MLS Roundup: Earthquakes, Sounders draw; Kamara hits 20-goal mark in Crew SC win
San Jose Earthquakes 1 -- Seattle Sounders 1
Obafemi Martins produced a critical equalizer eight minutes from time to earn Sounders FC a point at Avaya Stadium. Fatai Alashe tipped the balance in the Earthquakes’ favor when he nodded Matias Perez Garcia’s tempting free kick inside the far post after 70 minutes. Seattle responded through a set piece to maintain a tenuous hold on a Western Conference playoff spot. Andreas Ivanschitz created the danger with a near-post delivery. David Bingham made a fantastic initial save only to see Martins acrobatically turn home the rebound to give Sounders FC a point.
LA Galaxy 0 -- Montréal Impact 0
These two star-laden sides failed to conjure a goal at StubHub Center. LA Galaxy looked the bright of the two sides before halftime, but Donovan Ricketts summoned an important stop to keep the sides level. The hosts faded after the break and permitted the Impact to pose more of a threat on the break. Didier Drogba squandered a decent chance three minutes before time as the two sides eventually shared the spoils.
FC Dallas 2 -- New York City FC 1
NYCFC coach Jason Kreis yanked Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa during the expansion side’s defeat at FC Dallas. FCD ground through the early stages before scoring twice in the dying embers of the first half. Tesho Akindele opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime before Michel scored an Olimpico to double the advantage in first-half stoppage time. Kreis replaced captain Villa at halftime and pulled Lampard and Pirlo after 66 minutes in a bid to spark his side to life. NYCFC responded when Patrick Mullins procured a penalty and reduced the deficit from the spot with 20 minutes to play. NYCFC tried to complete the comeback, but the struggling side ultimately succumbed to a fourth defeat in six attempts.
Philadelphia Union 1 -- Columbus Crew SC 2
Kei Kamara reached the 20-goal mark with a double in Crew SC’s victory at PPL Park. Both goals came in a five-minute stretch in the first half to place Crew in firm command. Kamara -- back in the Crew SC lineup after spending the international break with Sierra Leone -- kept his nerve to nod past John McCarthy after 21 minutes and then turned home Harrison Afful’s low service five minutes later for his MLS-leading 20th goal of the season. C.J. Sapong responded for the Union after halftime, but the Union eventually slipped to defeat on home soil.
Houston Dynamo 1 -- Real Salt Lake 3
RSL ended an eight-match road winless streak with three precious points at BBVA Compass Stadium. Javier Morales provided RSL with an important foothold by slotting home just before halftime. Devon Sandoval doubled the advantage early in the second half after Juan Manuel Martinez forced a good block from Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Houston engineered a reply through a Brad Davis penalty kick, but Martinez -- instrumental in the previous two RSL goals -- produced an immediate response to ensure RSL emerged with a victory.
Colorado Rapids 1 -- D.C. United 1
United claimed a first result in four attempts with a late equalizer at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Colorado appeared on course for the points after Bobby Burling’s scruffy volley eluded everyone to sneak inside the far post just before the half-hour. The visitors huffed and puffed until producing the equalizer three minutes from time. Steven Birnbaum snatched a point with his late header to bring United level with New York Red Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference.
