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Mls Miami is end of road for Mutiny By RODNEY PAGE © St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 1998 he Columbus Crew couldn't stop the Mutiny Thursday night, and Hurricane Georges could not stop it this weekend. Despite a brush from the hurricane on Friday, the Mutiny was able to get to Fort Lauderdale for today's season finale against the Miami Fusion. To do so, the Mutiny had a busy day on Friday. After arriving in Tampa from Columbus around noon, players and coaches had a quick turnaround. The team gathered a few hours later and took a bus to Fort Lauderdale. Players' families were allowed to accompany them so they would be together during the storm. "We told them to try to do whatever was possible, and safe, to get to Miami for the game," Major League Soccer spokesperson Trey Fitz-Gerald said. Tampa Bay arrived late Friday night and managed to get in a practice on Saturday. Despite the weather, the Fusion expects over 10,000 for the regular-season finale. The Mutiny is coming off its best offensive performance of the season. Tampa Bay beat the Crew 4-3, its highest goal production of the season. Forward Mauricio Ramos scored twice and reserve forward Musa Shannon scored the winner, his third this season. Today's game has no bearing on the playoffs. Miami (15-16) clinched fourth in the Eastern Conference with consecutive wins over conference champion D.C. United. The Fusion plays at D.C. Wednesday night to start the best-of-three playoff series. While the Fusion has the luxury of resting starters, the Mutiny will end the season at full strength. The only starters not available are forward Roy Wegerle (Achilles' sprain) and defender Frankie Hejduk (hamstring). Coach Tim Hankinson said just because the Miami game has little meaning doesn't mean his team will go through the motions. "It's all about attitude," Hankinson said. "I need to see that this team has a winning attitude. They have to believe that when they go on the park they can win." The game has meaning to defender Frank Yallop. With an appearance today, Yallop will become the first Mutiny player to play in all 32 regular-season games. Midfielder Steve Ralston played in 31 games in 1996. Saturday's game -- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Business | Citrus | Commentary | Entertainment Hernando | Floridian | Obituaries | Pasco | Sports State | Tampa Bay | World & Nation © Copyright 1998 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.