HOUSTON (AP) - Tim Cahill scored the fastest goal in MLS history, and the New York Red Bulls beat the Houston Dynamo 3-0 on Sunday to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games.
New York (16-9-8) took over first place in the Eastern Conference and has the best record in the league with one game remaining. Houston's five-game unbeaten streak was snapped, and the Dynamo (13-11-9) are sixth in the East with one game remaining. The top five teams in each conference make the playoffs.
Cahill put New York ahead 8 seconds into the game, getting a pass from Dax McCarty, heading it forward and sending a blast from outside the upper right box to inside the near post.
The previous fastest goal in MLS history was Dwayne De Rosario's score 11 seconds into a 2003 game.
New York extended the lead to 2-0 in the 65th minute. After Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall batted a ball away, Peguy Luyindula headed it back into the box and Ibrahim Sekagya converted another header for the goal.
Second-half substitute Bradley Wright-Phillips closed out the scoring in the 75th minute.
GALAXY 0, EARTHQUAKES 0
CARSON, Calif. (AP) - The Galaxy clinched a playoff berth with a scoreless draw against the Earthquakes.
The Galaxy (15-11-7) are third in the Western Conference, two points behind Portland and one back of Real Salt Lake. They are at Seattle in their final regular-season game next Sunday night.
The Earthquakes (13-11-9) are sixth in the West, three points behind Seattle and Colorado. The top five teams in each conference make the playoffs, and the Sounders have clinched a postseason berth.
Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez returned to the lineup for the Galaxy, who had one good scoring chance, with Marcelo Sarvas forcing a leaping stop from San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch after Robbie Rogers' cross caromed to him in the 83rd minute.