Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - Chris Wondolowski scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes beat D.C. United, 2-0, at RFK Stadium on Saturday night to clinch a playoff berth in Major League Soccer.
The Earthquakes (12-8-7), who sealed their postseason spot about an hour after their victory Saturday when Kansas City lost to Seattle 2-1, qualified for the playoffs for the first time since rejoining the league in 2008.
Wondolowski scored in each half to move within two goals of Los Angeles Galaxy striker Edson Buddle for the MLS Golden Boot, which is awarded to the league's top scorer.
D.C. United (6-19-3) lost for the 19th time this year, a new franchise record, and was shutout for the 16th time this season, which sets a new league record.
D.C. and San Jose kicked off their game with the ejections of Jaime Moreno and Brandon McDonald inside 10 minutes. The two were involved in a scuffle, and it ended with United's Moreno - making a rare start - and McDonald both sent off.
San Jose took its first step toward clinching with just seconds left in first- half normal time, as Wondolowski turned a pass from Tim Ward into the opening goal. Ward sent a cross over United defender Jordan Graye and Wondolowski shot past goalie Troy Perkins into the upper corner.
Wondolowski added his second goal 10 minutes after half, this time finishing a cross from Bobby Convey. Convey's curling cross drew Perkins off his line, and the goalie's slight deflection sent the ball off the post. Wondolowski latched onto the rebound and fired a half-volley inside the post.
San Jose just missed a third goal when Brad Ring's deflected shot hit the bar, but the two-goal result was more than enough to send the two-time MLS Cup winners back to the postseason.
The Earthquakes won MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003 before the franchise moved to Houston, where the Dynamo won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
United, which has the most MLS titles with four, will try to finish its season on a strong note as it heads to Chicago next weekend before hosting Toronto FC on Oct. 23.
San Jose hosts Houston on Oct. 16, and visits the Kansas City Wizards - still alive in the postseason hunt with Colorado for the final berth - on Oct. 23.