Every 1997 MLS race charted day by day: Eastern, Western and Supporters' Shield. Final standings, from a season that ran March 22 to September 28, 1997.
Loading season data…
Eastern standings, 1997
Team
W
L
T
PTS
L10
Streak
D.C. United (DC)
21
11
0
55
6-4-0
L1
Tampa Bay Mutiny (TBM)
17
15
0
45
5-5-0
L2
Columbus Crew (CLB)
15
17
0
39
6-4-0
W2
New England Revolution (NE)
15
17
0
37
3-7-0
W2
New York/New Jersey MetroStars (RBNY)
13
19
0
35
6-4-0
W1
Final standings.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 7 times.
D.C. United trailed by as many as 2 points on March 29, 1997.
D.C. United took first place for good on May 22, 1997.
D.C. United won 6 games in a row from May 18, 1997 to June 14, 1997, the longest run of the race.
D.C. United went 6-0-0 from May 17, 1997 to June 14, 1997, turning a deficit of 1 point into a lead of 8 points.
The top two ended the day within three points of each other on 25 of the 72 days played.
Five teams held first place.
D.C. United spent 163 of the season's 191 charted days in first place.