Since its inception in 1996 , Major League Soccer ( MLS ) has grown into a dynamic and competitive football league that captures the hearts of fans across North America . Amidst the excitement of the MLS Cup
Playoffs and the quest for the championship , there exists another prestigious accolade that embodies the
spirit of excellence – the Supporters ' Shield .
In the early days of MLS , the league closely mirrored the structure of other North American sports leagues . The team with the best regular season record received only the top seed in the playoffs , with no additional recognition . It was in 1997 that the idea of a " Supporters ' Scudetto " was proposed by football enthusiast Nick Lawrus .
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His proposal , inspired by the European tradition of awarding the team with the best record , aimed to celebrate the regular season champions .
Despite facing disagreements within the league , a determined group led by Sam Pierron revived the idea in 1998 .
Facing resistance from MLS , Pierron embarked on a fundraising journey with support from various MLS clubs , ESPN commentator Phil Schoen , and MLS commissioner Doug Logan .
The initiative successfully raised nearly $ 3,000 , leading to the creation of a unique trophy crafted by artist Paula Richardson .
The process of creating and purchasing the Supporters ' Shield was completed at the end of the 1999 season . While D . C . United was the first club to officially win the award , the honors for the best regular season finishes between 1996 and 1998 were retroactively recognized on the shield .
The Supporters ' Shield was born out of the passion and persistence of the league ' s supporters , marking a significant moment in MLS history .