MetroStars Beat Crew, Clinch Playoff Spot

Anthony De Avila scored an unassisted goal early in the match and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars made it stand up for a 1-0 victory over Columbus Wednesday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

The victory before 14,007 ended the Crew’s eight-game winning streak and clinched a playoff berth for the MetroStars.

It also enabled the MetroStars (15-16, 39 points) to finish third in the Eastern Conference. They will begin a best-of-three playoff series Tuesday night at home against the D.C. United.

The Crew (15-16, 34 points) can still earn a playoff berth in its final match Saturday at New England with either a regulation victory, a shootout win or a shootout loss.

MetroStar goalkeeper Tony Meola made four saves in registering his ninth shutout of the season.

Tampa Bay 2, San Jose 1--Roy Lassiter scored his 25th goal in the second half at San Jose and also scored in a shootout won by the Mutiny, 3-1.

Ramiro Corrales scored for the Clash in the first half in front of 13,091.