Monday 19 October 2015 09:04, UK
Mike Grella scored the fastest goal in Major League Soccer history as New York Red Bulls kept up their push for the regular season title with a 4-1 win against Philadelphia Union.
The former Leeds forward took just seven seconds to break the deadlock as he shot left-footed past goalkeeper Andre Blake.
His effort surpassed the previous fastest goal after eight seconds - also scored for Red Bulls - by ex-Everton midfielder Tim Cahill two years ago.
Grella scored again to make it 3-0 after just 17 minutes following Shaun Wright-Phillips' strike and Kemar Lawrence's first MLS goal before the break put the home side in control.
Union did pull one back through Sebastien Le Toux 10 minutes into the second half but couldn't make a bigger impression on the game.
Red Bulls consequently earned themselves the top seed position in the Eastern Conference play-offs.
They are also level with FC Dallas in the race for the Supporters' Shield, the prize given to the team which finishes top of the overall table in the regular campaign, with one game left.
DC United were big winners in Washington as they defeated Chicago Fire 4-0 to maintain their challenge for an automatic place in the conference semi-finals.
Chris Pontius got their opener six minutes before half-time, with Bobby Boswell, Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio sealing a handsome win after the break.
LA Galaxy will have to wait to see if they will be involved in the Western Conference semi-finals after they were thrashed by Portland Timbers.
They welcomed their visitors from Oregon knowing a win would secure a place in the last four but they slumped to a 5-2 defeat instead.
Portland got all their goals in a 25-minute spell in the second half after Robbie Keane's superb effort had struck first for Galaxy on 36 minutes.
The away side hit back in style, with Fanendo Adi's double and further strikes from Diego Chara, Darlington Nagbe and Maximiliano Urruti rounding off a stunning win.
Keane's second was a mere footnote and Portland now sit in tied third with Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western standings.
Houston Dynamo, meanwhile, are out of the running for a play-off place after their 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders.
They had looked like staying in contention after Ricardo Clark netted but Obafemi Martins levelled eight minutes from the end to ensure their season will not be extended.
