After playing one season in the suburb of Southlake, the Dallas Burn returned to the Cotton Bowl.
D.C. United signed 14-year-old prodigy Freddy Adu, who made his debut as a substitute in their season opener becoming the youngest player in North American sports history.
The Columbus Crew emerged as a dominant team in the second half of the regular season, running off an MLS-record 18-game unbeaten streak en route to winning the Supporters' Shield.
D.C. United won their record 4th league title by defeating the Kansas City Wizards in MLS Cup.
The conference finals were played as a single match, and the winners advanced to MLS Cup.