DC United kept up their winning run thanks to a 2-0 win over New England Revolution – with Wayne Rooney unusually quiet.
The former England striker scored twice in DC’s 4-1 battering of Portland Timbers in midweek, but it was hat-trick hero Luciano Acosta, fresh from his goals in United’s 3-2 win over Kansas City, who struck first.
The home fans were kept on tenterhooks until Zoltan Stieber sealed victory in the final minute on the break as Revolution pressed for an equaliser.
Lee Nguyen and Diego Rossi were both on target in LAFC’s 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids in California, to end the visitors’ three-match unbeaten run.
Four minutes after the break, Nguyen controlled a ball into the box in the air before beating two players and firing in at the near post with a smart finish.
Rapids threatened an equaliser but with full-time approaching, Rossi put paid to their good work with a second for LAFC.
Atlanta United downed Columbus Crew 3-1 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Josef Martinez equalling the all-time top scorer record in a single MLS season with his 27th of the campaign.
He put United ahead on the half-hour, but Gyasi Zardes levelled after half-time. Hector Villalba put the hosts back in front, and Miguel Almiron made things comfortable late on.
Rooney is delighted to have reinvigorated DC United’s push in the MLS after a third gritty victory in eight days.
It has been an exhausting but satisfying week for the former Everton and Manchester United striker, helping his new team overcome New England Revolution 2-0 on Sunday to follow up victories over Orlando and Portland.
Having earned 18 points over the first five months of the MLS season, DC United are now just two points off seventh-place New England and six behind the play-off spots.
Captain Rooney, who has played throughout the last three matches bar four minutes said: “In the first half we played some of the best football you’ll see in the league.
“The second half was probably a better half for us because it was tougher. We dug in, we kept a clean sheet. It was a good performance all around.
“I think what you’re seeing now is teams respecting us a bit more. I think in previous games, New England have pressed a lot – today you could see their hesitance in doing that.
“They left the space for us to get on the ball. I think you’re seeing teams showing that little bit more respect to us, and New York Red Bulls [on Monday] I’m sure they’ll have more to think about than what they did last time.”