# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published November 9, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-22-greatest-mls-coaches-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Brian Schmetzer** — score 1000/1000
   Seattle native who coached the Sounders to MLS Cups in 2016 and 2019 and the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League title.
2. **Ronny Deila** — score 858/1000
   Norwegian coach who led New York City FC to the 2021 MLS Cup, the club's first trophy.
3. **Caleb Porter** — score 678/1000
   Won MLS Cups with two clubs, the Portland Timbers in 2015 and the Columbus Crew in 2020.
4. **Wilfried Nancy** — score 678/1000
   French coach who won the 2023 MLS Cup in his first season with the Columbus Crew and the 2024 Leagues Cup.
5. **Bob Bradley** — score 678/1000
   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.
6. **Peter Vermes** — score 678/1000
   Long-serving Sporting Kansas City coach who won the 2013 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cups in 2012, 2015 and 2017.
7. **Steve Cherundolo** — score 555/1000
   Won the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield with LAFC in 2022, his first season as the club's head coach.
8. **Pat Noonan** — score 555/1000
   Coached FC Cincinnati to the 2023 Supporters' Shield in his second season in charge.
9. **Bruce Arena** — score 555/1000
   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.
10. **Sigi Schmid** — score 555/1000
   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.
11. **Javier Mascherano** — score 555/1000
   Former Argentina midfielder who coached Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup, the club's first MLS Cup.
12. **Frank Yallop** — score 0/1000
   Led the San Jose Earthquakes to MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003.
13. **Jesse Marsch** — score 0/1000
   Won the 2015 Supporters' Shield with the New York Red Bulls and was named MLS Coach of the Year that season.
14. **Mike Petke** — score 0/1000
   Former Red Bulls defender who coached the club to the 2013 Supporters' Shield, its first major trophy.
15. **Thomas Rongen** — score 0/1000
   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.
16. **Steve Nicol** — score 0/1000
   Coached the New England Revolution from 2002 to 2011, reaching four MLS Cup finals and winning the 2007 U.S. Open Cup.
17. **Dominic Kinnear** — score 0/1000
   Coached the Houston Dynamo to back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007, the club's first two seasons in Houston.
18. **Jason Kreis** — score 0/1000
   Coached Real Salt Lake to the 2009 MLS Cup and later became New York City FC's first head coach.
19. **Óscar Pareja** — score 0/1000
   Won the 2016 Supporters' Shield and U.S. Open Cup with FC Dallas and the 2022 U.S. Open Cup with Orlando City.
20. **Gerardo Martino** — score 0/1000
   Won the 2018 MLS Cup with Atlanta United in the club's second season and the 2024 Supporters' Shield with Inter Miami.
21. **Greg Vanney** — score 0/1000
   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.
22. **Jim Curtin** — score 0/1000
   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.

Tags: usa, sports, soccer, coaches, mls