Football Americana Week 8: Shea, Montero and Mwanga light up a dull weekend

Compared to the previous one, week eight was quite low key in Major League Soccer - perhaps the players knew there would be big news off the field this week. Either way, a couple of great goals punctuated a fairly uninspiring set of matches. Here's what happened.

2009 champions Real Salt Lake got things underway with a bang, beating Houston Dynamo 3-1 in Sandy. Robbie Findley made it 1-0 in the opening three minutes, heading home to notch his first of the season. In truth he could and arguably should have done so a minute earlier. Alvaro Saborio hit a brace to seal the win, cracking in a low drive in the first half and nodding in from a free kick in the second. Brian Mullan's goal was little consolation for the Dynamo.

FC Dallas headed for Philadelphia Union with all three points in their sights and looked like securing their quarry after Brek Shea's fantastic 13th minute goal, his first in MLS, stood until the 92nd minute. The Union's Danny Mwanga, the top draft pick this season, thundered in an equaliser to earn a point for the hosts.

It was goalless at Gillette Stadium where New England Revolution again dropped points at home, this time against San Jose Earthquakes.

The same looked likely when Columbus Crew met Chivas USA in Ohio until Gino Padula's goal-line heroics paid off thanks to Guillermo Barros Schelotto's 90th minute winner from the penalty spot.

At RFK Stadium, DC United lost yet again, Colorado Rapids being this week's beneficiaries as the pressure continues to pile on top of Curt Onalfo. Mehdi Ballouchy grabbed the only goal of the game, strolling in from wide far too easily and catching Bill Hamid wrong-footed.

The big news in MLS this week is the expected signing of Thierry Henry by New York Red Bulls, and it came hot on the heels of a disappointing defeat to Seattle Sounders. The deadline wasn't broken until the tricky Colombian Fredy Montero, on as a late substitute, rolled a wonderfully taken winner through the legs of Bouna Coundoul.

Chicago Fire thought they'd done the job thanks to a 2-0 lead over Kansas City Wizards, but left with just a point. Julio Martinez rounded off a lovely Fire move by knocking in the first at the back post in the 14th minute, and Brian McBride doubled the lead with a simple finish just after the break. But Kei Kamara came to the Wizards' rescue, conjuring up a lucky pea-roller for 2-1 and an 89th minute equaliser from all of six inches. Andrew Dykstra in the Chicago goal fumbled the ball into his path in the rain and won't be pleased with himself.

LA Galaxy dropped a couple of points at home to Toronto FC after a goalless draw at HDC. Omar Gonzalez of the Galaxy was fortunate not to see red for what could have been deemed a professional foul on Chad Barrett. Toronto's Maksim Usanov body-checked Landon Donovan in stoppage time and was dismissed.

LA still sit ten points clear in the west, leading no fewer than four clubs who sit on 13 points. In the East, New York are now just one point ahead of Columbus who have a couple of games in hand. Toronto, after a stuttering start, are now third. DC United have...well, I don't want to talk about it.

You can see all the week eight action here, and check out the tables here. Enjoy.