Sporting, Union clinch MLS playoff berths

Published Oct. 16, 2011 12:32 a.m. ET

foxsports

Sporting Kansas City clinched a Major League Soccer playoff berth with a 2-0 victory on Saturday over the New York Red Bulls, who had forward Thierry Henry sent off in the first half.

C.J. Sapong and Teal Bunbury scored for Kansas City, which moved level on points with leaders Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have 48 points with one game remaining.

New York, which has 43 points, had to play much of the game a man down after Henry was sent off in the first half for kneeing Roger Espinoza in the back as Espinoza sat on the ground.

In Chester, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia clinched its first MLS playoff berth with a draw against Toronto.

Sebastien Le Toux scored his team-best 11th goal of the season in the 43rd minute after receiving a crisp open pass from Justin Mapp, and the Union extended their unbeaten streak to eight games.

Ryan Johnson equalized for Toronto in the 57th minute.