MLS round-up: Minnesota finally win, big defeats for NYRB and LA Galaxy

Toronto FC v Sporting KC 0-0

Both teams remain unbeaten for the season as Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas City played out a scoreless draw at a wet BMO stadium. Both teams struggled to create many clear cut chances with Toronto keeper Clint Irwin and his replacement Alex Bono making saves to deny Sporting KC. Sebastian Giovinco curled a free kick against the bar for Kansas, but neither side could find the break through. It was Sporting’s third 0-0 draw this season.

NYC FC V San Jose 2-1

New York City managed to come back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win against San Jose. The Earthquakes took the lead in the 5th minute after an unfortunate deflection fell to Marcos Urena who scored past keeper Sean Johnson.

The lead lasted only four minutes. Ronald Matarrita crossed into the box and found the head of David Villa, who flicked the ball onto Jack Harrison. Harrison managed to turn and shoot into the net, past San Jose keeper David Bingham.

NYC continued to dominate the game and finally took the lead on 66 minutes. Matarrita pulled the ball back for Tommy McNamara to slot home. It was no more than NYC deserved.

The match was over as a contest in the 79th minute when Victor Bernardez was sent off for a nasty challenge on McNamara. The result gives NYC their second win of the season.

Columbus v Orlando 2-0

Columbus Crew beat an Orlando side devoid of creativity 2-0 to stay top of the Eastern Conference.

Justin Meram scored in the 13th minute after Artur had found the front man. Meram still had work to do as he took the ball into the area and hit a left foot shot into the far corner of the net. Chances were few and far between and it took until the 77th minute for The Crew to get their second goal as Meram completed his brace. Meram received the ball from Federico Higuain on the left. Meram again drove into the area and this time hit a right foot shot into the goal to secure the 2-0 win.

Seattle v Atlanta United 0-0

Seattle and Atlanta United played out a 0-0 draw at the Century Link Field. Atlanta, who had scored 11 goals already this season, failed to find a way past Seattle keeper Stefan Frei, who saved well against Hector Villalba in the 12th minute. The second half continued in much the same vain as Clint Dempsey crashed a header against the crossbar from six yards from a deep free kick. With four minutes remaining Atlanta United had a chance to grab the win but once again Frei saved well from a shot from Miguel Almiron. The draw keeps Atlanta second in the Eastern Conference behind Columbus Crew.

Chicago v Montreal 2-2

Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, but it was new Fire signing Sebastian Schweinsteiger who stole the accolades as the German scored on his debut. David Accam whipped in the cross which Schweinsteiger met powerfully with his head to open the scoring on 17 minutes.

The Impact finally levelled the score in the second half, just after the hour mark. Chris Duvall crossed the ball into the box for Matteo Mancosu to head home.

The Fire made the match tougher for themselves when Juninho was sent off for a second bookable offence for a cynical foul, as Montreal attempted to break after 71 minutes. But the one man advantage was soon back to level terms as Victor Cabrera was sent off for the Impact for his second yellow card of the match on 81 minutes.

With the game looking like ending 1-1, Ballou Jean Yves Tabla hit a long range shot with 90 minutes on the clock, which sneaked in at the near post. It seemed Montreal had stolen the win at the death until Dax McCarty floated a pass to Luis Solignac, who took the ball down on his chest and hit an unstoppable right foot shot on the half volley and into the net to salvage a draw for The Fire.

D.C. United v Philadelphia 2-1

D.C. United secured their first win of the season as they beat Philadelphia Union 2-1 at the RFK Stadium.

It was United who took the lead on 17 minutes. Lloyd Sam found Jose Ortiz in the box whose shot took a nasty deflection pass Andre Blake in the Union goal. Seven minutes later Ortiz attempted to pass into the area only for the ball to hit the hand of Union defender Richie Marquez. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation and Luciano Acosta stepped up and calmly slotted into the corner.

The Union fought back in the second half but found United keeper Bill Hamid in excellent form as he pulled off several saves. Hamid was eventually beaten on 70 minutes when a save fell the way of CJ Sapong, who latched onto the rebound and gave Philadelphia hope. But they could not find a second goal, giving D.C. United the win. Philadelphia Union are still seeking their first win of the season and lie bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Houston v NY Red Bulls 4-1

Houston Dynamo pulled off an impressive 4-1 win over New York Red Bull’s with Dynamo’s Erick Torres scoring a hatrick.

It was, however, the Red Bulls who took the lead after 13 minutes. Shaun Wright Phillips scored after dribbling into the area and slotting home past Tyler Deric in the Houston goal.

It took just a minute for Dynamo to draw level. Alex crossed into the area for Dylan Remick to head home from close range. Then, just before half time, The Dynamo were awarded a penalty after Mauro Manotas was brought down in the area. Torres stepped up and put the ball into the top left hand corner to give Houston the lead at half time.

It took until the 56th minute for Torres to strike again as he hit a right foot shot into the net after collecting a deflected shot. Finally in stoppage time Torres completed his hattrick, hitting a free kick from just outside the area past Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles. The Dynamo now lie in second place in the Western Conference behind Portland Timbers.

Minnesota United v Real Salt Lake 4-2

The Loons finally got their first ever win in the MLS as they beat Real Salt Lake 4-2.

Real Salt Lake took the lead however after four minutes, Luke Mulholland scoring after Francisco Calvo’s header fell at the feet of the midfielder, who slotted home.

With RSL having to reshuffle their defence after Aaron Maund went off injured, Minnesota went on the attack and drew level in the 16th minute. Johan Venegas crossed into the penalty area which Kevin Molino headed home after a high looped deflection.

With the scores level at half time, The Loons came out fighting in the second half. Christian Ramirez played in Molino, who beat Nick Rimando to the ball and scored well, chipping the keeper as he dived down.

Then, on 61 minutes, a calamitous error from Rimando in the RSL goal let in Ramirez. Rimando failed to control the ball outside his box, inviting Ramirez to steal in and score into an empty net.

Seven minutes later, Molino won the ball on the right side and drove into the area before finding Johan Venegas with a neat pass. He slotted home, putting the Loons 4-1 up.

Real grabbed a consolation goal with three minutes remaining, with Yura Movsisyan finishing well. Real Salt Lake remain bottom of the Western Conference.

Vancouver v LA Galaxy 4-2

Vancouver Whitecaps impressed against a struggling LA Galaxy team as they won 4-2 at the BC Place.

The Whitecaps took the lead when Cristian Techera received the ball after a diagonal pass from Sheanon Williams. With the keeper committing himself as he rushed from his area, it left the Uruguayan winger space to turn and shoot into the empty net from 18 yards.

The Galaxy drew level in the 26th minute. Alessandrini struck a left foot shot which hit the near post and bounced off keeper David Ousted’s head and into the net – such cruel luck for Ousted.

Four minutes later LA Galaxy went further ahead. Emmanuel Boateng found Alessandrini on the edge of the box who powered in a left foot low shot to go in at half time 2-1 up.

The Whitecaps came out firing in the second half and equalised on 66 minutes, as Fredy Montero pounced on a rebound after Galaxy keeper Clement Diop could only parry the initial shot.

With Vancouver flying, it took only a minute before they took the lead. Montero from the left of the area found Matias Laba on the edge of the box to fire home from distance.

Vancouver sealed the win with three minutes remaining, with Montero again, this time on the right, firing in a shot which Diop could only parry onto the head of Laba to grab his second goal and give the Whitecaps the win. The Galaxy are now second from bottom in the Western Conference.

Colorado v FC Dallas postponed

The game was postponed to accommodate FC Dallas’ second leg match in the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final.

Portland v New England 1-1

Portland Timbers and New England Revolution played out a 1-1 draw to keep the Timbers top of the Western Conference.

Portland took the lead on 11 minutes after a poor defensive header looped into the sky which Diego Valeri expertly hit on the volley, into the net, past Cody Cropper in the Revolution goal.

The match continued to be an even affair despite the Timbers goal, before The Revolution finally scored on 84 minutes to level the scores with Lee Nguyen pouncing on a loose ball before firing into the net. The draw for New England was excellent away to a Portland team who had been playing well.