The 22 Greatest MLS Coaches of All Time

Some of these coaches stacked trophies across several clubs; others turned one expansion side or one magical season into a legacy.

1. 1
   Brian Schmetzer

   Seattle native who coached the Sounders to MLS Cups in 2016 and 2019 and the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League title.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Ronny Deila

   Norwegian coach who led New York City FC to the 2021 MLS Cup, the club's first trophy.
   858pts
3. 3
   Caleb Porter

   Won MLS Cups with two clubs, the Portland Timbers in 2015 and the Columbus Crew in 2020.
   678pts
4. 4
   Wilfried Nancy

   French coach who won the 2023 MLS Cup in his first season with the Columbus Crew and the 2024 Leagues Cup.
   678pts
5. 5
   Bob Bradley

   Led the expansion Chicago Fire to the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup double in 1998 and won the 2019 Supporters' Shield with LAFC.
   678pts
6. 6
   Peter Vermes

   Long-serving Sporting Kansas City coach who won the 2013 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cups in 2012, 2015 and 2017.
   678pts
7. 7
   Steve Cherundolo

   Won the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield with LAFC in 2022, his first season as the club's head coach.
   555pts
8. 8
   Pat Noonan

   Coached FC Cincinnati to the 2023 Supporters' Shield in his second season in charge.
   555pts
9. 9
   Bruce Arena

   Won a record five MLS Cups, two with D.C. United in 1996 and 1997 and three with the LA Galaxy in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
   555pts
10. 10
    Sigi Schmid

    Won MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy in 2002 and the Columbus Crew in 2008 and later led Seattle to four U.S. Open Cups; the league's Coach of the Year award is named after him.
    555pts
11. 11
    Javier Mascherano

    Former Argentina midfielder who coached Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup, the club's first MLS Cup.
    555pts
12. 12
    Frank Yallop

    Led the San Jose Earthquakes to MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003.
    0pts
13. 13
    Jesse Marsch

    Won the 2015 Supporters' Shield with the New York Red Bulls and was named MLS Coach of the Year that season.
    0pts
14. 14
    Mike Petke

    Former Red Bulls defender who coached the club to the 2013 Supporters' Shield, its first major trophy.
    0pts
15. 15
    Thomas Rongen

    Coached D.C. United to the 1999 MLS Cup and won the league's first Coach of the Year award with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996.
    0pts
16. 16
    Steve Nicol

    Coached the New England Revolution from 2002 to 2011, reaching four MLS Cup finals and winning the 2007 U.S. Open Cup.
    0pts
17. 17
    Dominic Kinnear

    Coached the Houston Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007, the club's first two seasons in Houston.
    0pts
18. 18
    Jason Kreis

    Coached Real Salt Lake to the 2009 MLS Cup and later became New York City FC's first head coach.
    0pts
19. 19
    Óscar Pareja

    Won the 2016 Supporters' Shield and U.S. Open Cup with FC Dallas and the 2022 U.S. Open Cup with Orlando City.
    0pts
20. 20
    Gerardo Martino

    Won the 2018 MLS Cup with Atlanta United in the club's second season and the 2024 Supporters' Shield with Inter Miami.
    0pts
21. 21
    Greg Vanney

    Led Toronto FC to the 2017 treble of MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield and Canadian Championship, then won the 2024 MLS Cup with the LA Galaxy.
    0pts
22. 22
    Jim Curtin

    Coached the Philadelphia Union to the 2020 Supporters' Shield, the club's first major trophy, and was named MLS Coach of the Year that season.
    0pts

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