MLS Roundup: Nick Rimando, Sigi Schmid set records during busy weekend
Seattle 2 – Houston 0
Sigi Schmid became the first MLS coach to reach 200 wins as Sounders FC managed to secure all three points at CenturyLink Field. Stefan Frei provided a lifeline in the first half when he saved Brad Davis’ penalty. Marco Pappa took it when his deflected effort squeaked inside the near post after the interval. Gonzalo Pineda then drove his penalty through Tally Hall to end Seattle’s two-match losing streak.
Vancouver 2 – Sporting Kansas City 0
The home side ended Sporting’s five-match road winning streak with an impressive display at B.C. Place. Igor Juliao looped a header into his own net to provide the Whitecaps with an early foothold. Pedro Morales and Darren Mattocks combined on the break to allow Mattocks to slot home the second. Second-half substitute Jon Kempin marked his MLS debut with a penalty save from Mattocks after the interval, but the intervention could not stop Sporting from sliding to a rather out-of-character defeat.
Chicago 1 – New York 0
Mike Magee tucked away his own rebound from a missed penalty to give the Fire its fourth victory of the season. Magee received the opportunity from 12 yards when Ambroise Oyongo clattered through Quincy Amarikwa eight minutes before halftime, but Luis Robles stopped his initial attempt. The reigning MLS MVP converted at the second time of asking and watched the Fire hold out defiantly to claim the points.
Real Salt Lake 3 – D.C. United 0
Nick Rimando claimed the MLS record for shutouts as RSL romped to victory over United at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL ripped D.C. apart in the early stages to acquire a three-goal advantage inside the first 24 minutes. Joao Plata claimed his 10th goal of the season to open the scoring after 11 minutes before Chris Schuler struck twice in short order to seal the points. Rimando made two saves to pull clear of Kevin Hartman and secure his 113th clean sheet in 361 career appearances.
Columbus 2 – Toronto FC 3
Luke Moore propelled the Reds to Trillium Cup success at Crew Stadium. The English striker prompted the first two TFC goals for Gilberto and Jonathan Osorio, but the Crew pegged the Reds back twice through Federico Higuain and Justin Meram to leave the match tied at 2-2 in the waning stages. Moore then capped his influential display by snatching the winner six minutes to give TFC a second win on the trot.
FC Dallas 3 – Colorado 1
FCD extended its unbeaten run to eight matches by defeating the sliding Rapids in Frisco. Matt Hedges and Michel placed the home side in commanding position when they scored inside the first 11 minutes. Fabian Castillo removed any doubt about the result when he collected the third after 55 minutes. Gabriel Torres snatched a consolation goal from the spot four minutes from time, but the late riposte did not stop the Rapids from slipping to a third straight defeat.
Philadelphia 2 – Montréal 1
Sébastien Le Toux continued his torrid form in front of goal by scoring twice to dispatch the plucky Impact at PPL Park. Le Toux staked the home side to the lead after 12 minutes and then stretched the advantage with his seventh goal in eight MLS appearances just after the hour. Maxim Tissot struck in the final quarter of an hour to set up a grandstand finish, but the Union held firm to continue its push for a playoff berth.
Portland 2 – Chivas USA 0
The home side eased to its third victory in four attempts to strengthen its playoff case at Providence Park. Diego Valeri produced a sumptuous opener after 10 minutes to place the Timbers on the proper path. Will Johnson then hit the post before Rodney Wallace provided a measure of comfort by securing the second six minutes before the interval. Portland managed the game adroitly after the break to move level on points with fifth-placed Colorado.
LA Galaxy 2 – San Jose 2
Landon Donovan’s farewell tour started with a frustrating stalemate at the StubHub Center on Friday night. The home side dictated terms for most of the night, but it needed two equalizers to claim a point. Chris Wondolowski completed an Earthquakes counter with a cool finish after 18 minutes. Gyasi Zardes continued his fine run of form by curling home the equalize just before the half hour, but Matias Pérez Garcia restored the lead minutes later to mark his debut with a goal moments later. Omar Gonzalez headed home four minutes into the second half to grab his first goal this year and snatch a share of the spoils.
