Goals from Sacha Kljestan and Mike Grella proved enough as New York Red Bulls beat San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 this morning to move top of the Eastern Conference.
The duo both grabbed first-half goals to secure a win that saw their side leapfrog DC United at the summit and cause further cracks to appear in the Earthquakes' season, with the defeat representing their fourth of the season already.
It took some 13 minutes for the clash to throw up a chance, and it was for the hosts as Dax McCarty's bullet hit drifted narrowly wide.
Jesse Marsch's side did not have to wait long for the opener, however, as they moved ahead shortly before the half-hour mark. Kljestan, in his first season back in the MLS after a spell with Anderlecht, latched on to Bradley Wright Phillips's ball to squeeze his effort beyond David Bingham from an acute angle.
Luis Robles was called into action for the first time as he denied Innocent Emeghara to preserve the Red Bulls' lead with a save that proved vital for New York. Minutes later, it was two when Grella tapped home from six yards to give his side a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead.
It was very nearly game over within a minute of the restart when Damien Perrinelle glanced Felipe's corner against the crossbar, before Wright Phillips tested Bingham again on the hour mark as the Red Bulls looked in full control.
The Earthquakes gradually grew into the encounter, though, and Tommy Thompson forced Robles into a save on 75 minutes after Chris Wondolowski's speculative effort whistled over the bar in a previous attack.
Wondolowski sent another long-range effort sailing over the bar in the final quarter, but it was not San Jose's night.
Shane Callaghan
