Guillermo Barros Schelotto had two assists, a league-leading 16 on the season, to lead Columbus past FC Dallas, 2-1, last night in Frisco, Texas.
The win gave the Crew (12-6-4) the MLS lead with 40 points after New England tied Los Angeles.
The Crew didn't register a shot in the first 23 minutes but then scored both goals in a three-minute span after FC Dallas had taken a 1-0 lead. Columbus kept FC Dallas (6-8-8) winless in its past three games. despite getting outshot 18-8.
Schelotto had the first assist on Alejandro Moreno's goal in the 37th minute when he curled a corner kick to Chad Marshall at the top of the goalie's box. Marshall headed a pass to Moreno, who headed a shot into the right corner of the net for his eighth goal of the season.
In the 40th minute, Eddie Gaven angled a header from the top of the goalie box into the left corner of the net for his first goal of the year. Schelotto dribbled around FC Dallas defender Drew Moor and crossed a left-footed pass to Gaven from about 10 yards away.
Jeff Cunningham put FC Dallas ahead in the 35th minute with his fifth goal of the season. Cunningham dribbled around Marshall and placed a left-footed shot into the right corner of the net from inside 10 yards. Bruno Guarda registered his first MLS assist.
Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer finished with two saves, including a fingertip save on a shot from Kenny Cooper in the 60th minute. FC Dallas goalie Dario Sala finished with two saves.
D.C. United 0, Red Bulls 0 D.C. United's Jaime Moreno missed his first penalty kick this season, allowing visiting New York to extend its unbeaten streak to six games. with a 0-0 tie last night in Washington.
Moreno, sent to the line after being tripped in front of the goal, shot low but wide of the right post in the 81st minute. United's captain connected on his four prior penalty kicks this season, and holds the record for most in league history (37).
Injury-plagued United (10-10-2) lost its top scorer, Luciano Emilio, who dropped to the turf moments before halftime, clutching his upper groin. Emilio, who has 11 goals, was replaced by a substitute and walked gingerly to the clubhouse at halftime.
The Red Bulls (8-6-8) kept the league's most productive offense at home (28 goals in 11 games) in check despite playing without starting defender Gabriel Cichero, who served the second of a two-game suspension. New York is 3-0-3 in its past six games.
The teams, who combined to score 10 goals in their previous two matches this season, remain in a fourth-place tie (32 points) in the Eastern Conference with eight games remaining.
