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The international break means that most MLS teams are out of action this week, but there are still a pair of games Wednesday night, including one that will have the attention of all of the teams in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Columbus Crew, winners of four straight games and unbeaten in their last six, can end the night as high as third place in the East and be within a point of second-place New York.

The Philadelphia Union fell to the Columbus Crew Wednesday night 2-1. The loss effectively marks the end of the Union's playoff hopes for this season even though they may still be mathematically alive. It is unlikely this situation will turn around given the personnel available. I will spare you the gruesome details; suffice to say that the Union managed to lose a "six point" game at home against another mediocre Eastern conference team fighting for a playoff spot while being up a man.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By JOEY SAMUEL

CHESTER, Pa. -- Despite being down to ten men, and getting dominated in possession for large parts of the second half, Eddie Gaven gave the Columbus Crew just what they needed to make up ground in the ever-tightening Eastern Conference playoff race.

The days of the Columbus Crew being criticized for their lackluster offense may be over.

First the arrival of Jairo Arrieta provided a good spark to the team's forward line, and now Federico Higuain has begun his MLS career in style.

The Argentine newcomer notched a goal and assist to help lead the Crew to a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC at Crew Stadium on Wednesday night.

By BRYAN ROBISON

With Sporting Kansas City sporting a top lineup, the Eastern Conference leading squad proved why they sit at the top of the standings, defeating Toronto FC, 1-0, at BMO Field on Saturday.

Despite not taking the lead until the final ten minutes of the match, there was no question who the better squad was on the day.

The Columbus Crew made an emotional return to action on Wednesday night, playing their first match since the death of midfielder Kirk Urso. As difficult as it was to get back on the field after such a tragedy, the Crew battled on and honored their fallen teammate with a gutsy performance.

I need to start paying more attention to the ticket prices with our TiqIq affiliate. Look, I know the Revs have been poor lately, but for $8, come to the game, tailgate with the Rebels and Riders, get rowdy, make a fool of yourself, and then go out in Patriot Place afterward.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Shalrie Joseph made himself feel quite at home at Gillette Stadium Wednesday night.

In his return to the place he called home since 2003 until a trade sent him across the country to Chivas USA, Joseph scored two goals to spark a three-goal comeback and help the Goats salvage a 3-3 draw against the Revolution to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

The Puerto Rico Islanders traveled over 3,300 miles to play the Los Angeles Galaxy in CONCACAF Champions League group play on Wednesday night. With LA playing mainly bench and reserve side players, the Islanders may have felt they had a good chance to inflict some damage on the MLS side much like they did on [.

D.C. United captain Dwayne De Rosario cemented his place in exclusive MLS company Wednesday night, becoming just the seventh player in league history to tally 100 career goals, joining Jeff Cunningham, Jaime Moreno, Landon Donovan, Ante Razov, Jason Kreis and Taylor Twellman. D.C. United compiled a highlight reel of all of his goals, capped off by his header against the New York Red Bulls Wednesday that brought him to the milestone.

Throughout the season DC United has pursued a team identity with limited success. Through some extraordinary individual efforts and occasional combination play by a few players at a time, United won a good share of points, but never quite seemed as solid as they could be. A certain confidence was lacking.

Arsene Wenger has indicated that the nearly completed transfer of Alex Song to Barcelona will be followed by the arrival of a new midfielder at Arsenal and the replacement is likely to have creative qualities as well.

Song started off as a raw talent in the defensive midfield for the Gunners but turned into a complete box-to-box powerhouse by the end of last season.

Know your Rival: What Team USA should take away from their win over Mexico - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Despite the pleasant moniker bestowed upon these contests by FIFA, international "friendlies" between the United States and Mexico are usually about as chummy as a night out with Drake and Chris Brown at a New York City night club.

The Portland Timbers may not have won their first road game of the season on Wednesday night, but they did manage to get a result that surely felt like a victory.

The Timbers drew Toronto FC, 2-2, at BMO Field on Wednesday after a late headed goal from Darlington Nagbe. The Timbers attacker took advantage of some poor defending by TFC to get open and equalize in the 82nd minute after Portland had relinquished a 1-0 lead earlier.

In yet another story from the Facebook page of the MSHSL, Park Cottage Grove girls soccer coach Greg Juba achieved his 400th career win Wednesday night with the Wolfpack's 3-0 victory over Bemidji. In over 30 years of coaching girls soccer, Juba has an overall record of 400 wins, 151 losses and 48 ties.

During his 22 years at Sao Paolo, goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni has has scored over 100 goals, thanks to his tendency to take free kicks and penalties for the Brazilian side.

Last year the 39-year-old became the first goalkeeper in world football to achieve a three-figure goal tally, and having recently returned from six-months out through a shoulder injury, the three-time Campeonato winner was undoubtedly keen to get his name on the scoresheet in Wednesday night's league match against Nautico.