Supporters' Shield

The Supporters' Shield

The Supporters' Shield is a special award given each year in Major League Soccer. It goes to the team that has the best record during the regular season. This award shows which team played the best all year.

Teams work very hard to win the Supporters' Shield. It is a big honor. Winning the Shield also means the team gets to play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a big tournament with teams from many countries.

Two teams, D.C. United and the LA Galaxy, have won the Shield the most — four times each. In 2025, the Philadelphia Union won their second Supporters' Shield. In 2024, Inter Miami CF set a new record with 74 points in a season!

The idea for the Supporters' Shield started in 1997. A fan named Nick Lawrus suggested giving an award to the best team. Another fan, Sam Pierron, helped raise money to buy a real trophy. They made the first Shield in 1999, and D.C. United were the first winners. The Shield shows the best records from 1996 to 1998.

Over the years, the Supporters' Shield has become very important. In 2006, the winner got to play in a big tournament. In 2013, a new, bigger Shield was made. It weighs 35 pounds and has a football design!