Briefly:

*Don’t forget, the second MLS playoff game between the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake is scheduled for 5 o’clock today on ESPN2.

*The Cal State Northridge men closed in on a post-season berth Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton with the goal coming in the sixth minute of OT and now hold the tiebreaker over the Titans going into the final game of the regular season Saturday against UC Irvine.

*Riverside’s Chad Marshall was named MLS Defender of the Year today (for the second straight year), while referee Alex Prus took the award for MLS officials. The Crew defender is a worthy choice, but I can’t help wondering if MLS would benefit from officials like this one:

Well, OK, maybe not.