Shelton's late goal gives NYCFC 2-2 draw with FC Dallas
NEW YORK (AP) - Khiry Shelton finished Jack Harrison's diagonal cross with a header in the 78th minute and New York City FC rescued a draw against MLS-leading FC Dallas 2-2 on Saturday, but missed the chance to go provisionally atop the Eastern Conference.
Shelton's goal helped New York City improve to 45 points and second place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Toronto which plays third-placed New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
Michael Barrios scored his ninth goal of the season in the 52nd minute to give FC Dallas a 2-1 lead. Maximiliano Urruti slotted one into the top netting from a narrow angle to make it 1-all in the 20th. Mauro Rosales assisted both FC Dallas goals.
Thomas McNamara opened the scoring in the eighth minute for NYCFC with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Both teams had late opportunities to win it but NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders deflected Tesho Akindele's attempt in the 90th and NYCFC's Steven Mendoza pulled his shot wide right in the 93rd when one-on-one with the keeper.
Former Chelsea and England star Frank Lampard left in the 42nd minute after going to the turf and holding his left calf.
At Portland, Diego Valeri and Fanendo Adi scored second-half goals to give the Portland Timbers a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
In the first minute of the half, Portland's Darren Mattocks turned past defender Keegan Rosenberry on the Philadelphia end line, then delivered a driven pass to Valeri a couple yards from goal, who directed his shot past goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Less than a minute later, Philadelphia leveled with Chris Pontius slamming a left-footed shot past Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.
Portland regained the lead in the 53rd minute, with Mattocks again setting things up. After collecting a poor clearance by Rosenberry, Mattocks attempted a 12-yard shot, which deflected off Adi and into the goal for his 15th goal of the year.
The victory gave Portland 41 points and moved it ahead of Sporting Kansas City for fifth place in the Western Conference. The loss kept Philadelphia at 41 points. The Union are fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Elsewhere, Kai Kamara scored in the first minute and Kelyn Rowe added two goals to help the New England Revolution beat the Montreal Impact 3-1. The Revolution, which lost to Dallas in the U.S. Open Cup final this week, posted a third straight win, and moved two points behind fifth-place Montreal in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Alex scored off a defensive miscue in the first half and the last-placed Houston Dynamo held on for a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, handing the Utah club its first home loss of the season.
Real Salt Lake midfielder John Stertzer turned it over deep in his own half as a result of Ricardo Clark's pressure. Alex pounced on the loose ball and free path at goal, and slotted his shot past goalkeeper Nick Rimando in the 36th minute.
Also Saturday, Ola Kamara had two goals and an assist and the Columbus Crew beat Orlando City 4-1, Seattle beat Vancouver 1-0 to keep its playoff hopes alive and the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes played out a scoreless draw.