Red Bulls clinch playoffs

HARRISON, N.J. — Daniel Royer, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Felipe scored and the New York Red Bulls clinched the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night.

Royer opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a threetouch finish at the end of Sacha Kljestan and Tyler Adams’ two-pass combo. Wright-Phillips made it 2-0 with a chip finish in the 58th minute after Adams’ pass sprung him behind the defense for a breakaway run from near midfield.

Kljestan fed it out from the end line to Felipe, who capped the scoring with a rising blast into the right corner in the 72nd minute.

The Red Bulls (1312-7) snapped an eight-game winless streak as they eliminated Montreal, New England, Philadelphia and Orlando from playoff contention.

The Whitecaps (15-11-6) missed an opportunity to secure a first-round bye but remained in first place in the West after dropping only their second match in the last 10.

SPORTING KC 1, MINNESOTA UNITED 1: Brent Kallman tied it with a header in the 84th minute and Minnesota United held on for the draw at home with Sporting Kansas City. Kallman sent Abu Danladi’s cross buzzing past Sporting’s backup goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. Starter Tim Melia was limping and grabbing at his right hamstring in the 59th minute when Dykstra entered as a substitute.ce with the point earned.

FC DALLAS 1, RAPIDS 1: Atiba Harris scored the tying goal early in the second half and FC Dallas and Colorado played to the draw in Commerce City. Harris headed down Javier Morales’ corner from the top of the 6-yard box in the 54th minute.