MLS Roundup: Sounders claim Cascadia Cup

Vancouver Whitecaps 0 -- Seattle Sounders 3

Seattle claimed the Cascadia Cup and strengthened its quest for a Western Conference playoff berth with a victory at B.C. Place. The visitors enjoyed plenty of the ball from the outset and used that superiority to restrict the Whitecaps’ ability to break quickly. Andreas Ivanschitz consolidated Sounders FC’s advantage with a goal just before halftime. Gonzalo Pineda doubled the lead with his well-taken finish after 71 minutes. Obafemi Martins capped the rout -- the second posted by Seattle in Vancouver this year -- three minutes before time to pull Sounders FC four points above the red line.

New York City FC 3 -- San Jose Earthquakes 2

Ned Grabavoy continued his recent run of good form by scoring twice in NYCFC’s critical victory at Yankee Stadium. Former RSL midfielder Grabavoy struck six minutes after halftime to open the scoring and then pounced just after the hour to provide NYCFC with a firm foothold. David Villa added a third after 65 minutes to place NYCFC in firm control, but the Earthquakes mustered a response through Quincy Amarikwa and Chris Wondolowski (from the penalty spot) to set up a grandstand finish. NYCFC managed to hold out for the final quarter of an hour to stay two points behind Montréal in the race for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Montréal Impact 3 -- New England Revolution 0

The home side ended the Revolution’s six-match winning streak on a soggy night at Stade Saputo. Montréal grabbed an early foothold when Johan Venegas’ effort looped inside the far post after just five minutes. The second goal arrived on the hour after Didier Drogba’s free kick deflected off Kelyn Rowe and snuck inside the near post. Marco Donadel threw the Revolution a lifeline by procuring a straight red card for a wild tackle along the side line, but Dilly Duka secured the points with the third goal after 76 minutes. Montréal now sits one point ahead of Orlando City with three matches in hand as the race for sixth place rumbles onwards.

Real Salt Lake 3 -- LA Galaxy 0

RSL kept its flickering postseason hopes alive with a comprehensive victory over the Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium. Devon Sandoval and Juan Manuel Martinez instigated most of the problems in a complete RSL display. Sandoval handed RSL the lead after just three minutes. Javier Morales doubled the advantage from the spot just before the half-hour after Juninho slid through Martinez inside the penalty area. Sandoval quelled a modest Galaxy revival with his second goal after 53 minutes. The victory moved RSL within three points of sixth-place Portland with one more game played.

D.C. United 1 -- Columbus Crew SC 2

Crew SC dealt spiraling United another blow by collecting all three points at RFK Stadium. Both Crew SC goals emerged from familiar sources: Ethan Finlay opened the scoring just before the half-hour, while Kei Kamara increased his haul to 21 goals four minutes into the second half. Chris Rolfe halved the deficit from the spot, but Crew SC held out for a fourth win in five matches.

Toronto FC 3 -- Colorado Rapids 1

Sebastian Giovinco once again picked up the match ball as TFC ended a three-game losing streak in emphatic fashion. MLS MVP frontrunner Giovinco eased any nerves entering this important game by striking twice inside the first 20 minutes. Giovinco then prompted Damien Perquis’ third after 38 minutes to confirm TFC’s superiority. Dillon Powers mustered a response two minutes later, but the Rapids never built on that goal to revive their hopes of a result after the break. Giovinco’s heroics kept the Reds four points clear of the red line.

Chicago Fire 0 -- Orlando City 1

Bryan Rochez decided a drab affair to keep the expansion side’s hopes of a playoff berth alive at Toyota Park. Neither team produced much quality over the course of the 90 minutes, though Tally Hall did summon a fine save before the interval. Rochez eventually exposed some poor Fire defending and swept home from close range four minutes from the end. Orlando City sits one point behind sixth-place Montréal, but the Impact hold three matches in hand.