Every 2000 MLS race charted day by day: Central, Eastern, Western and Supporters' Shield. Final standings, from a season that ran March 18 to September 9, 2000.
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Central standings, 2000
Team
W
L
T
PTS
L10
Streak
Chicago Fire FC (CHI)
17
9
6
57
7-1-2
W4
Tampa Bay Mutiny (TBM)
16
12
4
52
5-3-2
T1
Dallas Burn (DAL)
14
14
4
46
6-3-1
W2
Columbus Crew (CLB)
11
16
5
38
3-6-1
L5
Final standings.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 9 times.
Chicago Fire FC trailed by as many as 6 points on March 25, 2000.
Chicago Fire FC took first place for good on September 6, 2000.
Tampa Bay Mutiny led by 6 points as late as August 18, 2000.
Chicago Fire FC went 5-0-1 from August 18, 2000 to September 9, 2000, turning a deficit of 6 points into a lead of 5 points.
The top two ended the day within three points of each other on 41 of the 46 days played.
Three teams held first place.
Tampa Bay Mutiny held first place for 70 straight days, the season's longest run.
Chicago Fire FC spent 38 of the season's 176 charted days in first place.