Los Angeles bagged their fifth straight win to stay in for a playoff spot, Columbus was eliminated in the postseason race despite an impressive road triumph and Juan Pablo Angel booted the Red Bulls to victory.

--------------------------
FIRE, UNITED IN SCORELESS DRAW
The Chicago Fire went into RFK Stadium and walked out with a point, playing to a scoreless draw again DC United on Saturday night, leaving the race for the final two playoff spots wide open.

In a game that saw as many cards handed out as goals scored - zero - neither club was able to make things easier on themselves heading into the final week of the season.

Chivas remains within striking distance of United for the Supporter's Shield while Chicago could only add a point to their total with several teams closing on them for the final playoff spot.

United had the first crack at goal two minutes in when Christian Gomez fed the ball across the top of the box to Marc Burch, but the defender's long range shot sailed well over the crossbar.

At the other end of the field, a defensive miscue by Burch nearly led to a Chicago goal two minutes later. Taking advantage of a mistimed attempt at a clearing header, Chad Barrett picked up the loose ball in the box, turned and fired a hard shot from eight yards out, but DC keeper Troy Perkins was able to block the close-range attempt.

The league's leader scorer Luciano Emilio created the next chance for the home side, dribbling into the penalty area before leaving the ball off for Guy-Roland Kpene. The resulting shot beat Chicago keeper Matt Pickens but caromed off the left post and back into play before the Fire defense could clear the danger.

Chicago had the majority of chances over the next 15 minutes, with Barrett forcing Perkins into several saves and Paulo Wanchope firing just wide of the far post in the 23rd minute.

Eight minutes before halftime, Barrett again created havoc with his run, getting behind his defender as he ran onto a through ball in the attacking third. Perkins alertly had come off his line to break the play up and did so successfully by deflecting Barrett's shot with his left hand at the edge of the box.

DC would answer back in the 39th minute with another quality chance as Fred chased down a long ball at the end line before sending the ball back to the top of the box. Waiting there was reigning MLS MVP Christian Gomez, who unleashed a vicious shot from 20 yards out that was punched away by Pickens at the last second, keeping the game scoreless at the break.

The beginning of the second half picked up where the first had left off, with Chicago threatening in the 53rd minute following another mental lapse by Burch. Another poor clearance by the defender nearly gifted a goal to Barrett inside the box, but Perkins was able to knock the forward's point blank shot away.

After that opportunity, both clubs failed to get much else going. Ben Olsen and Wanchope got into a physical discussion in the 70th minute and a Barrett cross hit the top of the crossbar on its way over in the 75 minute, but neither team could put one in the back of the net, sharing the points on the night.

Chicago moves into a tie with Kansas City for seventh place with the point. Their final game could have huge playoff implications as they will square off against the red-hot Los Angeles Galaxy next Sunday in a match that could see the winner make the playoffs while the loser goes home.

DC maintains their stranglehold on the top spot in the league with the draw, outpacing Chivas USA by three points, though their opponents do have a game in hand. With a Chivas loss on Sunday, United would clinch the Supporter's Shield for the second straight season. Their regular season campaign draws to a close next Saturday with a home game against the already-eliminated Columbus Crew.

Line-ups
CHI - Matt Pickens; Dasan Robinson, CJ Brown, Gonzalo Segares, Chris Rolfe (John Thorrington 88'), Chris Armas, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Logan Pause, Wilman Conde (Bakary Soumare 78'), Chad Barrett (Calen Carr 81'), Paulo Wanchope

DCU - Troy Perkins; Bryan Namoff, Devon McTavish, Greg Vanney, Marc Burch, Christian Gomez, Clyde Simms, Fred (Rod Dyachenko 64'), Ben Olsen, Luciano Emilio, Guy-Roland Kpene (Brian Carroll 46')

--------------------------
GALAXY EARN GRITTY WIN
With David Beckham watching from a private box yet again, the Los Angeles Galaxy continued their improbable run to the playoffs by defeating visiting Toronto FC on Saturday night. The 2-1 victory at the Home Depot Center runs their unbeaten streak to six games overall.

After a successful Landon Donovan penalty kick was cancelled out by a Collin Samuel strike, the Galaxy rode a late Edson Buddle goal to their fifth straight victory, meaning the club continues to control their own destiny as the 2007 regular season enters its final week.

Feeling each other out, neither club registered a shot in the match until the 15th minute, when TFC's Collin Samuel weakly headed an Adam Braz cross into the mitts of Galaxy keeper Joe Cannon.

The Galaxy would get an opportunity of their own in the 23rd minute as Landon Donovan took on a trio of defenders in the attacking third before pushing the ball wide left to Kyle Martino.

Taking a touch to steady the ball, Martino sent in a fine cross that was met in the area by the dreadlocked head of Cobi Jones, but the US soccer legend's effort was nodded over the crossbar and out of play.

Los Angeles would earn another chance four minutes later as Donovan chipped the ball into space behind the Toronto backline to Martino, who had timed his diagonal run perfectly. TFC netminder Kenny Stamatopoulos came off his line early, forcing the former Rookie of the Year to attempt a chip-shot over him and also over the bar to end the threat.

Former Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall fired the final salvo of the first 45 minutes, but his hurried shot from inside the area sailed well wide of the net, keeping both clubs scoreless at halftime.

After the break, things opened up and the speed of play increased. A pair of Samuel shots in the opening ten minutes of the second half had to be turned back by Cannon to keep Toronto out of the lead.

Not seeing much in the way of offense, Galaxy skipper Frank Yallop opted to bring Gavin Glinton off the bench in the 53rd minute. The move paid almost-immediate dividends as the striker earned a penalty kick just two minutes later when he was brought down from behind in the box by Marco Reda. As referee Terry Vaughn produced a red card for the defender, Donovan stepped up to slot the PK past Stamatopoulos, pushing the Galaxy out front.

Samuel continued to should the load for the TFC offense, firing a hard, low shot on goal just past an hour that found its way through traffic before being punched away by Cannon.

The Trinidad & Tobago international continued to plug away and his hard work would finally show up on the scoreboard as Samuel leveled the game in the 68th minute. Receiving a pass from Adam Pozniak, the former Dundee United forward cut in front of rookie defender Mike Randolph and broke in on goal, firing a low shot past Cannon to level the score, 1-1.

Carlos Pavon had a prime opportunity to give the Galaxy the lead once more in the 78th minute, but his glancing header was snapped directly at Stamatopoulos, keeping the game deadlocked.

Less than a minute later, Los Angeles got the much-needed goal they had been searching for when Donovan slid a through-ball behind the Toronto defense again to a streaking Chris Klein.

Closing in on goal with Jones and Edson Buddle matching him step-for-step, Klein had his choice between the two wide-open players, opting to cross the ball on the ground to the far post, where second half substitute Buddle hammered his shot into the roof of the net, giving the Galaxy a 2-1 advantage.

Donovan had an opportunity to ice the game in the 90th minute when he broke in alone on Stamatopoulos, but the Greek goalkeeper was able to get a piece of the shot, changing the ball's trajectory just enough to keep it off-frame.

Mo Johnston's club was unable to mount an offensive threat over the final 15 minutes, going down to defeat for the 17th time this season. Their inaugural season comes to a close next Saturday with a home game against the US Open Cup champion New England Revolution.

For the Galaxy, the upcoming week is make-or-break time, with a Thursday game at home against the New York Red Bulls before Sunday's suddenly crucial clash on the road against fellow playoff hopefuls, the Chicago Fire. Los Angeles needs to escape Thursday's game with at least a point to have a chance at the second season - a loss in either game or two ties will officially eliminate them from the postseason chase.

Scoring
LA - Landon Donovan 8 (PK) 56'
TFC - Collin Samuel 2 (Chris Pozniak) 68'
LA - Edson Buddle 5 (Chris Klein, Landon Donovan) 78'

Line-ups
TFC - Kenny Stamatopoulos; Adam Braz, Tyrone Marshall, Marco Reda, Gabe Gala (Miguel Canizalez 67'), Tyler Hemming, Marvell Wynne, Chris Pozniak, Todd Dunivant, Jeff Cunningham, Collin Samuel

LA - Joe Cannon; Chris Klein, Ante Jazic, Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph, Cobi Jones, Josh Tudela (Edson Buddle 77'), Peter Vagenas (Kevin Harmse 69'), Kyle Martino (Gavin Glinton 53'), Landon Donovan, Carlos Pavon

--------------------------
LATE GUILLE GOAL LIFTS CREW
The Columbus Crew rallied late in the game to pick up only their second win since late July, going on the road to defeat the New England Revolution by a score of 3-2 on Saturday night.

After Taylor Twellman got the scoring started, the Crew responded with goals from Eddie Gaven and Stefani Miglioranzi to take the lead in the final half hour. Ceding a late goal to Steve Ralston, second half substitute Guillermo Barros Schelotto returned from injury to tally the game-winner four minutes from full time.

The New England Revolution jumped ahead in the 26th minute when Taylor Twellman headed a Steve Ralston corner kick past Columbus goalkeeper Will Hesmer to put the home side in front.

It was the striker's 15th goal of the season and 90th of his career, fifth-most in the history of the league. He also moves into a tie with Eddie Johnson for the third-most goals scored in 2007.

The lead would hold up through halftime and past an hour, but Columbus scored an equalizer in the 61st minute when Gaven followed up a Robbie Rogers shot that hit the post and came back into play.

Gaven would set up the go-ahead goal in the 77th minute, chasing a ball down at the end line and flipping it back into the middle of the box. Rushing through unmarked was Miglioranzi, whose volley found its way past New England netminder Matt Reis to give Columbus a 2-1 lead.

The Crew would only stay ahead for six minutes, giving up the lead when Steve Ralston struck for the fourth time this season to level the game. Initiating a crisp give-and-go with Shalrie Joseph, Ralston's blast from the right side skipped past Hesmer and into the goal, pulling the game back into a 2-2 tie.

With their playoff ambitions on the line, Columbus summoned up a late goal via Barros Schelotto to take three points on the road. Using a touch to separate himself from his defender, the Argentinean's effort squeezed in between Reis and the near post to push the Crew to a 3-2 victory on the evening.

Despite picking up full points from the match, the Columbus Crew were eliminated from postseason contention via Chicago's 0-0 draw against DC United, rendering next Saturday's showdown in the nation's capital meaningless.

The Revolution, meanwhile, will try to right the ship ahead of the playoffs when they travel to BMO Field to face Toronto FC next Saturday in their final game of the regular season.

Scoring
NE - Taylor Twellman 15 (Steve Ralston) 26'
CLB - Eddie Gaven 5 61'
CLB - Stefani Miglioranzi 3 (Eddie Gaven) 77'
NE - Steve Ralston 4 (Shalrie Joseph) 83'
CLB - Guillermo Barros Schelotto 5 (Stefani Miglioranzi) 86'

Line-ups
CLB - Will Hesmer; Frankie Hejduk, Marcos Gonzalez, Tim Ward (Rusty Pierce 89'), Ezra Hendrickson, Eddie Gaven, Stefani Miglioranzi, Danny O'Rourke, Robbie Rogers, Alejandro Moreno, Andy Herron (Guillermo Barros Schelotto 46')

NE - Matt Reis; Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, Steve Ralston, James Riley, Wells Thompson (Andy Dorman 82'), Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Khano Smith (Adam Cristman 77'), Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan

--------------------------
ANGEL BRACE LEADS NY TO WIN
Two goal from Juan Pablo Angel within a five-minute span was all the offense the New York Red Bulls needed, dispatching of the Kansas City Wizards at home by a score of 2-1 on Saturday night.

Angel converted an early penalty kick to get the scoring started and added his 19th goal of the season minutes later to bracket a Jack Jewsbury strike, and New York netminder Jon Conway made a huge save on a second half Eddie Johnson PK to ensure the victory.

The first penalty kick was set up in the 19th minute when referee Mark Geiger called a handball in the box on Jose Burciaga Jr. Stepping up to the spot, Angel drilled the PK past a diving Kevin Hartman and into the side netting to put the Red Bulls on top less than twenty minutes into the game.

It would only take the visitors a matter of minutes to field a response, leveling the game in the 21st minute off a set piece. A Davy Arnaud free kick from 30 yards out was redirected by the head of Jewsbury, beating Conway at the near post to draw the match back into a 1-1 tie.

Another defensive error by Burciaga led to the Red Bulls second goal in the 24th minute, with the defender slipping on the artificial turf while tracking down a routine ball. The miscue allowed rookie Dane Richards to swoop in and dribble into the box in a two-on-one situation, feeding Angel in the middle of the area. The former Aston Villa star kept his shot low and slotted it to Hartman's left to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead.

Francis Doe had an opportunity to give the home team a two-goal advantage at the break, but his quick shot from the right side slammed against the crossbar before being cleared away as the halftime whistle sounded.

In the second half, a 51st minute header from Angel off a Hunter Freeman free kick looked certain to give the Colombian a hat trick, but Hartman was able to track the shot, slapping the ball away to foil the effort.

Scott Sealy would earn a penalty kick for the Wizards two minutes later after being tugged down in the box by defender Carlos Mendes. Forward Eddie Johnson, who has disappeared in the second half of the season after being on fire for much of 2007, struck the ensuing PK well, but was denied by a brilliant save from Conway to keep his team in front.

In the 75th minute, a scramble in front of the net almost resulted in a tying goal for Kansas City, but Dave van den Bergh was able to clear Sealy's attempt off the line, leaving the visitors with little time to find an equalizer.

The loss drops Kansas City into a tie with the Chicago Fire for the seventh position in the standings, but by virtue of the tiebreaker, they would enter the playoffs as the #8 seed if the season were to end today. The Wizards failed to clinch a spot in the postseason and must now win their season finale on the road against FC Dallas if they are to control their own destiny.

The New York Red Bulls, having already locked up a postseason birth, will now try to play spoiler in midweek, traveling to Los Angeles on Thursday to face the white-hot Galaxy, who are still in the hunt for a playoff position after winning five straight games.

Scoring
NYRB - Juan Pablo Angel 18 (PK) 19'
KC - Jack Jewsbury 2 (Davy Arnaud) 21'
NYRB - Juan Pablo Angel 19 (Dane Richards) 24'

Line-ups
KC - Kevin Hartman; Jack Jewsbury (Eloy Colombano 74'), Jimmy Conrad, Nick Garcia, Jose Burciaga Jr. (Sasha Victorine 46'), Kurt Morsink (Carlos Marinelli 70'), Davy Arnaud, Kerry Zavagnin, Michael Harrington, Eddie Johnson, Scott Sealy

NYRB - Jon Conway; Hunter Freeman, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Dave van den Bergh, Dane Richards, Dema Kovalenko, Seth Stammler, Jozy Altidore (John Wolyniec 90+), Francis Doe (Clint Mathis 74'), Juan Pablo Angel