The LA Galaxy’s “Quest for Three” straight MLS Cups is the main theme as we head into the MLS Cup playoffs, but as they attempt to do something that has never been done before in MLS, let’s look at some of the threepeats from major sports across the world.
Check out this infographic of teams that won consecutive titles across the globe:
Threepeats by the numbers:
ZERO – The number of threepeats in MLS history.
ONE—The margin of point victory during the final three titles for FC Barcelona’s famed “Dream Team” which won four consecutive La Liga titles from 1990-91 to 1993-94. The last three titles were each won on the last day of the season.
THREE – The number of NBA Final MVPs won by Shaquille O’Neal during the Los Angeles Lakers threepeat from 2000 to 2002.
FOUR – The number of threepeats or more titles for Real Madrid, who have pulled off the feat more than any team in a major league across the world. Madrid have won the La Liga title 32 times.
4-2-4—The formation of the Il Grande Torino side that won five titles in the forties. This was the first time that such an attacking formation had been used in global football. In the midst of their run, however, the bulk of the team was killed in the Superga air disaster.
SEVEN – The number of World Series titles by New York Yankees managers Casey Stengel and Joe McCarthy, which is a major league baseball record. Both managers led the Yankees to consecutive titles.
* EIGHT –The number of consecutive titles for the Boston Celtics, which is the longest streak in American professional sport history. During the time, the Celtics were led by legendary head coach Red Auerbach and Bill Russell.
TEN – The number of regular season losses during UCLA Men’s Basketball head coach John Wooden’s unprecedented seven consecutive NCAA titles between 1964 and 1976. During that span, UCLA lost more than two games only once—coming in 1975 when they lost three games. Wooden won 10 titles in 12 years.
22—The number of titles won during the era of Liverpool FC from 1974 to 1984. Bob Paisley won two straight league titles from 1982 to 1983 before Joe Fagan completed the triple in 1984 after Paisley stepped down.
19 – the number of consecutive series victories by New York Islanders as they won four straight Stanley Cup titles in the 1980s. The Islanders would win 16 consecutive playoff series, but moved their record to 19 in 1984 when they fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup final to fall short of five straight.
20.9—George Miken’s average points per game while leading the Minneapolis Lakers to the NBA’s first ever threepeat.
22 --The number of goals scored by Internazionale’s Diego Milito in Inter’s 2009-10 season as he sealed the team’s third straight Serie A title.
25—The percentage of Stanley Cup titles won by the Montreal Canadiens since 1914. The Habs won five straight titles from 1956-60 and four in 1976-79.
33.6—Michael Jordan’s points per game during the NBA Finals. Jordan won six NBA titles with two threepeats.
66—The Number of goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo during Manchester United’s latest three-peat from 2006-07 to 2008-09.
88—The number of goals scored by Lionel Messi during FC Barcelona’s La Liga threepeat from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
92—The number of appearances for David Beckham as Manchester United completed the club’s first ever threepeat in 1998-99 to 2000-01. During that span, Beckham scored four goals for Manchester United.
126 – The goal difference for Arsenal during their threepeat from 1932-33 to 1934-35. Arsenal’s threepeat was the second ever occurrence in The Football League with Huddlesfield Town pulling off the feat from 1923-24 to 1925-26.
300—The number for amount of bonus money offered by Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley to members of his “Swingin’ A’s” sides in the 1970s that were the only team not named the New York Yankees to win three straight World Series titles.
