Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By AVI CREDITOR
As the Major League Soccer season hits the final stretch, some contenders are rounding into form while an early-season favorite is sputtering to the finish line.
With its 0-0 draw at Columbus, FC Dallas set a Major League Soccer record this past week by extending its road unbeaten streak to 10 games (3-0-7).
New York avenged an earlier loss to San Jose by turning in a fine 2-0 performance, Seattle won the Ljungberg Cup with Fredy Montero's late winner and the Colorado Rapids continued their playoff push with a thorough beating of 10-man Houston.
While those teams turned in strong performances, the Los Angeles Galaxy continued its run of inconsistency, as the once-unbeatable side suffered a shocking 2-0 loss at home to the Kansas City Wizards, who had just one road victory in nine tries before Saturday night's match.
Here's a rundown of all of this past week's MLS games with links to the highlights:
Columbus Crew 0, FC Dallas 0
In addition to extending its road unbeaten streak, Schellas Hyndman's squad extended its overall unbeaten streak to 12 matches, with rookie defender Zach Lloyd coming up big with a goal-line clearance of a Guillermo Barros Schelotto shot midway through the second half. HIGHLIGHTS
Toronto FC 0, Real Salt Lake 0
After both teams suffered tough CONCACAF Champions League losses, Real Salt Lake managed to squeak out a point at BMO Field, as Stefan Frei came up huge to secure the draw for the Reds. HIGHLIGHTS
New York Red Bulls 2, San Jose Earthquakes 0
Theirry Henry scored his first MLS goal and Dane Richards put on a tremendous display on the wing, creating loads of problems for the Earthquakes, who had beaten New York, 4-0, earlier in the season. HIGHLIGHTS
Philadelphia Union 2, New England Revolution 1
Second-half substitute Justin Mapp put the dagger in New England's playoff hopes with a stoppage-time winner after Jack McInerney found the equalizer in the 82nd minute, as the Union found some rare road success. Cory Gibbs' 40th-minute red card put the Revolution a man down for the final 50 minutes of the match. HIGHLIGHTS
Colorado Rapids 3, Houston Dynamo 0
An early Lovel Palmer red card set the tone for the blowout, as Jamie Smith, Omar Cummings and Conor Casey each tallied for the Rapids, who find themselves four points clear of ninth-place Toronto in the playoff race. HIGHLIGHTS
Seattle Sounders FC 2, Chicago Fire 1
Fredy Montero's stoppage-time winner gave the Sounders the edge in Freddie Ljungberg's return to Qwest Field. John Thorrington's first-half penalty kick gave the Fire the early lead, but Montero bagged a brace to boost his MVP hopes and deal Chicago a major blow. HIGHLIGHTS
Kansas City Wizards 2, Los Angeles Galaxy 0
The Galaxy's firm grasp on the Supporters' Shield continues to slip after Davy Arnaud and Jimmy Conrad each scored to give the Wizards just their second road victory. The Wizards trail eighth-place San Jose by just three points in the league table. HIGHLIGHTS
Chivas USA 1, D.C. United 0
Justin Braun's first-half goal was all Chivas needed to beat a reserve-laden D.C. side that is focused more on Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Columbus than it is on its failed league campaign. HIGHLIGHTS
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What surprised you the most this week? Do you think Montero deserves to be league MVP? Who do you think ends up winning the Supporters' Shield?
Share your thoughts below.