Richards' goal sparks Red Bulls victory

HARRISON, New Jersey (CMC):

Dane Richards struck a first-half goal that sparked a crucial 2-0 victory for New York Red Bulls over 10-man Portland Timbers on Saturday in Major League Soccer.

The Jamaican striker nailed a solo effort that gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 half-time lead, before Luke Rodgers' stoppage-time goal formalised a result that handed the home team sole possession of the 10th and final play-off spot.

The result gave New York their first home victory since July 6, putting them one point ahead of DC United and two in front of Portland.

After some early pressure from the visiting Timbers, the Red Bulls got an early goal after 21 minutes.

Joel Lindpere received the ball on the left wing and the Estonian dropped a pass back to Richards, who had moved in to support.

Richards drove into the penalty area, beating Portland's Diego Chara to the endline - just a yard away from goalkeeper Troy Perkins' near post - and amazingly slotted a right-footed shot just inside the far post for his sixth goal of the season.

Several half chances marked the start of the second half for New York, including a spectacular reaction save from Perkins on a right-footed effort from Thierry Henry, after Richards made another sensational run down the right wing and fed him the ball.

But the goal to seal the match came in the 66th minute off a Lindpere corner kick.