MLS Roundup: 'Caps topple Timbers, Seattle ends RSL's unbeaten start
Seattle 4 – Real Salt Lake 0
Sounders FC ended RSL’s 12-match unbeaten run to start the season and maintained its perch atop the Western Conference with a comprehensive win at CenturyLink Field. Seattle benefited from a Ricardo Salazar penalty decision three minutes before halftime to allow Gonzalo Pineda to convert his second spot kick in as many weeks. Marco Pappa curled home a sumptuous free kick after the interval to increase the lead, while Chad Barrett notched the third shortly after the hour. Obafemi Martins completed the rout by tapping home at the far post to give Seattle a seventh win in nine outings.
Toronto FC 3 – Columbus 2
Doneil Henry fought through his mark and headed home the winner in second-half stoppage time to complete the Reds’ comeback at BMO Field. Justin Meram curled the opener inside the far post to stake the Crew – playing without suspended talisman Federico Higuaín – to a surprising lead in the 18th minute. Jermain Defoe drew and swept home a penalty three minutes later to restore parity, but Agustin Viana nodded home at the back post to send the Crew back in front after the interval. Defoe grabbed his second with a ruthless finish nine minutes from time before Henry pounced to deliver the points.
D.C. United 1 – Sporting Kansas City 0
Fabián Espíndola extended Sporting’s winless run to five matches with his curling effort before the half-hour at RFK Stadium. The in-form striker nestled an intended cross inside the far post to snatch the only goal of the game in the 28th minute. Alex Caskey procured a late red card for his wild challenge on Kevin Ellis, but 10-man United held out to climb back into second place in the Eastern Conference.
Montréal 2 – New England 0
Montréal continued its momentum from its second-half fightback against Toronto FC in midweek to end the Revolution’s seven-match unbeaten run with a victory at Stade Saputo. Andrés Romero completed a fine move with a clever finish to open the scoring after just three minutes. Jack McInerney doubled the advantage when he poked home a rebound prompted by Issey Nakajima-Farran’s drive from distance. The home side maintained its advantage after the break to claim a first league victory since April 26.
FC Dallas 1 – San Jose 2
Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi lashed home a stunning goal from distance to ultimately separate the sides at Toyota Stadium. FCD took the lead when Blas Pérez produced a fine opener at the back post after 16 minutes. Atiba Harris scored against his former side to draw the Earthquakes level just before the half-hour. Adam Moffat then procured his second booking to reduce FCD to 10 men after 37 minutes. Pierazzi conjured the eventual winner with a rasping drive from distance on the stroke of halftime. Jon Busch stopped Fabian Castillo’s spot kick in first half stoppage time to protect the halftime lead. FCD pressed for an equalizer after the break despite its numerical disadvantage, but San Jose held out for a second consecutive win.
Chivas USA 0 – Philadelphia 3
Conor Casey snatched his first two goals of the season to pace the Union to victory over 10-man Chivas USA at the StubHub Center. Casey opened his account from the spot after Martin Rívero handled from a free kick. The veteran forward doubled his haul with a trademark header from an inviting Cristian Maidana cross after 66 minutes. Maidana completed the rout with his strike 10 minutes later to lift the Union to a first victory in three attempts.
Chicago 1 – LA Galaxy 1
Landon Donovan popped up at the back post to claim a point for the visitors at a sweltering Toyota Park. Jeff Larentowicz opened the scoring after 68 minutes from the spot, though the Galaxy protested about the location and the severity of Juninho's challenge on Quincy Amarikwa. Donovan restored level terms six minutes later by thumping home Robbie Rogers' inviting cross to give the Galaxy a point.
Colorado 3 – Houston 0
Deshorn Brown struck twice inside the first 35 minutes to propel the Rapids to a straightforward victory over the Dynamo in Commerce City. Kamani Hill conjured a stunning third - a heel flick directly from a corner kick - to guarantee the Rapids all three points six minutes into the second half.
Portland 3 – Vancouver 4
Vancouver withstood a late Portland rally to end the Timbers' 22-match unbeaten run at Providence Park. Maximiliano Urruti opened the scoring after just three minutes, but the Whitecaps produced the next four goals - including two penalties from Pedro Morales - to grasp firm control of the proceedings by the early stages of the second half. Gastón Fernández and Will Johnson tallied in the final quarter of an hour, but the Timbers could not snatch a dramatic equalizer at the death.
