The past two winners of MLS Cup Presented by Audi have struck at the heart of myself and Caps Nation, being Portland and Seattle, respectively. Now some are saying that that’s a blueprint to a potential cup win. Let’s take a look at the last 5 MLS Cup winners and see if there’s anything there.
2012 Champions - LA Galaxy
Lost to TFC in the CCL QF Round
After 10 games, 3-5-2 (W-L-D)
3rd Rd loss in the US Open Cup
Won Group 5 of the 2012-2013 Champions League
Entered the playoffs on a 6-2-3 (W-L-D) run
Lost 6 of 7 in May
Finished 4th in the Western Conference
Defeated Vancouver, San Jose and Seattle before beating Houston for the Cup
2013 Champions - Sporting Kansas City
No CCL QF
After 10 games, they were 5-3-2 (W-L-D)
4th Round Loss in the US Open Cup
Won Group 2 of the 2013-2014 Champions League
Entered the playoffs on a 6-3-1 (W-L-D) run
Finished 2nd in the East
Defeated New England and Houston before defeating RSL for the Cup
2014 Champions - LA Galaxy
Lost in the QF Round of 2014 CCL
After 10 games, they were 4-3-3
5th Round Loss in the US Open Cup
Did Not Qualify for the 2014-2015 CCL
Entered the playoffs on a 5-2-3 run
Finished 2nd in the West
Defeated RSL and Seattle before defeating New England for the Cup
2015 Champions - Portland Timbers
No CCL QF play
After 10 games, they were 3-4-3
5th Rd Loss in the US Open Cup
Did not Qualify for the 2015-2016 CCL
Entered the playoffs on a 5-3-2 run
Switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 mid-season
Got Will Johnson and Diego Valeri back from injury
Finished 3rd in the West
Defeated SKC, Vancouver and Dallas before defeating Columbus for the Cup
2016 Champions - Seattle Sounders
Lost in the QF of the 2015-2016 CCL
On May 1st, they were 3-4-1
QF loss in the US Open Cup
Did not qualify for the 2016-2017 CCL
Entered the playoffs on a 5-2-3 run
Acquired Nicolas Lodeiro, Roman Torres returned from long term injury
Dempsey lost to irregular heartbeat
Finshed 4th in the West
Defeated SKC, Dallas and Colorado before defeating Toronto for the Cup
What can be made from all this?