the second team in the division to book their postseason place -- after scoring four second-half goals in a 4-1 thrashing of the MetroStars. But the Metros lost no ground in their desperate chase back into playoff picture, as the Chicago Fire all but punched their ticket while dealing the hopes of the Kansas City Wizards a significant blow with a 1-0 victory.
Also on Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes gained the inside track on the MLS Supporters' Shield -- awarded to the holder of the best regular-season record -- as they defeated the New England Revolution 2-0 in a meeting of the two conference leaders. The Los Angeles Galaxy moved back into second place in the West after a 2-1 victory against FC Dallas as the pendulum in that rivalry swung back to the Galaxy.
As well, Chivas USA won their first-ever game on the road, all but ending the Columbus Crew's chances for a playoff spot with a 1-0 victory, while Real Salt Lake remained winless on the road this year, falling 2-1 to a late goal by the Colorado Rapids.
At Giants Stadium, both teams were missing the playmaking engine of their teams as both Amado Guevara of the MetroStars and D.C. United's Christian Gomez were suspended.
It was the home side that drew first blood, a pinpoint cross from Youri Djorkaeff from the left flank finding Mike Magee all alone at the far post and he easily headed home to send the Metros into the lead (19).
But after the break, it was all United. The defending MLS Cup champion equalized through a bit of good fortune, Dema Kovalenko's attempted pass to the far post turned into his own goal by Jeff Agoos, sliding in front of his own 'keeper in an effort to cut out the pass (47).
Then just eight minutes later United took the lead, Jamil Walker collecting a pass on the right flank and flighting a perfect curling cross that Ben Olsen headed home completely unmarked at the back post.
United then blew the game open with two goals in four minutes. Jaime Moreno skipped out of pressure on the left before sliding a sublime pass to Olsen running hard on his right, and the veteran midfielder shot between Tony Meola's legs to make it 3-1. Moreno then added the fourth himself, setting off on a long run through the heart of the Metros defense -- nutmegging Carlos Mendes in the process -- before slotting home to round out the scoring.
At Arrowhead Stadium, the Fire left knowing they need just a draw at midweek against the MetroStars to claim their own spot in the playoffs, while extending the Wizards' winless streak to seven league games.
Thiago scored the game's only goal in the 66th minute, picking up a loose ball from a battle between Nate Jaqua and K.C. defender Jimmy Conrad before lashing a low drive from outside the area that sailed past Bo Oshoniyi.
David Mahoney -- pressed into service for his full MLS debut after Zach Thornton suffered an ankle injury earlier in the week -- recorded a clean sheet, making a stunning save on Chris Klein in stoppage time to ensure the victory.
At Gillette Stadium, a game already being touted as a possible preview of the MLS Cup Final was claimed by the Earthquakes with two second-half goals as the Revolution finished with 10 men.
The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes, but it was San Jose who opened the scoring, through Brian Ching on the hour mark. Substitute Kevin Goldthwaite whipped in a corner, and Ching rose up at the near post to power his header home.
Just a minute later the Revolution were left a man short when Daniel Hernandez was sent off for an incident with San Jose striker Alejandro Moreno, and in the 80th minute the Earthquakes took advantage. A corner kick was cleared by San Jose, and Ching sent Dwayne De Rosario on his way from midfield, the Canadian international racing to the other end before slotting home past Matt Reis inside the near post.
At The Home Depot Center, just three days after the teams met in the U.S. Open Cup Final, Herculez Gomez continued his remarkable run of form as the Galaxy defeated FC Dallas for the second time in the week, leapfrogging over them into second place in the West.
Gomez, who scored the only goal of Wednesday's Open Cup Final in Carson, Calif., struck after just 12 minutes in the league encounter. Ned Grabavoy played a perfectly weighted ball over the FCD backline, and after fighting off a defender in the area, Gomez hammered home an angled drive off the inside of the far post.
The Hoops pulled level just before the halftime break, a cross from right only half-cleared, but falling right to Aaron Pitchkolan just outside the area, and he pounded home a rising first-time shot past Kevin Hartman.
But two minutes into first-half stoppage time the Galaxy again drew ahead, again through Gomez. He charged down an attempted clearance by David Wagenfuhr, raced past the second-year defender and then cheekily chipped FCD 'keeper Scott Garlick from just inside the area for his 11th league goal and 17 in all competitions.
FC Dallas were left a man down for the final 40 minutes after Greg Vanney was sent off for a challenge from behind on Joseph Ngwenya, and while the Galaxy had a stunning series of chances, they couldn't increase the scoreline though running out easy victors.
At Crew Stadium, Chivas USA won on the road for the first time ever, in their 15th away match of the campaign, and ensured the Crew will not have a winning record at home on the season for the first time in club history.
The lone goal came in the 59th minute: Francisco Mendoza intercepted a pass and sent a square ball to Francisco Palencia, who sent a low drive screaming inside Jonny Walker's right-hand post from the edge of the area.
While the loss did not completely eliminate the Crew from the postseason, they need to win each of their final three games remaining while requiring the Wizards and MetroStars to lose each of theirs.
In Denver, the Rocky Mountain Cup was still on offer as the Rapids took the advantage with one more meeting remaining, in the final league contest of the season for both teams.
Clint Mathis gave Real Salt Lake a dream start in their bid for a first-ever road win. Robert Scarlett sent a high cross from the left touchline and Mathis hit a remarkable first-time full volley, looping the ball over Rapids 'keeper Byron Foss.
But Colorado pulled level in the 39th minute as Dedi Ben Dayan scored his third goal in as many games. Jean Philippe Peguero wriggled out of a tight spot in the corner and drove in a low cross that Ben Dayan sidefooted home for the equalizer.
Then four minutes from the end, Jeff Cunningham provided the winner, thanks to a neat combination from the pair that connected for the Rapids' first. They played a nice one-two on the left side of the area, the Israeli international this time sending in a low cross and Cunningham sliding in ahead of an RSL defender to poke the ball home.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
