the Eastern Conference; Austin FC was added in the 2021 expansion; Houston Dynamo added "FC" to their name. 2022 (14 teams)Change from 2021: Nashville SC moved in from the Eastern Conference. 2023 (14 teams)Changes from 2022'': Nashville SC moved back to the Eastern Conference as expansion side St. Louis City SC was added to the Western Conference. Western Conference playoff champions by year Note: The Conference Finals were a best-of-three series through 2001 (including the MLS semifinals in 2000 and 2001, when a conference playoff format was not used). Matches tied after regulation were decided by a shoot-out. In 2002, a similar format was used except that draws were allowed and the team earning the most points advanced. From 2003 through 2011, the Finals were a single match. Matches tied after regulation went to extra time (Golden goal extra time was implemented for 2003 only), then a shoot-out if necessary. Beginning in 2012, the finals were a two-match aggregate series. The away goals rule for series that finished even on aggregate was first implemented in 2014. Extra time and shoot-outs were used if necessary, although away goals did not apply in extra time. In 2019, the playoffs returned to a single match, single elimination format (including the Conference Finals), which were hosted by the higher placed team in the regular season. From 2015 to 2021, the Western Conference was represented in the MLS Cup by either Seattle Sounders FC or the Portland Timbers. E – Eastern Conference team. Western Conference Champion counts by team As of the 2020 season, a total of 13 different teams have competed in the Western Conference Finals, and 11 of those teams have won at least once. In the table below, teams are ordered first by the number of appearances in a Western Conference Finals, then by the number of wins, and finally by year. Note that this table does not include years that a Western Conference team appeared in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs (such as 2010), and it does include appearances by Eastern Conference teams. Chivas USA (defunct), Nashville SC and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC have never made it to the Western Conference Finals. Western Conference regular season champions by year ^ – MLS did not have draws until the 2000 season. † – The LA Galaxy were declared winners of the Western Division in 2001 after the September 11, 2001 terrorist