Week 22: DC sittin' pretty

AUG. 29
Real Salt Lake 3-1 Kansas City
The addition of two Argentineans, Matias Mantilla and Javier Morales, paid instand dividends for RSL, as Kansas City have dropped four out of their laast five. It took a mere 15 seconds for the RSL newboys to combine, as Morales' corner kick found Mantilla's head. Fabian Espindola added a second in the 42nd minute. KC held out hope after a 69th minute goal by one-man-show Eddie Johnson, but Andy Williams dashed their hopes for a draw five minutes from time.
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SEPT. 1
Chicago 0-1 New York
In a battle of DPs, Juan Pablo Angel proved my April prediction was correct, as he put one by Matt Pickens in the 75th minute to snap New York's two-game losing streak. Even with Paulo Wanchope and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago continues to struggle away from home and can't seem to put back-to-back wins together. The loss puts Chicago a point behind the final playoff spot with eight matches to play.
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DC United 4-0 FC Dallas
FC Dallas' latest signing Denilson never got a chance, as DC United were all over the home side, scoring four goals before the Brazilian even entered the match in the 55th minute. An early mistake in defense, led to an early goal from distance by Ben Olsen in just the fourth minute. Olsen added a second, cleaning up Luciano Emilio's blocked shot for his second just before half. Both goals two and three began with great service from United defender Marc Burch who continues his stellar play. Christian Gomez and Fred rounded out the scoring in the 47th and 50th minute. The win puts DC United top of the table with a 42 points, a +17 goal differential and a game in hand over second-place New England.
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Kansas City 1-1 Houston
The MLS Cup defending champions managed to salvage a point against Kansas City with a 69th minute equalizer from Joseph Ngwenya after a physical match that nearly errupted several times after pushing and shoving between the clearly frustrated clubs. Both teams had a horrible August, as each managed just one win last month. For KC, it seems like no one but Eddie Johnson can score and he got his 14th goal of the season in first-half injury time. Houston's quick start still has them in good shape in the West, but it appears that Kansas City will end up battling with Colorado, Columbus and Chicago for the final playoff spot.
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Real Salt Lake 2-1 Los Angeles
RSL won back-to-back matches for the first time all year and the Beckham-less Galaxy solidified their place as MLS's worst team, as the Real Stupid Names beat LA 2-1 on goals from Robbie Findlay and retiring veteran Eddie Pope. Los Angeles had a bright start, as Alan Gordon put them ahead in the sixth minute, but the second half was all RSL. Neither side is realistically playoff bound, but RSL coach Jason Kreis may save his job if RSL conintues to improve down the stretch. As for LA, everyone save Beckham is on the chopping block.
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SEPT. 2
Colorado 1-1 Columbus
In the battle over the final few spots in the playoffs, Colorado were unable to gain ground but managed to salvage a point with a late strike from the recently resurgent Conor Casey at Crew Stadium on Sunday. It was another American having a difficult year that put the Crew ahead in first half injury time. The much maligned Eddie Gaven was served a fantastic ball by Stefani Miglioranz in behind the Rapids defense and Gaven easily beat Colorado keeper Bouna Coundoul. With the draw, things stay how they are, with Colorado trailing the final playoff spot on goal differential.

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