Houston Dynamo have catapulted themselves into the MLS playoffs courtesy of a 2-1 win away at DC United on the final day of the regular season.
Montreal Impact's defeat to Toronto FC yesterday meant that they would be certain of a spot if they won at RFK Stadium, and a penalty from Oscar Boniek Garcia added to by Giles Barnes's goal means that they sneak in.
The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute, when James Riley brought down Barnes inside the area, giving Boniek the chance to open the scoring from the spot.
It did not take long for United to offer a reply, as Chris Pontius crossed for Kyle Porter to head home in the 27th minute.
However, the match-winning goal came six minutes before the break, when Barnes headed home from Brad Davis's corner, leaving DC United without a win in 12 and finishing bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Michael Penkman
