MLS wrap: Timbers fall, Earthquakes fail to fire

An Alvaro Saborio hat-trick has lifted Real Salt Lake to a 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the MLS on Saturday.

The Costa Rican struck three times in the second half to guide Salt Lake to their first win in five games and just a point adrift of the San Jose Earthquakes at the top of the Western Conference.

Saborio nodded in Kyle Beckerman’s cross for the opener shortly before the hour mark and bettered it with a fierce header four minutes later.

The 30-year-old then scored from the spot to complete his hat-trick after a handball from Timbers defender Diego Chara, who was sent off in the 75th minute for a second yellow.

The Seattle Sounders edged the Colorado Rapids 2-1 with two goals in the second half at the CenturyLink Field.

Alvaro Fernandez and Eddie Johnson scored the goals for the Sounders before Colorado’s Omar Cummings made for a nervy finale with his 79th minute strike.

Sporting Kansas City missed the chance to go top of the Eastern Conference after a goalless draw with Houston Dynamo left them behind DC United on goal difference.

The Earthquakes could not break through on the road against Dallas in another 0-0 stalemate but remain ahead of Salt Lake with a game in hand.

Chivas USA were unable to break the 0-0 deadlock against the Vancouver Whitecaps, who sit one spot outside the top three in the Western Conference with the point.