Schelotto's late goal helps defending champion Columbus tie Houston

By The Associated Press

Published: Sunday, March 22 2009 12:01 a.m. MDT

HOUSTON — Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored in the 81st minute to give defending MLS champion Columbus a 1-1 season-opening tie against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.

Houston's Brian Ching broke a scoreless game early in the second half when took a lead pass from Chris Wondolowski and scored from just outside the upper box.

The Crew tied the game when Jason Garey settled a loose ball with a header and Schelotto fired it just inside the left post.

Columbus goalie William Hesmer and Houston's Pat Onstad had four saves apiece.

TORONTO FC 3, WIZARDS 2: At Kansas City, Kan., Amado Guevara scored twice in the second half, leading Toronto FC to its first win against Kansas City. Jim Brennan also scored as Toronto overcame two thundering goals by Kansas City's Davy Arnaud. Toronto, an expansion team in 2007, had scored only once in the teams' six previous matches. Toronto missed a chance to ice the game when Dwayne De Rosario put a penalty kick over the crossbar in the 80th minute, after a handball call against Michael Harrington.

FIRE 3, FC DALLAS 1: At Frisco, Texas, Brian McBride scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick in the 51st minute to lead Chicago. The Fire won at FC Dallas for the first time in 14 games despite surrendering Kenny Cooper's goal on a shot from beyond midfield in the ninth minute.

Chicago's Justin Mapp made it 1-1 on a 15-yard shot in the 38th minute, then McBride put his team ahead after FC Dallas defender Drew Moor was called for a hand ball in the penalty box early in the second half. Cuauhtemoc Blanco added an insurance goal in the final seconds when he curled a free kick over a wall of defenders into the right corner of the net.

CHIVIAS USA 2, RAPIDS 1: Paulo Nagamura scored two goals within four minutes of each other to give the Goats a come-from behind victory. Omar Cummings gave the visitors an early lead in the 30th minute. Colorado outshot Chivas 17-6, but couldn't overcome Nagamura's two second-half goals.

REVOLUTION 1, EARTHQUAKES 0: At San Jose, Calif., Kheli Dube scored in the 55th minute to give the depleted New England Revolution a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. New England, missing four starters due to injury and another because of a league suspension, eked out its first victory in San Jose since 2000 despite being outshot 16-7. The Earthquakes dominated play for much of the final hour but never could break through against New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who made four saves to preserve the shutout.

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