The 1998 D.C. United season was the clubs' fourth year of existence, as well as their third season in Major League Soccer. D.C. United entered their third season as the two-time defending MLS Cup champion, as well as the defending Supporters' Shield titleholder. Finishing as runners-up in MLS Cup '98 and second-place in the regular season standings, United failed to defend both domestic honors. In international play, D.C. United made American soccer history, becoming the first American soccer club to win any CONCACAF club tournament, being the 1998 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. It was only the third time in CONCACAF history that an American soccer club reached the Champions' Cup final (previously achieved by Los Angeles Galaxy the previous season and New York Pancyprian-Freedoms in 1984). Since