MLS round-up: Steven Gerrard injured as Los Angeles Galaxy are held by Vancouver Whitecaps
Sunday 28 August 2016 10:59, UK
Los Angeles Galaxy lost Steven Gerrard and Jelle van Damme to first-half injuries and were held to a scoreless draw at home by Vancouver in MLS on Saturday.
Montreal's Ignacio Piatti scored the sole goal in the 73rd minute to give the Impact a 1-0 win at Toronto FC, ending the Reds' unbeaten streak at seven games and imperiling their lead in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.
New York City can overtake Toronto at the top the East if they win at Orlando City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from midnight.
Philadelphia Union moved within a point of NYC by beating Sporting Kansas City, while West leader FC Dallas re-established its five-point lead by winning 3-1 at state rival Houston Dynamo.
Montreal Impact had a previous record of three draws and three losses in visits to Toronto FC and its prospects of success looked dim against a Reds team that had won five straight home games.
However, some solid defending paid off when Argentine midfielder Piatti picked up Dominic Oduro's pass and beat goalkeeper Alex Bono for his 14th goal of the season.
Philadelphia's Roland Alberg scored one goal and set up another as the Union beat nine-man Sporting Kansas City 2-0.
Alberg opened the scoring in the 67th minute when he collected Fabinho's pass and fired in from outside the box into the top right-hand corner for his ninth goal of the season.
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Alberg assisted Tranquillo Barnetta for his stoppage-time goal that sealed it.
Sporting's Jimmy Medranda was sent off in the 59th minute for his second yellow card and Roger Espinoza received a straight red for violent conduct in the 87th minute.
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FC Dallas' Michael Barrios scored twice to lead the West pacesetter to a 3-1 win at Houston Dynamo.
Alex gave Houston the lead in 19th minute with a left-footed rocket from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Mauro Diaz equalised from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after a handball, and a minute later, Barrios put the visitors ahead when he won the race to Maynor Figueroa's long diagonal cross and chipped it past the charging goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
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Barrios added a long-range strike in the 79th minute to cap the scoring.
Columbus' Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram scored in the Crew's 2-0 victory at home to San Jose Earthquakes.
D.C. United's Patrick Mullins scored a hat-trick to lead the Washington club to a 6-2 rout of 10-man visitors Chicago Fire.
