San Jose Earthquakes - News - 08/31/2005

San Jose Earthquakes - News - 08/31/2005: "San Jose Earthquakes clinch spot in 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs
Real Salt Lake loss pushes Earthquakes into Playoffs for fifth straight year
San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations

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SAN JOSE - The San Jose Earthquakes clinched a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive year tonight following Western Conference rival Real Salt Lake's 5-1 loss to D.C. United. The Earthquakes became the first team in the league to secure a spot in the postseason, and clinched a playoff berth in August for the second time in club history. With eight games remaining, this year's squad has equaled the 2003 Quakes for the earliest clinching of a playoff berth in team history.

The Earthquakes (12-5-8, 44 pts.) sit in first place in the Western Conference and trail the New England Revolution by a point for the best overall record in MLS. The Quakes now lead Real Salt Lake, the Western Conference's fifth place team by 25 points, and RSL can only accumulate a total of 24 points the rest of the season.

The MLS Playoffs begin Oct. "