MLS: FCC Smother Timbers In Home Opener; Reds Win At Home Too On Three-Draw St. Paddy's Day

Five games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At New York:
Carlos Vela scored twice (43', PK-76') as the Los Angeles Football Club gained a 2-2 road draw with New York City.

Alexandru Mitrita (39') and Alex Ring (62') each scored once for the hosts.

At Cincinnati:

In their inaugural home opener, FC Cincinnati, with goals courtesy of Kendall Waston (15'), Allan Cruz (61'), and Mathieu Deplagne (63'), sealed their first-ever MLS victory by dominating the visiting, ten-man, Portland Timbers 3-0 in front of a capacity crowd of 32,500 at Nippert Stadium.

At Atlanta:

Ezequiel Barco's equalizer in the 70th minute lifted Atlanta United to a 1-1 home draw with the Philadelphia Union.

Brenden Aaronson scored for the guests in the 47th minute.

At Toronto:

Jozy Altidore scored the game winner in the 80th minute as Toronto FC defeated the visiting New England Revolution 3-2.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Johnny Russell's equalizer in the 88th minute lifted Sporting Kansas City to a 1-1 road draw with the Colorado Rapids.

Diego Rubio scored for the hosts (against his former club) in the 54th minute.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   DC United (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 7)
2.   Columbus (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3.   Toronto FC (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
4.   Montreal (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
5.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
6.   FC Cincinnati (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
7.   New York City FC (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
8.   Orlando City SC (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 2)
9.   Atlanta United FC (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 2)
10. Chicago (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
11. New England (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
12. Philadelphia (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

NOTES:  With DC United and Columbus level on points (7) and wins (2), DC have the superior goal differential (+7, compared to the Crew's +3); with Toronto and Montreal level on points (6) and wins (2), the Reds have the superior goal differential (+3, compared to the Impact's +2); with the New York Red Bulls and Cincinnati level on points (4) and wins (1), the Red Bulls have the superior goal differential (+3, compared to Cincy's 0); with Orlando City and Atlanta United level on points (2), wins (0), and goal differential (-2), the Lions have scored more goals than the Five Stripes (4-2); with Chicago, New England, and Philadelphia level on points (1) and wins (0), the Fire and Revolution both have a goal differential of -3, one better than the Union's -4; Chicago has scored more goals than New England (4-3).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Seattle (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2.   Los Angeles Football Club (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3.   Houston (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
4.   Minnesota United FC (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
5.   Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
6.   Kansas City (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
7.   FC Dallas (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
8.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 4)
9.   Colorado (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 2)
10. Portland (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
11. Vancouver (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
12. San Jose (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

NOTES:  With the Los Angeles Football Club and Houston level on points (7) and wins (2), LAFC have the superior goal differential (+4, compared to the Dynamo's +2); with Minnesota United and the Los Angeles Galaxy level on points (6) and wins (2), the Loons have the superior goal differential (+3, compared to the Galaxy's 0); with Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, and Real Salt Lake all level on points (4) and wins (1), Sporting KC and the Hoops both have a goal differential of +1, compared to RSL's -4; Sporting Kansas City have scored more goals than Houston (4-3); with Vancouver and San Jose level on points (0) and wins (0), the Whitecaps have the superior goal differential (-3, compared to the Earthquakes' -7).