across the fan base. Creating a ranked list based on user votes offers a fun and democratic way to see which team has the most support, providing a snapshot of fan sentiment across the league. This interactive feature allows each visitor to cast a vote for their preferred MLS team, directly influencing the live rankings you see. The more fans participate, the more accurate and reflective the rankings become of the true fan favorites. Whether you're voting for your home team or showing appreciation for a team elsewhere, your input contributes to the collective voice of soccer aficionados.

What Is the Most Popular MLS Team?

  1. 1
    53
    votes

    LA Galaxy

    Dan Beckerman
    The LA Galaxy is the most successful club in MLS history, having won the MLS Cup a record five times. The team has also had some of the league's biggest stars, including David Beckham and Landon Donovan.
    The LA Galaxy is a professional soccer team based in Los Angeles, California. It is one of the most popular teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) and has a rich history and fan base. The team was created in 1994 and has since become synonymous with success and star power.
    • Founded: 1994
    • Home Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
    • Colors: Blue, Gold, and White
    • MLS Cup Championships: 5 (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
    • Supporters' Shield: 4 (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011)
  2. 2
    33
    votes
    The Sounders have consistently had one of the largest fan bases in the league since their inception in 2009. They have won two MLS Cups and regularly draw crowds of over 40,000 fans to their home games.
    The Seattle Sounders FC is a professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) and are one of the most popular teams in the league. The team was established in 2007 and began playing in MLS in 2009. They are known for their passionate fan base and their success on the field.
    • Year Established: 2007
    • MLS Debut: 2009
    • Home Stadium: Lumen Field
    • Team Colors: Rave Green, Pacific Blue, and Cascade Shale
    • Ownership Group: Seattle Sounders FC, LLC
  3. 3
    27
    votes

    Atlanta United FC

    Arthur Blank
    Despite being a relatively new team, Atlanta United has quickly become one of the most popular clubs in MLS. They won the MLS Cup in 2018 and have drawn some of the largest crowds in league history.
    Atlanta United FC is a professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia. It competes in the Major League Soccer (MLS) and is one of the most popular teams in the league. The team was founded in 2014 and started playing in MLS in 2017.
    • Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
    • Head Coach: Gabriel Heinze
    • Home Jersey Colors: Red, Black, and Gold
    • Supporters Group: Terminus Legion
    • Rivals: Orlando City SC, New York Red Bulls
  4. 4
    16
    votes
    Portland Timbers
    Hawk00eyed · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Timbers have a passionate fan base known as the Timbers Army and have won the MLS Cup once. They consistently draw large crowds to their home games at Providence Park.
    The Portland Timbers is a professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) and have a passionate fan base known as the Timbers Army.
    • Home Stadium: Providence Park
    • Year Founded: 1975
    • MLS Cups Won: 1
    • Supporter Groups: Timbers Army
    • Conference Championships: 1
  5. 5
    19
    votes
    The Red Bulls have consistently been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and regularly make the playoffs. They have also had some notable players, including Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
    The New York Red Bulls is a professional soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) and are one of the most popular teams in the league. The team was founded in 1994 as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and rebranded as the New York Red Bulls in 2006.
    • Founded: 1995
    • Home stadium: Red Bull Arena
    • Owner: Red Bull GmbH
    • Head coach: Gerhard Struber
    • Captain: Sean Davis
    New York Red Bulls in other rankings
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    Sporting KC has consistently been one of the top teams in the Western Conference and has won the MLS Cup twice. They also have a loyal fan base and regularly sell out their home games.
    Sporting Kansas City is a professional soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are one of the most popular teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) and compete in the league's Western Conference. Sporting Kansas City was founded in 1995 as the Kansas City Wiz and has since undergone rebranding to become the team it is today.
    • Location: Kansas City, Missouri
    • Founded: 1995
    • League: Major League Soccer (MLS)
    • Conference: Western Conference
    • Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
  7. 7
    13
    votes
    Toronto FC has become a force in MLS in recent years, winning the MLS Cup in 2017 and reaching the final again in 2019. They have also had some notable players, including Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore.
    Toronto FC is a professional soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the most popular Major League Soccer (MLS) teams known for its dedicated fan base and competitive performances on the field.
    • Founded: 2006
    • Home Stadium: BMO Field
    • Capacity: 30,000
    • Nickname: The Reds
    • First Season: 2007
  8. 8
    6
    votes
    DC United has a storied history in MLS, having won the MLS Cup four times. They also have a loyal fan base and have played in some of the league's most iconic stadiums, including RFK Stadium and Audi Field.
    DC United is a professional soccer team based in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most popular Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. The team has a rich history and a passionate fan base, known as the Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles. DC United has achieved significant success in the MLS since its inception in 1996.
    • Founding Year: 1996
    • Home Stadium: Audi Field
    • Team Colors: Black and Red
    • Number of MLS Cup Titles: 4
    • Number of Supporters' Shield Titles: 4
  9. 9
    4
    votes

    New York City FC

    City Football Group (CFG)
    NYCFC is a relatively new team, but they have quickly become one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They have a talented squad and regularly draw large crowds to their home games at Yankee Stadium.
    New York City FC is a professional soccer team based in New York City, United States. They compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) and play their home matches at Yankee Stadium. The team was founded in 2013 and began playing in 2015 as the 20th franchise of the MLS. New York City FC is known for its passionate fan base and its rivalry with the New York Red Bulls.
    • Year founded: 2013
    • First season: 2015
    • Home stadium: Yankee Stadium
    • League: Major League Soccer (MLS)
    • Owner: City Football Group (CFG)
    New York City FC in other rankings
  10. 10
    3
    votes

    Montreal Impact

    Joey Saputo
    The Impact has a passionate fan base and has made the playoffs multiple times since joining MLS in 2012. They also have some notable players, including Ignacio Piatti and Didier Drogba (in the past).
    The Montreal Impact is a professional soccer team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The team competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) and plays its home matches at the Saputo Stadium.
    • Owner: Saputo Inc.
    • Year Established: 1992
    • Home Stadium: Saputo Stadium
    • Head Coach: Thierry Henry
    • MLS Cups: 1 (1994)

Missing your favorite team?

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Ranking factors for popular team

  1. Attendance
    The average match attendance indicates the fanbase's dedication and loyalty to the team. High attendance figures are a strong indicator of the team being popular.
  2. Social Media Following
    The number of followers and engagement rate on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can reflect a team's popularity. The more followers and interactions a team has, the more popular it is likely to be.
  3. Merchandise Sales
    Sales of team apparel, memorabilia, and other merchandise can be an indicator of a team's popularity. Higher merchandise sales mean the team has a larger fan base and is more popular.
  4. Regional Support
    A team's popularity in its local market and region should be considered. Teams that draw large crowds in their home cities and have strong regional support are generally more popular.
  5. Success on the Field
    A team's win-loss record, league standings, playoff appearances, and championships can play a role in their popularity. Successful teams naturally attract more fans and generate more buzz.
  6. Star Players
    The presence of high-profile, talented, and marketable players on a team can contribute to its popularity. Soccer fans are often drawn to teams with exciting and recognizable players.
  7. Media Coverage
    The amount of coverage a team receives in local and national media outlets can indicate its popularity. More coverage usually means more popularity.
  8. Fan Engagement
    Teams with active and engaged fan bases, such as supporter groups, fan clubs, and regular fan events, are generally more popular.
  9. Sponsorship Deals
    High-profile and lucrative sponsorship deals can indicate a team's popularity. Larger sponsors usually invest more in popular teams with higher visibility.
  10. Team's History and Legacy
    The history and success of a team can contribute to its popularity. Teams with a storied history or a long-standing legacy in the league tend to have a dedicated and loyal fanbase.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular MLS team. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 4026 views
  • 189 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Player once every 24 hours. The rank of each Player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular mls team

Background: Major League Soccer (MLS) is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, featuring 27 teams from across North America. Since its inception in 1996, the league has grown in popularity and now attracts millions of fans each year. With so many teams to choose from, it's no surprise that fans have their favorites. But which MLS team is the most popular? This is a question that has been debated among soccer fans for years, and the answer may surprise you. From the passionate supporters of the Seattle Sounders to the die-hard fans of the LA Galaxy, each team has its own unique following. So let's dive in and explore which MLS team is the most popular.

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