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BOX SCORE
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Eric Wynalda and Welton scored in a
three-minute span in the second half Saturday night as the Miami
Fusion secured an MLS playoff berth with a 2-0 victory over the
Colorado Rapids.
Miami and New England entered the match, their regular season finale, separated by one point in the race for the fourth and final Eastern Conference playoff berth.
The Fusion (13-19, 29 points) kept the one-point advantage with their victory, making the shootout victory by the Revolution (12-20, 26) over D.C. United meaningless.
Colorado (20-12, 38 points) had clinched a playoff bid in the
Western Conference, but its place won't be determined until Dallas
(18-13, 48 points) and defending champion Chicago (17-14, 47
points) close their regular seasons Sunday at Tampa Bay and
Columbus, respectively.
The Fusion took advantage of the quick goals to secure consecutive playoff appearances in the franchise's two seasons in the league.
Wynalda gave the Fusion a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute, scoring his second goal of the season.
Miami's Henry Gutierrez centered a pass from the left wing which
Colorado defender Marcelo Balboa cleared -- but to an open Wynalda.
Wynalda blasted a left-footed shot into the upper left hand corner of the goal.
Three minutes later, Welton scored his eighth goal of the season
when he reached a ball that Colorado goalkeeper Ian Feuer came out
to play. Welton got past Feuer and successfully converted on an
uncontested shot just inside the penalty area.
Fusion goalkeeper Jeff Cassar had three saves to record his third shutout of the season.
Miami, which finished the season with convincing home victories over Colorado and Columbus, will play at D.C. United next Saturday night in the best-of-3, first-round playoff series opener.
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Soccer Scoreboard
RECAPS
Miami 2
Colorado 0
New England 2
Washington DC 1
Los Angeles 1
Kansas City 0
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