LA Galaxy won the 1996 MLS Western Conference playoff race on 49 points, 8 points ahead of Dallas Burn. It came down to the final days: LA Galaxy did not lead for good until September 15, 1996.
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Western standings, 1996
Team
W
L
T
PTS
L10
Streak
LA Galaxy (LA)
19
13
0
49
4-6-0
W3
Dallas Burn (DAL)
17
15
0
41
4-6-0
L2
Kansas City Wiz (SKC)
17
15
0
41
6-4-0
L2
San Jose Clash (SJ)
15
17
0
39
4-6-0
W1
Colorado Rapids (COL)
11
21
0
29
2-8-0
L2
Final standings.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 8 times.
LA Galaxy trailed by as many as 3 points on April 6, 1996.
LA Galaxy took first place for good on September 15, 1996.
LA Galaxy won 12 games in a row from April 13, 1996 to June 26, 1996, the longest run of the race.
San Jose Clash led by 3 points as late as April 12, 1996.
LA Galaxy went 7-0-0 from April 19, 1996 to June 1, 1996, turning a deficit of 1 point into a lead of 10 points.
The top two ended the day within three points of each other on 39 of the 77 days played.
Four teams held first place.
LA Galaxy spent 136 of the season's 170 charted days in first place.