It was also the 93rd season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer in the United States, and the 27th with a national first-division league.

At MLS Cup 2004, two new expansion teams were announced to start play in 2005, Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA.

For the second time in four years, the Los Angeles Galaxy beat the New England Revolution to win MLS Cup before a sell-out crowd at Pizza Hut Park.

The conference finals were played as a single match, and the winners advanced to MLS Cup.

In all rounds, draws were broken with two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary.