MLS: Galaxy stops Fire 2-1; Columbus, Kansas City also win.

Jolley wins for Galaxy with last-minute header

With assists from Paul Caligiuri and Mauricio Cienfuegos, Jolley lobbed a header over the just inserted goalkeeper Zach Thornton, sending the Fire to its fifth straight loss just three minutes after Chicago tied the score on an own goal by Galaxy midfielder Danny Pena. Thornton had gone into goal just moments earlier when Jorge Campos was moved onto the field to replace defender Francis Okaroh, who was injured.

"To get the first goal of my career in front of a huge crowd and on national television is incredible," Jolley said. "I think the good man upstairs was looking out for me today."

Chicago goal came when a sliding Pena, Attempting to cut off a cross by Fire midfielder Zak Ibsen, knocked the ball into his own net.

The Galaxy took a 1-0 lead in the first half on an own goal by Okaroh. With pressure from Los Angeles forward Carlos Hermosillo, Okaroh attempted to play a header back to Campos. The ball, however, floated over the goalkeeper’s hands and into the far side of the net.

"This was a classic, hard-fought battle between two teams vying for the conference lead," said Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones. "I thought it would be a 1-0 or 2-1 game. It was tough to get our game going because the field was very thick and heavy. It really made us work a lot harder to put things together."

Los Angeles (18-6, 52 points) beat the second-place Fire for the first time in three tries. Chicago (13-10, 37 points) fell to 0-6 without injured playmaker Peter Nowak.

"Our guys tried so hard, battled all game to make up for that first-half own goal," Chicago coach Bob Bradley said. "They put so much effort into getting the equalizer, and then got it, only for us to give up a goal in the last minute of the game. We are going through a tough stretch and it always seems that we are the ones conceding the first goal, going down 1-0."

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Chicago Fire 1

Referee: Paul Tamberino. Referee's assistants: Richard Eddy, Gerry Corrie. Attendance: 37,122 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Weather: Humid, 86 degrees, hazy.

John’s two goals pace Columbus victory

The Crew (10-11, 30 points) set a team record for goals scored in a game, while the Revolution (7-17, 19 points) tied its worst loss in team history. New England also suffered a 6-1 loss at San Jose in 1996.

Jason Farrell John and Brian McBride gave Columbus a 3-0 lead at intermission Thomas Dooley and Rob Smith also scored as the Crew snapped a three-game losing streak.

"Now is the time to make a run," Columbus coach Tom Fitzgerald said. "We are going after teams. We have to make up points. We are going to take one game at time. We have to refocus and get ready for an important game on Wednesday in New York."

Midfielder Robert Warzycha, making his first start since returning from an ankle injury, assisted on the goals by John and McBride.

The Revolution avoided the shutout when Raul Diaz Arce registered his 16th goal of the season, tying him with (Washington) D.C. United's Roy Lassiter for the league lead. Diaz Arce also moved one goal ahead of Lassiter for the all-time MLS goal-scoring lead with 54 career tallies.

The Crew holds a 9-2 all-time record against New England.

Columbus Crew 6, New England Revolution 1

Referee: Michael Kennedy. Referee's assistants: Edwin Resenedes, Jamil Hamdan. Attendance: 13,712 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Weather: Humid, 88 degrees.

Johnston nets two in Wizards triumph

Johnston’s blast of a free kick in the 87th minute put Kansas City ahead 2-1, 10 minutes after he found net with assists from Chung and Preki.

Kansas City forward Paul Wright closed the door on the Rapids, scoring on a cross from Chung in the 90th minute. Chung, who totaled 18 goals and 17 assists in his first two MLS seasons, now has five assists and no goals in 1998.

"We contained them for most of the game, but seemed to lose our shape toward the end," Rapids coach Glenn Myernick said. "To have to commit a desperation foul 20 yards out with three minutes left (leading to Johnston’s set piece) should never happen. We should have plenty of guys back to defend in that situation. I was very disappointed in our discipline that way at the end.

Colorado took a 1-0 lead in the first half when defender Steve Trittschuh headed home a long free kick by Chris Henderson in the 16th minute.

Kansas City (10-12, 26 points) moved into fourth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Dallas and three behind the third-place Rapids (11-12).

Kansas City Wizards 3, Colorado Rapids 1

Referee: Tim Weyland. Referee's assistants: Roger Sill, Nathan Clement. Attendance: 9,380 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Weather: Sunny, hot, 85 degrees, clear.