1997 MLS Eastern Conference standings
D.C. United won the 1997 MLS Eastern Conference playoff race on 55 points, 10 points ahead of Tampa Bay Mutiny.
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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.