1998 Supporters' Shield
The most successful team in MLS history.
The LA Galaxy are an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference. The Galaxy began play in 1996 as one of the league's ten charter members. The franchise is the league's most successful team.
Quick Facts
- Top scorer
- Cobi Jones (8 regular-season goals); Welton scored 6 regular-season goals (20 across all competitions)
Lore & Background
The Galaxy were founded in 1994 and are owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group. In their early years, the club played home games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Since 2003, they have played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The team holds a rivalry with the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clásico and used to play the SuperClasico against city rivals Chivas USA before that team folded in 2014. Following the league's dissolution of Chivas USA, a new expansion team, Los Angeles FC (LAFC), was formed in 2014 and began play in 2018; the new LA rivalry was dubbed 'El Tráfico'.
Reader's Guide
The Galaxy have won a record six MLS Cups in ten Finals appearances, the Western Conference regular-season title eight times, four Supporters' Shields, two U.S. Open Cups, and one CONCACAF Champions' Cup title. In 2024, the Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup, and broke the record for most goals during a playoff campaign with 18 goals. In 1998, the Galaxy finished 24–8 and defeated the Dallas Burn 6–2 on aggregate in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Did You Know?
- The Galaxy's name was derived from Los Angeles being home to the 'stars' of Hollywood.
- In 2007, the club signed David Beckham from Real Madrid, the most high-profile transaction with MLS to that point.
- Landon Donovan is the all-time leading scorer for the club.
- In 2019, Forbes estimated the club is the second most valuable in the league, worth about $480 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 1998 Supporters' Shield represent for LA Galaxy?
This trophy marks the club's first-ever major honor and their inaugural regular-season championship in Major League Soccer. It was won during the team's second year of existence, proving they were a serious competitive force immediately after founding.
Who led the LA Galaxy to win the 1998 Supporters' Shield?
The squad was managed by Ruud Gullit and featured top scorer Brian McBride, who netted 20 goals that season. Their collective effort secured 53 points, which was enough to claim the regular-season title.
Why is winning the 1998 Supporters' Shield considered a milestone?
It validated the franchise's impact on MLS just two years after its high-profile launch in 1996. This achievement signaled that Los Angeles was a destination for genuine competition rather than just spectacle.
How many points did LA Galaxy earn to secure the 1998 Supporters' Shield?
The team accumulated a total of 53 points during the 1998 MLS season. This point tally was sufficient to finish first in the league standings and claim the regular-season championship.
Was the 1998 Supporters' Shield the Galaxy's only title that year?
Yes, this specific award recognized their performance as the top team over the entire regular season. While it was their first major hardware, it did not include a playoff championship for that calendar year.
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