Throughout the early to mid-2000s , the Supporters ' Shield received limited attention from both MLS and the general public .
The league primarily focused on awarding the MLS Cup winner and runner-up with spots in continental tournaments .
However , a turning point came in February 2006 when the United States Soccer Federation ( USSF ) decided that the Supporters ' Shield winner and the MLS Cup winner would represent the United States in the CONCACAF Champions League .
With this decision , the Supporters ' Shield gained newfound significance , becoming a ticket to the prestigious continental tournament . In instances where the Shield winner also clinched the MLS Cup , the team with the second-highest regular season point total would qualify as well .
This move elevated the status of the Supporters ' Shield and emphasized its importance in the broader context of North American football .
In eight instances ( 1997 , 1999 , 2000 , 2002 , 2008 , 2011 , 2017 , and 2022 ), the winner of the Supporters ' Shield also went on to claim the MLS Cup in the same year , showcasing the caliber and consistency of these exceptional teams .
In 2011 , the league introduced a new format , stating that the Shield winner ' s opponent in the MLS Cup quarterfinals would be the lowest-seeded team remaining , adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the playoffs .
As the Supporters ' Shield became increasingly cherished and gained significance within the MLS community , the idea of creating a new and improved version emerged during the 2010 MLS Cup in Toronto . The concept continued to gain momentum at subsequent MLS Supporters Summits in Los Angeles and Portland , Oregon , hosted by the Independent Supporters Council ( ISC ), formed just a few years earlier .
In 2012 , during the ISC meeting in Portland , the Supporters ' Shield Foundation was established with a clear mission – to fund the creation of a new shield and to oversee its promotion and management in the years to come . The cost of the new Shield was estimated at $ 18,000 , and a substantial portion of the funds was raised through the " I Support the Shield " scarf drive , culminating in the sale of 2000 supporter scarves .
With the fundraising efforts successfully completed , the new Supporters ' Shield came to life in early 2013 . Weighing a substantial 35 pounds ( 16 kg ), the shield was crafted from sterling silver and stainless steel . Its exterior featured a Telstar football design , paying homage to the sport ' s iconic symbol , while the middle retained the chevron design reminiscent of the original trophy . The middle of the shield was intentionally designed to be expandable , allowing for the annual addition of winners ' names around the chevron . This redesign marked a new era for the Supporters ' Shield , reflecting its growing importance and the evolving supporter culture within MLS .
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