MLS 2012, Week 14: The All-Star Break Is Kind Of Close

Major League Soccer 2012, Week 14: What We Learned

The rivalry weekend lived up to the hype as New York bested D.C. and Portland outlasted Seattle. Elsewhere San Jose and LA each rode six big points to push themselves up the standings.

LA Galaxy Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS 2012: LAG Surge Into Playoff Position

Less than a week ago, the LA Galaxy were mired in last place of the Western Conference. Following their 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday -- their third straight -- they are now in playoff position.

The Galaxy started their surge with a relatively uneventful 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Sunday, but followed that up with a win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and then this one, easily their most complete performance of the season.

Mike Magee got the Galaxy started with a goal in the 16th minute and it was pretty much over at that point. The Galaxy thoroughly dominated the match, picking up a goal from Robbie Keane in his first game back from international duty and another one from Landon Donovan, who actually could have scored two or three more. They have now scored seven goals in the past three games after scoring the same number of goals in their previous eight.

The Whitecaps never were able to find their footing in allowing three goals for the fourth time this season, after not allowing any goals in their first four games and registering seven shutouts this season. They'll have until July 4 to figure out how to get it fixed when they visit the Colorado Rapids.

Real Salt Lake Vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Late Goals Propel Quakes Top Top Of Table

A pair of late goals, with the winner coming off the foot of Chris Wondolowski in the 84th minute, propelled the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake and into the Supporters' Shield lead. The Earthquakes also got a goal from Alan Gordon, who was able to win a battle with Nat Borchers and then head the ball past Nick Rimando that gave San Jose their first lead in the 75th minute.

Real Salt Lake was able to recover from Gordon's strike when Javier Morales scored off a perfectly placed free kick that curled inside the near post in the 79th minute. That seemed to be enough for RSL to at least salvage a point in a match they largely dominated and twice had balls heroically saved off the line by Earthquakes defenders.

The game itself largely lived up the billing as featuring the two best teams in the Western Conference. It was relatively wide open with each team creating some quality chances. The two goalkeeper combined for nine saves and there were 31 shots taken in the contest.

But it was the Earthquakes one continued to show an amazing penchant for pulling out late victories. This time, the winner came when a Justin Morrow corner kick was flicked toward the top of the 6-yard box by Gordon. Wondolowski was able to quickly redirect it on goal and the ball was able to slip past Nick Rimando.

Toronto FC Vs. New England Revolution, MLS 2012: Revs Pull Out Point At Death

Chris Tierney was able to run onto a header in the 4th minute of stoppage time as the New England Revolution pulled out a 2-2 tie against Toronto FC on Saturday. TFC had built a 2-0 lead early in the first half on goals by Danny Koevermans and Ryan Johnson, but were on their heels for much of the second half.

It was the second time in four days that TFC had blown a two-goal lead and allowed the equalizer to come in the waning moments. On Wednesday, they led the Houston Dynamo 3-1 at halftime but settled for a tie after allowing a goal in the 90th minute.

The Revolution probably deserved to win this one, in fact. In the second half alone, they created numerous scoring chances and only a combination of TFC goalkeeper Milos Kocic and the woodwork keeping TFC ahead as long as they were. Kocic came up with seven saves, which doesn't include one shot that Benny Feilhaber hit off the post. They broke through with their first goal when Blake Brettschneider converted in the 71st minute.

The first half, though, was all TFC. Koevermans scored his third goal of the week on the 4th minute off a cross from Ashtone Morgan, who also set up Johnson in the 42nd minute.

MLS 2012, Week 14 Preview And Fixtures: All-Star Break Is Kind Of Close

With the All-Star break creeping up, teams are fighting to get into good position at an arbitrary period in the season.