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United halts winless streak

By Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

There were stars missing from the Galaxy on Saturday night as the Los Angeles team, with six starters recalled by their national teams for World Cup qualifiers, fell 2-1 to a D.C. United team that had lost 10 of its previous 11 Major League Soccer games.

United ended a five-game winless streak, going 0-3-2 during that span.

World Cup 2002 qualifiers left the Galaxy without defenders Robin Fraser, Ezra Hendrickson and Greg Vanney, midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos and forwards Luis Hernandez and Cobi Jones. United also was missing some key players: forward Raul Diaz Arce and defender Eddie Pope to qualifiers, and defender Jeff Agoos and forward Ben Olsen to injuries.

Wizards' lead in jeopardy: Kansas City's season-long lead in the Western Division could be gone by next week after the Wizards lost their second in a row, the first time this season that has happened, a 2-0 decision to Columbus.

The Crew, who are in seventh place in the league and back in the playoff chase, have won two in a row.

The Wizards lead Los Angeles by one point in the division after starting the season 10-0-2. Kansas City fell to 1-4-0 in afternoon contests but is 10-0-5 in night games.

Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola is eight catch/punches away from Mark Dodd's all-time record of 408.

MetroStars streak: The MetroStars increased their Eastern lead to 12 points with a 2-0 win against second-place New England. It was the fourth consecutive victory for New York/New Jersey and its fifth consecutive road win.

Goalkeeper Mike Ammann, making a successful return from a back injury, recorded the fourth MetroStars shutout in five games.

New England forward Jamar Beasley was taken off on a stretcher after a scary collision with MetroStars midfielder Billy Walsh. Walsh, who received a red card, went shin-to-shin on Beasley, who ended up landing on his shoulder and head. Beasley was taken to a hospital for X-rays. He was listed as having a neck strain and will be able to play in the next Revolution game Wednesday at Kansas City.

Mutiny tie, lead: The top two teams in the Central Division fought to a scoreless draw. The Mutiny hold a one-point lead over the Fire.

Tampa's Mamadou Diallo, leading the MLS with 17 goals and averaging nearly a goal a game, was shut out for the second game in a row.

San Jose streak ends: San Jose's league-record home unbeaten streak of 15 came to an end as the Earthquakes lost to Colorado 2-1.

Burn in playoff hunt: Dallas' Ariel Graziani netted two goals in a 3-0 victory at Miami. The Burn have won two in a row and hold the eighth and final playoff spot with nine games remaining.