Frisco, Texas – Dario Sala had three saves in his first career MLS game Saturday night to help FC Dallas tie the Rapids 0-0.
The tie assures FC Dallas (13-10-8) of no lower than third place in the Western Conference, avoiding a first-round matchup with conference leader San Jose. FC Dallas can clinch second place with a victory against Kansas City in its final game Saturday, and a tie more than likely will be good enough for second.
The Rapids (12-13-6) need a win next week against Real Salt Lake and a loss by Los Angeles to finish third in the conference.
Sala started the game in place of Scott Garlick, who was rested by FC Dallas coach Collin Clark. Colorado goalie Byron Foss finished with five saves for his second shutout as the teams played their second scoreless tie of the season.
FC Dallas played without its top four scorers. Eddie Johnson will miss the rest of the season with a toe injury, and Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala) and Roberto Mina (Ecuador) each missed the game with national team duty. Midfielder Ronnie O’Brien was serving a suspension.
Colorado 0 0 – 0
FC Dallas 0 0 – 0
First half – none. Second half – none.
Goalies – Colorado, Foss; FC Dallas, Sala.
A – 13,011 (21,193).
Earthquakes 2, Real Salt Lake 2
San Jose, Calif. – San Jose became the first MLS team to go undefeated at home, tying Real Salt Lake.
San Jose, which plays its regular-season finale next week at Los Angeles, ended its home schedule with a 9-0-7 mark.
Salt Lake also made history, becoming just the second MLS team to go winless on the road (0-14-2). The tie snapped Salt Lake’s 10-game losing streak.
Crew 2, Fire 1
Chicago – After a scoreless first half, Eric Vasquez and Simon Elliott scored as Columbus beat Chicago.
Chicago already owns a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but the loss eliminated it from catching D.C. United for second place.
The Fire scored first in the 50th minute. Chad Barrett sent the ball to Chris Rolfe in the center of the box. Rolfe then tapped it to Jesse Marsch, who flicked it into the net to the left of goalkeeper Matt Jordan.
Wizards 2, Revolution 2
Kansas City, Mo. – Kansas City saw a two-goal lead evaporate, and with it its fourth-place standing, in the Eastern Conference in a tie with New England.
New England, 16-7-8 with 56 points, clinched the conference race.
MetroStars 2, D.C. United 1
Washington – Youri Djokaeff’s goal in the 68th minute kept the MetroStars’ playoff hopes alive.
Djorkaeff took a crossing pass from Seth Stammler and scored from 15 yards just inside the right post for his 10th goal of the season.