Tie deals blow to United's playoff chances

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By From combined dispatches

D.C. UNITED 2, WIZARDS 2: Claudio Lopez's penalty kick in second-half stoppage time salvaged a tie for host Kansas City against D.C. United on Saturday night.

The draw hurt United's playoff hopes in the regular-season finale for both teams. FC Dallas and Seattle FC played in a game later Saturday night; if the teams finished in a draw, D.C. United would qualify for the postseason.

Julius James' header in the 82nd minute gave United a 2-1 lead, but United midfielder Fred drew a handball and automatic red card for using his arm to block Roger Espinoza's shot on the goal line in the second minute of extra time.

Lopez put the ball past Steve Cronin for the second penalty-kick goal of the game.

With six teams still in the hunt for the final two playoff spots going into the weekend, United (9-8-13) could still qualify but would need plenty of help.

The Wizards (8-13-9), winless in their final five matches, were eliminated with last week's 3-2 home loss to Seattle.

Kei Kamara's 30th-minute header put the Wizards up 1-0, but Jaime Moreno, a late first-half sub, equalized with a penalty kick in the 67th after drawing a foul against Kansas City's Matt Marquess.

RED BULLS 5, TORONTO FC 0: Juan Pablo Angel and Mac Kandji each scored twice to help lift host New York to a win over Toronto FC in East Rutherford, N.J.

Matthew Mbuta struck for a late penalty kick in the final soccer game played at Giants Stadium. The team is moving to a new stadium near Newark starting next year.

REAL SALT LAKE 3, RAPIDS 0: Robbie Findley scored twice in the first half to boost Real Salt Lake to an easy victory over Colorado in Sandy, Utah.