MLS: Houston 3, Colorado 1

COMMERCE CITY, Colo., Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Brian Ching had two goals and an assist in the first 19 minutes Saturday night to lead the Houston Dynamo past Colorado 3-1.

The win left Houston (11-5-10) four points ahead of second-place Chivas USA in the MLS Western Conference.

The loss dropped the Rapids (10-13-4) into fourth place in the West, one point behind Real Salt Lake.

Houston scored all of its goals in the opening 10 minutes -- with Ching getting things started when he caught Rapids goaltender Preston Burpo out of position two minutes into the game.

Colorado tied it five minutes later when Conor Casey scored his ninth goal of the season following a corner kick.

Ching scored what turned out to be the winning goal two minutes later, heading in Brad Davis' free kick off the crossbar for his 12th goal of the campaign.

Ricardo Clark wrapped up the scoring for Houston in the 19th minute, with an assist by Ching.