MLS Roundup: USA stars return to the fold on Fourth of July weekend
Houston 2 – New York 2
Brad Davis converted a disputed penalty eight minutes from time to lift the Dynamo to a point at BBVA Compass Stadium. Houston did not expect to need such heroics after Giles Barnes snapped the club's 479-minute scoreless streak inside the first minute, but Bradley Wright-Phillips struck twice to peg back the home side. Chris Duvall then handled inside the penalty area to allow Davis to mark his return from Brazil with a goal to deliver a share of the spoils.
Vancouver 1 – Seattle 0
This Cascadia derby ended in favor of the Whitecaps after Sebastian Fernandez's early strike settled matters at B.C. Place. Fernandez lashed a dipping drive from distance to open the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour. Seattle attempted to respond with its tattered side, but the Whitecaps withstood some second-half pressure to secure the points.
LA Galaxy 2 – Portland 2
Both teams improved in the second half to produce four goals after the interval at the StubHub Center. Marcelo Sarvas sparked the exchanges when he fired home the opener after 65 minutes. Diego Valeri and Jorge Villafana responded in short order to stake the Timbers to a lead, but Rauwshan McKenzie turned into his own net to ensure the proceedings ended all square.
Toronto FC 1 – D.C. United 2
United retained its perch atop the Eastern Conference with a professional victory against TFC at BMO Field. Nick DeLeon opened the scoring with a fine solo goal after 54 minutes. Luke Moore responded six minutes later, but Perry Kitchen exploited some shoddy set piece defending to nod home the winner for Ben Olsen's side.
Real Salt Lake 2 – New England 1
RSL converted twice from the penalty spot to defeat the Revs at Rio Tinto Stadium. Javier Morales dispatched the first spot kick after Darrius Barnes fouled Chris Schuler on a corner kick, but Barnes responded by nodding home Chris Tierney's free kick moments later. Plata settled the match from 12 yards after 65 minutes to deliver the points for the Claret-and-Cobalt.
FC Dallas 2 – Philadelphia 1
FCD claimed its first league win in three attempts through a Sheanon Williams own goal four minutes after the break at Toyota Stadium. Tesho Akindele opened the scoring for the home side after 26 minutes, but Amobi Okugo responded two minutes before the interval. Williams then turned a Fabinho pass into his own net to restore FCD's lead. Maurice Edu procured a late red card to compound the Union's misery as FCD collected the points.
Colorado 1 – Columbus 1
The visitors snatched a deserved point through Ethan Finlay's 76th minute strike at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Eric Gehrig turned a Vicente Sanchez touch into his own net just before the hour to stake the Rapids to the lead, but Finlay pounced on some sloppy work at the back to score his fourth goal of the season and send the Crew home with a draw.
Chivas USA 1 – Montréal 0
Erick Torres decided an otherwise drab game with a stunning winner to hand the Red-and-White its third consecutive win. Torres maneuvered into the proper area to benefit from a deflection and then thrashed an overhead kick past Troy Perkins at the near post to snatch the points at the death.
Sporting Kansas City 1 – Chicago 1
Dom Dwyer and Mike Magee once again hit the scoresheet as both teams took a point for their troubles at Sporting Park. Dwyer struck first after an error at the back and snapped a selfie to reward himself appropriately. Magee responded after more slack defensive work allowed him to atone for an earlier miss and slot past Eric Kronberg. Sporting pushed for a winner, but the Fire held firm to seal a 10th draw in 16 outings.
