# Western Conference (MLS)

The Western Conference is one of Major League Soccer's two conferences, along with the Eastern Conference. The division of the conferences broadly follows the path of the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, with clubs on, or west of the river in the Western Conference.
As of 2025, the Western Conference contains 15 teams. The conference has produced 11 Supporters' Shield champions and 18 MLS Cup winners in Major League Soccer's first 29 seasons. In 2000 and 2001, the conference was referred to as the Western Division when Major League Soccer briefly reorganized into three divisions.

## 2024 standings

MLS Western Conference table (2024) :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Los Angeles FC | 34 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 63 | 43 | +20 | 64 | Qualification for round one and the CONCACAF Champions Cup round one |
| 2 | LA Galaxy | 34 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 69 | 50 | +19 | 64 | Qualification for round one |
| 3 | Real Salt Lake | 34 | 16 | 7 | 11 | 65 | 48 | +17 | 59 | Qualification for round one |
| 4 | Seattle Sounders FC | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 51 | 35 | +16 | 57 | Qualification for round one |
| 5 | Houston Dynamo FC | 34 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 47 | 39 | +8 | 54 | Qualification for round one |
| 6 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 58 | 49 | +9 | 52 | Qualification for round one |
| 7 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 15 | 14 | 5 | 61 | 60 | +1 | 50 | Qualification for round one |
| 8 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 34 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 52 | 49 | +3 | 47 | Qualification for the wild-card round |
| 9 | Portland Timbers | 34 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 65 | 56 | +9 | 47 | Qualification for the wild-card round |
| 10 | Austin FC | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 39 | 48 | −9 | 42 | |
| 11 | FC Dallas | 34 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 54 | 56 | −2 | 41 | |
| 12 | St. Louis City SC | 34 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 50 | 63 | −13 | 37 | |
| 13 | Sporting Kansas City | 34 | 8 | 19 | 7 | 51 | 66 | −15 | 31 | |
| 14 | San Jose Earthquakes | 34 | 6 | 25 | 3 | 41 | 78 | −37 | 21 | |

## Members
### Current

| Team | City | Stadium |
| Austin FC | Austin, Texas | Q2 Stadium |
| Colorado Rapids | Commerce City, Colorado | Dick's Sporting Goods Park |
| FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas | Toyota Stadium |
| Houston Dynamo FC | Houston, Texas | Shell Energy Stadium |
| LA Galaxy | Carson, California | Dignity Health Sports Park |
| Los Angeles FC | Los Angeles, California | BMO Stadium |
| Minnesota United FC | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Allianz Field |
| Portland Timbers | Portland, Oregon | Providence Park |
| Real Salt Lake | Sandy, Utah | America First Field |
| San Diego FC | San Diego, California | Snapdragon Stadium |
| San Jose Earthquakes | San Jose, California | PayPal Park |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Seattle, Washington | Lumen Field |
| Sporting Kansas City | Kansas City, Kansas | Children's Mercy Park |
| St. Louis City SC | St. Louis, Missouri | Energizer Park |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Vancouver, British Columbia | BC Place |

### Timeline

Western Conference member Eastern Conference member Central Division member

## Conference lineups by year
### 1996 (5 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* Dallas Burn
* Kansas City Wiz
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* San Jose Clash
Changes from 1995: Creation of the Major League Soccer.

### 1997 (5 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* Dallas Burn
* Kansas City Wizards
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* San Jose Clash
Changes from 1996: Kansas City changed their name from Wiz to Wizards.

### 1998–99 (6 teams)

* Chicago Fire
* Colorado Rapids
* Dallas Burn
* Kansas City Wizards
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* San Jose Clash
Changes from 1997: Chicago Fire was added in the 1998 expansion.

### 2000–01 (as Western Division) (4 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* Kansas City Wizards
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* San Jose Earthquakes
Changes from 1999: The Western Conference renamed itself the Western Division upon the creation of the Central Division; Chicago Fire and Dallas Burn moved into the new division; The San Jose Clash renamed to the Earthquakes.

### 2002–04 (5 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* Dallas Burn
* Kansas City Wizards
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* San Jose Earthquakes
Changes from 2001: The Western Division renamed back to Western Conference following the contraction of the Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny, resulting in the disbanding of the Central Division; Dallas Burn moved in from the Central Division.

### 2005 (6 teams)

* Chivas USA
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
Changes from 2004: Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake were added in the 2005 expansion; Kansas City Wizards moved to the Eastern Conference; The Dallas Burn renamed to FC Dallas.

### 2006–07 (6 teams)

* Chivas USA
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Real Salt Lake
Changes from 2005: The San Jose Earthquakes was put on hiatus; The Houston Dynamo joined the league as an expansion franchise.

### 2008 (7 teams)

* Chivas USA
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
Changes from 2007: The San Jose Earthquakes return to MLS after its hiatus.

### 2009–10 (8 teams)

* Chivas USA
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
Changes from 2008: Seattle Sounders FC was added in the 2009 expansion.

### 2011–14 (9 teams)

* Chivas USA
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2010: The Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC were added in the 2011 expansion; Houston Dynamo moved to the Eastern Conference.

### 2015–16 (10 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2014: Chivas USA ceases operations; Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo move in from the Eastern Conference.

### 2017 (11 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* Los Angeles Galaxy
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2016: Minnesota United FC was added in the 2017 expansion.

### 2018–19 (12 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2017: Los Angeles FC was added in the 2018 expansion.

### 2020 (12 teams)

* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2019: Nashville SC was added in the 2020 expansion, but moved to the Eastern Conference since the MLS is Back Tournament up to the end of the 2020 season.

### 2021 (13 teams)

* Austin FC
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo FC
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2020: Nashville SC moved to the Eastern Conference; Austin FC was added in the 2021 expansion; Houston Dynamo added "FC" to their name.

### 2022 (14 teams)

* Austin FC
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo FC
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Nashville SC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Change from 2021: Nashville SC moved in from the Eastern Conference.

### 2023–24 (14 teams)

* Austin FC
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo FC
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* St. Louis City SC
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2022: Nashville SC moved back to the Eastern Conference as expansion side St. Louis City SC was added to the Western Conference.

### 2025 (15 teams)

* Austin FC
* Colorado Rapids
* FC Dallas
* Houston Dynamo FC
* LA Galaxy
* Los Angeles FC
* Minnesota United FC
* Portland Timbers
* Real Salt Lake
* San Diego FC
* San Jose Earthquakes
* Seattle Sounders FC
* Sporting Kansas City
* St. Louis City SC
* Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Changes from 2024: San Diego FC was added in the 2025 expansion.

## Western Conference playoff champions by year

Note: The conference finals were a best-of-three series through 2001 (including the MLS semifinals in 2000 and 2001, when a conference playoff format was not used). Matches tied after regulation were decided by a shoot-out. 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 went to extra time (Golden goal extra time was implemented for 2003 only), then a shoot-out 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 shoot-outs were used if necessary, although away goals did not apply in extra time. In 2019, the playoffs returned to a single match, single elimination format (including the conference finals), which were hosted by the higher placed team in the regular season.
From 2015 to 2021, the Western Conference was represented in the MLS Cup by either Seattle Sounders FC or the Portland Timbers.
| Bold | MLS Cup champions |
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up |
| 1996 | LA Galaxy | 2 matches to 0 | Kansas City Wizards |
| 1997 | Colorado Rapids | 2 matches to 0 | Dallas Burn |
| 1998 | Chicago Fire | 2 matches to 0 | LA Galaxy |
| 1999 | LA Galaxy | 2 matches to 1 | Dallas Burn |
| 2000 | No conference playoffs | No conference playoffs | No conference playoffs |
| 2001 | No conference playoffs | No conference playoffs | No conference playoffs |
| 2002 | LA Galaxy | 6 points to 0 | Colorado Rapids |
| 2003 | San Jose Earthquakes | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Kansas City Wizards |
| 2004 | Kansas City Wizards | 2–0 | LA Galaxy |
| 2005 | LA Galaxy | 2–0 | Colorado Rapids |
| 2006 | Houston Dynamo | 3–1 | Colorado Rapids |
| 2007 | Houston Dynamo | 2–0 | Kansas City Wizards |
| 2008 | New York Red Bulls$^E$ | 1–0 | Real Salt Lake |
| 2009 | LA Galaxy | 2–0 (a.e.t.) | Houston Dynamo |
| 2010 | FC Dallas | 3–0 | LA Galaxy |
| 2011 | LA Galaxy | 3–1 | Real Salt Lake |
| 2012 | LA Galaxy | 4–2 agg. | Seattle Sounders FC |
| 2013 | Real Salt Lake | 5–2 agg. | Portland Timbers |
| 2014 | LA Galaxy | 2–2 agg. (a) | Seattle Sounders FC |
| 2015 | Portland Timbers | 5–3 agg. | FC Dallas |
| 2016 | Seattle Sounders FC | 3–1 agg. | Colorado Rapids |
| 2017 | Seattle Sounders FC | 5–0 agg. | Houston Dynamo |
| 2018 | Portland Timbers | 3–2 agg. | Sporting Kansas City |
| 2019 | Seattle Sounders FC | 3–1 | Los Angeles FC |
| 2020 | Seattle Sounders FC | 3–2 | Minnesota United FC |
| 2021 | Portland Timbers | 2–0 | Real Salt Lake |
| 2022 | Los Angeles FC | 3–0 | Austin FC |
| 2023 | Los Angeles FC | 2–0 | Houston Dynamo FC |
| 2024 | LA Galaxy | 1–0 | Seattle Sounders FC |
$^E$ – Eastern Conference team.

### Western Conference Champion counts by team

As of the 2024 season, a total of fourteen different teams have competed in the Western Conference finals, and twelve of those teams have won at least once. In the table below, teams are ordered first by the number of appearances in a Western Conference finals, then by the number of wins, and finally by year. Note that this table does not include years that a Western Conference team appeared in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs (such as 2010), and it does include appearances by Eastern Conference teams. Chivas USA (defunct), Nashville SC, St. Louis City SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC have never made it to the Western Conference finals.
| Club | Appearances | Wins | Losses | Most recent Year of Appearance |
| LA Galaxy | 12 | 9 | 3 | 2024 |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2023 |
| Colorado Rapids | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2016 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2007 |
| FC Dallas | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2015 |
| Real Salt Lake | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2013 |
| Portland Timbers | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2021 |
| New York Red Bulls (Eastern Conference team) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2008 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2003 |
| Chicago Fire FC (now in Eastern Conference) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1998 |
| Minnesota United FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2020 |
| Los Angeles FC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Austin FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2022 |

## Western Conference regular season champions by year

| Bold | Supporters' Shield champions |
| Year | Team | Record (W–L–T) (GD) | Playoffs result |
| 1996 | LA Galaxy | 19–13–0^ (+10) | Lost MLS Cup |
| 1997 | Kansas City Wizards | 21–11–0^ (+6) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 1998 | LA Galaxy | 24–8–0^ (+41) | Lost conference finals |
| 1999 | LA Galaxy | 20–12–0^ (+20) | Lost MLS Cup |
| 2000 | Kansas City Wizards | 16–7–9 (+18) | Won MLS Cup |
| 2001 | LA Galaxy† | 14–7–5 (+16) | Lost Semifinals |
| 2002 | LA Galaxy | 16–9–3 (+11) | Won MLS Cup |
| 2003 | San Jose Earthquakes | 14–7–9 (+10) | Won MLS Cup |
| 2004 | Kansas City Wizards | 14–9–7 (+8) | Lost MLS Cup |
| 2005 | San Jose Earthquakes | 18–4–10 (+22) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2006 | FC Dallas | 16–12–4 (+4) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2007 | Chivas USA | 15–7–8 (+18) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2008 | Houston Dynamo | 13–5–12 (+13) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2009 | LA Galaxy | 12–6–12 (+5) | Lost MLS Cup |
| 2010 | LA Galaxy | 18–7–5 (+18) | Lost conference finals |
| 2011 | LA Galaxy | 19–5–10 (+20) | Won MLS Cup |
| 2012 | San Jose Earthquakes | 19–6–9 (+29) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2013 | Portland Timbers | 14–5–15 (+21) | Lost conference finals |
| 2014 | Seattle Sounders FC | 20–10–4 (+15) | Lost conference finals |
| 2015 | FC Dallas | 18–10–6 (+13) | Lost conference finals |
| 2016 | FC Dallas | 17–8–9 (+10) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2017 | Portland Timbers | 15–11–8 (+10) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2018 | Sporting Kansas City | 18–8–8 (+25) | Lost conference finals |
| 2019 | Los Angeles FC | 21–4–9 (+48) | Lost conference finals |
| 2020 | Sporting Kansas City | 12–6–3 (+13) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2021 | Colorado Rapids | 17–7–10 (+16) | Lost conference semifinals |
| 2022 | Los Angeles FC | 21–9–4 (+28) | Won MLS Cup |
| 2023 | St. Louis City SC | 17–12–5 (+17) | Lost first round |
| 2024 | Los Angeles FC | 19–7–8 (+20) | Lost conference semifinals |
^ – 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 West at the MLS All-Star Game

In 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2004, the Major League Soccer All-Star Game was contested between an all-star team from the Western Conference against an all-star team from the Eastern Conference. In total, the MLS West all-star team has 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses against the east.
Yearly results :
| Year | Result | Score | Series |
| 1996 | Lost | 2–3 | East 1–0–0 |
| 1997 | Lost | 4–5 | East 2–0–0 |
| 1999 | Won | 6–4 | East 2–1–0 |
| 2000 | Lost | 4–9 | East 3–1–0 |
| 2001 | Tied | 6–6 | East 3–1–1 |
| 2004 | Lost | 2–3 | East 4–1–1 |