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.
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Eastern standings, 1997
Team
W
L
T
PTS
L10
Streak
D.C. United (DC)s
21
11
0
55
6-4-0
L1
Tampa Bay Mutiny (TBM)x
17
15
0
45
5-5-0
L2
Columbus Crew (CLB)x
15
17
0
39
6-4-0
W2
New England Revolution (NE)x
15
17
0
37
3-7-0
W2
New York/New Jersey MetroStars (RBNY)
13
19
0
35
6-4-0
W1
Final standings.
Clinch key
x
clinched a playoff place
s
won the Supporters' Shield, awarded in 1999
Turning points
The lead changed hands 6 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 18, 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.
Four clubs held or shared first place.
D.C. United spent 156 of the season's 191 charted days in first place.