what is the supporters shield

The Supporters Shield is an annual award given to the Major League Soccer team with the best regular season record, as determined by the MLS points system. It has been awarded annually at the MLS Supporters Summit since 1999, and has been recognized as a major trophy by the league. The Shield is made of sterling silver and stainless steel and weighs 35 pounds. It echoes the practice of the top European leagues in which the team with the best record is the champion. The idea of creating a new Supporters Shield began at the MLS Supporters Summit during the 2010 MLS Cup in Toronto, and it continued to gain traction at the then recently formed Independent Supporters Council (ISC) the following two years in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon. The Shield is designed to grow over time as more teams win it. The Supporters Shield is important because it commemorates regular season dominance and gives a club prestige.