[nas] FW: MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RECAP - WEEK 24 (R)

> MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RECAP
> WEEK 24 - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2003
> 
> Things got a little bit tighter in the Eastern Conference, as the three
> clubs chasing MetroStars for second place all took points out of their
> advantage with Week 24 victories on Saturday night, as Major League Soccer
> raced into its stretch drive at full throttle.
> 
> New England Revolution went to the Meadowlands and came away with a 2-1
> victory against MetroStars, but although they pulled to within five points
> of second place with the triumph, the visitors still remain in fifth place
> (and out of the playoffs) after late home victories by both D.C. United and
> Columbus Crew.
> 
> United pulled to within one point of MetroStars after Ben Olsen's
> 81st-minute goal gave them a 2-1 victory against Western Conference leaders
> San Jose Earthquakes, while the Crew got a pair of goals from Edson Buddle -
> his second breaking a 2-2 tie in the 81st minute - to defeat Dallas Burn
> 3-2.
> 
> Colorado Rapids took advantage of San Jose's loss with a vital 1-0 victory
> at home against Kansas City Wizards. Colorado is now just six points behind
> the 'Quakes in the West, but more importantly, eight ahead of both the
> Wizards and Los Angeles after the Galaxy lost 2-0 at home to Chicago Fire,
> who stretched their lead in the East to nine points with the victory, having
> lost just once in their last 10 MLS matches.
> 
> Pat Noonan scored a pair of goals - giving him three in the last two matches
> after coming into the lineup for hat-trick scorer Chris Brown - to give the
> Revolution their second victory in three matches after a nine-match winless
> run.
> 
> Noonan put the Revolution ahead in the 11th minute after beating a couple of
> defenders in tight spaces in the area, then doubled the lead 18 minutes from
> time with a crack from outside the area. Steve Jolley pulled a goal for
> Metro nine minutes later when he swept home a corner kick, then the Rev
> survived a terrific chance when Clint Mathis was all alone two minutes from
> full time but shot well wide.
> 
> In Washington, United brought back memories of days gone by at RFK Stadium
> with their first-half performance, deservedly taking the lead after just
> nine minutes when Earnie Stewart volleyed home a Ronald Cerritos cross for
> his first career MLS goal, after a very influential Marco Etcheverry had
> found Cerritos with a long ball over the 'Quakes back line.
> 
> But ten minutes from time, substitute Jamil Walker volleyed home a flick-on
> header on a free kick, yet not a minute later Olsen lashed home a drive from
> outside the area that skipped past 'Quakes 'keeper Pat Onstad to give United
> the three points.
> 
> In Columbus, the home side also kept pace with their victory, remaining two
> points behind United and two ahead of New England. Brian Dunseth - returning
> to face the club from where he was traded a few weeks ago - headed home a
> Toni Nhleko cross to give Dallas an early lead (15), but Buddle slipped in
> to sidefoot home the equalizer before the half hour (28).
> 
> Brian McBride then headed home his eighth goal of the campaign six minutes
> before the halftime break, but Eddie Johnson made amends for missing an open
> net earlier in the match by finishing off a solo run for the equalizer seven
> minutes after the halftime interval.
> 
> But Buddle scored his second - and seventh in his last seven league matches
> since returning to the starting lineup after suffering a hamstring injury in
> April - clipping home a first-time shot at the far post for the match-winner
> after Brian West sent an early cross from the left flank. The Burn were then
> left a man down for the final four minutes when Jordan Stone was sent off
> after he was shown a second yellow card.
> 
> Colorado continued their remarkable run of form, winning for the ninth time
> in their last 11 league matches and running their home unbeaten streak to a
> club-record 10 contests, defeating Kansas City Wizards thanks to a John
> Spencer goal seven minutes from time. Spencer headed home a corner kick for
> his 12th goal of the season, now just one off the league lead.
> 
> But Los Angeles couldn't rise above the Wizards for third place in the West,
> losing for just the second time in their new home. Damani Ralph increased
> his rookie goal-scoring record to 11 with a 58th-minute strike to give the
> Fire the lead, then Nate Jaqua scored his first career MLS goal deep into
> stoppage time, finishing off a counterattack to stretch Chicago's lead in
> the East.
> 


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