The Diplomats made their first appearance in the NASL playoffs on August 17, 1976, in Shea Stadium, against the Cosmos. The Cosmos usual home venue was Yankee Stadium, but the Yanks were playing at home that evening. Fortunately, the Mets were out of town. The teams had split their two regular season meetings, with the Dips winning, 3-2, at H.D. Woodson High School, and the Cosmos taking the second game, 5-0, at Yankee Stadium. Entering the game, the Washingtonians felt it was a good omen that they would not return to the house the Ruth built.
Pele scored 2 in the Cosmos 5-0 win at Yankee Stadium.To say that the playoffs were unkind to the Dips would be apropos. Of the seven post season games they appeared in, the franchise compiled a 1-6 record. Three of the losses were in sudden death. While this inagural playoff game did up the way the vast majority would, the Washington Star was optimistic in it's coverage.
