Soccer  > General Soccer  > Colorado, Dallas seal Champions League berths
November 15, 2010, 02:46 PM
NEW YORK - The Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas claimed the United States' last two berths in next season's CONCACAF Champions League, winning their Major League Soccer conference semifinals to earn a trip to Sunday's MLS Cup final in Toronto.

Defender Kosuke Kimura, the first Japanese player to compete in MLS, scored his first goal of the season in the 42nd minute to give the Rapids a 1-0 victory Saturday over the San Jose Earthquakes.

The goal came on a curling, in-swinging left-footed cross intended for Omar Cummings, but the ball bounced over his foot and past goalkeeper Jon Busch to the delight of the 17,779 at Dick Sporting Goods Park despite freezing temperatures.

On Sunday, David Ferreira scored a first-half goal, and George John and Marvin Chavez added second-half tallies to lift Dallas past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-0. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who played 10 seasons with the Galaxy before he was traded to Kansas City and then to Dallas before the start of this season, made six saves as Los Angeles outshot Dallas 18-8 to earn the shutout.

Colorado and Dallas head to the Champions League with the Seattle Sounders, who won the U.S. Open Cup, and the Galaxy, who already had secured their place in next season's competition by winning the MLS Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season record.

The winner of Sunday's MLS Cup final will qualify for the Group Stage along the Galaxy, while the runner-up will enter the Preliminary Round along with Seattle.

Both will be newcomers to the Champions League. Dallas earned its first trip to the MLS Cup final since the U.S. league began in 1996 while Colorado returns to the title game for the second time and first since 1997.
 
November 16, 2010  12:02 PM ET

congrats to Dallas!

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