Luke Rodgers proved to be the difference as New York Red Bulls produced their first winning result in nine MLS matches on the weekend.
The former Notts County striker scored the only goal in the 1-0 win at FC Dallas in just his second game back from a two-month absence to keep the Red Bulls' play-off hopes alive.
After the match, Rodgers was full of praise for his New York teammates for coming up with a vital victory over last season's MLS Cup runners-up.
"This is the best performance I've seen in a long, long time. The defending was just unbelievable," he said.
"We played as a team tonight, we looked solid. The togetherness has been brilliant.
"It's a massive, massive, massive win and now we're straight back in the right position.
"The lads looked brilliant. For me it's the best performance of the season."
The Red Bulls are now fifth on the Eastern Conference table and sit just two points behind third-placed Philadelphia Union with six regular season matches remaining.
