Two clubs clinched MLS Cup playoff berths and two players inserted themselves into a previously one-sided MVP conversation during a weekend of action that featured several virtuoso performances and considerable controversy.

The San Jose Earthquakes pulled off yet another miraculous comeback and remain atop the Sporting News power poll following a nerve-wracking 3-3 draw with postseason hopeful FC Dallas.

But the chase is on.

Sporting Kansas City’s comprehensive win over the Chicago Fire tightened the race for the Supporters Shield—SKC now trails San Jose by only three points with three games remaining. And Chris Wondolowski’s apparent stranglehold on the MVP award may have been loosened just slightly by an up-and-coming American midfielder and a French legend in New York.

RISING

Thierry Henry’s MVP credentials. Granted, the plethora of opportunities Henry had to put his skills on display during Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of Toronto FC had a lot to do with the fact that the opponent barely was MLS caliber. But what he did with those opportunities was sublime.

Henry’s two assists to Kenny Cooper, in the 27th and 88th minutes, required technique possessed by few who have ever worn an MLS uniform. His long-range, one-time finish in stoppage time was as pretty a goal as you’ll see. Henry’s one-goal, three-assist performance did more than earn him MLS’s Player of the Week award -- it led to Monday morning chatter about whether there’s actually an MVP race this season.

Henry has tallied 14 regular season goals, eight behind Wondolowski, along with 12 assists. Henry has scored or set up 26 of New York’s 54 goals (48.1 percent), while Wondolowski has been involved in 29 of San Jose’s 65 (44.6 percent). The Quakes’ marksman has played in seven more games, which some will use to argue his case (more reliable) and others will use to argue Henry’s (more efficient).

Stats never paint the whole picture, obviously, but Henry’s recent surge has helped start a debate where there was nothing but certainty three weeks ago.

Graham Zusi's MVP credentials. By beating Chicago, SKC became the first team to ensure postseason play in the Eastern Conference. If it wrests the Shield away from San Jose, then Zusi certainly will have barged into the MVP discussion as well. The U.S. national team midfielder's two goals in Friday night's huge 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire gave him five for the season.

Tack on his co-league leading 14 assists, and you’ve got a player who’s had a hand (foot) in 19 of SKC’s 39 regular season goals (48.7 percent, higher than either Henry or Wondolowski). With scoring in KC at such a premium, Zusi’s contributions are quite valuable indeed, especially considering the fact that he has greater responsibility in midfield then either Wondolowski or Henry.

“With Zusi being known as somebody who usually sets things up for us, (the other team) doesn’t always expect him to score goals. But he’s a great finisher,” SKC forward Kei Kamara told reporters.

Zusi has impressed U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann and started the most recent World Cup qualifier in Jamaica. He may be on the verge of impressing a few MVP voters as well.

FALLING

Respect for MLS referees. Cue the replacement ref jokes.

First it was Philadelphia Union coach John Hackworth, who said he was “amazed” when an 87th-minute goal from Columbus Crew midfielder Milovan Mirosevic -- who was well offside -- was allowed to stand.

“I don’t even know what to say. It’s not even close. It’s a heartbreaker for us to fight that hard and be that brave and to lose it that way. It feels like we’ve been on the bad end of a lot of that this year, so it’s frustrating,” Hackworth said following the 3-2 loss. “It’s a shame we didn’t get a fair result in the end.”

If Hackworth is fined, it likely won’t come close to the hit Timbers owner Merritt Paulson is about to incur. Infuriated by the phantom handball called on defender David Horst that led to D.C. United’s only goal in a 1-1 draw, Paulson first confronted the officials as they left the Jeld-Wen Stadium field, then took to Twitter and wrote: “Let’s be real…nfl replacement refs having nothing on mls primary refs. Sick of this garbage. I will happily take the fine. Its atrocious. Should balance out. Guess policy is to balance JWF atmosphere. All season long…not a single damn pk awarded to us. Numerous cut/dry blown calls. And let’s give DC a gift for good measure.”

On Sunday, L.A. Galaxy forward Robbie Keane chimed in following his team’s 1-1 tie in Colorado.

“The game was a bit dead, to be honest,” he told the Galaxy’s website. “Probably didn’t help with the referee making some ridiculous decisions to be honest with you. I don’t mind referees that made bad decisions, but when you try to speak to them and they’re so arrogant. That really annoys you.”

The decisions that went against the Union and Timbers were bad, but they’re also part of a sport that moves quickly and that has no instant replay. Hackworth and Paulson can be angry, but they shouldn’t be surprised.

L.A.'s defensive chemistry. In their six full matches together following the return of Omar Gonzalez from a long-term knee injury and Todd Dunivant from a short-term calf problem, the Galaxy's back four anchored a 5-0-1 run and yielded only three goals.

Now, just as it looked like pieces were in place for another championship charge, another injury has disrupted the defense. This time it’s Gonzalez’s partner in the middle, A.J. DeLaGarza, who hurt his knee in a collision with Colorado’s Omar Cummings a half hour into Sunday’s draw. Early reports indicated a sprain.

“It’s a tough loss losing A.J. and it’s disappointing to see him go down like that,” Dunivant said. “We’re pulling for him and hopefully for the best with his scan and we’ll see what comes of it.”

Despite the big names featured in the Galaxy’s attack, defense has been the secret to the club’s success, and L.A. lost a great deal when Gonzalez was out during the first four months of the season. Rookie Tommy Meyer likely will step in while DeLaGarza recuperates.

“It’s just late in the season and hopefully I’ll be back for the playoffs,” DeLaGarza told the Galaxy’s website. “But actually a couple games before that, hopefully, to get my rhythm back. Depending on how bad it is.”

L.A. is battling Seattle (which sealed a playoff berth following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Vancouver) and Real Salt Lake to avoid the wild card round in the West. Its ability to challenge for a second straight title may depend on that rhythm.

POWER POLL

1. San Jose Earthquakes 18-6-7 (Last Week: 1st)

2. Sporting Kansas City 17-7-7 (2nd)

3. L.A. Galaxy 15-11-5 (4th)

4. New York Red Bulls 15-8-8 (5th)

5. Real Salt Lake 16-11-4 (7th)

6. Chicago Fire 16-9-5 (3rd)

7. Seattle Sounders 13-7-10 (6th)

8. D.C. United 15-10-6 (8th)

9. Houston Dynamo 13-8-10 (9th)

10. FC Dallas 9-12-10 (10th)

11. Columbus Crew 14-11-6 (11th)

12. Montreal Impact 12-15-4 (12th)

13. Colorado Rapids 9-18-4 (15th)

14. Vancouver Whitecaps 10-12-9 (14th)

15. Philadelphia Union 8-15-6 (13th)

16. Portland Timbers 7-15-9 (16th)

17. New England Revolution 7-16-8 (17th)

18. Chivas USA 7-16-7 (18th)

19. Toronto FC 5-19-7 (19th)

This article originally appeared on sportingnews.com