MLS Cup: Crew, RSL advance

Kansas City 0-2 Columbus (1-3 agg.) (Crew Stadium)
The Columbus Crew dispatched the Eastern Conference fourth seed with a 2-0 win in the home leg of their semi-final series on Saturday. Brad Evans scored in the 7th minute and Robbie Rogers doubled the lead in the 58th. The Crew advance to the Eastern Conference final to face the Chicago Fire, winners in their semi-final series against New England.

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Salt Lake 2-2 Chivas USA (3-2 agg.) (HDC)
A 2-2 draw in the away leg was all that Real Salt Lake needed to advance after securing the one-goal advantage in the home leg against Chivas USA. A Sacha Kljestan PK in the 30th minute gave Chivas the lead, but Dema Kovalenko equalized for RSL and then Javier Morales put them ahead in the 77th. An 83rd minute goal by Justin Braun made the final few minutes interesting but they were unable to find the aggregate equalizer to force overtime. Salt Lake will face the winner of Sunday's Houston-New York match. New York and Houston drew 1-1 in the first match at Giants Stadium.

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MLS Cup: Favorites save late draws

Chivas USA 0-1 Salt Lake (Rio Tinto Stadium)
After saving RSL from elimination, Yura Movsisyan kept RSL moving in a positive direction, scoring the only goal, a cheeky back-heel, in the opener of Salt Lake's Western Conference semifinal with Chivas USA. His 90th minute goal gives Real the advantage going into the second-leg in Los Angeles next week.

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Houston 1-1 New York (Giants Stadium)
After backing into the playoffs courtesy of a DC United loss, New York managed to lead the home leg of their series with Houston for almost 40 minutes, as Juan Pablo Angel put the Red Bulls up 1-0 in the 48th minute before the Dynamo's Kei Kamara in the 85th minute. By virtue of finishing of finishing fifth in the Easy, New York shifted over to become the fourth seed in the Western Conference semifinals.

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Columbus 1-1 Kansas City (CAB)
Davy Arnaud's 53rd minute strike looked like it would be the game-winner against Eastern COnference top-seed Columbus, when Steven Lenhart scored a crucial equalizer two minutes into injury time. Columbus will now host Kansas City at Crew Stadium, even on goals (there is no road-goal advantage in the MLS Cup).

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MLS Saturday: Colo cry Salty tears (Week 31)

Salt Lake 1-1 Colorado (DSG Park)
With a dramatic 90th minute goal, Yura Movsisyan saved RSL from elimination by equalizing Conor Casey's 11th goal of the season. The draw allows RSL to punch their ticket into the MLS Cup and eliminates Colorado on the final weekend of the regular season.
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Kansas City 3-1 New England (Gillette Stadium)
It was not the way New England wanted to go into the playoffs, as the Revs saw two players sent off in a 3-1 loss to KC. The Wizards Claudion Lopez scored from the spot after Gabriel Badilla was ejected for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the 28th minute. Just before halftime, Khano Smith was also sent off for a hard foul on Herculez Gomez (retaliation for Steve Ralston, perhaps?). In the second half, KC added a goal from Davy Arnaud and an own goal scored off the Revs Michael Parkhurst. The Revolution's Jeff Larentowicz managed a consolation goal in the 90th minute.

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Toronto 0-2 San Jose (BS Stadium)
In a game with no MLS Cup implications, San Jose managed the home win, getting goals from Ryan Cochrane and Shea Salinas (from the penalty spot). The win put San Jose a point over Los Angeles, who currently have the worst record in MLS but have a game to play.

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Houston 1-1 Chivas USA (HDC)
Also, no direct playoff implications in the other nightcap, as Houston's Dwayne DeRosario and Chivas USA's Jim Curtin exchanged second-half goals. But Chivas USA will be without their keeper for the first match of the playoffs, after Dan Kennedy, who stopped one PK, was sent off for taking down Nate Jaqua on a breakaway.

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The MLS Cup playoff picture

What if I show them my man boobs?

With one match to play, five teams are vying for the final three spots in the MLS Cup playoffs. Taking into consideration tie-breaks (head-to-head, then goal differential), these are the current standings:

TEAM	GP	W	L	D	Pts.	Diff
Kansas City	29	10	10	9	39	-4
New York	29	10	10	9	39	-3
Salt Lake	29	10	10	9	39	1
Colorado	29	11	14	4	37	-1
DC United	29	11	14	4	37	-7

As you can see, Kansas City, New York and Real Salt Lake are all in the driver's seat. The match to watch next week will be Real Salt Lake versus Colorado, with the winner most likely punching their ticket to the MLS Cup playoffs. The other four clubs will face teams that have already qualified or have been eliminated. DC face Columbus on Sunday, who will likely rest their starters, but even if the Red-and-Black manage a win, they could be eliminated if Colorado beat Real Salt Lake. This is because Colorado boast a much better goal differential, meaning DC would have to win by something like eight goals (depending on the score of Colorado v Salt Lake) to move ahead on the tie-break.

Is all that too confusing? 

MLS Saturday: Penultimate (Week 30)

Saturday
Chicago 2-3 Toronto (BMO Field)
A brace by 50-cent fav Rohan Ricketts gave Toronto the 3-2 win. Amado Guevara put TFC up in the 12th minute and Ricketts doubled the lead six minutes later, putting back a PK rebound. Chicago's Justin Mapp pulled one back in the 25th minute, but Ricketts scored again in first-half injury time. Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored a 59th minute conciliation goal for the Fire. It was all for naught, however, as Toronto was eliminated from playoff contention due to results around the league.

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Columbus 1-3 New York (Giants Stadium)
Danny Cepero? Wasn't he Ralph Macchio's character in The Karate Kid? Cepero -- who assumed goalkeeping duties for the Red Bulls after starting keep Jon Conway tested positive for andro this week -- became the first goalkeeper to score in Major League Soccer history with a long ball sent in from his own half. The ball took a big bounce on the artificial turf and went over Crew keeper Andy Gruenebaum's head. But this embarrassing goal was only the icing on a 3-1 win, powered by a Juan Pablo Angel brace, that kept New York in contention for one of the last three MLS Cup playoff spots with a match in hand. Steven Lenhart had the Crew's lone goal.

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San Jose 2-2 Kansas City (CAB)
Despite a valiant effort by the Quakes and a sick save by Joe Cannon in the final two minutes, a 3-2 loss saw the re-expansioners eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs. The two clubs traded shots, with Claudio Lopez scoring first in the 18th minute and then Scott Sealy answering two minutes later. The Wizards regained the lead in the 27th minute but rookie Shea Salinas scored his first goal of his MLS career, a pin-ball putback, to finish the scoring. Then, Herculez Gomez scored the winner in the final minute of extra time off a corner.

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Los Angeles 0-3 Houston (Robertson Stadium)
Another year, another Beckham-less MLS Cup playoffs...just goes to show that you can't trade the whole farm for one prized cow. With ol' Bessy on the sideline due to yellow card accumulation, the terrible Galaxy defense surrendered three first half goals (own goal-14, Dwayne DeRosario-20 and Nate Jaqua-23) and were eliminated from playoff contention by the Dynamo, who clinched the Western Conference crown.

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FC Dallas 1-3 Salt Lake (RES)
From hero to goat, Marcelo Saragosa scored to put Dallas ahead, but then saw two yellow cards inside of 20 minutes and was shown the door. Five minutes later, Yura Movsisyan equalized for the home team. Then, Will Johnson put RSL ahead on the other side of halftime, and finally Robbie Findlay finished the scoring in the 86th minute. The Hoops lost midfielder Pablo Ricchetti on a straight red in the 90th minute. They also lost out on a playoff spot, thanks to results in other matches. SIlly, Dallas. You should have kept him.

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MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 29)

Saturday
New England 0-1 Kansas City (CAB)
Jimmy Conrad scored his sixth of the year for the Wizards. Flashback to preseason...Conrad tells Extratime tools that if he scores 10, KC wins the MLS Cup. Four more to go, Jimmy. With three playoff spots left, KC kept pace with RSL and New York with the win.

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Toronto 2-2 FC Dallas (PSP)
TFC's Marco Velez and Marvell Wynne scored in between a Kenny Cooper sandwich. But considering the top piece of bread was a PK given in injury time, Toronto FC fans were left with a bad taste in their mouths. The PK was awarded after rookie Julius James tugged Adrian Serioux down by the shirt. No video evidence was offered on mlsnet.

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Chivas USA 1-0 San Jose (BSS)
Justin Braun scored in the seventh minute and than the Goats Americano shut it down with good defense for 83 minutes. The win clinched a post-season berth for Chivas USA, who have won four in a row.

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Sunday
Columbus 2-2 Chicago (Toyota Park)
This just in: Brian McBride plays for the Chicago Fire. I know this because he finally reared his head (pun intended) in their match with his ol' team Columbus. Providing the first and last goal of the game in a 2-2 draw. Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored second-half goals for the Crew. But more importantly, the Crew secured the Supporters Shield and are thus, this year's MLS league champions.

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DC United 0-0 Houston (Robertson Stadium)
A nil-nil draw moves DC closer to the offseason and further away from the playoffs. Hope that Open Cup trophy is big enough for Tom Soehn's tears. DC also loses defender Bryan Namoff for the next match, as he was shown a second caution in the 73rd minute.

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Colorado 2-3 Los Angeles (HDC)
David Beckham is away. Landon Donovan plays just 27 minutes. And the Galaxy ... win. Go figure. Edson Buddle, a Ugo Ihemelu own goal and Brandon McDonald's first of the year gave L.A. the 3-2 victory. Former U.S. national team defender Cory Gibbs and a Tom McManus PK gave Colorado its two.

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 28)

Saturday
Chivas USA 3-0 DC United (RFK Stadium)
A tale of two teams headed in opposite directions, as Chivas put three past United at RFK. Ex-United striker Alecko Eskandarian scored in the first half (after a horrendous gaffe by United keeper Louis Crayton) and added an assist in the second. Sasha Victorine and new-Goat Dejair provided the second and third goals.

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Los Angeles 0-1 Columbus (Crew Stadium)
Alejandro Moreno's 43rd-minute goal was all the Crew needed to fend off the LA Beckhams who have won just once in their last 15 matches. Ouch. Can that be right? Yes it can. Highlights
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Salt Lake 2-2 New England (Gillette Stadium)
Javier Morales scored a beauty in the 13th minute and then set-up Andy Williams in the 73rd minute. With the 2-0 lead it looked like RSL would coast. Well, it looked like that for about four minutes, as Steve Ralston scored in the 77th and Taylor Twellman added the equalizer just two minutes later. BTW, Williams received his walking papers in extra time.

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Toronto 3-1 New York (Giants Stadium)
TFC broke an eight-game winless streak in style, thanks two goals by Chad Barrett. Sandwiched in between was a goal by Dane Richards, and then, TFC's added a icing goal in the 86th minute. Check out the extra gear on defender Marvell Wynne:

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Houston 3-1 Colorado (DSG Park)
After three goals in nine minutes, Hawaii 5-0 Brian Ching's two goals had Houston up 2-1. Conor Casey's goal would prove to be a conciliation goal, as Ricardo Clark iced it in the 19th minute. No goals in the second half, despite the 53rd minute double-caution ejection of Casey.

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Sunday
Chicago 1-1 Kansas City (CAB)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Michael Harrington traded goals on either side of halftime and the Wiz and Fire split the points.

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 27)

Saturday
Houston 1-1 Toronto FC (BMO Field)
How can you score two goals and still draw? A rare goal from defender Marvell Wynne saved a point at home against Houston, as Hunter Freeman knocked an own goal for the visitors.

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Columbus 1-0 New England (Gillette Stadium)
The power in the East may have shifted a bit to the west, as Columbus continues their good form, picking up a road win thanks to Chad Marshall's fourth of the season.

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Colorado 5-4 New York (Giants Stadium)
An old-fashioned NISL-like shootout, with seven goals in the first half. Omar Cummings goal in the third minute was quickly answered by New York's Mike Magee. Conor Casey put the Rapids back on top, only to see a Juan Pablo Angel PK and a Dane Richards strike put New York up 3-2. Then, defender Mike Petke equalized in the 43rd and Casey converted a PK of Colorado's own. New York's Matthew Mbuta equalized again for the home side before Casey completed his hattrick with the winner in the 90th minute. Whew.

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Salt Lake 3-2 San Jose (BS Stadium)
Yura Movsisyan sandwhiched two of his own between a Darren Huckerby brace, leaving the two sides deadlocked till the 59th minute, when RSL's Javier Morales emerged as the hero.

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Kansas City 1-2 Chivas USA (HDC)
Alecko Eskandarian and Sasha Victorine supplied the two goals for Chivas USa, who made the lead hold up despite a 70th minute bicycle kick from Josh Wolff.

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Sunday
DC United 0-3 Dallas FC (PHP)
The three-headed monster of Andre Rocha, Jeff Cunningham and Kenny Cooper kept DC United in the dumps. United are winless since taking the Open Cup title.

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 26)

SATURDAY
Toronto 0-2 Kansas City (CAB)
A Jack Jewsbury PK and a 79th minute from substitute Kevin Souter (his first of the year) -- could it get worse for Toronto? Only if Vancouver is given a team and then they're not even a novelty anymore.
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Chivas USA 1-0 Salt Lake (RES)
MLS journeyman Alecko Eskandarian scored the lone goal of the match, and RSL go winless in their last three matches.

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New England 1-1 Colorado (DSG Park)
Colorado's Colin Clarke and New England's Kenny Mansally traded goals on either side of the half, as the Rapids and Revs split the points.

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DC United 2-5 Los Angeles (HDC)
When even the star player who was fouled said you made a bad call, it's time to get a new job. With Los Angeles up 3-2, referee Terry Vaughn sent off defender Marc Burch for an ill-timed slide tackle on David Beckham. The controversial call overshadowed a terrific outing by Landon Donovan who scored a hattrick and added an assist. Alan Gordon and Peter Vagenas rounded out the scoring for the Galaxy, while DC's Devon McTavish and Thabiso Khumalo each scored their first goals of the season. Watch the goals here, but everyone really wants to see "the foul" so here:

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SUNDAY
FC Dallas 4-1 Chicago (Toyota Park)
There's no telling who will show up for FC Dallas in any given match, but this time they came to played, as Jeff cunningham scored two goals and Aaron Pitchkolan and Bruno Guarda added two more before Brian McBride scored a conciliation goal for the suddenly sorry Fire who have only four wins in their last 10 matches.

MLS Saturday (Week 25)

Columbus 1-1 Toronto FC (BMO Field)
Pat Noonan's first goal since returning to MLS from Europe helped the Crew secure a point in Toronto. Carl Robinson's sixth minute goal put the Reds on top until Noonan's equalizer in the 40th minute. Both goals were rather impressive, but since the Crew's goal was broadcast on a tiny screen so the local station could broadcast a weather report, I'll show you Robinson's one-timer.

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Los Angeles 0-2 Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
Goals by Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud, just two minutes part (67th and 69th minutes), couldn't make up for the terrible NFL-lined pitch that this game was played on. I couldn't tell if it was a hand ball or a Hail Mary. Yuck. And double yuck for Los Angeles. All those changes and they look like the same ol' terrible Galaxy. The best thing about this game was the box score which features this gem: KC -- Josh Wolff (caution; Shirt Removal) 67.

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FC Dallas 2-2 DC United (RFK Stadium)
Andre Rocha score his second goal of the season and saved a draw for FC Dallas against United, who had jumped out to a 2-1 lead on goals by Jaime Moreno and Santino Quaranta. The assist on Moreno's goal went to new addition, Thabiso Khumalo. Kenny Cooper scored the opening goal of the match in the ninth minute and demonstrated why Bob Bradley must call him up.

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Salt Lake 1-2 New York (Giants Stadium)
Juan Pablo Angel and Dave van den Bergh each scored a goal in the second-half to bring the Red Bulls back from a 1-0 deficit in the first half, courtesy of Yura Movsisyan.

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Houston 1-1 San Jose (BSS)
The point-split theme continued in the nightcap with Houston saving a draw at San Jose. Ronnie O'Brien put the home team up 1-0 in the 50th, and then Brian Ching, fresh from his national team duty, provided the equalizer in the 71st minute. But an 85th-minute ejection of Eddie Robinson for a second caution made things interesting.

MLS Sunday: Dynamo do it (Week 24)

Kansas City 1-3 Houston (Robertson Stadium)
Brad Davis' first half strike plus Nate Jaqua's second-half brace equals a ol' fashioned KC whooping. Davy Arnaud added a conciliation goal that didn't take any of the sting out of the embarrassment.
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MLS Saturday (Week 23)

August 30
New York 0-0 DC United (RFK Stadium)
Battle of the beltway, ends in a scoreless draw. Helping neither team.

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Los Angeles 2-2 New England (Gillette Stadium)
Goals by Taylor Twellman and Shalrie Joseph sandwiched (and spoiled) a Landon Donovan brace.

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Columbus 2-1 Dallas (PHP)
Dallas led for just two minutes on a Jeff Cinningham goal before Alejandro Moreno and Eddie Gaven scored two goals in three minutes to give the visitors the win.

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Kansas City 1-2 San Jose (BS Stadium)
Darren Huckerby's 83rd minute goal saved the Quakes from yet another draw, after San Jose's Arturo Alvarez and KC's Davy Arnaud traded goals on either side of halftime.

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Toronto 1-2 Chivas USA (HDC)
TFC's struggles continue as a 19th minute goal by Jim Brennan was erased by a goal by Alecko Eskandarian a minute later, but it was an Atiba Harris goal four minutes into injury time that gave Chivas USA the win.

MLS Saturday Round-up (Week 22)

August 23
Colorado 0-3 DC United (RFK Stadium)
It wasn't a great start of the post-Clavijo era for Colorado, as Luciano Emilio proved he can give as good as he can get, setting up teammates Joe Vide and Santino Quaranta before Quavas Kirk cleaned-up a rebound to round out the scoring in this lopsided contest.

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New England 1-1 Toronto FC (BMO Field)
Taylor Twellman demonstrated that he is well on the way to regaining his form with his second consecutive match with a goal, but Toronto was able to stop the bleeding with Chad Barrett equalizer in the second half. TFC is still on the Carlos Ruiz watch, as the Guatemalan douche still hasn't reported to Canada after being traded from the Galaxy last week. There is some question whether Ruiz will ever show. I, for one, would say good riddance.

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Real Salt Lake 0-3 Columbus (Crew Stadium)
An assist and a PK goal by Guillermo Barros Schelotto and the Crew had a rather comfortable lead by halftime over the visiting Salty Lakers. Brad Evans added his third of the season in the 55th minute in a play begun by -- you guessed it -- GBS. MLS reduxer Clint Mathis made an appearance in the 72nd minute for RSL, but was a nonfactor.

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FC Dallas 1-1 Kansas City (CAB)
It took 85 minutes and a FC Dallas red card, but KC defender Jimmy Conrad saved a point at home with an injury-time equalizer. It appeared as if the Hoops would make a seventh minute Andre Rocha golazo stand up, despite playing with 10 men due to second caution given to Pablo Ricchetti in the 62nd minute, but the pressure in the final minutes paid off for the Wiz. KC has a long way to go, however, with just five points from the last five matches.

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San Jose 0-0 Chivas USA (HDC)
Despite creating several chances, Chivas USA were forced to share the points with their California neighbors. The Quakes are still without a loss since July 5th, but four draws and just three wins won't move you up in the standings too much.

MLS Saturday Round-up (Week 21)

August 16
FC Dallas 1-2 Columbus (Crew Stadium)
Toronto trade bait Jeff Cunningham scored for his new club in 35th minute, but two second half goals scored three minutes apart sealed the home win for the Crew. Guillermo Barros Schelotto knotched his 11th and 12th assists on the goals by Brian Carroll and Brad Evans, as Columbus keeps pace with New England in the East.

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DC United 1-0 Chicago (Toyota Park)
The return of the native son ended up being a bit anti-climatic, as Brain McBride's Olympic fruitlessness continued in his first match back in MLS. DC, however, got a goal from their winger Fred and a clean sheet from a newcomer of their own, Liberian goalkeeper Louis Crayton. It was the first match since their US Open Cup encounter and Cuauhtemoc Blanco's notorious head-butt, but it was a surprisingly clean match, although DC accounted for seven of the eight yellow cards.

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Real Salt Lake 3-4 Houston (Robertson Stadium)
There were six goals scored in a sloppy first half. Unfortunately for RSL fans, Houston scored four of them. After RSL's Yura Movsisyan and the Dynamo's Brian Mullan traded goals in the first 16 minutes, Salt Lake went ahead in the 25th thanks Javier Morales. Houston, however, would respond with three unanswered goals in 13 minutes from Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark and Nate Jaqua. RSL made the last 10 minutes of the match entertaining after substitute Kenny Deuchar scored his third of the season in the 80th minute. This match saw the return of Clint Mathis, who entered the match at the hour mark for Andy Williams, but like fellow American Brian McBride, he was unable to mark his return with a goal.

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Kansas City 1-2 Colorado (DSG Park)
The Rapids were without head coach Fernando Clavijo, who reportedly left for Uruguay for family emergency this week, leaving assistant Gary Smith in charge and perhaps this was a good thing for Conor Casey who nearly had as much production in this match as he's had all season, scoring two goals and snapping the Rapids two-game losing streak.

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New England 0-4 San Jose (BS Stadium)
Two beautiful goals by Ronnie O-Brien bookended this one-sided contest, as New England continued their SuperLiga championship hangover with a 4-0 loss to cellar-dwellers San Jose. In between O'Brien's goals, Ryan Johnson and Scott Sealy got in the act for the Quakes, who haven't lost since July 5th.

MLS Saturday round-up (Week 20)

August 9
Toronto 1-0 Colorado (DSG Park)
While the Fire will have to wait till Brian McBride returns from the Olympics, Toronto's end of the deal is already paying dividends, as Chad Barrett delivered the game-winning goal for the Reds in the 44th minute off a free kick. The match got rather physical in the second half, and the cards were flying, including a second yellow ejection of Colin Clark in the 70th minute, which sunk any chance of a Colorado comeback.

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Chicago 2-1 New England (Gillette Stadium)
Even with the return of Double-T (Taylor Twellman) to the Revolution scorer's sheet, New England's SuperLiga fatigue (and the 74th minute ejection of midfield general Shalrie Joseph) caught up with them, as the SL champs allowed two goals by Gonzalo Segares and Wilman Conde in the final eight minutes and lost to the visiting Chicago Fire.
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Chivas USA 2-3 Kansas City (CAB)
Kansas City scored three unanswered and weathered a late comeback attempt to beat visiting Chivas USA. First half goals by Sasha Victorine and Claudio Lopez, gave the Wizards a somewhat comfortable lead, and when Davy Arnaud added a third in the 58th minute the match seemed all but over. However, Chivas made a late charge, ass Carey Talley scored in the 73rd and Justin Braun scored his third of the year to make it interesting in the final eight minutes.
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MLS Saturday round-up (Week 19)

August 2
Kansas City 0-2 DC United (RFK)
Luciano Emilio's MLS hot streak continued, as he added his 11th goal of the season in DC's 2-0 home win. Take that All-Star team. But Jaime Moreno, 34, is still United's MVP, assisting on the Emilio goal before adding his own off a curling re-start from distance by Marc Burch.

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Chivas USA 0-1 Chicago (Toyota Park)
With Cuauhtemoc Blanco on the bench due to card accumulation, rookie Patrick Nyarko provided the scoring, sneaking one past Zach Thornton, Chivas' midseason replacement for England-bound Brad Guzan.

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Columbus 0-2 Houston (Robertson)
Houston's SuperLiga success has energized them in MLS play, and the defending MLS Cup champions are poised to make a late season surge. Two first half goals, by Brad Davis and Brian Ching, put Columbus down for the count in this one.

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MLS Sunday (Week 18)

JULY 27
New York 1-1 San Jose (BS Stadium)
The Earthquakes scored both goals in this one, unfortunately one of them was in their own net. Darren Huckerby gets his first goal in MLS, and defender Eric Denton accidentally plays a goal into his own net. New York continues to match bystanders.
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Los Angeles 0-4 Dallas (PHP)
An explosion of offense at Pizza Hut Park, as Kenny Cooper leads FC Dallas in a rout of Los Angeles. Cooper scored twice in two and then helped create a goal for Dominic Oduro in the 36th minute to put the game away at halftime. The Galaxy's occassionally potent offense never got going in this one and Dallas' Abe Thomspn added a fourth in the 89th.

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Chicago 0-0 Kansas City (CAB)
Mired at the bottom of the table, a scoreless draw at home doesn't decrease the heat on coach Curt Onalfo's seat (hey, that rhymed). Kansas City fired eight shots on goal but Jon Busch saved each one, while Kevin Hartman picked up a clean sheet on the other end, saving five.
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Columbus 2-0 Colorado (DSG Park)
The Rapids drop consecutive matches at home. Crew noob Steven Lenhart, making his first MLS start, scored his third goal of the year in the 21st minute, and substitute Jason Garey chipped the keeper in the 75th. Lenhart didn't see the second half, however, after throwing an elbow into Facundo Erpen's face in the 42nd minute and receiving a red card. Maybe he thought he was a Wet Ham supporter.

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MLS Thursday: Wolff returns to save draw

It wasn't exactly a triumphant return for Kansas City forward Josh Wolff, but the second-half substitute did manage to score the equalizer in a 3-3 draw against Columbus at Crew Stadium. No word on whether the Crew's attendance figures included people who meant to watch this game on TV but forgot. The clubs combined for five goals in 11 minutes in the first half. Following a Frankie Hejduk own goal, Roger Espinoza put KC up 2-0, but it was one of the shortest two-goal leads in league history, as Guillermo Barros Schelotto's free-kick and Alejandro Moreno's tap in knotted things up and then Chad Marshall's header put the Crew on top before the halftime whistle. Wolff's goal wouldn't come till the 75th minute. He still needs to work on that goal celebration, though.

MLS Thursday: Superclassico draw, KC wins

New York 1-2 Kansas City (CA Ballpark)
Goals by Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnaud, his first of the season on either side of halftime were enough to hold off the charging Bulls, as returning hero Juan Pablo Angel scored his third goal of the year in the 71st.

Conrad's header

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Chivas USA 1-1 Los Angeles (HDC)
With the usual stars in attendance, Edson Buddle continued his run of good form finding the back of the net in the 72nd minute and saving a draw, after Ante Razov scored a second spectacular goal in consecutive matches in the 15th minute.

Razov's goal


Buddle's equalizer

MLS Friday: Fireworks!

Kansas City 1-1 FC Dallas (PHP)
An injury time goal by Abe Thomson saved a point at home for FC Dallas by equalizing a 39th-minute strike by Scott Seally.

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New York 0-4 Colorado (DSG Park)
Colorado spanked New York before a sold-out holiday crowd. The fireworks were provided by four different vendors: Tom McManus, Mehdi Ballouchy, Colin Clark and Omar Cummings. Even a second half Angel sighting couldn't help the Red Bulls' terrible defense. So starts the "I-should-have-stayed-in-Chicago" deathwatch for NY coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

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New England 2-1 Los Angeles (HDC)
No. 3 Adam Cristman scored a first half brace and New England staved off a second run, led by a David Beckham goal, to beat Los Angeles at home.

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