MLS wrap: Draws for Dallas, Sporting KC

8 October 2012 06:35

FC Dallas's play-off chances are slipping away after a draw with Chivas USA while high-flying Sporting KC also drew on Sunday.

At Crew Stadium, Eddie Gaven produced a late equaliser as Columbus Crew drew 1-1 with Sporting in a dramatic Eastern Conference encounter.

Leading the way in the conference, KC started brightly as they went ahead in the 10th minute through C.J. Sapong, who initially headed into the post before smartly nodding in the rebound.

Sporting looked likely to take maximum points as their defence kept Columbus at bay for almost the entire game, but in second-half stoppage time, Gaven found space to head in what may prove a valuable equaliser.

The result sees Columbus remain sixth on the Eastern Conference table but they are now just a point adrift of fifth-placed Houston, who are occupying the final play-off position with two games to go.

Sporting, meanwhile, still occupy top spot in the Eastern Conference but are just three points ahead of second-placed Chicago after the Fire's 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls at the weekend.

In the Western Conference, FC Dallas now find themselves four points adrift of the fifth-placed Vancouver Whitecaps as their odds of making the play-offs lengthened considerably following a 1-1 draw with cellar dweller Chivas USA.

Blas Perez had given Dallas the perfect start to this encounter, however, at the Home Depot Center, putting his side ahead in the eighth minute.

But despite having it all to play for, Dallas were outgunned by Chivas for the remainder of the match as Jorge Villafana levelled the scores with 21 minutes remaining.

Dallas were probably lucky to have even held on for a point as goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was forced into numerous saves, making two crucial blocks during the last minute as his side held on for the draw.

The Seattle Sounders, meanwhile, consolidated third position in the Western Conference with a convincing 3-0 win over local rival Portland Timbers.

Second-last on the Conference table, Portland appeared to be a team almost going through the motions as they conceded a 25th-minute own goal through Mamadou Danso before Eddie Johnson doubled the advantage three minutes later.

Fredy Montero polished off the win in the 62nd minute as Seattle remain in with a chance of over-taking second-placed Real Salt Lake in the last two games.