| | Background: Rematch of last-year's first-round series when the
Fusion played the then-two-time defending league champs
surprisingly tough, falling in two close games.
Regular season: United: 23-9 (1st place); Fusion: 13-19 (4th
place).
Season series: United 4-0.
Schedule
Game 1: Oct. 16: At D.C. 2, Miami 0
Game 2: Oct. 24 D.C. 1, at Miami 0, shootout
Analysis: In 1998, the expansion Fusion split the season series,
being outscored only 9-8, and put a scare into United in the
playoffs. This year, Washington outscored Miami 22-13 and the best
the Fusion could do was force a shootout on Aug. 21 before losing.
D.C. United comes with a little luster from its first three seasons
missing, having lost in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions
Cup, but by almost all accounts they still are the class of the
league.
D.C. has injuries, with midfielder Marco Etcheverry and defender
Carlos Llamosa questionable for Sunday. After a horrible start and
coach-player spat that saw the departure of Carlos Valderrama,
Miami outdueled New England for final playoff spot. But it scored
the second-fewest goals (42) of any of playoff team and allowed the
most (59).
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ALSO SEE
MLS playoffs: Fire open defense of title
Head-to-head: Columbus vs. Tampa Bay
Miami Fusion playoff roster
D.C. United playoff roster
Major League Soccer playoff schedule
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