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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Seattle thump Columbus 4-0</li><li>LAFC draw Houston 0-0</li><li>DC United defeat Chicago Fire 2-1, Benteke takes lead in Golden Boot race</li></ul>

MLS roundup: Columbus Crew's goalkeeper chaos hands Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Supporters' Shield boost, Christian Benteke keeps scoring

In the race for first place in the Western Conference, LAFC still trail the LA Galaxy by four points after falling flat in a 0-0 draw on the road against the Houston Dynamo.Olivier Giroud, who got his first MLS start, still hasn't fully gelled with his new team. The DP had just 36 touches, completed 64.3 percent of his passes and had three shots -- none on target. Once again, the Dynamo proved to have LAFC in their web, following a 2-0 win in Los Angeles on Matchday 30.LAFC still have two games in-hand over the Galaxy, so the West could still be in grasp, but Steve Cherundolo's men are winless in their four of their last five MLS appearances. They meet the Galaxy next weekend in another edition of El Trafico - a contest that will likely settle the conference.

Giroud and LAFC struggle vs. Houston...again

The Seattle Sounders defeated the Columbus Crew 4-0 on Saturday, but the match was anything but normal.The Crew were down to their fourth-string goalkeeper due to international call-ups for Patrick Schulte and Nicholas Hagen and an injury to third-string keeper Evan Bush. Fourth-string goalkeeper Abraham Romero, recently acquired from LAFC, started but was sent off just before halftime for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. With no other goalkeeper available, midfielder Sean Zawadzki was forced to play in net for the remainder of the game. It went as well as one would expect. The Sounders took full advantage, scoring four goals and effectively ending the Crew's hopes for the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield. Despite having two games in hand before Saturday, the Crew’s slim chance of contending with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was dashed. Inter Miami now holds a 10-point lead over the Crew, making it unlikely for anyone to catch up as the season nears its end.

Goalkeeper chaos for Columbus, Miami's boost

The New England Revolution nearly pulled off a remarkable home win over St. Louis CITY SC, but a late Simon Becher goal handed the hosts a second to secure a 2-2 draw. Record-signing Luca Langoni did, however, bag his first Gillette Stadium goal in front of the Revs faithful - a positive sign for a team looking to flip a switch in the Eastern Conference. The Argentine now has two goals and an assist in his first three MLS matches. South of Foxborough, MA in Harrison, NJ, the New York Red Bulls salvaged a point late against an Sporting Kansas City side fighting to keep their faint postseason hopes alive. Teen sensation Julian Hall, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/julian-hall-new-york-red-bulls-nxgn-mls/blte323de82952117c8" target="_self">who has been linked with a move to Chelsea in Europe,</a> scored an 89th minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw. It was the 16-year-old's second goal of the season.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JULIAN HALL WITH THE EQUALIZER <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedRunsDeep?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedRunsDeep</a> 🔴 <a href="https://twitter.com/Audi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Audi</a> <a href="https://t.co/EaC47NV1vp">pic.twitter.com/EaC47NV1vp</a>— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewYorkRedBulls/status/1832593588452004246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Gillette Stadium stunner, RBNY teen star salvages point

We love a GOLAZO from a defender. This one, from Chicago Fire's Andrew Gutman, is worthy of all the praise. The 27-year-old left back hit this volley so clean in a 2-1 loss to DC United.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Have a hit, Andrew Gutman! 🤩 Chicago pull one back at home. <a href="https://t.co/A6zRjRjs7k">pic.twitter.com/A6zRjRjs7k</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1832598680827748802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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For the winning side, though, star forward and former Belgium international Christian Benteke stayed scoring. The ex-Liverpool man bagged his 18th goal of the season, taking the lead in the race for the 2024 MLS Golden Boot.

The strike of Saturday

Just six matches and 12 teams featured on Matchday 31 of the season. Action returns next weekend with a full Saturday slate of matches, and a Western Conference thriller between the Sounders and SKC on Sunday.The marquee event of the weekend, though, will be El Trafico.

What happens next?

MLS roundup: Columbus Crew's goalkeeper chaos hands Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Supporters' Shield boost, Christian Benteke stays scoring | Goal.com Cameroon

Wilfried Nancy&apos;s Crew were the victims of goalkeeper chaos, Christian Benteke took the lead in the Golden Boot race and more.

MLS roundup: Columbus Crew&apos;s goalkeeper chaos hands Lionel Messi&apos;s Inter Miami Supporters&apos; Shield boost, Christian Benteke keeps scoring