The following are the results of the SA Online March 1997 poll, in which 1,347 fans picked this year’s MLS champion, runner-up, and two beaten conference finalists.
| Team | Champion | Runner-up | Conference Finalist |
| D.C. United | 315 | 211 | 465 |
| Los Angeles | 247 | 391 | 408 |
| MetroStars | 239 | 134 | 301 |
| Tampa Bay | 141 | 156 | 257 |
| New England | 114 | 86 | 176 |
| Kansas City | 86 | 156 | 325 |
| Columbus | 78 | 45 | 134 |
| San Jose | 56 | 71 | 274 |
| Dallas | 44 | 54 | 191 |
| Colorado | 27 | 39 | 132 |