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Razov's pair of goals help Chivas clinch playoff spot

Sep 23, 2007 - 5:57 AM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Ante Razov scored a pair of goals including the game-winner in stoppage time as Chivas USA posted a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.

Francisco Mendoza had a pair of assists for Chivas (14-6-5) which clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference with the win.

With the game tied, 1-1, Mendoza found Razov on the left side of the penalty box. Razov blasted a bending shot from about 25 yards out that curved into the left corner of the goal for a 2-1 lead in the 93rd minute.

"We knew we we're in the playoffs regardless of what happened here to night but our goal is to get the best position in the playoffs that`s why it's important to get this win and keep playing well," Chivas coach Preki said.

Razov's first goal of the night put Chivas up 1-0 in the 69th minute. The striker took a cross from Mendoza and tapped it past Wizard's goal keeper Kevin Hartman.

"Not are best game by far," Razov said. "They are a tough team give them credit. It's almost the opposite of what happened the last time we were here. We were the better team that night, and tonight we were probably second best, but we were lucky to get a goal there at the end, take the points and keep fighting for the Western Conference title."

Preki agreed with Razov's assesment.

"It feels good to win when you don't play well we weren't sharp like we normally are I give the guys a lot of credit they found a way to get a result," he said. "I am not going to feel bad about it because earlier in the year when we played in KC we dominated that game and still managed to lose it sometimes it works like that I just happy to get the three points.

Kansas City (10-10-6) quickly tied the game as Eddie Johnson hit a shot in the 72nd minute that ricocheted off the crossbar and Eloy Colombano gathered the rebound and scored.

Chivas was outshot 12-9, but Razov's superb effort gave them their first win over Kansas City in five meetings.

Hartman made two saves, while Chivas goal keeper Brad Guzman made four.

"I am disappointed walking away losing 2-1," Kanas City coach Curt Onalfo said.

"I thought for good portions of the game we did extremely well and felt we were the better team and to lose a point that is badly needed at this point, they kept pushing the game and found a way to score in the 90th minute. We gave Razov to much space and paided the price," he said.