The Columbus Crew picked up a valuable win on the road against the MetroStars to increase its lead over New England and D.C. United in the race for the eighth and last playoff spot.
The 3-2 win over the MetoStars, who lost Joseph Addo to a red card for a violent and senseless foul at the end of the first half, gives the Crew 28 points. New England trails by six points, and D.C. United, which held the Fire in Chicago to a 0-0 tie yesterday, has 21 points.
In Dallas, Kansas City beat the Burn, 1-0, on a goal by Stephen Armstrong. The WizardsÆ victory puts them on 31 points, even with Dallas and second only to San Jose (38 points) in the overall standings.
Brian WestÆs first goal of the season provided the winner for the Crew in the 70th minute after a give-and-go with Jeff Cunnigham.
Rodrigo Faria gave the MetroStars a lead in the third minute after a scramble in the penalty area following Crew keeper Jon BuschÆs save of Mamadou DialloÆs penalty kick. A Brian McBride penalty kick and a Cunningham chip gave the Crew a halftime lead.
The short-handed MetroStars equalized through a Diallo diving header before giving up the gamewinner to West.