( L - R ) Cummings, Richards

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (CMC):

Jamaicans Omar Cummings and Dane Richards struck goals in a high-scoring US Major League Soccer (MLS) match Saturday night that saw Colorado Rapids, with Cummings, beating New York Red Bulls 5-4.

Colorado, who got three goals from Conor Casey, opened the scoring swiftly through Cummings and led 4-3 at half-time in the frenetic match at Giants Stadium.

Richards got his goal for the Red Bulls late in the first half.

Cummings and Richards have both been included in Jamaica's squad for upcoming CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras.

After only three minutes, Cummings scored on a rebound.

Goalkeeper Jon Conway used his body to block a shot from Casey and the ball bobbled free to Cummings, who placed a firm right-footed shot into the goal from the edge of the 18-yard area.

Mike Magee equalised for the Red Bulls two minutes later and Casey scored in the 11th minute to restore Colorado's lead.

Juan Pablo Angel made it 2-2 for New York by scoring in the 34th minute and the Red Bulls grabbed their only lead of the game when Richards scored in the 40th minute.

The Reggae Boy used his exciting speed to beat his marker and delicately turned in a cross from Jorge Rojas.

Colorado tied the game (3-3) on 43 minutes on a Mike Petke goal and Casey got his second - from the penalty spot - to make it 4-3 after New York's defenders tried to get a threatening cross from Cummings away.

Hat-trick

New York made it 4-4 when Matthew Mbuta finished Macoumba Kandji's firm cross in the 74th minute and Casey got his hat-trick and the winner in the 90th minute when he neatly side-footed in a left-sided cross from Mehdi Ballouchy.

At Gillette Stadium, visiting Eastern Conference leaders Columbus Crew edged New England Revolution 1-0 on Chad Marshall fourth minute goal in their top-of-the-table clash.

Columbus, who had St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) veteran Ezra Hendrickson coming on as an 88th minute substitute, have already booked their play-off spot and - with 50 points - lead by eight in the east.

The NE Revs, second in the east on 42 points, had the Grenada international Shalrie Joseph in their line-up.

In other matches Saturday, Toronto FC, with Jamaican defender Tyrone Marshall, drew 1-1 with Western Conference leaders Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake, with Jamaican Andy Williams, beat San Jose 3-2 and Chivas USA got past Kansas City Wizards 2-1.

The St Kitts and Nevis inter-national Atiba Harris set up the second Chivas goal by Sasha Victorine in first-half stoppage time. He shielded the ball very well away from his marker before playing a pass across the box to Victorine, who smashed a shot high into the top left corner.

The win left Chivas second on 36 points to Houston in the west.