The San Jose Earthquakes became the first MLS team to clinch one of the eight playoff spots with a 3-1 over Dallas yesterday in San Jose. The win also prevented Dallas from overtaking the Earthquakes at the top of the standings.
Los Angeles remained within three points of the Earthquakes by downing Kansas City, 2-1. Los Angeles and San Jose meet twice before the regular season ends, Sept. 14 in Los Angeles and Sept. 21 in San Jose.
San Jose's win increased its MLS home unbeaten streak to 14 games. Ariel Graziani, who joined San Jose from Dallas this season in a trade with Ronald Cerritos, scored and set up a goal for Landon Donovan. Cerritos entered the game for Dallas in the 65th minute and nailed a shot off the post five minutes later.
Alexi Lalas scored Los Angeles' winner against Kansas City with a header, off a Simon Elliott corner kick, that bounced past keeper Tony Meola.
Carlos Ruiz opened the scoring for Los Angeles with his 17th strike of the season.
Aug. 21 in San Jose
SAN JOSE (13-7-3, 42 pts) 3 DALLAS (10-6-7, 37 pts) 1.
Goals: Graziani (Barrett, Corrales) 7, Donovan (Graziani, Corrales) 33, Corrales (Ekelund, Mulrooney) 63; Rodriguez pen. 43.
Att.: 9,089.
Aug. 21 in Pasadena, Calif.
LOS ANGELES (12-8-3, 39 pts) 2 KANSAS CITY (8-9-8, 32 points) 1.
Goals: Ruiz (Hendrickson, Elliott) 31, Lalas (Elliott) 82; Preki (Burns, Simutenkov) 60.
Att. 8,943.