FREDDY ADU scored on a curling 24-yeard free kick in D.C. United’s 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake. It was the 17-year-old’s second goal of the season and 11th career MLS goal, and is a MLS Goal of the Week nominee. … NATE JAQUA and C.J. BROWN got Chicago’s goals in a 2-1 win over Columbus that extended the Fire’s unbeaten streak to six games and keeps it comfortably in second place of the East.
Americans had a good weekend in the English Premier League. Blackburn goalkeeper BRAD FRIEDEL saved two penalty kicks to salvage a 0-0 tie at Sheffield United. BRIAN MCBRIDE and CARLOS BOCANEGRA, who took advantage of a rebounded shot from McBride, scored late goals to give Fulham a 2-1 win at Newcastle. Everton goalkeeper TIM HOWARD made several saves and celebrated a 3-0 derby win over Liverpool. BOBBY CONVEY assisted on the winning goal with a free-kick cross in Reading’s 1-0 win over Manchester City. MARCUS HAHNEMANN played solidly in goal for Reading. Claudio Reyna started for the losing side but DaMarcus Beasley’s City debut was delayed because of a hamstring injury.
In Denmark, Aalborg, with DANNY CALIFF patrolling the central defense, held Brondby to a 1-1 tie to maintain a four-point lead at the top of the standings. Califf, who played in MLS from 2000 to 2005, has started all nine Aalborg games this season. … In Germany, 24-year-old American keeper DAVID YELLDELL celebrated a 4-3 first-round German Cup win with Third Division Stuttgart Kickers over First Division Hamburg SV.
LOSERS
The NEW YORK RED BULLS‘ playoff hopes took a blow with a 1-0 loss to New England, for which Pat Noonan got his first goal of the season. The Red Bulls have played two fewer games than the team it’s trying to catch, but Kansas City’s 4-1 win over Colorado gives the Wizards a 4-point lead over Coach Bruce Arena’s team.
In the West, defending champ LOS ANGELES fell, 2-1, to Houston and is three points out of the playoff zone, where both Chivas USA and Colorado have a game in hand. The Galaxy is also a point behind fifth-place Real Salt Lake.