MLS Soccer: Week 4 round-up

By Benson Petit-Clair

Substitute Justin Meram scored a late goal on Saturday at the CenturyLink Field to give the visiting Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders. With the win, Columbus Crew maintained their 100 per cent winning start to the season. The Sounders, who were playing without Clint Dempsey, opened the scoring in the first half courtesy of Kenny Cooper, but Federico Higuain responded for the visitors from the penalty spot in the second half to tie the match. Justin provided the difference in the dying seconds to give Columbus its third victory in as many matches.

Elsewhere on Saturday, MLS Cup holders Sporting KC needed an extra-time rally to defeat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Dom Dwyer scored a late goal to give the visiting Sporting KC its second consecutive victory. Graham Zusi opened the scoring for the visitors, but Vicente Sanchez scored two goals from the penalty spot to give the home side the lead. Benny Feilhaber leveled the score before Dwyer could provide the clincher for Kansas City.

FC Dallas defeated the Portland Timbers 2-1 to keep their unbeaten run alive. An 84th minute strike from Mauro Diaz was enough to give Dallas its third victory of the season. Both teams finished the match with 10 men as Dallas midfielder JeVaughn Watson and Portland defender Michael Harrington were both ejected shortly before the half.

Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake defeated the visiting Toronto FC 3-0 to maintain their unbeaten status. Alvaro Saborio scored two goals for the hosts, one of which from the penalty spot, while Luis Gil provided the other.

Following the 2-2 draw at home against the Chicago Fire, DC United claimed its first point of the season.
Also on Saturday, the Montreal Impact also claimed their first point of the season following a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union. Vincent Nogueira opened the scoring for the hosts, but Marco Di Vaio provided the equalizer for the visitors 10 minutes before the final whistle.
A late goal from Lee Nguyen gave the visiting New England Revolution a 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. New England took the lead following an own goal from Victor Bernardez, striker Chris Wondolowski leveled the score for the hosts, but Lee Nguyen scored a last-gasp goal to the Revs their first victory of the 2014 campaign.
The Whitecaps claimed a 2-1 victory at home through Kenny Miller’s penalty kick to hand the Houston Dynamo its first loss of the season.

On Sunday, the New York Red Bulls were able to claim a point after drawing the visiting Chivas USA 1-0. A penalty kick from Erick Torres in the 25th minute gave the visitors the lead, but Péguy Luyindula headed a goal in extra time to give the Red Bulls a point. New York remains winless for the 2014 campaign.