making his MLS debut, ran onto it, rounded goalkeeper Jon Busch and rolled the ball into the goal from a tight angle for his first MLS goal. He became the fifth-youngest player in league history to score, aged 16 years, 332 days.
But the Fire hit for the game-winner in stoppage time. John Thorrington knocked a cross to Justin Mapp, who nodded a return pass over a defender into the area. Thorrington stroked the ball under Sutton from close range for the winner, his fourth goal on the season.
At CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the Wizards had won just once in the last eight games and were coming off a U.S. Open quarterfinal loss just two days before. The Red Bulls had won just once in their last five games, last falling 4-0 to the Colorado Rapids.
The Wizards got the start they were looking for on their home ground. Claudio Lopez whipped in a corner kick from the left and Jimmy Conrad once again rose up to nod home for his career-best fourth goal on the campaign.
Kansas City doubled the lead just two minutes after the break. A defense-splitting through ball from Kurt Morsink found Davy Arnaud haring forward on the right, and he flicked the ball around Red Bulls 'keeper Jon Conway as he raced off the line, the first time since April 5 the Wizards had hit for more than a single goal in a league match.
The Red Bulls pulled a goal back 19 minutes from the end. Dane Richards flighted in a cross from the right and Juan Pablo Angel, making his first start since June 5, headed home his third goal on the campaign. The Red Bulls hit the post and saw Kevin Hartman make a stellar save to deny their bid for a late leveler.
At Buck Shaw Stadium, the Earthquakes were back home for the first time in nearly a month and playing their first game in Santa Clara in nearly two, on a five-game winless streak. The Rapids had put an end to a four-game winless run in emphatic fashion the week before with a 4-0 win against New York.
It took the Quakes until nearly the midway point of the second half to break through. Ronnie O'Brien served an in-swinging free kick from the right flank and Ryan Johnson flung himself forward to send a diving header past Bouna Coundoul for his team-best third goal on the season.
But it took the Rapids just eight minutes to pull level. Terry Cooke put in a cross from the right and Rapids forward Conor Casey got up over San Jose defender Jason Hernandez to head in his second goal on the season.
The goal didn't come without some controversy, as San Jose manager Frank Yallop vociferously protested Hernandez was fouled on the play, and ended up being sent off by referee Hilario Grajeda.
Rick Lawes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
