In its eighth year of operation, Chivas USA has paved its path to a different future.

With a few minutes, goals scored in MLS games approximately 128 miles apart Wednesday night drew two teams closer in the playoff race, and cast further doubt on feelings the top five in the Eastern Conference might be decided by Columbus Day.

The North American transfer window may be closed, but the changes keep on comin'.

Midseason signings in Columbus and a Fredy Montero revival made for a goal-filled week in MLS as the top four kept their places but the surging Sounders moved into the top five by crushing Chivas USA, 6-2.

Many of the names and faces are the same, but the team of Colorado Rapids who departed from Buck Shaw Stadium Saturday night after a 4-1 lashing by the San Jose Earthquakes didn't much look like the 2010 MLS Cup champions.

The latest episode of the soap opera that is Freddy Adu presented itself this week, with details of a bus-ride conversation between Philadelphia coach John Hackworth and his young attacker emerging.

Two months remain in the MLS regular season, and it's looking as if at least four 2011 playoff teams won't be back this season.

The Quakes lost, 3-1, in Montreal, but still cling to the top spot in the overall rankings though most of their closest pursuers posted victories. New York and Sporting Kansas City are just three points and one point, respectively, behind San Jose in the race for the best overall record.

At first glance, a decision made by the MLS Disciplinary Committee to suspend Vancouver midfielder Barry Robson for harassing an assistant referee during a stoppage-time melee seems unfair.

If there's been a common theme to responses supplied by American players regarding the last year under the tutelage of Jurgen Klinsmann, aside from universal admiration of his playing career, the younger contingent all come back with variations on the same theme: "He's giving guys like me a chance."

If Mexican clubs hadn't started providing pro soccer opportunities for Mexican-American talent, the USA's historic win at Azteca Stadium may not have happened.

A goal by Michael Orozco Fiscal enabled the United States to win its first game ever against Mexico in Mexico, 1-0, Wednesday night. Here are some quick observations of how it was done and what it means.

Just three points separate the top three teams in the Eastern Conference, which claimed the second, third and fourth spots in the power rankings after another intense weekend of play.

To its credit, MLS has taken strides to adhere, eventually, to generally accepted soccer canons.

San Jose Quakes coach Frank Yallop was talking with a reporter near the team's locker room after a 2-1 win over Seattle Saturday night when defender Steven Beitashour ambled by.