the winning of the Supporters' Shield by United, and the berth in next year's CONCACAF Champions' Cup that went along with it -- Dynamo still had to win to make sure they could clinch a spot in the postseason.
And finally, in the 86th minute, the breakthrough came in stunning fashion. Brad Davis flighted in a cross from the left, substitute Paul Dalglish headed it on, and Brian Ching let loose with a tremendous overhead full bicycle kick that flashed to the right of United goalkeeper Troy Perkins for his 11th goal of the campaign and the full three points the Orange needed.
United head coach Peter Nowak made four changes to the team that defeated the New York Red Bulls 4-3 the previous weekend, returning almost entirely to his first-choice lineup. Facundo Erpen was suspended, but Bryan Namoff returned from suspension. Jaime Moreno, Brian Carroll and Josh Gros all returned to the team, as Rod Dyachenko, Jamil Walker and Jeff Carroll all returned to the substitutes' bench.
Here's Nowak's team (3-4-1-2): Troy Perkins - Bryan Namoff, Bobby Boswell, Brandon Prideaux - Matias Donnet (Clyde Simms 77), Ben Olsen, Brian Carroll, Joshua Gros - Christian Gomez (Rod Dyachenko 67) - Jaime Moreno (Jamil Walker 66), Freddy Adu. [Substitutes Not Used: Stephen deRoux, Jeff Carroll, Ryan McIntosh, David Stokes]
"I think right now we are all happy because we won the Supporters' Shield. Right now that's what's most important for us, and we're going forward with a good mentality with one trophy behind us," Nowak said. " ... I congratulate my team, and I think we played pretty smart today. We're looking forward to another two weeks and we're going to be ready for the playoffs."TEAM NEWS
In a very tight game, it took a piece of sheer brilliance from Ching to provide the margin. United ended the game without a single shot on goal, while Dynamo had just three.
"I don't think we pushed hard enough for a couple of minutes there, we just sat back a bit. We really didn't want to lose, and they didn't want to lose," Troy Perkins said. "So that's the way it ends, and at least we got the Supporters' Shield. It's unlucky that we didn't get it with a win, but we'll take it back home tonight."
Said Nowak: "The pressure was very good from the top to the bottom. We still need to create more chances than we did tonight, but the defensive work was exceptional today. I don't know if we made a mistake or they got lucky, but that was a great shot by Brian Ching."
United now return home for the final two games of the regular season before beginning the MLS Cup Playoffs at either Kansas City or New York. They won't know their conference semifinals opponent until after the Red Bulls and Wizards meet at Giants Stadium in the final weekend of the season.
"We have two more home games before the playoffs start, and it's very important for us to win those games and go into the playoffs with a little bit of confidence and a winning streak. We want to go into the playoffs on fire and hitting on all cylinders, so it's very important for us to win these two games," Freddy Adu said. "Obviously, it's great that we got the Supporters' Shield, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't go all the way and win [the MLS Cup]. We've had such a great season that it would be a great, great disappointment if we didn't go all the way and win it, so that's what we've got to be focusing on."
There will also be some other playoff previews in the final two regular season contests, as United play host to the second- and third-place teams in the division. But in what order the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution will finish is still to be determined.
"We can win (MLS Cup) - and we want to win it. Last year we were disappointed, but this year we've got the pieces in place," Adu said. It's just a matter of us going into the playoffs with everybody healthy and with everybody fresh and not tired, and mentally ready to go." Said Jaime Moreno: "We need to find our rhythm again, find our sharpness and get prepared for the playoffs. That's the most important thing in our heads right now."
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
The New England Revolution punched their ticket to the postseason and extended their current unbeaten streak to five games with a 3-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution are in third place in the Eastern Conference, with 42 points from 30 matches, and are guaranteed to play Chicago in the conference semifinals - with the Fire two points ahead with two games to play, the only question is who will hold home-field advantage.
LAST MATCH
The Revolution were unbeaten in four games though they had missed out on a first chance to secure their postseason future the week before. The Rapids were still grimly hanging on to the final playoff place in the West after starting a late-season road run with a draw and a loss.
The home side were given a dream start. A high boot from Aitor Karanka caught Jay Heaps in the head and left the Revolution defender bloodied while referee Kevin Stott pointed to the spot. Steve Ralston sent Joe Cannon the wrong way in converting the fourth-minute penalty.
After the break, the game quickly spiraled out of control for Colorado. First, a free kick was won on the left side of the area, and Ralston whipped in a quality service that Jose Manuel Abundis stooped to power home with a flashing header at the near post in his MLS debut (59).
Then seven minutes later, after first clashing for the ball once, Clint Mathis chased down Avery John to reclaim it and caught the New England defender with an elbow, earning his marching orders from Stott.
The Revolution then made it 3-0 in the 79th minute with a wonderful goal, Taylor Twellman sending Clint Dempsey clean through. He drew Cannon off his line before beating the Colorado 'keeper with a deft chip for his seventh goal of the season.
Colorado pulled a goal nearly on the stroke of full time after a wild sequence that saw Michael Parkhurst clear successive shots off the line also saw Matt Reis pull back substitute Melvin Tarley in an attempt to reach a rebound. Kyle Beckerman just squeezed his penalty between Reis and his right-hand post.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol made two changes to the team that drew 1-1 with the Kansas City Wizards the previous weekend. With Joe Franchino suspended and James Riley out injured, Khano Smith made his first start of the season and José Manuel Abundis made his MLS debut in a starting role in attack, with Clint Dempsey moving to an attacking midfield role.
Here's Nicol's team (3-4-1-2): Matt Reis - Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, Avery John - Steve Ralston, Jeff Larentowicz, Andy Dorman (Tony Lochhead 83), Khano Smith - Clint Dempsey (Willie Sims 86) - Taylor Twellman, Jose Manuel Abundis (Jose Cancela 71). [Substitutes Not Used: Kyle Brown, Miguel Gonzalez, Doug Warren, Adam Williamson]
"The playoffs are always our first objective," Nicol said. "It was nice to get (qualification) done and dusted and now we want to finish as high as we can. Obviously we can't catch D.C. now but we certainly want to try and catch Chicago and get any home-field advantage we can."TEAM NEWS
With the Revolution once again riding a string of positive results down their stretch drive, the need to maintain the improved form is paramount if they are to return to the MLS Cup Final.
"Scoring goals is really important for us. After we got the early goal, we stopped playing," said Ralston. "We have been struggling and so tonight was huge. It was nice to get three and we could have got a few others. Playing against 10 guys they lose their spirit a little on the road, down a man, it made it a bit easier. If we can play like that against 11 guys then I'll be happy."
It was also a terrific debut for José Manuel Abundis, who was impressive in his 71-minute performance and has given Nicol another option in the forward department that the Revs desperately needed.
"He hasn't played a game for a while but he has been sharp in training and that showed tonight," said Nicol. "The goal tells you exactly what he is all about. He holds the ball up well but we got him because he has scored goals and because of what he does in the box and he showed you exactly what he does in the box tonight. He is hard to pick up and he puts the ball in the net. That's exactly what we want."
Said Abundis to The Boston Globe: "The first half, I didn't feel comfortable, but in the second half, I felt better. I had better touches on the ball, I felt more confident, and the goal gives me more confidence. I dreamed of scoring and getting to the playoffs. I don't know much about the playoffs, but soccer is a common language and I know we are going to try to get to the finals."
Abundis was given the start with James Riley injured and Joe Franchino suspended, as Khano Smith also made his first start of the season.
"It's always going to happen in the season and you never know when people are going to go down with injuries. That's why we have so many people here: we need them to fill in when called upon," said Matt Reis. "You know, Jeff's (Larentowicz) done a great job all year, being his second year, to fill in. We've had a lot of injuries and we've had a lot of people have to step in and they've done it. It's a sign of a good team."
