MLS round-up: Diego Valeri extends scoring streak in Portland Timbers victory
Monday 25 September 2017 07:19, UK
Diego Valeri extended his MLS record by scoring in his ninth consecutive game to lead the Portland Timbers to a 3-0 win over Orlando City.
Adding to a record he set with a goal against Real Salt Lake last week, the Argentinian struck from the penalty spot in the 15th minute after Jonathan Spector took down Darren Mattocks in the box.
He then scored again later, in the 58th minute, marking his 20th goal of the season and giving him the lead in the Golden Boot race over David Villa of New York City FC.
It was Mattocks who scored the Timbers' other goal of the match, capitalising on a cross from Dairon Asprilla just before the half hour.
Atlanta United's hopes of reaching the play-offs in their first season in the league were given a boost with a 2-0 victory over Montreal Impact.
Hector Villalba and Jeff Larentowicz scored the game's two goals, putting the side third in the Eastern Conference standings with 49 points from 29 matches - just three points behind second place New York City FC.
Villalba scored his 12th goal of the season after 28 minutes, firing into the top corner from 25 yards out and Larentowicz sealed the victory in the 73rd minute from a Julian Gressel cross.
Sporting Kansas City moved back to within just one point of the Western Conference lead with a 2-1 win over LA Galaxy, helping the side remain MLS' only unbeaten team at home this season.
First-half goals from Daniel Salloi and Diego Rubio led them to their 24th straight home win, as Romain Alessandrini's goal from a blistering second-half free-kick failed to prevent the Galaxy from clocking up a seventh defeat in nine games.
LA now sit 12 points beneath the play-off line with four matches to play.
