The 1997playoffs.

The format

How 1997 worked.

Unchanged structure: top four per conference, best-of-three conference semifinals and finals, single-match MLS Cup at a predetermined venue. Games level after 90 minutes were decided by the MLS shootout, so every game had a winner and series were first to two wins.

• The higher seed now hosted Games 1 and 3 of each series (in 1996 the lower seed hosted Game 1 of the semifinals).
• MLS Cup awarded to RFK Stadium; D.C. United reached it and so played the final at home.

1. 01Conference semifinalsBest of three · Games level after 90 minutes were decided by the MLS 35-yard shootout (decidedBy 'so'); Wikipedia's boxes label these 'penalties'.Oct 4 – 8
2. 02Conference finalsBest of threeOct 12 – 15
3. 03MLS CupSingle matchOct 26

Seeding

Seeded 1–4 within each conference on regular-season points (3 for a win, 1 for a shootout win). Pairings 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 in each conference.

Hosting

Best-of-three series were 1-1-1: the higher seed hosted Game 1 and, if needed, Game 3; the lower seed hosted Game 2. MLS Cup was played at RFK Stadium, Washington, as the predetermined venue (D.C. United's home).

Ties

A game level after 90 minutes went to the MLS shootout; the shootout winner took the game. Series were first to two wins. MLS Cup would have used sudden-death overtime and then a shootout.