Did you know – By reaching the MLS Cup final, the Columbus Crew extended an amazing string for Tucson. Every year for the last nine years at least one team that trained in the Old Pueblo has gone on to make the championship game. Let’s take a closer look:
- Five teams that trained in Tucson went on to win the title — Sounders FC (2016 and 2019), Portland Timbers (2015), Sporting Kansas City (2013) and LA Galaxy (2012).
- In 2013, both teams that reached the MLS Cup final, Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake, competed in preseason action earlier that year in Tucson. That season, eight of the 10 teams that trained in the Old Pueblo ended up reaching the postseason.
- This year, three of the six teams that trained here reached the playoffs — Columbus has reached the final, Sporting Kansas City made it to the conference semifinals and the New York Red Bulls played in the first round.
- For the last four years, the New York Red Bulls have made the playoffs after training in Tucson.
