Revolution fall out of first place

Their first two-game losing streak of the season has knocked the Revolution out of first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since May 24.

Ronnie O'Brien had two goals and an assist Saturday night, and the San Jose Earthquakes beat the Revolution, 4-0, in Santa Clara, Calif.

Scott Sealy and Ryan Johnson also scored for San Jose (5-9-6), which has won two straight after snapping an eight-match winless spell. Darren Huckerby added two assists.

The Revolution (10-6-3) came into the game with the MLS's best record and needed to win to stay ahead of Columbus.

Besides the setback, the Revolution may have suffered a more significant blow when ironman goalkeeper Matt Reis, who had played every minute in net since Sept. 3, 2005, was forced to the bench by a strained right adductor. Doug Warren, who replaced Reis in the 55th minute, gave up the final three goals against a counterattacking San Jose squad.

In the last month, San Jose has brought in Sealy and Huckerby, among others, to improve the last-place expansion team's roster. The moves have begun to pay off with the Earthquakes scoring at least three goals for the second straight game.

San Jose got on the board in the 11th minute when Francisco Lima corralled a deflected shot and scooped a gentle lead pass to O'Brien, who used a deft right-footed volley from 14 yards out to beat Reis.

San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon preserved his seventh shutout by making six saves, including one early in the second half after a poor backpass from Lima gave Sainey Nyassi a free look inside the penalty area. Cannon made a left-handed stop to turn away New England's best chance of the night.

The Revolution return to action Wednesday when D.C. United visits Gillette Stadium.

Yesterday, Mike Magee and Juan Pablo Angel scored goals to lead the New York Red Bulls to a 2-0 win over Toronto FC in East Rutherford, N.J.

Goalie Jon Conway made four saves to record his fifth shutout of the season and the 19th of his career as the Red Bulls (7-6-7) won their second straight match.