SUPPORTERS' SHIELD
The Major League Soccer Supporters' Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw). The Shield was created and first awarded in 1998 and was designed for MLS by its fans. To many, the shield is more important than the MLS Cup - it recognizes the team with the most consistent record over an arduous and long season. (The corresponding MLS Cup Winner is presented inside parentheses).
2011 - Los Angeles Galaxy (Los Angeles Galaxy)
2010 - Los Angeles Galaxy (Colorado Rapids)
2009 - Columbus Crew (Real Salt Lake)
2008 - Columbus Crew (Columbus Crew)
2007 - D.C. United (Houston Dynamo)
2006 - D.C. United (Houston Dynamo)
2005 - San José Earthquakes (Los Angeles Galaxy)
2004 - Columbus Crew (D.C. United)
2003 - Chicago Fire (San Jose Earthquakes)
2002 - Los Angeles Galaxy (Los Angeles Galaxy)
2001 - Miami Fusion (San Jose Earthquakes)
2000 - Kansas City Wizards (Kansas City Wizards)
1999 - D.C. United (D.C. United)
1998 - Los Angeles Galaxy (Chicago Fire)
1997 - D.C. United (D.C. United)
1996 - Tampa Bay Mutiny (D.C. United)