WASHINGTON, DC (Jun 8, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- In a game that probably won't make the officiating highlight reel, DC United got the upset against Chicago in Bridgeview, but San Jose were the ones with the shock result.
DC 2 - Chicago 1
Three players were escorted off before the end of the game, with Luciano Emilio reminding everyone he can be all but unstoppable with his late winner. Chicago rode Chad Barrett's 27th minute through the 55th minute ejections of Marcelo Gallardo and Brandon Prideaux.
With DC's designated player shown the door, it was their other two stars making the difference. Jamie Moreno equalized in the 63rd, and Bryan Namoff got show a yellow in the 83rd and 85th setup the injury time drama. Now two men down (one on aggregate) Luciano Emilio beat everybody to hit the winner in the 92nd minute.
"I thought we had the better of them," DC coach Tommy Soehn said. "Obviously we changed when the cards came, but I give the guys a lot of credit -- they fought even when we were down a man. It is a great victory for us and we want to keep building on what we have. The team is getting better, and everyone is taking on their roles a little more."
San Jose 2 - Columbus 0
The Crew make their short trip back to the middle of the table courtesy of a better than expected performance from the team with the worst record in the League. Ryan Johnson scored in the 10th an Ramiro Corrales in the 60th with Ronnie O'Brien assisting on both goals. Those would be the only two shots the Quakes would put on frame, with Will Hesmer credited with no saves.
We don't go into a game saying we're going to win this one 3-2," Hesmer said. "We go into game's saying 'this is going to be a zero,' so every game there's pressure to get a shutout, then if they do score one, we say 'that's just one goal, they're not going to get another one.' That's where we've got to be mentally stronger. It's just one early goal; we can come back from that. Teams do it all the time, and we should believe that we can too."
Joe Cannon stopped four for the shutout.
"We did a good job of limiting their true chances in run of play," Cannon said. "But I still think we gave them too many set pieces, and with a guy like Schelotto, I think we were pretty fortunate that Chad Marshall's out because he's their number one target, especially after all the corners and free kicks that we gave up."
Columbus' Brad Evans was shown straight red in the 80th and San Jose's James Riley joined him in the 85th.
Kansas City 0 - Salt Lake 0
Not quite as bad as the score would suggest, with Real Salt Lake forcing seven saves and Kansas City five. Though MLS has never been a League that rewards quality goalkeeping, the Kevin Hartman - Nick Rimando show was worth the time.
"There are a lot of positive things to take out of that game," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "There was a lot of good soccer on our part; I really thought we were the aggressors the entire night. The only thing you can shake your head about or scratch your head about is the final touch, because if that was there I think we would've had quite a few goals tonight."
"We always want more points, said KC keeper Kevin Hartman. "But we have to keep things in perspective. It was a six-game road swing. If we had won tonight we would have got seven points from six road games, which is not the worst thing in the world. Fortunately we were able to come out with five points."
Colorado 2 - Los Angeles 3
Plenty of potential excuses for the late Saturday game. Landon Donovan and Pablo Mastroeni in North Jersey with the National Team, both teams playing the second half a man down, LA dominating early. Instead, this one ended up a solid game of the week candidate.
LA started with the early season template, scoring in the 4th minute and again in the 32nd bwfore both clubs lost a player. Alan Gordon for LA and Facundo Erpen got straight reds to end the half. Gordon went first for kicking Erpen, and Erpen went seconds later when the referee saw why Gordon kicked Erpen.
The Galaxy scored again in the 50th, holding at 3-0 until Colin Clark scored for Colorado in the 73rd. Herculez Gomez followed in the 82nd, but LA held on for the 3-2 win.
"I think it was a crazy match for a coach," said the Galaxy's Ruud Gullit. "I think that the first half we played very good. It was a good match. Good goals also. I enjoyed watching my team. I think the send off of Alan Gordon was a critical moment for the game itself. He gave us so much space, so much running and everything. It could go either way. I think the second half instead of being four-nil up, we made it difficult. Unnecessary. It was a crazy game."
Toronto 1 - Houston 3
Houston's expected goal scorers were back late Sunday, with Dwyane De Rosorio getting the opener at the very end of the first half and Brian Ching following with two of his own in the 52nd and 69th. Jeff Cunningham stopped the Dynamo shutout attempt in the 71st.
