Sounders Dash Dallas' Playoff Hopes With 2-1 Win
Updated 12:15 PM CDT, Sun, Oct 25, 2009
Brad Evans, who had an earlier goal nullified by an offsides call, scored the game-winner in the 84th minute Saturday night as the Seattle Sounders came from behind to beat FC Dallas 2-1 in the regular-season finale for both teams.
While the Sounders (12-7-11) are the first MLS expansion team since the 1998 Chicago Fire to make the postseason, Dallas (11-13-6) saw its postseason hopes dashed.
With its 47 points, Seattle, a winner of three straight, is second in the Western Conference, two points ahead of Houston and Chivas USA, which will square off in a regular-season finale Sunday in Carson, Calif. Playoff pairings, sites and dates won't be determined until Sunday's games are completed.
The win also made Seattle coach Sigi Schmid the career MLS leader with 125, breaking the mark of Bob Bradley -- currently the U.S. national team coach.
Nate Jaqua also scored for Seattle, with his goal at the start of the 62nd minute ending a 375-minute home scoreless streak for the Sounders that stretched back to a 2-1 victory over Houston on July 11.
Although Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham went scoreless, he effectively clinched the league's Golden Boot award as top goal scorer. Cunningham finished with 17 goals, one more than Colorado's Conor Casey, who failed to score Saturday in the Rapids' 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake.
Copyright Associated Press
First Published: Oct 25, 2009 11:51 AM CDT
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