Seattle Sounders returned to the top of the Western Conference after ending the Colorado Rapids' 12-match unbeaten streak in a comprehensive 3-0 win in MLS action on Sunday.

Cristian Roldan, Jimmy Medranda and Joao Paolo scored in a three-goal first half to inspire the Sounders against the Rapids in Seattle.

The Rapids were enjoying their second-best unbeaten run in club history, only behind the 15-game undefeated streak from April 2016 to July 2016.

But Colorado came unstuck away to the Sounders at Lumen Field, where Roldan broke the deadlock in the second minute before Medranda and Paolo's moment of individual brilliance made it 3-0 prior to half-time.

The Sounders are top of the west, two points clear of Sporting Kansas City, who beat Houston Dynamo 4-2 behind Daniel Salloi's magical performance (one goal and an assist) and Johnny Russell's brace.

Entering the contest, Salloi and Russell had been directly involved, either together or individually, in Sporting KC's previous seven goals (Salloi three goals, Russell three goals and two assists). At least one of those two players had scored or assisted on 19 of the 23 goals Kansas City scored since late July.

David Beckham's Inter Miami and their hopes of featuring in the play-offs were dealt a blow following a 1-0 defeat to Portland Timbers.

Jaroslaw Niezgoda struck to extend Portland's unbeaten run to eight matches, including seven wins, and condemn Inter Miami to a fourth consecutive loss.

Inter Miami are eight points adrift of the post-season places in the Eastern Conference with seven fixtures remaining, while the fourth-placed Timbers are seven points clear of Real Salt Lake in the battle for home-field advantage.

Elsewhere, 10-man Philadelphia Union were 3-0 winners over defending champions Columbus Crew, Toronto defeated Chicago Fire 3-1 and New York City drew 0-0 with Nashville, while the El Trafico derby between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC ended 1-1.

Portland Timbers continued their impressive form with a 6-1 demolition of Real Salt Lake in MLS, while Philadelphia Union edged Atlanta United.

Sibling pair Diego and Yimmi Chara were among the goals as the Timbers – unbeaten in six matches – eased past RSL at Providence Park on Saturday.

Felipe Mora, Dairon Asprilla, Jaroslaw Niezgoda and Cristhian Paredes also scored for the Timbers, who have netted in 16 consecutive matches against RSL (including play-offs) – the second longest streak against any opponent in their history, behind the 17 straight versus Dallas from August 2012 to March 2018.

The Timbers led 2-1 at half-time before putting RSL to the sword in the second period to match their six-game unbeaten streak from September-October last season.

Portland are fourth in the Western Conference, six points behind leaders Sporting Kansas City, while RSL occupy the seventh and final play-off position in the west.

Los Angeles FC are three points outside the top seven following their 2-0 defeat to San Jose Earthquakes, while Vancouver Whitecaps are also on 33 points after topping Dallas 1-0.

The Union defeated Atlanta 1-0 thanks to Kacper Przybylko's goal with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Back-to-back wins sent Philadelphia up to fourth in the Eastern Conference as Atlanta's three-game winning streak came to an end to leave them eighth in the east and outside the post-season positions.

In other results, Supporters' Shield leaders New England Revolution were 2-1 winners over Orlando City.

The Revolution extended their MLS single-season record for wins by one-goal margins to 16. Nine of New England's last 10 MLS victories have come by a one-goal margin.

It continued Orlando's misery against New England – the team have never won at the Revolution (D1 L5), the only side they have visited more than three times without recording a victory in MLS play.

DC United prevailed 4-2 against FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls overcame rivals New York City 1-0, defending champions Columbus Crew won 2-1 against Montreal, Houston Dynamo lost 2-0 to Minnesota United, while Colorado Rapids and Toronto played out a 0-0 draw.

Emanuel Reynoso scored a double to breathe life into Minnesota United's playoffs hopes whilst denting LA Galaxy's with a 3-0 victory in the MLS on Saturday.

Reynoso scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to set up the triumph which lifts United up to sixth spot after they had suffered back-to-back defeats.

The Argentine fired in a low left-foot shot to open the scoring in the fourth minute before jinking inside and netting from similar range in the 20th minute to double the lead.

United goalkeeper Tyler Miller saved well to deny Dejan Joveljic prior to half-time, before Ethan Finlay got in behind the Galaxy defence from Franco Frangapane's pass to add a third in the 66th minute.

The result sees Minnesota move up to sixth in the Western Conference with 34 points, while Galaxy stay fourth but are winless from their past six games.

Runaway league leaders New England were held to a 1-1 home draw with Columbus Crew.

Polish attacker Adam Buksa netted a 62nd minute equalizer after US international Gyasi Zardes had put Crew ahead in the 58th minute.

Zardes had missed a gilt-edged header in the 22nd minute but he took his opportunity early in the second half from Harrison Afful's cross.

Buksa levelled, swooping on a poor Jonathan Mensah pass in defence, handing the Pole a sniff on goal which he converted with a left-foot shot.

An injured Eloy Room made two crucial late saves to deny Buksa a winner as the Crew held on.

Struggling Austin slumped to a fifth straight defeat after blowing a 3-1 second-half lead to lose 4-3 to San Jose Earthquakes.

The Earthquakes scored three goals in 14 second-half minutes to complete the comeback headlined by Javier Lopez's double.

New York City firmed up their grip on a playoffs spot after a 2-1 win away to Cincinnati who were reduced to nine men after red cards to Alvaro Barreal and Isaac Atanga.

Damir Kreilach's early second-half goal was enough to get Real Salt Lake past Seattle Sounders 1-0, while Houston Dynamo won 3-2 over Dallas in the Texas derby.

Lowly Toronto ended their six-game losing run with a shock 2-1 home win over Nashville, while Atlanta United secured their third straight triumph with a 3-2 victory over DC United.

Christian Makoun converted an injury-time penalty as David Beckham's in-form Inter Miami edged 10-man Toronto 1-0 in MLS.

With Tuesday's contest seemingly heading for a draw, Inter Miami's Makoun stepped up and scored a spot-kick in the 95th minute.

Unbeaten in six matches, Inter Miami – co-owned by former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England star Beckham – have won three consecutive matches for the first time in their history as they moved into the Eastern Conference play-off positions.

Toronto had just 15 points through 23 matches entering the matchup. Only five teams in MLS history have had fewer points at this stage of a season, most recently DC United in 2013 (13).

Kemar Lawrence was sent off in the 37th minute but Toronto thought they had snatched a winner with two minutes of regulation remaining when the hosts believed Jacob Shaffelburg's rebound crossed the line.

Inter Miami went up the other end and claimed all three points in the fifth minute of stoppage time – Makoun fouled by Chris Mavinga before tucking away the last-gasp penalty.

Following four consecutive clean sheets – a club first, Inter Miami are fifth in the east with 32 points from 23 rounds, while Toronto sit bottom after six straight defeats and nine games without a win.

Elsewhere, New York City and Dallas played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.

New York – fourth in the Eastern Conference – led 2-1 and 3-2 but had to settle for a point in a see-sawing contest at Red Bull Arena.

As for MLS champions Columbus Crew, they overcame New York Red Bulls 2-1 thanks to an 88th-minute goal via substitute Miguel Berry.

Gonzalo Higuain scored the winner as resurgent Inter Miami continued their excellent run of form with a fifth straight home win beating Columbus Crew 1-0 in the MLS on Saturday.

Higuain struck the winner in the 16th minute for Inter who have claimed 13 points from their past five matches to surge up to ninth in the Eastern Conference.

Inter had endured a six-game losing span in May and June but Phil Neville's side have bounced back, losing only once in their past 10.

The former Real Madrid forward swooped on a wayward back pass from Josh Williams, taking a touch inside the box and dinking a shot over Crew keeper Eloy Room, with Vito Wormgoor unable to clear it on the line.

New England maintained their stronghold on the lead at the top of the table with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over 10-man New York City.

Santiago Rodriguez had put City ahead with an 11th-minute volley before Revolution midfielder Emmanuel Boateng drive in a low leveller 10 minutes later. Tom McNamara may have put New England ahead when he hit the post late in the half.

Alfredo Morales was sent off for a second bookable offence, an heavy tackle on McNamara, early in the second half.

New England capitalized with in-form Tajon Buchanan coming up with a 65th minute winner from Carles Gil's assist.

Nashville maintained their strong season with a 1-0 victory on the road over Montreal after Walker Zimmerman's glancing 66th-minute header, keeping them second in the Eastern Conference behind New England.

Sporting KC struck twice inside the first 10 minutes from Jose Mauri and Johnny Russell as they won 2-0 over Chicago Fire to stay in touch with Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders.

Colorado Rapids squandered an opportunity to temporarily go top in the west after Samuel Grandsir's late equalizer for LA Galaxy in a 1-1 draw. The Rapids instead slip to third below KC.

Seattle Sounders remained first in the west with a 1-0 home win over Minnesota United thanks to Joao Paulo's 22nd-minute strike.

Teenage sensation Ricardo Pepi scored his 12th goal of the season as Dallas drew 1-1 with San Jose Earthquakes, while lowly Houston Dynamo won 3-0 over fellow Texas outfit Austin.

New York Red Bulls continue to struggle for wins, only managing a 1-1 home draw with DC United after a controversial penalty award for a Sean Nealis handball.

Cincinnati snapped their three-game losing run with a 2-0 home win over struggling Toronto, who have lost five in a row.

Junior Urso scored a late winner after Orlando City had blown a two-goal lead to claim second spot in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 triumph over Columbus Crew.

Former Manchester United winger Nani had set up Daryl Dike for a 26th-minute opener with a tackle-cum-pass before Silvester van der Water doubled Orlando's lead three minutes later with a cross which eluded everyone.

But the visitors rallied after the break with a double strike inside three minutes, firstly with Antonio Carlos' 52nd-minute own goal.

Minutes later Lucas Zelarayan picked out Derrick Etienne Jr who cushioned a pass into the box for Miguel Berry to equalize.

Orlando grabbed all three points with Dike laying back a pass for Junior Urso to lash home a 69th-minute winner from the edge of the box.

The result moves Orlando above Nashville into second spot in the east with 38 points from 22 games, having gone six games unbeaten in the MLS.

Inter Miami continued their excellent recent form after Brek Shea's 90th-minute winner earned them a 1-0 victory away to Cincinnati.

The result extends Phil Neville's side's unbeaten run to four games and means they have lost only once in their past nine, climbing up to 10th spot in the east.

Dominique Badji also netted a late winner, scoring in the 89th minute to lift the Colorado Rapids into second in the west with a 1-0 victory at San Jose Earthquakes.

Real Salt Lake came from a goal down early to win 3-2 over Dallas, while Vancouver Whitecaps scored twice in the final 20 minutes to beat struggling Austin 2-1.

Substitute Miguel Berry scored twice in a 78-second span to give Columbus Crew a stunning 3-2 win over Cincinnati in MLS on Friday. 

Columbus had lost six in a row and appeared on the verge of another defeat, trailing 2-1 at home after Isaac Atanga's 74th-minute goal gave Cincinnati the lead. 

Berry had come on for Shaun Wright-Phillips a minute earlier, and he soon became the hero of the hour for the Crew. 

The 23-year-old put home a rebound from a Pedro Santos shot in the 81st minute, then watched another rebound from an Alex Matan effort bounce off his chest and into the net less than two minutes later.

Columbus earned their first win since July 24 while Cincinnati saw their winless run extended to 11 (4L, 7D).

Montreal rolled to a 3-1 defeat of Toronto as the visitors were forced to play with 10 men for nearly the entire game.

Noble Okello picked up a straight red card after five minutes, condemning the visitors to a fourth straight defeat. 

Samuel Piette, Joaquin Torres and Romell Quioto scored for Montreal, the latter two goals proving the difference after Ifunanyachi Achara had equalised for Toronto in the 58th minute. 

Inter Miami earned a 0-0 draw at Orlando City thanks in part to Nick Marsman's first-half save of a Tesho Akindele penalty kick. 

It was just the second clean sheet of the season for Phil Neville's side, while Orlando City are now unbeaten in six matches (2W, 4D).

Seattle Sounders leapfrogged Sporting Kansas City atop the Western Conference thanks to Raul Ruidiaz's moment of brilliance, while the resurgence of Atlanta United continued.

Super sub Ruidiaz came off the bench and scored a delightful game-winning goal just past the hour-mark as the Sounders downed Dallas 1-0 in MLS on Wednesday.

The Sounders were winless in 10 consecutive visits to Dallas (D3 L7, including play-offs) dating back to 2014 – their second-longest winless away run against a single opponent in MLS (11 straight at LA Galaxy from 2010 to 2015).

But Seattle snapped that skid thanks to Ruidiaz as Sporting KC's 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers allowed the Sounders to move top of the west by one point.

Atlanta extended their winning streak to three matches after Ezequiel Barco's first-half goal secured a 1-0 win at home to Toronto.

Since the sacking of head coach Gabriel Heinze following a falling out with star Josef Martinez, Atlanta – who had won successive matches for the first time since the opening two games of the 2020 season entering the fixture – have steadily climbed the table.

Atlanta are three points outside of the play-off positions in the Eastern Conference, which is topped by New England Revolution – 3-2 victors against DC United despite ending the contest with 10 men.

Elsewhere, Rodolfo Pizarro's stoppage-time winner guided Inter Miami to a dramatic 3-2 win against Chicago Fire midweek.

Pizarro struck in the 93rd minute to clinch a third straight home triumph for David Beckham's Inter Miami, who have now lost just once in their last six games.

Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls were 1-0 winners over New York City and Columbus Crew respectively, Vancouver Whitecaps topped Austin 2-1, Real Salt Lake defeated Houston Dynamo by the same scoreline, 10-man Montreal drew 0-0 with Cincinnati, while Nashville and Orlando City played out a 1-1 draw.

Fredy Montero and Raul Ruidiaz scored twice as Seattle Sounders crushed Portland Timbers 6-2 in another memorable MLS clash.

The Cascadia derby did not disappoint on Sunday, with the Sounders snapping a three-game winless streak behind Montero and Ruidiaz.

Entering the fixture, the slumping Sounders had won three of their last four away matches against the Timbers (L1) after winning just three of the first 14 MLS encounters in Portland (D3 L8, including play-offs).

Montero scored twice inside the opening 29 minutes to put the Sounders in control before Sebastian Blanco and George Fochive restored parity for the Timbers by the 52nd-minute mark at Providence Park.

Beginning with the 2018 playoffs, Ruidiaz had scored (eight) or assisted (two) on 10 of the Sounders' last 14 goals against the Timbers, including seven of eight goals in Portland (five goals and two assists) during that time.

Ruidiaz turned Sunday's match on its head with a stunning brace, including his memorable 55th-minute free-kick.

Jimmy Medranda's thunderous 77th-minute volley and Nicolas Benezet's stoppage-time effort completed the rout.

Seattle are second in the Western Conference, only a point behind Sporting Kansas City after 19 games, while Portland are eighth.

Elsewhere, Josef Martinez celebrated a long-awaited home goal as Atlanta United edged Los Angeles FC 1-0.

Martinez had not scored at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since October 2019, but the Venezuelan star ended his drought in the 47th minute.

Nashville are third in the Eastern Conference following their 5-2 drubbing of DC United – a victory inspired by CJ Sapong's brace, while snapping DC United's five-game unbeaten streak.

Chicago Fire topped defending champions Columbus Crew 1-0 via Luka Stojanovic's winner with 15 minutes remaining.

Former Manchester United winger Nani scored his ninth goal of the MLS season as Orlando City missed the chance to close the gap at the top after a 1-1 draw at Cincinnati on Saturday.

Cincinnati, who were winless in their past seven games coming in, opened the scoring in the 42nd minute from Brazilian attacker Brenner.

Nani levelled moments after being brought into the game as a 55th-minute substitute, driving forward and firing in a low left-foot pinpoint shot.

The result means back-to-back draws for Orlando who are second in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind leaders New England.

Third-placed New York City blew an early two-goal lead to draw 2-2 away to Toronto.

Santiago Rodriguez and Ismael Tajouri had put City up 2-0 inside 21 minutes but Toronto netted twice after the break.

Richie Laryea pulled one back in the 49th minute before reigning MVP Alejandro Pozuela equalised in the 55th minute with a tap in.

Portland Timbers beat Real Salt Lake 3-2 in a see-sawing contest with Felipe Mora netting the eventual winner.

Columbus Crew suffered their third straight defeat as Ezequiel Barco netted a double for Atlanta City in a 3-2 win.

Dallas continued their good run of recent form, claiming their third win in four games, with a 2-0 triumph over Austin.

Minnesota United won 2-0 over Houston Dynamo, while Colorado Rapids drew 0-0 with Western Conference leaders Sporting KC.

Sporting KC scored three first-half goals on their way to a 4-1 win at LAFC to claim top spot in the Western Conference in the MLS on Wednesday.

Alan Pulido, Luis Martins and Daniel Salloi all scored within 16 minutes as KC raced to a 3-0 lead. Salloi's classy volley took his tally to nine goals this MLS season.

Israeli midfielder Gadi Kinda added a fourth in the 58th minute with Graham Zusi getting his second assist, before LAFC got a consolation from Danny Musovski.

The win lifted Sporting KC past Seattle Sounders who conceded in the 90th minute to draw 1-1 at home with Dallas.

Fredy Montero had put the Sounders ahead in the 72nd minute with a set-piece header but Dallas equalised from Franco Jara's 90th-minute close-range strike.

Sporting KC are ahead of Seattle on goal difference, with both sides having 33 points, although the leaders have a game in hand.

LA Galaxy are third following a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, secured by Efrain Alvarez's cool 53rd-minute winner.

Eastern Conference leaders New England extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 0-0 draw against Nashville, who slip to fourth despite the result.

The draw also extends Nashville's undefeated streak to nine games.

Former England international Kieran Gibbs netted a 66th-minute equaliser to earn Inter Miami a 1-1 draw away to fellow Florida outfit Orlando City. The goal was Gibbs' first in the MLS.

Philadelphia Union ended their three-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Toronto after three first-half strikes.

Ola Kamara and Yordy Reyna both netted doubles as DC United won 4-2 over Columbus Crew.

Tomas Pochettino scored a first-half brace as struggling Austin won 3-2 over Houston Dynamo.

Chicago Fire and 10-man New York City played out a goalless draw, while New York Red Bulls and Cincinnati also ended 0-0 and Portland Timbers drew 1-1 with San Jose Earthquakes.

Former Manchester United winger Nani scored a last-gasp winner to lift Orlando City past Atlanta United 3-2 in the MLS on Friday.

The Portuguese got on the end of Dutchman Silvester van der Water's 87th-minute cross for the winner which keeps Orlando in touch with Eastern Conference leaders New England.

Atlanta had taken a first-minute lead from Josef Martinez's perfectly placed long-range effort, but Kyle Smith equalised on the stroke of half-time from Nani's corner.

Marcelino Moreno restored United's lead in the 66th minute with a stunning curling strike from outside of the box.

Orlando put together a fine team goal to square the game up in the 79th minute as van der Water headed in Benji Michel's pass.

The Dutch substitute would then provide the pass for Nani's decisive goal, which was his seventh strike of the season.

New York City stayed close behind Orlando in the Eastern Conference with their third consecutive win, a 4-1 victory over Columbus Crew.

City piled on the style, racing to a 2-0 half-time lead after strikes from Valentin Castellanos's early header and Thiago's chip.

Keaton Parks added a third with a deft 51st-minute touch, meaning it was the first time all season Columbus had conceded three goals in a game.

Santiago Rodriguez bundled in from close-range albeit requiring a VAR review, before Pedro Santos' consolation penalty.

LA Galaxy, without Javier Hernandez, cruised past Portland Timbers 4-1 to solidify their grip on third in the west.

Malagasy midfielder Rayan Raveloson pulled off a spectacular overheard volley to open the scoring.

Arnor Traustason netted a brace as New England Revolution piled on four first-half goals in a 5-0 thrashing of struggling Inter Miami in the MLS on Wednesday.

The Revolution improved their record, with back-to-back wins, to the best in the MLS with 30 points from 15 games, sitting atop the Eastern Conference.

Inter are bottom of the east, with only eight points from 14 games, having lost their past six.

Carles Gil provided the assist, his 11th of the season, for Traustason's 15th-minute header, before Teal Bunbury fired in a 27th minute goal from Inter goalkeeper Nick Marsman's parry.

Icelandic midfielder Traustason grabbed his second in the 36th minute, whipping in a shot after a goalmouth scramble from a corner.

Gil was crafty on the right side of the box before setting up another goal with Adam Buksa lashing home a fine volley on the stroke of half-time.

Buksa grabbed a double in the 83rd minute as Gustavo Bou put him into space with the Polish striker finishing with class.

Without Javier Hernandez, LA Galaxy came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw away to Real Salt Lake.

Albert Rusnak and Maikel Chang had scored inside the opening 25 minutes to give RSL a 2-0 lead.

Victor Vazquez pulled one back with a top-corner strike in the 33rd minute, before RSL keeper David Ochoa had spectacularly saved a second-half Rayan Raveloson header.

But Madagascar talent Raveloson headed in a 77th-minute equaliser to earn a share of the spoils.

DC United scored twice in the final 10 minutes to rescue a 2-2 draw at struggling Chicago Fire.

Gaston Gimenez's 32nd-minute strike, on his return from the Copa America, and Andy Najar's 61st-minute own goal had Chicago on track but United hit back late.

In the 82nd minute, Yordy Reyna laid off for Kevin Paredes who fired in off the post, before Ola Kamara converted an 87th-minute penalty.

Hungarian forward Daniel Salloi netted a 94th minute equalizer for high-flying Sporting KC to claim a 1-1 home draw with 10-man San Jose Earthquakes who are winless in 10.

Salloi forced home a rebound after Johnny Russell's free-kick hit the woodwork after Nathan had headed the Earthquakes ahead from a corner against the run of play early in the second half.

Felipe Mora glanced on a late winner for Portland Timbers to edge Los Angeles FC 2-1 after Carlos Vela had earlier squared up following Diego Valeri's 100th goal for the club.

Colorado Rapids eased past Dallas 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run, Cincinnati drew 1-1 with Atlanta United and Columbus Crew and Nashville played out a goalless draw.

Toronto drew 1-1 with New York Red Bulls, while New York City edged Montreal 1-0.

Montreal twice rallied from two-goal deficits and beat Cincinnati 5-4 Saturday in Major League Soccer. 

Montreal trailed 2-0 after 14 minutes and 4-2 after 46 minutes, but Ahmed Hamdi scored twice in the final 16 minutes to give the home side a wild victory. 

In Nashville, Hany Mukhtar scored in the 10th, 13th and 16th minutes on the way to a 5-1 rout of Chicago Fire. 

The six-minute span was the second-shortest for a hat-trick in MLS history after LA Galaxy's Harut Karapetyan needed just five minutes to score three in a 1998 match.

Gustavo Bou's team-leading seventh goal gave New England Revolution a 1-0 win at Atlanta United, snapping a three-game win drought for the Eastern Conference leaders. 

Second-half goals from Deiber Caicedo and Cristian Dajome gave Vancouver just their third win from 13 games this season, a 2-1 triumph over LA Galaxy. 

Darlington Nagbe's impressive individual effort opened the scoring in a 2-1 Columbus Crew win over New York City FC. 

Nani's 77th-minute penalty gave Orlando City a 1-1 draw with Toronto after Jozy Altidore had opened the scoring five minutes earlier, while Cole Bassett's second-half goal for Colorado Rapids earned a 1-1 draw against San Jose.

Kacper Przybylko's 83rd-minute decider gave Philadelphia Union a 2-1 victory over DC United, while Jeremy Ebobisse scored in the 84th minute to lift Portland past Dallas 1-0. 

Carlos Vela's left-footed rocket in the 79th minute was the difference in LAFC's 2-1 home win over Real Salt Lake. 

The New York Red Bulls-Inter Miami match was postponed due to weather. 

MLS' last fixture before the international break proved a feisty one, with 10-man Columbus Crew coming back to draw 2-2 with rivals FC Cincinnati.

Aiming for their third win in four games, Jaap Stam's Cincinnati team were ahead inside 24 seconds when Edgar Castillo's powerful effort found the roof of the net, sending the huge crowd at TQL Stadium into raptures.

It marked Castillo's first strike in three seasons, as well as bringing up the fastest goal of the 2021 MLS campaign.

Lucho Acosta's third goal for Cincinnati – who recorded their first win over the Crew last season – put the hosts 2-0 ahead before the half-hour mark, and Columbus seemed all but down and out when Harrison Afful received his second yellow card in the 42nd minute.

Yet Caleb Porter's team hit back in stoppage time, Lucas Zelarayan's wonderful long-range effort leaving Kenneth Vermeer flat-footed as it found the bottom-left corner.

It was a momentum the Crew carried with them into the second half and, in the 77th minute, substitute Miguel Berry tucked in his first MLS goal to restore parity.

Though no doubt disappointed to miss out on a morale-boosting win, the draw does at least snap a six-match losing streak at home for Cincinnati, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference.

They are three places and five points shy of the Crew, whose focus now will be on pushing for a playoff spot.