Pro Sports

Salt Lake beat Houston 2-1, NYC FC win at home

Posted May 01, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Real Salt Lake forward Juan Martinez, center, shoots as Houston Dynamo's Collen Warner (26) and Raul Rodriguez (5) defend during the first half of an MLS soccer game Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Sandy, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press

SANDY, Utah (AP) - Real Salt Lake scored twice in eight minutes in the second half to complete a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday and grab a share of the lead in the MLS standings.

Houston went ahead in the 54th minute when Argentine winger Leonel Miranda scored with a shot that deflected off defender Jamison Olave.

Jordan Allen equalized just after the hour before Real Salt Lake's Armenian international striker Yura Movsisyan scored the winner in the 70th minute, finishing off a low cross Demar Phillips.

The win was Real Salt Lake's fourth from its last five matches and lifted the team into a three-way share of the Western Conference lead with Colorado and Dallas.

Colorado twice came back from a goal down to earn a point in a 2-2 draw away to the Eastern Conferences leader Montreal.

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba put the Impact in front when he scored from a free kick after just nine minutes before Shkelzen Gashi equalized for Colorado two minutes into the second half. Maxim Tissot restored Montreal's lead with a low-drive before Rapids defender Bobby Burling's 73rd minute tied the scores again.

Philadelphia missed its chance to leapfrog Montreal at the top of the Eastern Conference standings when it was held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man San Jose.

Philadelphia opening the scoring after half an hour through Chris Pontius and looked to be in total control when San Jose midfielder Anibal Godoy was sent off in the 59th minute for a second bookable offence. But the Earthquakes equalized seven minutes from the end when Simon Dawkins weaved his way through the Union defense.

Spanish World Cup winner David Villa scored twice in the first half as New York City FC beat Vancouver 3-2 to register its first home win of the season.

Octavio Rivero and Christian Bolonos both scored for Vancouver before Steven Mendoza scored the winner in the 73rd minute.

MLS rookie striker Jordan Morris scored three minutes before the end to give the Seattle Sounders a 1-0 victory over Columbus while Orlando City's Carlos Rivas scored in the last minute of normal time to earn his side in appoint in a 2-2 with New England and D.C. United drew 1-1 with Chicago.

Real Salt Lake's Demar Phillips, left, jumps in to the arms of Jordan Allen (70) after the team's second goal during the second half of an MLS soccer game against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Sandy, Utah. Real Salt Lake won 2-1. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) The Associated Press

New York City FC defender Ronald Matarrita, right, chases down the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps forward Erik Hurtado (19) during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in New York. NYCFC won 3-2. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) The Associated Press

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, second from left, leaps for the ball in the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Matias Laba, right, vies for the ball against New York City FC midfielder Federico Bravo (6) during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in New York. NYCFC won 3-2. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) The Associated Press

Seattle Sounders' Jordan Morris makes a shot on goal against the Columbus Crew in the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, April 30, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders beat the Crew 1-0. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) The Associated Press

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