LA Galaxy won the 2001 MLS Western Conference playoff race on 47 points, 1 point ahead of San Jose Earthquakes. It came down to the final days: LA Galaxy did not lead for good until September 8, 2001.
Loading season data…
Western standings, 2001
Team
W
L
T
PTS
L10
Streak
LA Galaxy (LA)
14
7
5
47
7-3-0
W2
San Jose Earthquakes (SJ)
13
7
7
46
5-4-1
L1
Kansas City Wizards (SKC)
11
13
3
36
4-4-2
W1
Colorado Rapids (COL)
5
13
8
23
2-5-3
L4
Final standings.
Turning points
The lead changed hands 6 times.
LA Galaxy trailed by as many as 7 points on August 8, 2001.
LA Galaxy took first place for good on September 8, 2001.
San Jose Earthquakes led by 7 points as late as August 10, 2001.
The top two ended the day within three points of each other on 26 of the 39 days played.
Three teams held first place.
San Jose Earthquakes held first place for 98 straight days, the season's longest run.
LA Galaxy spent 16 of the season's 156 charted days in first place.