It was also the 87th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 21st with a national first-division league.
This was the last season which used the 35 yard line shootout rule to resolve tied games, and that of the countdown timer, with MLS Cup 1999 adopting the IFAB-standard running clock thereafter.
D.C. United won their second double by winning the Supporters' Shield and defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS Cup.
The conference semifinals and finals were played as a best-of-three series, and the winners advanced to MLS Cup.
The team with the most points in the regular season was awarded the MLS Supporters' Shield.