MLS Sunday: United, they fall (Week 31)

DC United 0-1 Columbus (Crew Stadium)

In one of those season defining moments, Luciano Emilio beat the keeper one-v-one, fired a shot past the the fractured defense and ... hit the far post. Brad Evans scored the lone goal of the game, a spectacular long-range effort, and shattered the hopes of DC United fans, knocking the once dynastic club out of the playoffs in the final game of the regular season. DC's loss clears the way for the New York Red Bulls to back into the MLS playoffs, where they will switch conferences as the last team to qualify for the Cup.
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Los Angeles 2-2 FC Dallas (HDC)
Landon Donovan's 79th minute penalty kick gave LD the regular season Golden Boot and assured that the Galaxy would not suffer the humiliation of finishing dead last in Major League Soccer this season ... by themselves at least. The point assured that they would finish level on points with re-expanded San Jose. Edson Buddle scored his 15 goal of the season, but the LA defense did what it do. You know what I'm sayin'? They surrendered two goals in five minutes to Drew Moor and Victor Sikora, a couple of guys who have a total of three goals this year between them. Each side also saw players ejected, as Alvaro Pires (LA) was sent off with a straihgt red in the 40th and Aaron Pitchkolan was sent off four minutes into the second half with a second caution.