MLS wrap: De Rosario denies Red Bulls, Rapids win

Dwayne de Rosario returned to haunt New York Red Bulls, while reigning MLS champions Colorado bounced back to form by toppling Vancouver.

De Rosario struck the crucial goal in DC United’s 1-0 win over the Red Bulls, keeping the Washington club’s playoff hopes intact.

Billed as the missing piece for the Red Bulls upon his signing from Toronto in April, the Canada international’s stay in New York was to include just 13 games and two goals before he was sent to DC United in exchange for Dax McCarty on June 27.

The veteran midfielder appeared a man on a mission on his first time back in New York on Saturday, and got the goal his performance deserved at Red Bull Arena in the 61st minute.

De Rosario’s dummy from Andy Najar’s pass enabled Josh Wolff to take possession with his back to goal.

The forward turned on the spot and fed a pass to De Rosario, who made no mistake in finishing past Greg Sutton in New York’s goal.

The Red Bulls had four more shots than their opponents and won the possession battle 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent, but could not find a way through United’s defence and now sit top of the Eastern Conference by virtue of goal difference alone.

Philadelphia Union drew level on points with New York after a 0-0 stalemate with the San Jose Earthquakes, while Houston Dynamo are now within two points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Toronto FC.

The Colorado Rapids were facing a fifth game without a win when the Vancouver Whitecaps visited Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but Connor Casey settled his side’s nerves with a 24th-minute strike after Jamie Smith’s cross.

Scott Palguta tapped home in the 68th minute to seemingly make the points safe for the Rapids, though Camilo Sanvezzo scored for the Whitecaps to create a few nervous moments for the home side.

But Colorado hung on to claim a 2-1 win – their first victory since June 11 – to put their title defence back on track.

The Los Angeles Galaxy increased their lead on top of the Western Conference to five points after their big names charged them to a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire.

Landon Donovan put the Galaxy ahead in the 58th minute, but the lead lasted just four minutes when Fire forward Cristian Nazarit equalised.

But David Beckham handed his side all three points when his corner kick somehow evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area to cross the line.

Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City needed a 90th-minute goal from Mexican forward Omar Bravo to claim a 1-1 draw with Chivas USA, while Real Salt Lake defeated Dallas 2-0.