Rookie scores clinching goal

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 25, 2005 | by Associated Press

Rookie midfielder James Riley scored his first MLS goal in the 85th minute to help the Eastern Conference-leading New England Revolution clinch a playoff spot with a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars on Saturday night in Foxborough, Mass.

New England (16-6-7) snapped the MetroStars' five-game unbeaten streak.

Riley took a pass from Taylor Twellman, split two defenders and put a sliding right-footed shot past goalkeeper Tony Meola.

Matt Reis earned his ninth shutout for New England. He made three saves, including one on a drive by Mark Lisi in the 88th minute.

EARTHQUAKES 1, FC DALLAS 1: At San Jose, Calif., Brian Ching's sixth goal of the season gave San Jose a tie with FC Dallas night and the top seed in the MLS Western Conference playoffs. The tie snapped San Jose's six-game winning streak. But the result kept alive an 11-game unbeaten streak and the potential for an unbeaten season at home, an MLS first. The two-time MLS Cup champion Earthquakes (16-4-9) are 9-0-6 at Spartan Stadium. Ching's goal came in the 68th minute, 10 minutes after midfielder Ramon Nunez gave Dallas (12-9-7) a 1-0 lead by converting a penalty kick.

RAPIDS 3, CHIVAS USA 1: At Carson, Calif., Jean Philippe Peguero, Jovan Kirovski and David Ben-Dayan scored goals to help Colorado clinch a playoff spot. Colorado's fourth victory in six games allowed the Rapids (11-13-4) to secure a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season. Arturo Torres scored for Chivas USA (3-21-5). The first-year team has lost four straight and is winless in 10 consecutive games.