DC United win locks playoffs

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — DC United scored four times in the second half — including Ben Olsen's first two goals of the season — to post a 4-1 win over the MetroStars on Saturday night.

The win clinched an MLS Eastern Conference playoff berth for DC United (15-9-5), the defending league champion, and seriously hurt the MetroStars' (10-9-10) hopes of gaining a postseason berth. The loss also snapped an 11-game unbeaten streak at home for the MetroStars. The MetroStars led 1-0 at halftime, scoring on Mike Magee's header off a crossing pass from Youri Djorkaeff in the 19th minute. DC United tied the score in the 47th minute when MetroStars defender Jeff Agoos inadvertently kicked the ball past goalie Tony Meola.

Olsen put DC United ahead for good in the 55th minute when he got past the MetroStars' defensive wall and beat Meola a right-footed blast. Olsen got his second goal in the 86th minute and, less than 90 seconds later, former MetroStar Jaime Moreno scored his 14th goal of the season to cap the scoring.

EARTHQUAKES 2, REVOLUTION 0: At Foxborough, Mass., Brian Ching and Dwayne DeRosario scored second-half goals as Western Conference-leading San Jose (17-4-9) extended its unbeaten streak to 12 matches. East-leading New England (16-7-7) lost at home for just the second time in 15 matches. Ching converted a corner kick from Kevin Goldthwaite in the 60th minute on a header past goaltender Matt Reis. DeRosario scored on a 16-yard shot in the 80th minute. Pat Onstad made five saves to earn his 12th shutout of the season. New England had 13 corner kicks.

FIRE 1, WIZARDS 0: At Kansas City, Mo., Thiago scored from 22 yards out in the 66th minute to lead Chicago. Thiago scored after taking a loose ball being fought for by Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Fire forward Nate Jaqua, giving Chicago (15-11-3) its first win in four games against Kansas City this season. Chris Klein's 40-yard blast in added time was the closest the Wizards (11-9-10) came to scoring, but Mahoney got his fingertips on the shot, sending it against the crossbar. Kansas extended its winless streak to six games and remained three points ahead of the MetroStars for the final playoff spot in the East.

CHIVAS USA 1, CREW 0: At Columbus, Ohio, Francisco Palencia scored in the 59th minute to lead Chivas USA over Columbus. The Crew (10-15-4) almost tied the game in the 71st minute but John Wolyniec could not convert a rebound attempt. Chivas USA (4-21-5) won for the first time since beating New England on July 22. The loss eliminated Columbus from postseason contention.

GALAXY 2, FC DALLAS 1: At Carson, Calif., Herculez Gomez scored twice to help Los Angeles (13-12-6) move into second place in the Western Conference, with a two-point edge over Dallas. The defeat extended Dallas' road losing streak against Los Angeles to nine games since 2002. Gomez broke a 1-1 tie in the 45th minute with his 11th goal of the season. Gomez gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. Aaron Pitchkolan tied the score in the 42nd.