Eastern Conference (MLS) facts for kids
The Eastern Conference is one of two main groups of teams in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The other group is called the Western Conference.
The Eastern Conference was started in 1996. It currently has 13 teams. The teams in this conference play against each other to try and win the conference title and then compete for the overall MLS Cup. The Columbus Crew SC won the conference in 2020. Teams like D.C. United and New England Revolution have won the conference title the most times, with 5 wins each.
Contents
Teams in the Eastern Conference
Current Teams
Here are the teams that are currently part of the Eastern Conference:
| Team | City | Stadium | Joined | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United FC | Atlanta, Georgia | Mercedes Benz Stadium | 2017 | |
| Chicago Fire FC | Chicago, Illinois | Soldier Field | 2002 | Joined after another group of teams, the Central Division, was no longer active. |
| Columbus Crew SC | Columbus, Ohio | Mapfre Stadium | 1996-1999 2002- |
Was part of the Central Division for the 2000 season, then came back to the Eastern Conference. |
| FC Cincinnati | Cincinnati, Ohio | Nippert Stadium | 2019 | |
| D.C. United | Washington, D.C. | Audi Field | 1996 | |
| Inter Miami CF | Miami, Florida | Inter Miami CF Stadium | 2020 | |
| Montreal Impact | Montreal, Quebec | Saputo Stadium | 2012 | |
| Nashville SC | Nashville, Tennessee | Nissan Stadium | 2020 | |
| New England Revolution | Foxborough, Massachusetts | Gillette Stadium | 1996 | |
| New York City FC | Bronx, New York | Yankee Stadium | 2015 | |
| New York Red Bulls | Harrison, New Jersey | Red Bull Arena | 1996 | Started as New York/New Jersey Metrostars, then changed their name in 2006. |
| Orlando City SC | Orlando, Florida | Orlando City Stadium | 2015 | |
| Philadelphia Union | Chester, Pennsylvania | Talen Energy Stadium | 2010 | |
| Toronto FC | Toronto, Ontario | BMO Field | 2007 |
Eastern Conference Champions Over the Years
The Eastern Conference has seen many exciting seasons. Here are the teams that have won the regular season title for the Eastern Conference, meaning they finished with the best record in their conference that year. Teams highlighted in yellow and in bold also went on to win the MLS Cup that season.
| Season | Team | Playoffs result |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | Lost Conference Finals |
| 1997 | D.C. United | Won MLS Cup |
| 1998 | D.C. United | Lost MLS Cup |
| 1999 | D.C. United | Won MLS Cup |
| 2000 | MetroStars | Lost Semifinals |
| 2001 | Miami Fusion† | Lost Semifinals |
| 2002 | New England Revolution | Lost MLS Cup |
| 2003 | Chicago Fire | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2004 | Columbus Crew | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2005 | New England Revolution | Lost MLS Cup |
| 2006 | D.C. United | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2007 | D.C. United | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2008 | Columbus Crew | Won MLS Cup |
| 2009 | Columbus Crew | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2010 | New York Red Bulls | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2011 | Sporting Kansas City | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2012 | Sporting Kansas City | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2013 | New York Red Bulls | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2014 | D.C. United | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2015 | New York Red Bulls | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2016 | New York Red Bulls | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2017 | Toronto FC | Won MLS Cup |
| 2018 | New York Red Bulls | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2019 | New York City FC | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Union | Lost first round |
- Note: Before the 2000 season, MLS games did not end in draws (ties).*
- † – The Miami Fusion were named winners of the Eastern Division in 2001 because the rest of the regular season was canceled due to major events. The MLS Cup Playoffs started soon after.*
Related pages
- Western Conference (MLS)
- Central Division (MLS)
See also
In Spanish: Conferencia Este (MLS) para niños
