Vancouver Whitecaps moved within a point of a play-off position in the MLS Western Conference table thanks to a 2-1 defeat of Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.  

Ryan Gauld scored in the 23rd minute and Russell Teibert added a second for the Whitecaps in the 35th with a left-footed strike that eluded goalkeeper Tim Melia. 

Johnny Russell netted for the sixth successive game, scoring in the 43rd minute for the visitors, but that was the extent of their comeback. 

Second-placed Sporting KC (52 points) would have clinched a play-off spot via a win or a draw but will have to wait as they remain five points adrift of leaders Seattle Sounders. 

Vancouver are on 40 points, one behind seventh-placed Minnesota and two back of Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy. 

New York Red Bulls made a third-minute goal by Cristian Casseres Jr. stand up on the way to a 1-0 win over New York City that left the rivals tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. 

The two New York teams are on 40 points, one behind Montreal for the final play-off berth, and they are headed in opposite directions. 

Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last seven (5W 2D) as they seek a 12th successive play-off appearance, while New York City have won just three of their last 16 games (5D 6L).

New York City have failed to score in their last four matches and are mired in a 429-minute scoring drought stretching back to a 1-1 draw against Red Bulls on September 22. 

Sporting KC handed Seattle Sounders their first home defeat in nine matches this season, scoring twice in the first half and holding on for a 3-1 victory Sunday at Lumen Field. 

The victory brought the visitors within two points of the first-placed Sounders in the MLS Western Conference table, with one fewer match played. 

KC captain Johnny Russell set the tone in the 31st minute with a beautiful free kick from just outside the area to give the visitors the lead, and Daniel Salloi doubled the advantage before half-time. 

After Fredy Montero answered for Sounders in the 51st minute, Cameron Duke sneaked behind the defence in the 72nd minute to seal the win. 

KC are unbeaten in their last five matches and have only one loss in their last 10. 

A brace from Gustavo Bou helped New England Revolution expand their lead atop the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over Montreal. 

Kacper Przybylko found the net for the third straight game, putting home a rebound in the 85th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for Philadelphia against Inter Miami as Phil Neville's side remain bottom of the table. 

New York City FC matched their season-high in goals, scoring four times after the break in a 5-0 demolition of Orlando City. 

Ola Kamara's 27th-minute goal gave DC United a 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls. 

Sporting Kansas City moved to the top of the Western Conference after defeating LA Galaxy 2-0 in MLS on Sunday.

Sporting KC scored twice in the closing stages to see off the Galaxy in Los Angeles and leapfrog Seattle Sounders atop the west.

The Galaxy were without former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez after he was a late withdrawal prior to kick-off.

Chicharito scored a brace against San Jose Earthquakes last time out to take his total to 10 goals in 10 games this season – only four players have scored more through their first 10 appearances in an MLS campaign, Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC) in 2019, Chris Wondolowski (Earthquakes) in 2012, Landon Donovan (Galaxy) in 2008 and Roy Lassiter (DC United) in 1999, all with 11 goals.

The Galaxy felt his absence as visiting Sporting KC – who have scored an MLS-high 24 goals in 2021 – won late thanks to Johnny Russell and Khiry Shelton.

Russell broke the deadlock in the 81st minute with a looping header and Shelton made sure of the points in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Sporting KC and Seattle are level on 26 points, but the former top the Western Conference with more wins, though they have played a game extra.

The Sounders tied the MLS record with 12 unbeaten games to start the season following their 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids.

Alex Roldan put Seattle ahead four minutes before half-time, but Colorado's Michael Barrios restored parity approaching the hour-mark.

Elsewhere, lowly Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps played out a 2-2 draw.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.