Claudio Lopez converted a penalty kick in
the 92nd minute, and the Kansas City Wizards earned a 2-2 draw on Saturday at
CommunityAmerica Ballpark to leave D.C. United's playoff hopes in doubt.
United overcame a first-half deficit on goals by Jaime Moreno and Julius James
but Fred gave away the penalty in the closing seconds when he denied a scoring
chance with a handball.
Lopez converted for his seventh goal of the season, and D.C. (9-8-13) settled
for a tie that left it with 40 points for the season. The Colorado Rapids and
Real Salt Lake also finished with 40 points, but FC Dallas and the New England
Revolution can eliminate the trio with wins.
All five teams could finish on 40 points, leaving the final two playoff berths
to be decided on tiebreakers. FC Dallas played Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
night, while New England visits the Columbus Crew on Sunday.
K.C. (8-13-9) put D.C. in a hole 30 minutes into the match when Kei Kamara put
his team in front with his first goal since being acquired in a trade from the
Houston Dynamo earlier this season.
Matt Marquees set up the ball and Kamara finished with a header into the lower
right. Kamara scored six goals this season.
D.C. remained behind until more than 20 minutes into the second half, but tied
the score when Moreno converted a penalty kick for his ninth goal of the year.
Julius James added the go-ahead goal in the 82nd for D.C. on unassisted finish
for his first goal of the season, but Kansas City spoiled United's comeback in
the closing seconds.
Fred was ejected for the foul in extra time and Lopez left United's postseason
plans up in the air, depending the outcome of the other games and tiebreakers.
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