MLS roundup: DC United and Portland Timbers enjoy lopsided victories
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Version 0 of 1. Chris Pontius scored in the 39th minute and DC United added three second-half goals to beat the Chicago Fire 4-0. United moved into second place in the East and can secure an automatic berth in the conference semifinals with a win over Columbus in the regular-season finale. Pontius opened the scoring when he pushed the ball past Chicago’s Jon Busch with a heavy touch and raced behind the goalkeeper to finish in the open net. Related: Mike Grella scores fastest goal in MLS history as New York routs Philadelphia Bobby Boswell headed home Fabian Espindola’s corner in the 67th minute, Espindola knocked in a left-footer with the benefit of defender Lovel Palmer’s deflection in the 71st, and Alvaro Saborio volleyed in a high-arching deflection from point-blank range in the 80th. Portland’s Fanendo Adi scored two second-half goals in the Timbers’ 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Timbers scored all five goals in a 25-minute span in the second half and moved into a third-place tie with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the West. Adi made it 1-1 in the 65th minute with a turnaround left-footed strike from the middle of the box. Three minutes later, he converted from the spot to give Portland the lead for good. Diego Chara netted a leaping header to make it 3-1 in the 74th minute. The Galaxy’s Robbie Keane closed the deficit in the 84th, but Darlington Nagbe answered with a breakaway goal 18 seconds after the ensuing kickoff. Keane gave the Galaxy the early lead in the 36th minute. The Galaxy would have clinched a berth in the conference semifinals with a win. Maximiliano Urruti capped the scoring in the 90th. The Seattle Sounders eliminated the Dynamo from playoff contention after Obafemi Martins scored in the 82nd minute for a 1-1 draw in Houston. The Sounders extended their undefeated streak to seven games, but missed a chance to clinch off a playoff spot. |