Football Americana Week 13: No problem for Houston

It's all change at the top of Major League Soccer after a big week for United and the Dynamo.

Cam Weaver, traded from the Earthquakes, picked up his first Houston Dynamo assist to create a simple finish for Stuart Holden last Wednesday as the Dynamo defeated Chivas USA. He then poked in his first goal on Saturday against FC Dallas as the Dynamo won 3-1. A masked Richard Mulrooney drilled in a wonderful goal from 25 yards before Weaver grabbed the third. Drew Moor bagged a consolation for Dallas as Houston went top of the table.

It wasn't nearly as pleasant for Chivas, whose double header ended pointless. Eduardo Lillingston put them ahead at Crew Stadium on Sunday, but Columbus Crew won 2-1 thanks to two very composed finishes from Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the second being his 10th of the season.

Over in the East, it was a joyous Saturday for DC United. Tommy Soehn's side defeated Chicago Fire thanks to a double showing from the old masters. Jaime Moreno coolly fired in a controversial(ish) penalty to put United ahead, but a lovely shift and shot by Marco Pappa pulled the Fire level. Christian Gomez won it with an impressive first half free kick to put DC top of their half of the table. United keeper Josh Wicks put in a fine performance including a penalty save.

2009 expansion club Seattle Sounders predictably got back to winning ways against San Jose Earthquakes in a game with a double dose of interest for UK fans. Freddie Ljungberg dinked the ball cheekily over Joe Cannon to put Seattle ahead, and Fredy Montero doubled the lead on the hour with an easy finish. Darren Huckerby dragged the Quakes back into it with a simple tap-in past Kasey Keller, but it wasn't to be for San Jose.

The appalling New York Red Bulls visited BMO Field on Saturday to face Toronto FC, with unsurprising results. Danny Cepero saved an early TFC penalty, but Sam Cronin poked home the rebound. Danny Dichio, celebrating the news that his wife is expecting their third child, found the empty net from distance after more impressive but unsupported goalkeeping from Cepero. Albert Celades scored for RBNY but they were unable to get back into the game.

David Beckham's return is the talk of MLS at the moment, at least officially, and it looks like Los Angeles Galaxy could do with him. Real Salt Lake hit them with a 2-0 defeat at HDC on Saturday thanks to Yura Movsisyan who beat Donovan Ricketts way too easily, Nat Borchers who found the bottom corner to score the second, and a superb performance from goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Temporary Galaxy skipper Eddie Lewis was dismissed in the 65th minute for throwing the ball at Javier Morales.

And at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City Wizards beat New England Revolution 3-1. Davy Arnaud tapped in his fifth of the season to put the Wizards in front, but makeshift striker Shalrie Joseph bundled home a header to level for the Revs. Emmanuel Osei saw red for kicking out at Claudio Lopez before the ball bounced off Jeff Larentowicz and into his own goal for 2-1 and Aaron Hohlbein stabbed in the third.

Another entertaining MLS weekend sees Houston Dynamo top the table on goal difference from Chivas USA (both in the West, both on 27 points). DC United and Chicago Fire (East) follow on 22 and 21 respectively, and the next four are Seattle Sounders (20), Kansas City Wizards (19), Columbus Crew (19) and Toronto FC (19). Crew's Schelotto now leads the scoring with 10 from Conor Casey of Colorado Rapids with 8.

Full results and standings here.