The Chicago Fire and Dallas Burn moved to the top of the Eastern and Western conferences, respectively, thanks to their results in Week Five of Major League Soccer on Saturday, as three teams left the ranks of the unbeaten.
The Fire put together perhaps the most impressive result of the weekend, handing the MetroStars their first loss of the season in a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Soldier Field, while the Burn remained as the only unbeaten team on the campaign after a scoreless draw with the Columbus Crew and moved into a tie in the West with Los Angeles.
Also on Saturday, the Kansas City Wizards played a man down for more than a half but still came away with a 2-0 victory against the previously undefeated Colorado Rapids, the New England Revolution handed the Galaxy their first loss with a 2-1 home win, and Freddy Adu made his first professional start as D.C. United and San Jose Earthquakes battled to a 1-1 draw.
At Soldier Field, three different forwards scored goals while goalkeeper Henry Ring notched his MLS-leading fourth clean sheet of the season as the Fire continued their recent dominance of the MetroStars and former Chicago coach Bob Bradley. Since Bradley moved from Chicago to the MetroStars in October 2002, the Metros haven't won in five league meetings (and also lost last year's U.S. Open Cup final to the Fire).
Botswana international Dipsy Selolwane finished off a nice move through midfield in the 15th minute, before Damani Ralph doubled the lead after the break when he pounced on a poor clearance and sent it past Metro 'keeper Jonny Walker (56). Ante Razov then turned home a DaMarcus Beasley cross 13 minutes from time for the final Fire goal.
In Columbus, 'keeper Jon Busch twice snatched balls off his own goal line to protect the scoreless draw and earn the Crew their first point of the season, though the home side saw its scoreless drought extend to 5 1/2 hours. The Burn are unbeaten in four matches, a club record to start a season.
Busch was almost beaten just before the break but Eddie Johnson's header hit the Crew's Kyle Martino on the line, rebounded off the underside of the bar and back off Martino before Busch was able to grab it just before it crossed the line. In the second half, Busch parried a Steve Jolley off the inside of the post before falling on it as it fell onto the goal line.
At Arrowhead Stadium, Jose Burciaga Jr. was sent off just before halftime as he made his first MLS start in nearly a year after undergoing knee surgery. But the 10-man Wizards shut down the Rapids attack and got goals from Chris Klein and Josh Wolff while posting a clean sheet for the third time this season.
Davy Arnaud's cross found Klein in the 64th minute, his shot taking a deflection off a defender to give the Wizards the lead, then Diego Gutierrez made a rampaging run down the left flank before finding an unmarked Wolff, who calmly slotted home six minutes from time.
In Foxborough, Mass., the Revolution won for the first time this season while extending the Galaxy's road winless streak to 17 league matches, dating to the final match of the 2002 regular season.
Joe Franchino gave the home side the lead after four minutes, taking advantage of some lax marking to finish off a passing movement between Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan. Then late in the second half, defender Paul Broome knocked down Steve Ralston as the two raced toward the byeline, Jose Cancela converting from the spot after referee Kevin Terry gave the penalty.
Alejandro Moreno gave the final margin with literally the final kick of the game, stabbing home from the goal line after Carlos Ruiz's shot snuck through the legs of Revs 'keeper Adin Brown.
In the day's opening match, the 14-year-old Adu made his first professional start in attack alongside Jaime Moreno, but the goals came from players not usually known for their marksmanship as San Jose and D.C. United shared the spoils.
Center back Troy Dayak gave the Earthquakes a 33rd-minute lead when he headed home a free kick whipped in from the right flank, but midfielder Dema Kovalenko pulled the visitors level in the 66th minute when he was left all alone at the back post to finish off a pinpoint cross from Bobby Convey.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
