MLS Standings 2012: D.C. United third in East heading into final 2 weeks

There are two weeks left in the MLS regular season and the Eastern Conference playoff race is still wide open. D.C. United are in third place, just two points behind Chicago and only one ahead of New York.

MLS standings 2012: United move into 3rd place in the East

With their win on Saturday, D.C. United moved into third place in the MLS Eastern Conference and came one step closer to clinching a playoff spot.

United earned three points with their 1-0 victory against Toronto FC. Combined with New York's 2-0 loss to Chicago, United was able to move ahead of New York and into third place. With two regular season games to play, D.C. United has 54 points while the Red Bulls have 53 points. Holding onto the No. 3 seed would be huge for United, as the top three seeds in each conference do not have to play in the play-in round.

While it's unlikely United can catch Sporting Kansas City for the top spot, the No. 2 seed is not out of the question. D.C. trails Chicago by two points for the second seed and they will play the Fire in the final regular season game of the year. If United is able to win their final two games, they would finish second in the East.

D.C. United puts MLS playoff tickets on sale

MLS Cup playoff tickets go on public sale Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.

D.C. United vs. Toronto FC score update: Hamdi Salihi scores late for the 1-0 DCU win

D.C. United eked out a win north of the border on Saturday afternoon, solidifying their playoff hopes with a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC.

It was sluggish early, but DCU scored the game winner in the 87th minute, as Hamdi Salihi tapped one into the back of the net. The goal was set up by Maicon Santos, who controlled a failed clear by Toronto and raced up the right sideline. Santos stopped on a dime and sent a low rocket to the front of the net and Salihi was three to clean up a short rebound and clinch the win.

D.C. United is now 6 points clear of the playoff cut line in the East. While it wasn't always pretty against a last-place Toronto team, it was a must-win situation if they wanted to solidify their playoff status. The win pushed DCU to a tie for second in the East standings. They will now host Columbus in two weeks at RFK.

D.C. United vs. Toronto FC score update: DCU knotted in scoreless 0-0 tie at half

D.C. United and Toronto FC are knotted in a scoreless tie after the first half in Canada, with both teams starting conservatively before a flurry at the end. Toronto FC played it close at the beginning of the half, but then turned things up on the attack, consistently applying pressure on United keeper Bill Hamid. But United kept last-place Toronto off the board to hold on.

D.C. United needs a win, which would put them six points ahead of the playoff cut line as the season comes to a close. But United appeared sluggish at the start, before two quality chances in the final 10 minutes of the half. Andy Najar fired a cross to Nick DeLeon for their best chance, but the United midfielder lost control of it in the box. DeLeon went to the ground and it looked like he might get the call and subsequent penalty kick, but the referee let them play on.

DCU will now head to the second half looking for answers, trying to stunt the Toronto attack and counter with a goal to solidify their postseason hopes.

D.C. United vs. Toronto FC Match Preview

With time running out on the regular season, the D.C. United will travel to Toronto to take on Toronto FC on Saturday at BMO Field