Who should you support in MLS?

With the Premier League season coming to an end and only Copa America to get you through until pre season, why not turn your attention to MLS?

It always means more when you have a team to support, so we’ve done the hard work for you and matched each club up to their MLS counterparts.

Harry Shipp is the latest Fire prospect

Arsenal – Chicago Fire

Famed for their extensive player development system, Fire look to bring through young players but have suffered somewhat of a trophy drought in recent seasons.

Their debut season, 1998, began with a MLS Cup and US Open Cup double and more trophies followed in the early 2000s but nothing since 2006. 

Aston Villa – Real Salt Lake

Salt Lake enjoyed their most successful spell under the guidance of current New York City boss Jason Kreis and will hope his departure doesn’t signal a decline.

More importantly the Spanish word ‘Real’ translates as Royal and with Prince William, and his son George, Villa fans their might be another royal connection.

Burnley – Orlando City

The expansion side have struggled so far this season but did spring a surprise when they beat giants and reigning champions LA Galaxy at home.

Like Burnley goals have been hard to come by, but unlike their English counterparts Orlando have a World Cup winner in Kaka to turn to.

David Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007

Chelsea – LA Galaxy

Galaxy announced their ambition to change the face of MLS when David Beckham joined in 2007 and forced the league’s other big-hitters to adapt their transfer policy.

LA have always been one of MLS’ more successful franchises but have now found a way of sustaining that

success, winning three of the last four MLS Cups.

Crystal Palace – Portland Timbers

Portland’s main supporters group, the Timbers Army, are known for their loud, enthusiastic support and the raucous atmosphere they create home and away.

Selhurst Park has that formidable reputation in the Premier League and Providence Park is no different, having sold out every home game to date.

Everton – Columbus Crew

Everton’s Goodison Park was the first purpose-built soccer stadium in the world, while Crew’s Mapfre Stadium was the first soccer-specific stadium ever built in MLS.

Columbus may not be one of MLS’ biggest names but they have certainly had recent on field successes and are a club heading in the right direction.

Hull City – Sporting Kansas City

While rebranding is a no-go area in England, Hull fans have made their views on the issue clear this season, it’s much more common in the USA.

Although not the only MLS franchise to go through the process, Sporting had one of the most high-profile name changes after 15 years as the Kansas City Wizards.

Owen Coyle is in charge of Houston Dynamo

Leicester City – Houston Dynamo

Dynamo Diesel is an orange-haired fox and was chosen as the Houston mascot in 2007, so naturally any Leicester fan will want to keep supporting the Foxes!

Managed by former Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle, Houston made a big impression when first entering MLS back in 2006 but have not built on that early dominance. 

Liverpool – New England Revolution

New England hold the distinction of being MLS’ only founder member to have every league game in its history televised – a rich history they are proud of.

But they have never been able to turn that support into ultimate success, finishing as runners-up in the MLS Cup final on five occasions.

Manchester City – New York City

Newcomers on the block with money to spend, superstars in the line-up and an ambition to take over MLS in the coming years – sound familiar?

David Villa was the Robinho style announcement signing and with Frank Lampard on the way, there could be more big names set to arrive in the Big Apple.

D.C. United dominated the early years in MLS

Manchester United – D.C. United

United dominated MLS in the early years and hold the joint record for the most Supporters’ Shield titles, as well as playing in red and black!

They are second only to LA Galaxy for MLS Cup triumphs and were the first club to win both the MLS Cup and MLS Supporters' Shield consecutively.

Newcastle United – Seattle Sounders

Seattle have led MLS attendances since their inaugural season, averaging crowds of almost double any other franchise in the country such is the passion of their supporters.

Sounders also enjoy boasting big name signings and have been much more successful than Newcastle in recent seasons – hopefully they’ll cheer up the disillusioned Geordies.

Queens Park Rangers – Toronto

Toronto have spent big since their 2007 introduction to MLS but their big-name signings have failed to delivered and the policy is yet to reap reward.

Jermain Defoe came and went among others and to make matters worse, the Canadian side have a history of struggling on the road – sound familiar?

Carl Robinson has revamped Vancouver 

Southampton – Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver have taken MLS by storm after entering the league in 2011, becoming the first Canadian side to reach the play-offs on more than one occasion.

Former Wales international Carl Robinson was an unproven manager but has changed the franchise’s transfer policy and blooded several promising youngsters in their impressive start to 2015. 

Stoke City – FC Dallas

Dallas are an emerging force in MLS with a recent tradition to be proud of on the pitch and also a growing reputation off the field.

Playing in red and white, the franchise have several supporters groups that claim: “Their mission is simple: To promote the sport. Increase the love for their club.”

Sunderland – Philadelphia Union

Despite being one of the ten largest metropolitan areas in the USA Philadelphia was not represented when MLS kicked off in 1996, only joining the league in 2008.

It was a supporters group that convinced the league that there was a passionate soccer following in the city and several rivalries have developed – including Seattle Sounders!

Swansea City – Montreal Impact

Montreal came across the border to take the cup competitions by storm in MLS, winning the Canadian Championship in two of their first three seasons.

They also had a whirlwind adventure on the continent and became the first Canadian outfit to reach the

CONCACAF Champions League final earlier this season.

New York Red Bulls have flattered to deceive in MLS

Tottenham Hotspur – New York Red Bulls

One of the founder members of MLS, Red Bulls have had a raft of big names and played some eye-catching soccer but have consistently underachieved.

Their only trophy to date was the 2013 Supporters’ Shield and despite regularly progressing to the post season play-offs, they still flatter to deceive.  

West Bromwich Albion – Colorado Rapids

Rapids are one of MLS’ understated and smaller franchises but upset the odds when they won the 2010 MLS Cup – their only trophy to date.

They compete with Real Salt Lake for the Rocky Mountain Cup, one of MLS’ few geographical rivalries, the equivalent of a midlands derby with Aston Villa perhaps?

West Ham United – San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes boast a rich heritage with the likes of George Best turning out for them when the franchise was formed the first time around in the 1970s.

The MLS San Jose have had a troubled time, the franchise was replaced by Houston Dynamo before being reformed but remain a big name Stateside.

Images courtesy of Thearon W. Henderson, Gregg DeGuire, Victor Decolongon, Simon Bruty, Rosie Tulips and Steve Dykes, with thanks