Five out of the six games on Saturday ended even, with only the Los Angeles Galaxy getting three points. Elsewhere, Vancouver put on a shock comeback against Kansas City in a six goal game.
Toronto 1 – Chivas USA 1
Chivas USA was up two minutes in at BMO Field when Alejandro Moreno took advantage of Toronto’s defense. Alan Gordon got that goal back in the 35th, and that was it for the scoring. Chivas USA had the stronger offensive display, putting seven of their eight shots on goal to Toronto’s three from six.
“Without a doubt I have to say that coming out of the game with a point on the road you have to be somewhat satisfied,” Chivas USA coach Robin Fraser said. “Having said that, I believe we created enough chances in the game and probably should have done a bit better with some of the chances we had but at the end of the day a point is better than no points.”
Vancouver 3 – Kansas City 3
Sporting Kansas City was cruising on the road at Empire Field, up three goals when Kei Kamara scored in the 63rd minute. Teal Bunbury already had two, with KC looking comfortable for the win. Atiba Harris pulled a goal back in the 72nd, but the 3-1 score line held into stoppage time. That’s when Camilo Sanvezzo decided his team really needed at least a point, scoring two stoppage time goals. Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen didn’t have an easy night, needing to make eight saves.
“I think we played very well,” Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson said. “We created a lot of chance. I was very focused at halftime to get the players to stay positive. When we went three nil down it would have been easy to give up, but we kept on going and continued to work and stayed positive as we always do. I think that paid off in the end.”
New England 1 – Portland 1
Excitement for Portland, who get their first point three weeks into the season. Down a goal on the road after Stephen McCarthy opened the scoring for the Revolution in the 21st minute, the Timbers got a 38th minute equalizer from Jack Jewsbury. Both teams had chances hit the woodwork.
New York 1 – Houston 1
The Red Bulls and the Dynamo traded goals early in the second-half to finish even in front of 13,664 at Red Bull Arena. Dane Richards scored for New York in the 47th and Cam Weaver had Houston’s equalizer in the 50th. Bouna Coundoul was in goal for New York, with Dwayne De Rosario making his first appearance subbing on at halftime a day after being traded from Toronto to the Red Bulls.
LA 1 – Philadelphia 0
Leonardo made the difference for the Galaxy with a 29th minute goal. He scored from a David Beckham service in a game where it was LA pressing the offense. Philadelphia finished with just three shots, putting two of them on goal. Donovan Ricketts picked up the shutout.
San Jose 2 – Seattle 2
In an even game, Brad Evans opened the scoring in the 17th minute. San Jose had an equalizer when new signing Simon Dawkins scored in the 32nd. It was Seattle up again through O’Brian White in the 43rd. Khari Stephenson cancelled that goal out in the 52nd minute.
“We haven’t had a good home record for a while now,” Stephenson said. “It was important to play a good team at home and come away with a draw. Starting the season of at home with two losses isn’t a good sign. It was good for us to finally get back into the game and tie it up the way we did.”
