Western Conference (MLS)


The Western Conference is one of Major League Soccer's two conferences.

2019 standings

Members

Current

Conference Lineups

1996

Changes from 1995
Changes from 1996
Changes from 1997
Changes from 1999
Changes from 2001
Changes from 2004
Changes from 2005
Changes from 2007
Changes from 2008
Changes from 2010
Changes from 2014
Changes from 2016
Changes from 2017
Changes from 2019
Note: The Conference finals were a best-of-three series through 2001. Matches tied after regulation were decided by a shootout. In 2002, a similar format was used except that draws were allowed and the team earning the most points advanced. From 2003 through 2011, the finals were a single match. Matches tied after regulation moved to extra time, then a shootout if necessary. Beginning in 2012, the finals were a two-match aggregate series. The away goals rule for series that finished even on aggregate was first implemented in 2014. Extra time and shootouts were used if necessary. In 2019, the playoffs returned to a single match, single elimination format, including the conference finals which were hosted by the highest placed teams in the regular season.
E – Eastern Conference team.

Western Conference regular season champions by year

YearTeamRecordPlayoffs result
1996LA Galaxy19–13–0^ Lost MLS Cup Finals
1997Kansas City Wizards21–11–0^ Lost Conference Semifinals
1998LA Galaxy24–8–0^ Lost Conference Finals
1999LA Galaxy20–12–0^ Lost MLS Cup Finals
2000Kansas City Wizards16–7–9 Won MLS Cup Finals
2001LA Galaxy†14–7–5 Lost Semifinals
2002LA Galaxy16–9–3 Won MLS Cup Finals
2003San Jose Earthquakes14–7–9 Won MLS Cup Finals
2004Kansas City Wizards14–9–7 Lost MLS Cup Finals
2005San Jose Earthquakes18–4–10 Lost Conference Semifinals
2006FC Dallas16–12–4 Lost Conference Semifinals
2007Chivas USA15–7–8 Lost Conference Semifinals
2008Houston Dynamo13–5–12 Lost Conference Semifinals
2009LA Galaxy12–6–12 Lost MLS Cup Finals
2010LA Galaxy18–7–5 Lost Conference Finals
2011LA Galaxy19–5–10 Won MLS Cup Finals
2012San Jose Earthquakes19–6–9 Lost Conference Semifinals
2013Portland Timbers14–5–15 Lost Conference Finals
2014Seattle Sounders FC20–10–4 Lost Conference Finals
2015FC Dallas18–10–6 Lost Conference Finals
2016FC Dallas17–8–9 Lost Conference Semifinals
2017Portland Timbers15–11–8 Lost Conference Semifinals
2018Sporting Kansas City18–8–8 Lost Conference Finals
2019Los Angeles FC21–4–9 Lost Conference Finals

^ – MLS did not have draws until the 2000 season.

† – The LA Galaxy were declared winners of the Western Division in 2001 after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks forced the cancellation of the rest of the regular season. The MLS Cup Playoffs began on September 20.

MLS Cup Champions produced