Winners:
In 2003, CHICAGO finished MLS runner-up during Coach Dave Sarachan's first season in charge. It slumped in 2004 and missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. On Wednesday, a 2-2 tie with the MetroStars, thanks to late goals by Chris Armas and Jack Stewart, clinched a playoff spot for the Fire.
FREDDY ADU, impressing in his second straight start for D.C. United, scored his fourth goal of the season in a 3-1 win over Salt Lake after a 50-yard run. He embarked on the run with his back to defender Brian Dunseth, flicked the ball over Dunseth's head, spun around to retrieve it, then evaded two other defenders before stroking the ball past keeper D.J. Countess. Adu also notched his sixth assist.
Losers:
Mo Johnston, interim coach of the METROSTARS since Bob Bradley was sacked with three regular-season games left, got off to a dream start in his first game as the Metros took a 2-0 lead on two Eddie Gaven goals after 25 minutes and held it until the 90th minute. Then two Chicago goals in three minutes earned it a 2-2 tie. The MetroStars' Ante Razov was ejected in the 80th minute and Chicago's Will Johnson was red-carded in the 90th minute. Johnston, who had made two substitutions in the 88th minute and one in the 79th, has two games to catch Kansas City, which sits two points ahead in fourth place and also has two games left. Bradley's son, Michael, remained a starter in Johnston's first lineup.
The COLUMBUS CREW's 2-1 loss to FC Dallas — Ramon Nunez, 19, hit the winner on a swerving 28-yard shot — ruined the Crew's chances of reaching the playoffs. This season marks the third time Columbus has missed postseason play in the league's 10-year history.