MLS Roundup: FC Dallas shock Toronto as the Fire go top of the East

Things are hotting up in the MLS, and we have a comprehensive roundup for you all today. Better still, next week looks even more exciting. There are some excellent matches lined up for the next gameday.

Let’s remind ourselves of what happened last time out!

New York City FC 3-1 Minnesota United FC

NYCFC beat West Minnesota to stay in the race for the East.

Minnesota took an early lead as a shot by Johan Venegas was parried by NYCFC keeper Eirik Johansen fell right into the path of Christian Ramirez, who slotted it into the net.

NYCFC netted the equaliser in the 38th as Alexander Callens slid an excellent through ball into the box for Ben Sweat to collect and then lay off for Callens to run up and score after an excellent play.

Only seven minutes into the second half NYCFC took the lead after a beautiful cross by Rodney Wallace was headed in by Jack Harrison. NYCFC completed their victory with an excellent solo goal by David Villa, who dribbled from the right side, past several defenders and into the box to score his 52nd career MLS goal.

Real Salt Lake 0-1 Orlando City SC

Orlando City scored early to win 3 points away against a struggling RSL as Cyle Larin returns to action.

The first and only goal came from Canadian international Will Johnson, as he pounced on a loose ball following a scramble in the box after a header from Jose Aja hit the crossbar.

Chicago Fire 4-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

Nemanja Nikolic brace helps the Fire to solid win over middling Whitecaps in the only meeting between the two of the season.

Though the Fire won convincingly, it was the Whitecaps who nearly opened scoring with a daring shot from 35 yards by Christian Bolanos after an excellent dribble that hit the post six minutes in. Seven minutes later, Nemanja Nikolic put the Fire on top after finishing a cross from close range. Nikolic scored his second, and league leading 16th goal of the season in the 18th minute after a threaded ball by Michael de Leeuw. Arturo Alvarez then scored a wonderful volley in the 25th minute to put the Fire up 3-0.

A straight red in the 78th minute to the Whitecaps’ Mattias Laba for a rough challenge on the Fire’s Luis Solignac ruined any chances of a comeback for the Whitecaps. Though, there was another highlight for the Fire as Michael de Leeuw scored his first goal of the season in the 84th minute.

FC Dallas 3-1 Toronto FC

Toronto drop to 2nd after being stunned by high-flying Dallas.

Dallas took an early lead as Maximiliano Urruti made an excellent run into the box, and cut a pass back for Roland Lamah to net cleanly in the 5th minute. Just over 15 minutes later, Lamah netted a wonderful goal after a perfectly slotted through-ball by Mauro Diaz to get his brace.

Toronto put themselves on the score-line just over ten minutes into the second half after Marco Delgado finished a tight cross by Sebastian Giovinco that just managed to slip past Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzalez. Urruti netted the third for Dallas in the 78th minute with a powerful strike from close range over the outstretched arms of Alex Bono.

Montreal Impact 2-0 DC United

Montreal best DC United during a bottom-of-the-table clash with two quickfire goals.

Blerim Dzemaili got Montreal off the mark in the 21st minute with a bullet of a goal from 25 yards out after being left alone to dwell on the ball my DC United’s defence. Dzemaili was the maestro of Montreal’s next goal a mere two minutes later after a perfectly chipped pass to Chris Duvall, who’s excellent run allowed him to easily slide it past a stunned Travis Worra.

DC United had a glimmer of hope in the 78th minute as Luciano Acosta masterfully dribbled the ball into the box from the right wing, only to have his shot ricochet off of the far post.

Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Portland Timbers

Timbers made to settle for a point against top of West, Kansas City.

Diego Valeri got the Timbers off to a good start in the 26th minute with a laser-shot from 25 yards out to beat Kansas City keeper Tim Melia off the crossbar.

Kansas City’s early-sub Danial Salloi got on the end of a Roger Espinoza cross to find the net and level the scoring in the 60th minute. In the 74th minute Tim Melia gave away a controversial penalty, Diego Valeri stepped up to take it but could only strike it directly at a readied Tim Melia who parried it away to save the point for Kansas City.

Columbus Crew SC 0-2 Atlanta United FC

Atlanta overcame the Crew to stay in the race for the East.

Hector Villalba netted Atlanta’s first of the game in the 27th after collecting a lobbed ball and chipping it past Columbus keeper Zack Steffen.

Villalba netted his brace in the 64th minute after collecting a loose header off of Artur and letting loose a pacey shot under several Columbus defenders.

Colorado Rapids 3-1 Houston Dynamo

A struggling Colorado stunned Dynamo to keep them out of the top 3 in the West.

Colorado’s Kevin Doyle scored the first goal of the game from close range after a looping cross. Eric Torres netted an equaliser for the Dynamo in the closing seconds of added time in the first half after poking home a well hit cross.

Colorado resumed the lead after Marlon Hairston easily found the net after Dominque Badji rounded the Houston keeper and sent a low pass across the empty goal. Marlon Hairston secured his brace in the 69th minute after chipping the keeper from close range.

San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 LA Galaxy

The Earthquakes earned late win to upset a struggling LA.

Jelle Van Damme got the Galaxy off the mark in the 11th minute with a well-hit volley from Jose Villareal’s free kick.

Chris Wondolowski netted the equaliser for the Earthquakes in the 75th minute after a deflection off of the Galaxy’s Jaime Villarreal. Shea Salinas shot from close range in the 93rd minute after an expert pass by Chris Wondolowski which gave the Earthquakes the lead. What started as a good game for Jelle Van Damme became a nightmare as he was shown a second yellow and subsequent red after the final whistle for arguing a previous decision with the referee.

Philadelphia Union 3-0 New England Revolution

The Union easily beat the Revolution in this bottom of the East clash.

The Union were given an early lead after a penalty was awarded for a handball in the first few minutes. C.J. Sapong sunk the penalty into the back of the net past Cody Cropper.

Ilsinho doubled the Union’s lead three minutes into the second half with a first-time touch over Cropper. Roland Alberg completed the route in the 78th minute, a mere minute after stepping onto the field, with a beautiful goal from 30 yards out.