The Quest for a Chiefs-Style Dynasty in American Soccer
On Sunday, millions of sports fans will watch with bated breath as the Kansas City Chiefs aim to clinch an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory. This potential achievement places the Chiefs in an elite category among sports dynasties, a distinction that transcends the players and staff involved, guaranteeing a legacy that endures for generations. Dynastic success is a hallmark of greatness in sports, whether it’s Babe Ruth’s New York Yankees in the 1920s or the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s led by Michael Jordan. The ability to dominate over multiple seasons is not just a measure of a team’s current prowess but a testament to their enduring influence and excellence.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team: Near Dynastic Status
The U.S. women’s national soccer team has come tantalizingly close to achieving dynasty status. With four Women’s World Cup titles and five Olympic gold medals since women’s soccer’s inclusion in the Olympic program in 1996, the United States has consistently been a powerhouse in the sport. However, they have yet to win three consecutive major tournaments, a feat often considered the gold standard for dynastic achievement. This pursuit of sustained dominance is not unique to the U.S.; soccer’s history is replete with examples from Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to the men’s teams of Spain and Argentina. Brazil, with the legendary Pele, won three out of four World Cups from 1958 to 1970, a testament to the global fascination with dynastic reigns.
The MLS Conundrum: Parity Over Dynasties
Major League Soccer (MLS) stands out as a curious outlier in the American sports landscape, where fostering dynasties is often seen as a less desirable outcome. The league, along with the similarly structured National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), is committed to maintaining competitive parity. While MLS has seen great teams like D.C. United in the late 1990s and the LA Galaxy of the 2010s, these successes came at a time when the league had fewer mechanisms to control roster building. Since Landon Donovan won his record sixth MLS Cup in 2014, the league has expanded rapidly, nearly doubling the number of teams, and owners have increased their spending on rosters and facilities. Yet, the追逐王朝的挑战依旧存在。
Columbus Crew: From Triumph to Rebuilding
When the Columbus Crew won MLS Cup in 2023, they appeared poised to maintain their excellence. The team was centered around Cucho Hernandez, a prolific attacker capable of scoring 20+ goals and dishing out double-digit assists in a full season. He was supported by Diego Rossi, dynamic wing backs, a robust midfield with homegrown talent Aidan Morris and veteran Darlington Nagbe, and a solid defense. Behind them was the promising goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, part of a squad assembled by General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko and coached by Wilfried Nancy, whose tactical acumen and aesthetic play style won the admiration of many, including Thierry Henry.
However, the post-victory honeymoon was short-lived. In January 2024, Julian Gressel left for Inter Miami as a free agent, weakening the crew’s veteran presence. Morris followed in June, joining Middlesbrough for a $4 million transfer, and Bezbatchenko also departed to lead a multi-club group anchored by AFC Bournemouth. New additions struggled to adapt to Nancy’s system, making the Crew vulnerable to a first-round playoff upset by the New York Red Bulls in 2024. The final blow came on Europe’s transfer deadline day when Real Betis signed Hernandez for a $22 million fee. Just 14 months after their third MLS Cup title, the Crew faces a significant rebuild.
The Price of Success in MLS
The rapid disassembly of successful teams is a recurring theme in MLS, largely due to the league’s stringent financial and roster-building constraints. The salary cap, designated player slots, U22 Initiative, and targeted allocation money all limit how much clubs can spend on wages. These restrictions are more severe compared to other American sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and NHL, which also have salary caps but benefit from a steady stream of young talent drafted and signed at lower wages. In MLS, the draft often supplements the back end of teams’ rosters, and the NWSL eliminated its rookie draft entirely in 2024. The global nature of soccer adds another layer of complexity. In 2024, Opta ranked MLS as the ninth-best men’s league in the world, making it difficult to retain top talent who can find better opportunities in Europe and other top-tier leagues.
The Future of Dynasties in MLS and NWSL
The odds of achieving dynastic status in MLS or NWSL are slim, especially given the leagues’ commitment to competitive parity. Unlike college soccer, where programs like the University of North Carolina’s women’s team won 22 NCAA titles over 31 years by securing commitments from top prospects, professional leagues face a more fluid and competitive talent pool. Top NWSL players are increasingly opting to move to European clubs, drawn by the allure of the UEFA Champions League and better financial conditions. Patrick Mahomes, a co-owner of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current and a football quarterback with a chance to make history this Sunday, understands the challenge. While he looks forward to playing in front of Lionel Messi, a comparison to the "Greatest of All Time," he acknowledges the thin chances of building a dynasty in American professional soccer. As the leagues continue to evolve and expand, the focus remains on ensuring that no single team can dominate for too long, a philosophy that reflects the broader American sporting ethos.
