Colorado hands it to struggling Houston

Colorado's Tom McManus (right) takes his eyes off the ball, which is won by Houston defender Eddie Robinson. (Smiley N. Pool/Associated Press)

Winless in their first six Major League Soccer games this season after winning their second straight MLS Cup last year, the Houston Dynamo needed a helping hand to snap out of their slump, and Ugo Ihemelu provided it last night.

Colorado's Ihemelu was issued a yellow card for an intentional handball in the box and Dwayne De Rosario converted the penalty kick in the 87th minute to lead host Houston to a 2-1 victory over the Rapids.

De Rosario fired his shot into the left corner to give the Dynamo the lead.

Houston (1-2-4) opened the scoring in the 43d minute when Brian Ching took a lead pass from Stuart Holden for a breakaway. Ching faked out Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul and scored into an empty net. It was Houston's first score in 234 minutes.

Colorado (3-4-0) tied it in the 68th minute. Christian Gomez fed Omar Cummings on the right side of the box and Cummings shot past a diving Pat Onstad.

In the 71st minute, Rapids assistant Gary Smith was ejected by referee Tim Weyland, and in the 89th minute, Colorado's Tom McManus was issued a red card while on the bench.

Real Salt Lake 2, FC Dallas 1 - Kyle Beckerman scored the winning goal in the 73d minute and Real Salt Lake stayed unbeaten at home with the victory.

Beckerman softly one-touched a chip pass from Andy Williams through the legs of goalkeeper Dario Sala for Real Salt Lake (2-3-2), which has two wins and two ties in four home games this season.

Kenny Cooper tied the game for FC Dallas in the 56th minute. His goal helped FC Dallas (2-2-3) avoid going scoreless in their third straight game.

Cooper's equalizer came off an assist from Andre Rocha and was the team's first goal since beating Chivas USA, 2-0, April 20.

Javier Morales gave RSL a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.

Red Bulls 2, Galaxy 1 - Juan Pablo Angel scored the winner for visiting New York in the 78th minute, seconds after Alan Gordon had tied the game for Los Angeles.

Crew 3, Earthquakes 2 - Robbie Rogers scored twice for visiting Columbus (6-1-0), which moved 2 points ahead of Chicago atop the Eastern Conference.