Galaxy Spree Ends Hopes of San Jose

Jose Vasquez scored three goals in a nine-minute span Sunday--his first goals of the season--to lead the Galaxy to a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Clash in front of 20,147 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose.

The loss ended the Clash’s chances of reaching the Major League Soccer playoffs and clinched a berth for the Colorado Rapids.

The victory was the fifth in a row for the Galaxy (15-16), which secured its playoff spot Friday.

Ronald Cerritos gave San Jose (12-19) a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute when he scored off a 25-yard free kick that glanced off the right post and into the net. The Clash made it 2-0 on a goal by Eddie Lewis in the 68th minute.

Vasquez began his run three minutes later when he converted a header off Martin Machon’s free kick. Vasquez tied the score on another header, this one off a pass from Welton in the 76th minute.

His winning goal came four minutes later on assists from Mauricio Cienfuegos and Chris Armas.

Tampa Bay 2, Washington 1--Martin Vasquez scored one goal and created another within a one-minute span as the Mutiny upset first-place D.C. United in front of 14,686 in Washington. The loss ended a four-game winning streak for D.C. United (20-10).

After sending a 24-yard free kick dipping past goalkeeper Scott Garlic in the 81st minute, Vasquez started the game-winning play with a pass to Alan Prampin.

The midfielder, who entered the game in the 70th minute for the Mutiny (17-13), brought the ball down the left sideline and beat defender David Vaudreuil with a lobbed cross that Gilmar deflected into the roof of the net in the 82nd minute. Eddie Pope scored for United in the 53rd minute.