How a failed proposal became the ultimate prize for MLS regular season dominance
In short: In 1997, the idea of a regular season award was rejected by Major League Soccer. Yet, through grassroots fundraising and a silver chevron, the Supporters' Shield evolved from a dismissed concept into a prestigious trophy that defines the league's most consistent performers.
The origins of the Supporters' Shield are rooted in fan frustration. In 1997, after the Tampa Bay Mutiny earned the best regular season record but failed to win the MLS Cup, fan Nick Lawrus proposed a 'Supporters' Scudetto.' While the league initially refused to fund the idea, enthusiasts led by Sam Pierron took matters into their own hands. They raised nearly $3,000 to commission a sterling silver chevron, designed by University of Missouri-Kansas City student Paula Richardson, for $2,200. Although the first award was given to D.C. United in 1999, the achievements of the 1996 to 1998 winners were later recognized retroactively.
For years, the trophy held little weight, as continental berths were reserved for MLS Cup finalists. This changed in 2006 when the USSF granted the Shield winner a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. By 2013, the trophy underwent a significant upgrade. A new 35-pound shield, crafted from sterling silver and stainless steel, was commissioned at a cost of $18,000. This new version, which features a Telstar football design, was first awarded to the New York Red Bulls.
The trophy's journey has not been without drama. In October 2020, the Supporters' Shield Foundation initially decided not to award the trophy due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the absence of stadium crowds. However, following intense backlash from the community and clubs like Toronto FC, the decision was reversed just days later. The Philadelphia Union ultimately won the 2020 Shield, though they had to lift a temporary replacement—a repurposed Captain America shield—due to shipping delays from Los Angeles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Supporters' Shield
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