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Posted: Saturday October 25, 2003 10:53 PM
WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Bulgarian veteran Hristo Stoitchkov converted a header in the second half to tie the game and DC United secured the fourth and final Eastern Conference playoff berth after a 1-1 overtime draw against the Kansas City Wizards.
United (10-11-9, 39 points) made it back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the title in 1999. The three-time MLS Cup champion will meet the Chicago Fire in the first round.
The Columbus Crew was eliminated from the postseason.
Kansas City (11-10-9, 42 points) already had guaranteed a first round matchup with the Colorado Rapids. The Wizards will have home field advantage after Colorado lost to Dallas in the last regular season game.
Preki gave the Wizards a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute by slotting home his 12th goal of the season with a right footed shot from the top of the penalty area.
Carey Talley played the ball through the center channel, where midfielder Chris Klein made a dummy run over the ball. Preki turned United defender Mike Petke to set himself up for a clear shot on goal.
Stoitchkov nodded home the equalizer in the 57th minute, snapping a short range header out of the reach of goalkeeper Tony Meola.
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