Dagny Mellgren's 79th-minute goal, from a Kristine Lilly feed, topped visiting Carolina on Wednesday, and Lilly's 75th-minute penalty kick beat San Jose on Sunday.

The Breakers won their 10th game, extending winning (three games) and unbeaten (nine games) streaks, and will make their playoff debut against Washington on Saturday at Nickerson Field.

SECOND BEST: Atlanta, which won the 2001 regular-season title but lost on penalty kicks in the Founders Cup, settled for second after a pair of 1-1 ties, at San Jose on Wednesday at home Sunday against New York, lengthened its winless streak to five games.

The Beat lost a goal against San Jose and missed a PK vs. New York. Maribel Dominguez's header didn't count because Sandra Hunt had whistled the first half dead after a defender made first contact with Kylie Bivens' free kick. Dominguez scored with the next touch.

Power goalkeeper Saskia Webber saved Charmaine Hooper's penalty kick at the end-of-first-half Sunday.

In the final 10 days, or three games, of the regular season, Atlanta earned two points while Boston captured nine. The Breakers finished with 37 points, the Beat with 34.

WE'RE NO. 3: San Diego's powerful attacking duo -- Scottish star Julie Fleeting and Canadian rookie Christine Latham -- keyed a 2-1 victory over Washington on Saturday to claim the No. 3 spot.

The Spirit tied with Washington with 31 points, but the win at Torero Stadium gave them the season series, two games to one. Washington finished fourth.

Latham set up...

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