The MLS Belt · reign 19
D.C. United
Took the belt from Tampa Bay Mutiny, 4–1, on October 10, 1996. Lost it to San Jose Clash, 3–2, on April 26, 1997.
6Defenses
198Days
2ndReign for the club
+1Closest call · Apr 19, 1997
1.3Average winning margin
3rdLongest of 444 reigns, by days
25thMost defenses of 444 reigns
How it ended
Lost it to San Jose Clash, 3–2, on April 26, 1997.
Defended against
Galaxy ×2NY/NJ MetroStars ×2Tampa BayColorado
The seasons
- 1996: Tampa Bay Mutiny had the best record (20–12–0); they won the MLS Cup while holding the belt; 3 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 18 times that season.
- 1997: they had the best record (21–11–0); they won the MLS Cup; 5 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 15 times that season.
Every game of the reign
margins from D.C. United’s side| Belt game | Date | Result | Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | Oct 10, 1996 | D.C. United beat Tampa Bay Mutiny 4–1 Playoffs Game → | +3 | Title change |
| 40 | Oct 12, 1996 | D.C. United beat Tampa Bay Mutiny 2–1 Playoffs | +1 | Defense |
| 41 | Oct 20, 1996 | D.C. United beat LA Galaxy 3–2 (AET) Playoffs | +1 OT | Defense |
| 42 | Mar 29, 1997 | D.C. United beat LA Galaxy 1–0 | +1 | Defense |
| 43 | Apr 5, 1997 | D.C. United beat NY/NJ MetroStars 2–1 | +1 | Defense |
| 44 | Apr 12, 1997 | D.C. United beat Colorado Rapids 5–2 | +3 | Defense |
| 45 | Apr 19, 1997 | D.C. United beat NY/NJ MetroStars 2–1 | +1 | Defense |
| 46 | Apr 26, 1997 | San Jose Clash beat D.C. United 3–2 | −1 | Title change |