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 Columbus hardly missed prolific striker Kei Kamara, suspended after
an accumulation of yellow cards, as his replacement Jack McInerney
scored the opening goal in the 25th minute to set the Crew on the
path to victory.
United’s worst result in 18 years sent them plunging from second to
fourth in the Eastern Conference, and into a knockout match against
fifth-placed New England Revolution in the first round of the post
season on Wednesday.
The other Eastern first-round playoff will be an all-Canadian affair
between Montreal Impact (third) and Toronto FC (sixth), who will
meet for the second time in five days.
The Impact earned home advantage when they beat Toronto 2-1 on
Sunday, with Ivorian striker Didier Drogba scoring twice to bring
his total to 11 goals in 11 games.
The New York Red Bulls, already assured of top spot in the East,
beat the lowly Chicago Fire 2-1 to secure the Supporters’ Shield for
the best record in the league, and home advantage throughout the
post season, with 60 points from 34 matches.
In the West, the Vancouver Whitecaps clinched the all-important
second spot, courtesy of a 3-0 home win over the Houston Dynamo.
The Whitecaps overtook the Los Angeles Galaxy, who fell from second
to fifth after being beaten 2-1 by Sporting Kansas City.
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English striker Dominic Dwyer scored the winner for Kansas City in
the 65th minute, after captain Robbie Keane had equalized for the
Galaxy in first-half stoppage time when he latched onto an
inch-perfect pass by Giovani dos Santos.
The Galaxy, who have won just twice away all season, visit
fourth-placed Seattle Sounders in the first round of the playoffs,
while third-placed Portland Timbers will host Kansas City.
Seattle, Los Angeles and Kansas City all finished with 51 points,
while Dallas finished top in the West on 60 points.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Ian
Ransom)
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