List of MLS club post-season droughts
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These are lists of active and all-time Major League Soccer (MLS) droughts in the MLS Cup Playoffs, CONCACAF Champions League, U.S. Open Cup, and Canadian Championship. Those teams which have never made it in club history are listed by the season that they entered the league.
Among the current 29 MLS clubs to have completed at least one season, 14 have never won the MLS Cup. The longest MLS Cup drought is jointly held by New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, and FC Dallas all of whom have played in every MLS season without ever winning the championship. Among those clubs which have won the MLS Cup, the longest title drought is that of Chicago Fire FC, who have not won the honor since winning MLS Cup 1998. 15 clubs have never won the Supporters' Shield, with Colorado Rapids being the only club to play in every season without ever winning the Shield. Among those clubs who have won the Shield, the longest drought is that of Sporting Kansas City who have not won it since the 2000 Major League Soccer season.
List of active droughts
MLS Cup Playoffs appearance
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include clubs that made the post-season as of that year.
| Club | Last appearance in post-season |
Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| D.C. United | 2019 | 6 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2020 | 5 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | 2024 | 1 season |
| Colorado Rapids | 2024 | 1 season |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2024 | 1 season |
| LA Galaxy | 2024 | 1 season |
| CF Montréal | 2024 | 1 season |
| New York Red Bulls | 2024 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Round One appearance
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include clubs that reached Round One as of that year.
| Club | Last appearance in Round One |
Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| D.C. United | 2019 | 6 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2020 | 5 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2020 | 5 seasons |
| CF Montréal | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2023 | 2 season |
| St. Louis City SC | 2023 | 2 season |
| Atlanta United FC | 2024 | 1 season |
| Colorado Rapids | 2024 | 1 season |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2024 | 1 season |
| LA Galaxy | 2024 | 1 season |
| CF Montréal | 2024 | 1 season |
| New York Red Bulls | 2024 | 1 season |
| Orlando City SC | 2024 | 1 season |
| Real Salt Lake | 2024 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Conference Semifinals appearance
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include clubs that reached the Conference Semifinals that year.
| Club | Last appearance in MLS Cup Conference Semifinals |
Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire FC | 2009 | 16 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 13 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2015 | 10 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2019 | 6 seasons |
| Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 4 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Nashville SC | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Portland Timbers | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Austin FC | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| CF Montréal | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| FC Dallas | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2023) | 3 seasons |
| Columbus Crew | 2023 | 2 season |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2023 | 2 season |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2023 | 2 season |
| Atlanta United FC | 2024 | 1 season |
| LA Galaxy | 2024 | 1 season |
| New York Red Bulls | 2024 | 1 season |
| Orlando City SC | 2024 | 1 season |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2024 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Conference Finals appearance
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. Does not include clubs that reached the Conference Finals that year.
| Club | Last appearance in MLS Cup Conference Final |
Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire FC | 2009 | 16 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2010 | 15 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2012 | 13 seasons |
| FC Dallas | 2015 | 10 seasons |
| CF Montréal | 2016 | 9 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 2016 | 9 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2018 | 7 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | 2019 | 6 seasons |
| Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 6 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2019 | 6 seasons |
| Minnesota United FC | 2020 | 5 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2020 | 5 seasons |
| Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 4 seasons |
| Portland Timbers | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Austin FC | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| Philadelphia Union | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2023) | 3 seasons |
| Columbus Crew | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| FC Cincinnati | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| Los Angeles FC | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| LA Galaxy | 2024 | 1 season |
| New York Red Bulls | 2024 | 1 season |
| Orlando City SC | 2024 | 1 season |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2024 | 1 season |
MLS Cup Final appearance
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. Does not include clubs that appeared in MLS Cup 2025.
| Club | Last appearance in MLS Cup final |
Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 22 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2004 | 21 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 20 seasons1 |
| Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 15 seasons |
| FC Dallas | 2010 | 15 seasons |
| CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 14 seasons |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2012 | 13 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | 2013 | 12 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 12 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2014 | 11 seasons |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons |
| Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 9 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | 2018 | 7 seasons |
| FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 7 seasons |
| Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 6 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2019 | 6 seasons |
| Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 5 seasons |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2020 | 5 seasons |
| Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 4 seasons |
| New York City FC | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Portland Timbers | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Philadelphia Union | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2023) | 3 seasons |
| Columbus Crew | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| Los Angeles FC | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| LA Galaxy | 2024 | 1 season |
| New York Red Bulls | 2024 | 1 season |
| San Diego FC | never (club entered MLS in 2025) | 1 season |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
MLS Cup championship
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. Does not include the winner of MLS Cup 2025 (Inter Miami).
| Club | Last MLS Cup | Subsequent final losses | Length of drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2010 | 30 seasons |
| New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 | 30 seasons |
| New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008, 2024 | 30 seasons |
| Chicago Fire FC | 1998 | 2000, 2003 | 27 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2004 | 21 seasons | |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 20 seasons1 | |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2007 | 2011, 2012 | 18 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | 2009 | 2013 | 16 seasons |
| Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2022 | 16 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 15 seasons | |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 2025 | 15 seasons |
| CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 14 seasons | |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 12 seasons | |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons | |
| Portland Timbers | 2015 | 2018, 2021 | 10 seasons |
| Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 9 seasons | |
| Toronto FC | 2017 | 2019 | 8 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | 2018 | 7 seasons | |
| FC Cincinnati | never (club entered MLS in 2019) | 7 seasons | |
| Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 6 seasons | |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2019 | 2020 | 6 seasons |
| Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 5 seasons | |
| Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 4 seasons | |
| New York City FC | 2021 | 4 seasons | |
| Los Angeles FC | 2022 | 2023 | 3 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2023) | 3 seasons | |
| Columbus Crew | 2023 | 2 seasons | |
| LA Galaxy | 2024 | 1 season | |
| San Diego FC | never (club entered MLS in 2025) | 1 season |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
Supporters' Shield win
Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season. This list does not include the current holder of the Supporters' Shield (Philadelphia Union).
| Club | Last Supporters' Shield won | Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 30 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2000 | 25 seasons |
| Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 22 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 21 seasons |
| Houston Dynamo FC | never (club entered MLS in 2006) | 20 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2007 | 18 seasons |
| Columbus Crew | 2009 | 16 seasons |
| Portland Timbers | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 15 seasons |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 15 seasons |
| CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 14 seasons |
| LA Galaxy | 2011 | 14 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 13 seasons |
| New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2014 | 11 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 9 seasons |
| FC Dallas | 2016 | 9 seasons |
| Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 9 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2017 | 8 seasons |
| New York Red Bulls | 2018 | 7 seasons |
| Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 6 seasons |
| Austin FC | never (club entered MLS in 2021) | 5 seasons |
| Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 4 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2021 | 4 seasons |
| Los Angeles FC | 2022 | 3 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2023) | 3 seasons |
| FC Cincinnati | 2023 | 2 seasons |
| Inter Miami CF | 2024 | 1 season |
| San Diego FC | never (club entered MLS in 2025) | 1 season |
CONCACAF Champions Cup appearance
Updated through 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. From the 2008–09 season to the 2023 season, the competition was known as the Champions League before reverting back to the Champions Cup name.
| Club | Last appearance in CONCACAF Champions Cup |
Length of drought |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire FC | 2004 | 22 seasons |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2013–14 | 12 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2015–16 | 10 seasons |
| FC Dallas | 2018 | 8 seasons |
| Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017)1 | 8 seasons |
| New York Red Bulls | 2019 | 7 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | 2021 | 5 seasons |
| Portland Timbers | 2021 | 5 seasons |
| Toronto FC | 2021 | 5 seasons |
| CF Montréal | 2022 | 4 seasons |
| Charlotte FC | never (club entered MLS in 2022) | 4 seasons |
| New York City FC | 2022 | 4 seasons |
| Austin FC | 2023 | 3 seasons |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2024 | 2 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2024 | 2 seasons |
| Orlando City SC | 2024 | 2 seasons |
| St. Louis City SC | 2024 | 2 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 2025 | 1 season |
| Columbus Crew | 2025 | 1 season |
| Real Salt Lake | 2025 | 1 season |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2025 | 1 season |
- 1 This club played in another league before joining MLS and could have qualified for the Champions League by winning the U.S. Open Cup. This table only counts their drought from when they joined MLS.
Domestic cup championship
Updated through 2025 U.S. Open Cup and 2025 Canadian Championship. This list does not include the current champions (Nashville SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC).
- 1 Does not include 2020 and 2021 when the U.S. Open Cup was canceled.
- 2 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
- 3 This club played in another league before joining MLS and competed in the U.S. Open Cup during those years. This table only counts its drought from when it joined MLS.
- 4 The final of the 2020 Canadian Championship did not take place until after the conclusion of the 2021 tournament. This table nevertheless treats the 2020 tournament as happening before the 2021 tournament.
Competitive trophy win
Updated through 2025.
Longest all-time droughts
Each list below shows the 20 longest droughts, plus ties, in the given category.
MLS Cup Playoffs appearance
The list only includes MLS clubs that failed to make the playoffs for three or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
MLS Cup Round One appearance
The list only includes MLS clubs that failed to make Round One for three or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
- 1 This club did not actually appear in Round One because the round had not yet been created with the playoffs commencing with the Conference Semifinals. For the purposes of this table, the club is treated as if it did appear in Round One.
- 2 This club did not actually appear in Round One because it received a bye to the Conference Semifinals. For the purposes of this table, the club is treated as if it did appear.
MLS Cup Conference Semifinals appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to make the conference semifinals for four or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
MLS Cup Conference Finals appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to make the conference finals for six or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
| Club | Previous appearance | Next appearance | Length of drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire FC | 2009 | 16 seasons | |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2010 | 15 seasons | |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 2025 | 14 seasons |
| D.C. United | 2012 | 13 seasons | |
| Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2021 | 11 seasons |
| Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | 1999 | 2010 | 10 seasons |
| Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
| FC Dallas | 2015 | 10 seasons | |
| Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2016 | 9 seasons |
| LA Galaxy | 2014 | 2024 | 9 seasons |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 2024 | 9 seasons |
| Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | 2016 | 9 seasons | |
| Colorado Rapids | 2016 | 9 seasons | |
| MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | 2000 | 2008 | 7 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | 2013 | 2021 | 7 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2018 | 7 seasons | |
| New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2002 | 6 seasons |
| New England Revolution | 2007 | 2014 | 6 seasons |
| Columbus Crew | 2008 | 2015 | 6 seasons |
| New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 2021 | 6 seasons |
| Atlanta United FC | 2019 | 6 seasons | |
| Nashville SC | never (club entered MLS in 2020) | 6 seasons | |
| Toronto FC | 2019 | 6 seasons |
MLS Cup Final appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to make the MLS Cup final for nine or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
| Club | Previous appearance | Next appearance | Length of drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 22 seasons | |
| D.C. United | 2004 | 21 seasons | |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 20 seasons1 | |
| New York Red Bulls | 2008 | 2024 | 15 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 15 seasons | |
| FC Dallas | 2010 | 15 seasons | |
| Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2010 | 14 seasons |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 2025 | 14 seasons |
| Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 14 seasons | |
| Houston Dynamo | 2012 | 13 seasons | |
| Columbus Crew | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008 | 12 seasons |
| MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2008 | 12 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 1997 | 2010 | 12 seasons |
| Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2022 | 12 seasons |
| Real Salt Lake | 2013 | 12 seasons | |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 12 seasons | |
| New England Revolution | 2014 | 11 seasons | |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons | |
| Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
| Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2016 | 9 seasons |
| LA Galaxy | 2014 | 2024 | 9 seasons |
| Minnesota United FC | never (club entered MLS in 2017) | 9 seasons |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
MLS Cup championship
The list only includes clubs that failed to win an MLS Cup championship for ten or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
| Club | Previous championship | Next championship | Length of drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 30 seasons | |
| MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 30 seasons | |
| New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 30 seasons | |
| Chicago Fire FC | 1998 | 27 seasons | |
| D.C. United | 2004 | 21 seasons | |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2003 | 20 seasons1 | |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 2007 | 18 seasons | |
| Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 16 seasons | |
| Real Salt Lake | 2009 | 16 seasons | |
| Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2010 | 15 seasons |
| Colorado Rapids | 2010 | 15 seasons | |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 15 seasons | |
| Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 14 seasons | |
| Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City | 2000 | 2013 | 13 seasons |
| Sporting Kansas City | 2013 | 12 seasons | |
| Columbus Crew | 2008 | 2020 | 11 seasons |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons | |
| Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
| Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2017 | 10 seasons |
| Portland Timbers | 2015 | 10 seasons |
- 1 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
Supporters' Shield win
The list only includes clubs that failed to win a Supporters' Shield for ten or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 Major League Soccer season.
| Club | Previous Supporters' Shield won | Next Supporters' Shield won | Length of drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rapids | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 30 seasons | |
| New England Revolution | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2021 | 25 seasons |
| Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City | 2000 | 25 seasons | |
| Chicago Fire FC | 2003 | 22 seasons | |
| Real Salt Lake | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | 21 seasons | |
| Dallas Burn/FC Dallas | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2016 | 20 seasons |
| Houston Dynamo FC | never (club entered MLS in 2006) | 20 seasons | |
| D.C. United | 2007 | 18 seasons | |
| MetroStars/New York Red Bulls | never (club entered MLS in 1996) | 2013 | 17 seasons |
| Columbus Crew | 2009 | 16 seasons | |
| Portland Timbers | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 15 seasons | |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | never (club entered MLS in 2011) | 15 seasons | |
| Montreal Impact/CF Montréal | never (club entered MLS in 2012) | 14 seasons | |
| LA Galaxy | 2011 | 14 seasons | |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2012 | 13 seasons | |
| New York City FC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons | |
| Orlando City SC | never (club entered MLS in 2015) | 11 seasons | |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 2014 | 11 seasons | |
| Chivas USA | never (club entered MLS in 2005) | never (club folded after 2014) | 10 seasons |
| Toronto FC | never (club entered MLS in 2007) | 2017 | 10 seasons |
| Philadelphia Union | never (club entered MLS in 2010) | 2020 | 10 seasons |
CONCACAF Champions Cup appearance
The list only includes clubs that failed to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup for five or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
- 1 This club played in another league before joining MLS and could have qualified for the Champions League by winning the U.S. Open Cup. This table only counts its drought from when it joined MLS.
- 2 Does not include the 2007, 2008, and 2008−09 tournaments which San Jose could not qualify for due to being on hiatus.
Domestic cup championship
The list only includes clubs that failed to win the U.S. Open Cup or Canadian Championship for seven or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025 U.S. Open Cup and 2025 Canadian Championship.
- 1 Does not include 2020–2021 when the U.S. Open Cup was canceled.
- 2 Does not include 2006–2007 when San Jose was dormant.
- 3 Portland Timbers played in other leagues before joining MLS and competed in the U.S. Open Cup during those years. This table only counts its drought from when it joined MLS.
Competitive trophy win
The list only includes clubs that failed to win a competitive trophy for seven or more consecutive seasons. Updated through 2025.