With New York now 16-years and counting without a major trophy it got me thinking. Are the MetroBulls the worst MLS franchise off all-time? The lack of trophies is hard to ignore, but it's not black and white. New York has had solid regular season campaigns. Other candidates for the "honor" have been more consistently worse. As I see it the possible "winners" of this distinction are Toronto (no playoff appearances, a disaster pretty much every year BUT only in league since 2007 and, in early years a success off the pitch), Chivas (Terrible start to MLS life and trending back towards that form now, never managed to break through in LA marker BUT a couple good seasons under Preki and only in league since 2005) and Dallas (just one major trophy -- the least major of them -- and one finals appearance, struggled to make an impact in community). Thoughts?
Toronto. At least the other three have some playoff appearances, and a couple of em have been to the final. Toronto has been completely incompetent since year one, and the off-field success that has been their only highlight so far will be damaged if there is no on-field success soon. Chivas is a close second. New York will eventually get their time to shine. It's New York. There are many more factors in its favor than against it. The only time to start worrying would be when a second NY team comes along, and the Red Bulls decide they'd rather be the Mets than the Yankees.
New York, 17 seasons without a major trophy makes it an obvious choice. Toronto is closing on them fast though.
Overall: Probably TFC or Chivas USA. Relative to Expectations: NYRB (especially given their cumulative payroll advantage and big-name signings)
I hate to crap on TFC because they did do something right to garner the support they have since alienated to some degree. Chivas is an abortion of a brand with no home.
Toronto hands down. How many regime changes have they had? Like 4 I think and they are nowhere near fielding a decent team. They have the Maple Leafs mentality of "just wait til next year". Well, we're still waiting. Only thing that tampers the stink is the fan base, but not for long if this turd in the punch bowl is still showing year after year down the road.
The Revs should be a candidate as well. A worse overall record than New York, only one US Open Cup (and one SuperLiga), a history of crushing near-misses, mistreatment of their players, and consistently alienating one of the league's most promising fanbases.
But they do have four MLS Cup appearances. Rather than calling New England the worst franchise in MLS history, I think a better label for the Revs would be "most disappointing" for all the reasons you stated.
New York and it isnt even close. Toronto has a 1/3rd the amount of time NY has had to do something worthwhile and have failed every single season.
Worst team? Or worst club? Seems to me like those are two different things. Worst team is probably Toronto. The longevity of their bad form is unprecedented. Worst club should probably be the two that no longer exist, Tampa and Miami.
So would that put San Jose in line as the 3rd worst, since at one point they failed to exist? Not that I think they are, they've turned it around, with the stadium obviously, but also on the field product and fan involvement.
Things change over time. Had this thread been made circa 2004, Colorado and KC would probably be part of the conversation...however, both of those clubs have changed a lot since then. Today I think Chivas are New England are probably the wost overall.
If I see "worst" and "MLS" franchise together and I have the option to vote for Chivas USA, I will vote for Chivas USA.
Toronto have won Voyageurs Cups. They have played in the CCL a few times. The fact that they are leading in this poll is a joke. The worst franchise has to be Chivas, hands down.
Not too hard when for a while they didn't have to beat out any MLS teams to do so... I mean come on now, can't use that as an argument. The reason they are leading is because unlike CUSA, they have tried so very, very hard...they have spent a bunch of money on rosters, and have had a solid fanbase since day one, and have STILL managed to ******** it all up.
Hard for me to accept that when they have won the top prize in Canadian soccer a few times. Also, the Red Bulls have won plenty of minor trophies. The reason I say Chivas USA is because IIRC, the one time they won something meaningful was back in 2007...and that was a rivalry trophy and the Western Conference regular season title. That's it. No Shields. No MLS Cups. No U.S. Open Cups. No other minor cup victories. And no CCL appearances. Hence, my vote.
how come the 2 florida teams that got folded aren't in this vote either ? one would think they should qualify as the worst