This past weekend was certainly the most important of the season so far. There were so many important games, from Real Salt Lake at FC Dallas to DC United at Sporting Kansas City, then Vancouver Whitecaps at Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders at Portland Timbers it would be easy to have missed something. So, sit back and let us here at VAVEL USA walk you through the weekend's action...

The weekend's action kicked off on Friday night as Real Salt Lake traveled to Frisco, Texas to do battle with FC Dallas. It was a game with massive implications in the Western Conference standings. If RSL were to win, they would go top of the Conference and the league by three points. If FC Dallas were to win, they would join RSL and Seattle at the top of the West on 42 points.

The first clear cut chance of the game didn't come until the 31st minute when Tesho Akindele beat RSL's offside trap and pulled Nick Rimando off his line. The RSL defense did a great job of cutting off his angle, and his eventual shot was tipped over the bar by Rimando. The game took a turn for the surreal in the 44th minute as FC Dallas striker Blas Perez was sent off. He was given his second yellow card for simulation, and the balance of play seemed to be now favoring RSL.

Unfortunately for RSL, Dallas are already set up not to win the possession battle and counter attack. And they counter attacked to devastating effect. In the 50th minute, a corner was swung into defender Je-Vaughn Watson and deflected in off his chest. Suddenly, the side down to ten men found themselves a goal up. In the 55th minute, RSL came desperately close to equalizing. A costless kick flicked on by former USMNT striker Robbie Findlay, goalless for the last year, went off the underside of the bar. Sadly for RSL, that would be the closest they'd come to equalizing.

Then, in the 74th minute, striker Luis Castillo put the game to bed. He went on what are now becoming signature runs through opposing defenses, and beat two defenders off the dribble before perfectly placing a strike back across Nick Rimano's goal to put FC Dallas ahead 2-0. RSL were able to pull a consolation goal back in extra time, as Olmes Garcia scored off a spectacular overhead kick. The game finished 2-1, and Dallas went tied top of the West.

Saturday’s action saw six matches played across three time zones. The day's headlining match saw a top of the table clash in the Eastern Conference as DC United traveled west to visit Sporting Kansas City. This one had massive implications, as a win for Sporting would take them three points into the lead for the Supporters' Shield while a win for United would take them top of the table in the East by one point over Sporting. 

Once the game started, it became apparent quickly that only one of the two sides was aware of the game's importance, and that side was DC United. United striker Fabian Espindola opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a very good strike. Sadly, in all seriousness it was a very poor goal to concede.

Espindola created space for himself on the left wing and cut inside before striking from 25 yards out. His curling effort skimmed along the ground before settling into the far post. It was a strike that probably should have been kept out, and there's no reason why Espindola should be allowed that much time and space that close to goal. 

And it would only get worse for Sporting. United scored a second just moments later, as Chris Rolfe easily beat Sporting's absurdly high line in the 28th minute. They were somewhere near 35 yards away from their own goal, and Rolfe had no problem beating the offside trap. Once in, he lobbed the keeper to put the capital club on top 2-0.

Only three minutes later, midfielder Perry Kitchen made it 3-0. Kitchen beat a somehow higher offside line, this time maybe 45 yards away from goal before beating Sporting defender Aurelien Collin of the dribble and easily finishing. Sporting's horrible defending prompted ESPN soccer analyst Alexi Lalas to tweet," What's higher than a high line? Because that's what SKC have decided to play tonight. #SKCvDC". 

Although they still had nearly 60 minutes still to play, the game was well and truly over at that point in the game. DC United now sit on top of the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Sporting, and only two points behind Seattle Sounders in the race for the Supporters' Shield.

There was another massive match set to happen on Saturday night, as Supporters' Shield hopefuls LA Galaxy hosted playoff spot chasing Vancouver Whitecaps. The Galaxy showed their true mettle, and passed the true test of champions: winning a game while not playing particularly well. 

Landon Donovan opened the scoring for LA in the fourth minute. A Dan Gargan cross was partially cleared but fell to the feet of Irish striker Robbie Keane, who played the ball right back into the mixer. It found its way all the way through to the back post, where the MLS record goal scorer was in perfect position to power the ball into the back of the old onion bag. The goal was Donovan's 140th in MLS.

In the 32nd minute, Marcelo Sarvas doubled the advantage after a flowing passing move. Gyasi Zardes, A.J. DeLaGarza, Donovan, Keane and Sarvas ended with a dummy from Keane right onto Sarvas' feet for the finish. It was not entirely clear whether or not Keane meant to dummy or if he just whiffed on his kick, but if it was a dummy it was a supreme piece of skill from the former Tottenham and Liverpool man.

In the second half, Vancouver went searching for the comeback trail. Gambian midfielder Kekuta Manneh nearly found a goal after a slaloming 60 yard run culminated in a very good save from Galaxy keeper Jaime Penedo. LA came so close a third goal in the 57th minute off a corner. Donovan took, sent in a superb out swinging ball right onto the head of Baggio Husidic whose bullet header was cleared off the line.

Penedo made one of the saves of the season in the 81st minute. A nice move from Vancouver set up striker Darren Mattocks in space just inside the 18, but his daisy-clipper was kept out by Penedo at full stretch. A poor performance for Vancouver was punctuated by the 90th minute red card given to defender Johnny Leverón for a horrible challenge on Galaxy striker Alan Gordon. It was a very good result for the Galaxy.

Meanwhile, back on the East Coast, there was a goal fest in New York as the Red Bulls hosted the Montreal Impact. New York have had quite possibly the most exciting attack in the league this year as Bradley Wright-Phillips and Thierry Henry have formed what is certainly the most dangerous attacking partnership in the league.

The scoring really should have opened by Wright-Phillips in the seven minute as a bullet cross eluded everyone before finding him at the back post. Unfortunately, it was still too hot to handle for the man they call BWP and as it rebounded off of him, it fell to Tim Cahill. But the Australian World Cup hero was denied by the keeper, and it stayed 0-0. Then from the ensuing corner, Wright-Phillips was denied again. His bullet header off the delivery from Henry was cleared off the line by keeper Evan Bush.

The scoring was opened in the 37th minute by Montreal forward Dilly Duka off a terrific counter attack. New York's defenders were caught fast asleep playing a line almost as high as the Kansas City defender, and Duka exploited the space, taking his goal very well. 

Once they reached the second half still down 1-0, the Red Bulls seemed to wake up, and Captain Henry grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and completely turned it on its head. Henry scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute off a superb diving header from 12 yards out. He proceeded to score the second in the 72nd minute with a curling chip in off the post from 12 yards out. Even at 36, he is still a world class player.

In the 73rd minute, Montreal nearly equalized. Marco di Vaio was played in with a lovely chipped pass, but Luis Robles made a crucial save to keep the match at 2-1. Then, just one moment later, Henry created the third. A slide rule pass play Wright-Phillips in, and he found himself in a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper which he coolly finished to go ahead 3-1.

Some late drama was injected into the game off a lovely counter attack in the 79th minute, Andres Romero curled on into the side netting on Robles' right to make it 3-2. Unfortunately for them, Wright-Phillips was there again. In the first minute of stoppage time he rounded off a counter to make it 4-2 and set the New York Red Bulls single season goal scoring record. It was a terrific offensive performance from the Red Bulls.

In Toronto, two playoff hopeful squared off at BMO Field as Toronto FC took on the Chicago Fire. Toronto have struggled to have their two big money signings always clicking this year as Michael Bradley missed time due to the World Cup and Jermain Defoe has struggled with injury. Meanwhile Chicago have hit a stretch of slightly better form, and entered the day only three points out of a playoff spot.

Chicago got off to the worst start possible as defender Bakary Soumare deflected a cross into his own net in just the third minute. It seemed TFC could be set for a romp. However, Chicago responded well and turned their play around very quickly. In the 29th minute, Michael Bradley found Dominic Oduro in acres of space inside the Chicago box, and his shot had everyone beaten until it was cleared off the line by Lovell Palmer. It was nearly 2-0 again from the ensuing corner. Bradley sent in a great ball which Chicago keeper Sean Johnson came for but missed. Toronto striker Gilberto could only head wide with the empty net gaping.

In the second half, Chicago staged a terrific fight back and it started in the 70th minute. Former Toronto forward Robert Earnshaw was the one to equalize, as he turned in a cross with a great glancing header to level the match. With it all to play for once again, both teams pushed numbers forward. In the 79th minute, after a crazy deflection, Gilberto found himself in 1-on-1 against Johnson. He simply rounded the keeper and finished into the empty net.

Toronto seemed set to earn the points until the 90th minute. Palmer made a great run down the right wing and looped in the cross, which made its way to the back post where Quincy Amarikwa was waiting to smash home into the roof of the net and earn Chicago a very good road point. Their playoff hopes are still alive.

Next we turn our attention to Columbus where the Columbus Crew hosted the Houston Dynamo in a pivotal match in the race for playoff places in the East. Entering the game, the Dynamo sat just three points out of a playoff spot while the Crew held fourth place. If Houston are to make the playoffs, they need to get into better form now. Would they find that form in Columbus?

In the 18th minute, Houston striker Will Bruin pounced on a defensive mistake and found himself in 1-0n-1 with the keeper. His effort was very, very well saved and it really should have been 1-0. For Columbus, Federico Higuian really should have opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. There was a knockdown header off a cross that fell to him three yards from goal with an empty net, but he somehow managed to put his header over the bar. That one seems destined for the next "Gaffs and Goals" DVD. In the 34th minute, pouncing on a defensive mistake Crew striker Justin Meram finally opened the scoring with a classy finish to the keeper's left.

Meram went on to create the second. Picking up the pieces from a corner, he sent in a great in-swinging ball from the left flank that found the head of Adam Bedell who easily beat the keeper with a powerful header. It was another reserve striker who picked up the third goal.

A decent ball in found Aaron Schoenfeld who rocketed the ball into the back of the net on the half volley. This is two very good, commanding performances from the Crew in a row. They look to be peaking heading into the playoff stretch run.

Next up we look back to the East Coast and the new home of Jermaine Jones. The New England Revolution hosted bottom of the West side Chivas USA in a crucial game for the Revs' playoff hopes. 

On the whole it was a bit of a dour occasion, with the game's first real clear cut chance not coming until the 18th minute when Chivas striker Oscar Borja turned and unleashed a wicked strike that was very, very well saved. The next good chance of the game didn't come until the 54th minute, when Daigo Kobayashi's curling strike whistled just over the bar and landed on the roof of the net.

The goal came just two minutes later through Lee Nguyen as he hit a magnificent curling strike from 20 yards out that left the keeper with absolutely no chance. In the 72nd minute, Chivas came close to equalizing through a very nice header from Erick Torres. It looked to be going wide, but the keeper took no chances. It was not a particularly pretty performance from New England but it certainly got the job done.

Sunday saw MLS' premier rivalry renewed as the Portland Timbers hosted the Seattle Sounders in another goal fest. This was a crucial game for both teams. Seattle came in with just 4 points from their last five games, and where they had once led the race for both the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield, were now tied in the West and one point back in the Shield. Meanwhile, Portland have yet to see themselves above sixth place all season. A win over their arch enemies would see them reach fifth for the first time all year.

The game got off to a bit of an ugly start as the Timbers Army's obligatory tifo appeared to show a burning Seattle skyline. However, the actions of the supporters did not detract from the spectacle on show. In fact, they provided a fantastic atmosphere for a most exciting game.

The first controversy of the game came early on. In the ninth minute off a corner Max Urruti's header clearly went into Clint Dempsey's extended arm, but the referee gave nothing. Then, just a minute later, Portland's Diego Valeri has a shot that deflects onto the post! Nearly 1-0.

Moments later in the 14th minute, Dempsey turns and fires and his shot deflects off the post as well! Nearly 1-1, but still just 0-0. Given the pressure that both sides were exerting, it came as no surprise to see Seattle open the scoring in the 18th minute. Brad Evans made a great 40 yard run down the right wing before serving a great ball across the six yard box and all Obafemi Martins had to do was tap the ball in. Dreadful defending from Portland.

It took Portland several minutes to regain their composure, but they nearly got a great response in the 31st minute when Paparatto's header is deflected just wide. Then just a moment later, Valeri is in on goal before a goal saving tackle from Zach Scott keeps it at 1-0.

A flowing counter attack from Martins and Dempsey sees the USMNT captain easily beat Donovan Ricketts and its 2-0 Seattle. In the 44th minute, Urruti hits a cross towards the near post that strikes the post! Then, just a minute later there's another handball shout, this one on Chad Marshall. Portland really should have had two penalties.

In the second half, the Timbers dominated the first fifteen minutes but couldn't find a goal. And they were made to pay in the 69th minute when substitute Chad Barrett makes it 3-0! The Portland defense are at fault again as Barrett is gifted all sorts of time and space inside the 18, and his drive beats Ricketts easily. In the 73rd minute, Fanendo Adi is able to pull one back for Portland after a great ball in from fellow substitute Rodney Wallace. 3-1. Is the fight back on?

Sadly for Portland, it is not and Martins gets his brace just three minutes later to make it 4-1. He scores with an incredible solo effort, beating four players off the dribble and then lobbing Ricketts. It's obvious to see why he dazzled at Inter Milan. Portland pull back another consolation goal in stoppage time, once again through Adi but the match has been over for a while now. A terrific performance from Seattle sees them deserved 4-2 winners.

The last MLS match-up of the weekend sees yet another goal fest as the Philadelphia Union play host to the San Jose Earthquakes. The Union are one of a cluster of teams all vying for a playoff spot in the East. In addition, manager Jim Curtin is under intensifying pressure. Will a playoff spot in addition to their place in the final of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup be enough for him to be named the full time manager? They need more points before that question can be addressed. 

The first chance of the game came in the tenth minute through a great counter attack. Conor Casey and Sebastian Le Toux combined for Philadelphia down the left wing before Le Toux slipped in young forward Andrew Wenger who finished superbly with a blistering strike into the top corner from an acute angle to put Philadelphia ahead 1-0. It was 2-0 just three minutes after as Le Toux volleyed a rocket into the net off a poor clearance inside the box. The Union look the far better side early one, and have gotten the goals to express that advantage.

The third goal very nearly came in the 57th minute. A Williams corner found Casey in acres of space in the box but his bullet header is straight into the chest of Jon Busch. So unlucky there. And suddenly it's 2-1! Sam Cronin with a golazo out of nowhere! A cross is cleared and he unleashes on a half-volley from 30 yards out! That is a fantastic strike! Then in the 70th minute we're level! Chris Wondolowski peels away from his marker and he's all alone in the box. Shea Salinas delivers a fantastic ball into him and his volleyed finish is earmarked for the back of the net. Game on!

The Union however would do very well to fight back after throwing away a two-goal lead, and their third goal came in just a moment later. A costless kick in from Le Toux is glanced home by Williams. What a response from Philadelphia! The fourth goal comes off another counter in the 80th minute as San Jose were forced to throw numbers forward. Wenger runs at least forty yards with the ball at his feet before toe-poking past the sprawling Busch. Great goal. Great performance from the Union for a greatly needed three points.

It was a fantastic weekend of MLS action. We had goal bonanzas, defensive struggles, games with playoff implications and a true derby match. Hope you can join us for it again next week here at VAVEL USA, and check back with us this week for the latest news!

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About the author
Liam McMahon
American sports journalist based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin who has been affiliated with VAVEL for more than a year. Co-editor of the soccer section at VAVEL USA and international football writer at VAVEL UK.