American soccer clubs in international competitions

This is a list of American soccer clubs in international competitions. American clubs have participated in competitive international soccer competitions since 1963, when New York Hungaria entered the 1963 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Unlike other major professional sports leagues in the United States, the winners of Major League Soccer and National Women's Soccer League are not universally considered to be world champions in their respective sport. Yearly, MLS and NWSL teams will compete against other soccer clubs abroad in competitions to determine the champions of North America, the Americas, and the world.

Since 1963, American men's soccer clubs have won three CONCACAF Champions' Cup/Champions League titles, and finished runners-up five times. since 2024 Women's clubs competed in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup with Gotham FC won the inaugural 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

Qualification for CONCACAF competitions

Men's clubs

For the CONCACAF Champions Cup, up to nine American soccer clubs are eligible for entry into the competition. Starting in 2024, all MLS clubs (United States or Canada based) may qualify through MLS or Leagues Cup.[1]

Competition Details Since Eligible clubs Ref.
MLS Cup champion Major League Soccer (Division I) championship 1996 MLS-only [2]
Supporters' Shield winner Major League Soccer regular season winner 2006 [3]
Conference regular season winner MLS Conference regular season champion of conference opposite of Shield winner 2014 [4][5]
Next best clubs Two highest-ranked clubs in MLS regular season standings that have not already qualified 2023 [1]
Leagues Cup champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher Competition between clubs from MLS and Liga MX 2023 [1]
U.S. Open Cup champion Domestic cup competition 1963 All U.S. clubs [6]

If one (or more) MLS club(s) were to qualify through multiple methods, then the next MLS club(s) with the most overall table points, regardless of conference, would qualify in the remaining slot(s). If the U.S. Open Cup champion has qualified through multiple methods, then the runner-up would fill the slot; should the runner-up have already qualified, then the next best MLS club in the overall table would earn the slot. If the Leagues Cup champion were to win the MLS Cup, then the MLS Cup runner-up would qualify to the round of 16; should the Leagues Cup slot(s) have already qualified, then MLS would be awarded with one additional slot to be given to the next best non-qualified team in the overall table.[7]

In past competitions, such as the North American SuperLiga (held from 2007 to 2010), the best teams based on regular season record to not qualify for the Champions League participated.[8]

Leagues Cup

For the 2025 Leagues Cup 18 Major League Soccer clubs that reached 2024 MLS Cup playoffs qualified, with one exception. San Diego FC replaced Vancouver Whitecaps FC who will not participate because they will compete in two other cup competitions in 2025.[9]

Women's clubs

For the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, three American soccer clubs qualify.

Competition Details Since Eligible clubs ref
National Women's Soccer League playoff champion National Women's Soccer League (Women's Division 1) championship 2024 NWSL [10]
National Women's Soccer League Sheild winners National Women's Soccer League regular season winners 2024
National Women's Soccer League Shield runners-up NWSL that finished second in regular season 2024

Cups and finals

Men's Competitive tournaments

CONCACAF Champions' Cup / Champions League

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
LA Galaxy 1 1 2000 1997
D.C. United 1 0 1998
Seattle Sounders FC 1 0 2022
Los Angeles FC 0 2 2020, 2023
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms 0 1 1984
Real Salt Lake 0 1 2011
Columbus Crew 0 1 2024

North American SuperLiga (defunct)

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
New England Revolution 1 1 2008 2010
Houston Dynamo 0 1 2008
LA Galaxy 0 1 2007
Chicago Fire 0 1 2009

CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup / Giants Cup (defunct)

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
D.C. United 0 1 2001

Copa Interamericana (defunct)

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
D.C. United 1 0 1998

Leagues Cup

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Inter Miami CF 1 0 2023
Columbus Crew 1 0 2024
Seattle Sounders FC 0 1 2021
Nashville SC 0 1 2023
Los Angeles FC 0 1 2024

FIFA Club World Championship / Club World Cup

No American club has reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup or the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The furthest a club has reached is the second round by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup.

Friendly tournaments

Emirates Cup

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
New York Red Bulls 1 0 2011

International Champions Cup

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
New York Red Bulls 0 1 2015

La Manga Cup (defunct)

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
MetroStars 1 0 2004

Pan-Pacific Championship (defunct)

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Houston Dynamo 0 1 2008
LA Galaxy 0 1 2009

Women's tournaments

CONCACAF W Champions Cup

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Gotham FC 1 0 2024–25

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Kansas City Current 1 0 2024
NJ/NY Gotham FC 0 1 2024

Full international record

Competitive tournaments only.

FIFA Club World Championship / Club World Cup

Year Team Progress Result Opponents
2001 LA Galaxy Group stage Canceled Hearts of Oak, Júbilo Iwata, Real Madrid
2022 Seattle Sounders FC Second round 0–1 Al Ahly
2025 Inter Miami CF Round of 16 0–4 Paris Saint-Germain
Seattle Sounders FC 4th in group stage Atlético Madrid, Botafogo, Paris Saint-Germain
Los Angeles FC 4th in group stage Chelsea, Espérance de Tunis, Flamengo

Copa Interamericana (defunct)

Year Team Progress Aggregate Opponents Results
1998 D.C. United Winners 2–1 Vasco da Gama 0–1 at home, 2–0 away

CONCACAF Champions' Cup / Champions League

The competition was named CONCACAF Champions' Cup until 2008 and CONCACAF Champions League until 2024, when it was renamed back to CONCACAF Champions Cup.

North American SuperLiga (defunct)

Year Team Progress Result Opponent(s)
2007 D.C. United Semi-finals 0–2 LA Galaxy
FC Dallas 4th in group stage Guadalajara, LA Galaxy, Pachuca
Houston Dynamo Semi-finals 2–2 (3–4 p) Pachuca
LA Galaxy Final 1–1 (3–4 p) Pachuca
2008 Chivas USA 3rd in group stage New England Revolution, Pachuca, Santos Laguna
D.C. United 4th in group stage Atlante, Guadalajara, Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo Final 2–2 (5–6 p) New England Revolution
New England Revolution Winners 2–2 (6–5 p) Houston Dynamo
2009 Chicago Fire Final 1–1 (3–4 p) UANL
Chivas USA 4th in group stage Chicago Fire, San Luis, UANL
Kansas City Wizards 4th in group stage Atlas, New England Revolution, Santos Laguna
New England Revolution Semi-finals 1–2 Chicago Fire
2010 Chicago Fire 3rd in group stage Morelia, New England Revolution, UNAM
Chivas USA 3rd in group stage Houston Dynamo, Pachuca, Puebla
Houston Dynamo Semi-finals 0–1 Morelia
New England Revolution Final 1–2 Morelia

CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup / Giants Cup (defunct)

Year Team Progress Aggregate Opponents Results
1991 Brooklyn Italians First round 1–6 U de G 0–3 at home, 1–3 away
1994 El Farolito Quarter-finals 1–5 Necaxa 0–0 at home, 1–5 away
1995 New York Greek American First round Tecos Withdrew
1996 Richmond Kickers Second round Siroco Canceled
1997 Dallas Burn 3rd in group stage Cruz Azul, Necaxa
2001 Columbus Crew Quarter-finals 1–3 Saprissa 1–1 at home, 0–2 away
D.C. United Final 0–2 América

Campeones Cup

Year Team Result Opponents
2019 Atlanta United FC 3–2 América
2020 Seattle Sounders FC Canceled
2021 Columbus Crew 2–0 Cruz Azul
2022 New York City FC 2–0 Atlas
2023 Los Angeles FC 0–0 (2–4 p) UANL
2024 Columbus Crew 1–1 (4–5 p) América

Leagues Cup

Year Team Progress Result Opponents
2019 Chicago Fire Quarter-finals 0–2 Cruz Azul
Houston Dynamo Quarter-finals 1–1 (5–6 p) América
LA Galaxy Semi-finals 1–2 Cruz Azul
Real Salt Lake Quarter-finals 0–1 UANL
2020 D.C. United Canceled
LA Galaxy
Minnesota United FC
New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
2021 New York City FC Quarter-finals 1–1 (2–3 p) UNAM
Orlando City SC Quarter-finals 0–1 Santos Laguna
Seattle Sounders FC Final 2–3 León
Sporting Kansas City Quarter-finals 1–6 León
in 2023 & 2024, all MLS clubs qualified.
2025 Atlanta United FC
FC Cincinnati
Columbus Crew
Charlotte FC
Colorado Rapids
Houston Dynamo FC
LA Galaxy
Los Angeles FC
Inter Miami CF
Minnesota United FC
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
Seattle Sounders FC
San Diego FC

Copa Sudamericana

Year Team Progress Aggregate Opponents Results
2005 D.C. United Round of 16 3–4 Universidad Católica 1–1 at home, 2–3 away
2007 D.C. United Round of 16 2–2 (a) Guadalajara 2–1 at home, 0–1 away

Copa Merconorte (defunct)

Year Team Progress Aggregate Opponents Results
2001 Kansas City Wizards 3rd in group stage Barcelona, Santos Laguna, Sporting Cristal
MetroStars 3rd in group stage Deportivo Italchacao, Guadalajara, Millonarios

CONCACAF W Champions Cup

Year Team Progress Score Opponent(s)
2024–25 Gotham FC Winners 1–0 UANL
San Diego Wave FC 3rd in group stage América, Portland Thorns FC, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite, Santa Fe
Portland Thorns FC Third place 3–0 América
2025–26 Orlando Pride
Washington Spirit
Gotham FC

FIFA Women's Champions Cup

Year Team Progress Score Opponent(s)
2026 Gotham FC semi-finals

FIFA Women's Club World Cup

Year Team Progress Score Opponent(s)
2028 Gotham FC Group stage

Appearances in CONCACAF competitions

Men's clubs

As of March 11, 2021.

Club Total Stats[A] CL SL GC CWC Other First Appearance Last Appearance
Apps Pld W D L Win%
A.A.C. Eagles 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1991 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Atlanta United FC 3 9 6 1 3 .650 2 0 0 0 1 2019 CONCACAF Champions League 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Brooklyn Italians 4 10 2 1 7 .250 3 0 1 0 0 1980 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1991 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Chicago Croatian 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1985 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Chicago Fire 6 20 10 3 7 .575 3 2 0 0 1 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2019 Leagues Cup
Chivas USA 4 11 2 4 5 .364 1 3 0 0 0 2008 North American SuperLiga 2010 North American SuperLiga
Colorado Rapids 5 12 4 2 6 .417 4 0 0 0 1 1998 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Columbus Crew 5 22 8 5 9 .477 4 0 1 0 0 2001 CONCACAF Giants Cup 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Dallas Rockets 1 8 5 1 2 .688 1 0 0 0 0 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
D.C. United 17 62 26 13 23 .524 12 2 1 0 2 1997 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2020 Leagues Cup
Detroit Express 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1983 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
El Farolito 1 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 1 0 0 1994 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Elizabeth 1 2 0 1 1 .250 1 0 0 0 0 1971 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
FC Dallas[B] 5 23 9 5 9 .500 3 1 1 0 0 1997 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup 2018 CONCACAF Champions League
Hercules 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1993 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Houston Dynamo 11 41 16 12 13 .537 7 3 0 0 1 2007 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2019 Leagues Cup
Jacksonville Tea Men 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1984 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
LA Galaxy 13 52 24 14 14 .596 10 1 0 1 1 1997 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2019 Leagues Cup
Los Angeles FC 1 5 3 0 2 .600 1 0 0 0 0 2020 CONCACAF Champions League
Los Angeles Salsa 1 2 0 1 1 .250 1 0 0 0 0 1994 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Maccabi Los Angeles 2 4 0 2 2 .250 2 0 0 0 0 1974 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1978 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New England Revolution 6 20 9 5 6 .575 3 3 0 0 0 2003 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2010 North American SuperLiga
New York City FC 2 4 2 0 2 .500 1 0 0 0 1 2020 CONCACAF Champions League 2021 Leagues Cup
New York Greek American 5 13 3 0 10 .231 4 0 1 0 0 1968 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1995 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
New York Hungaria 1 4 1 2 1 .500 1 0 0 0 0 1963 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New York Inter-Giuliana 2 4 0 0 4 .000 2 0 0 0 0 1976 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1977 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms 3 16 4 7 5 .469 3 0 0 0 0 1982 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 1984 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
New York Red Bulls[C] 7 27 11 7 9 .537 5 0 0 0 2 2001 Copa Merconorte 2019 CONCACAF Champions League
Orlando City SC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2021 Leagues Cup
Philadelphia Ukrainians 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1967 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Philadelphia Union 1 1 1 0 0 1.000 1 0 0 0 0 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Portland Timbers 3 9 5 2 2 .667 3 0 0 0 0 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League 2021 CONCACAF Champions League
Real Salt Lake 4 23 11 6 6 .609 3 0 0 0 1 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League 2019 Leagues Cup
Richmond Kickers 1 4 2 2 0 .750 0 0 1 0 0 1996 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup
Rochester Lancers 1 7 3 2 2 .571 1 0 0 0 0 1971 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Sacramento Gold 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1980 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
San Francisco Bay Blackhawks 1 6 5 0 1 .833 1 0 0 0 0 1992 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
San Francisco Greek-American 1 2 0 1 1 .250 1 0 0 0 0 1989 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
San Jose Earthquakes 4 14 7 2 5 .571 4 0 0 0 0 2002 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League
San Pedro Yugoslavs 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1987 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Seattle Mitre Eagles 1 2 0 1 1 .250 1 0 0 0 0 1988 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Seattle Sounders FC[D] 8 38 17 6 15 .526 7 0 0 1 1 1996 CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2022 CONCACAF Champions League
Soccer Universidad 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1979 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
St. Louis Busch 1 2 1 0 1 .500 1 0 0 0 0 1989 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
St. Louis Kutis 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1987 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
St. Petersburg Kickers 1 3 1 0 2 .333 1 0 0 0 0 1990 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Sporting Kansas City[E] 9 38 14 8 16 .474 6 1 0 0 2 2001 Copa Merconorte 2021 Leagues Cup
Washington Diplomats 1 2 0 0 2 .000 1 0 0 0 0 1988 CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Total 155 539 209 115 215 .494 114 16 7 1 17

Women's clubs

Club Total Stats[A] CC CWC Other First Appearance Last Appearance
Apps Pld W D L Win%
San Diego Wave FC 1 4 3 0 1 .750 1 0 0 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Gotham FC 1 6 4 2 0 .667 1 0 0 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Portland Thorns FC 1 6 4 0 2 .667 1 0 0 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup

Summer Olympics

Year Team Round Progress
1904 Christian Brothers College Group stage Runner-up
St. Rose Parish Group stage Third place

Notes

  1. ^
    For statistical purposes if a team withdrew or forfeited a match, each match that was withdrawn or forfeited is counted as a loss. Double forfeits are counted as a draw. Finally, matches where a team advanced because their opponent with draw are counted as a win for each match their opponent withdrew.
  2. ^
    FC Dallas were called the Dallas Burn from 1996–2004.[11]
  3. ^
    New York Red Bulls were called the MetroStars from 1994–2006.[12]
  4. ^
    This includes CONCACAF and international records collectively held by the NASL Sounders, USL Sounders, and the MLS Sounders.
  5. ^
    Sporting Kansas City were called the Kansas City Wiz from 1995–1996, and Kansas City Wizards from 1996–2011.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Concacaf announces qualification criteria for Confederation's expanded Champions League starting in 2024". CONCACAF. June 30, 2022 [First published June 1, 2022]. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "2011–12 Champions League Qualification". CONCACAF. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  3. ^ "Colorado clinch spot in 2017 CONCACAF Champions League, joining Dallas, TFC". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  4. ^ "Portland Timbers headed to 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League after USSF rule change approved". mlssoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  5. ^ "CONCACAF Approves U.S. Soccer's/MLS Request to Amend Their Qualification Process to CONCACAF Champions League". CONCACAF.com. December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  6. ^ "Qualifying Format Unveiled for 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League" (Press release). New York City: Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. May 14, 2008. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  7. ^ "2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Regulations" (PDF). Concacaf. October 25, 2023. pp. 14–19. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "MLS announces competition changes for 2009". November 21, 2008. Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  9. ^ Benatar, Orri (January 29, 2025). "MLS adjusts cup qualifying criteria, sending Crew to Leagues Cup and Crew 2 to U.S. Open Cup". Yahoo Sports.
  10. ^ "Concacaf launches region's first official women's continental club competition with annual W Champions Cup". CONCACAF. March 12, 2024 [First published March 12, 2024]. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Hall, Cheryl (July 13, 2013). "Lamar Hunt's soccer vision a pipe dream no more, sons say". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  12. ^ Jensen, Ric; Wang, Yawei (January 7, 2008). "How Do Fans React When Sports Teams Are Named After Corporations?". The Sport Journal. Archived from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "Pro Lax in Kansas City?!". Central Iowa Lacrosse & Sports Ramblings. November 22, 2010. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013.