MLS wrap: Fire fall flat against Dallas, Whitecaps sink Dynamo

FC Dallas have arrested a five-match losing streak with a valuable 2-1 away win over Chicago Fire in the MLS on Wednesday.

The win saw Dallas secure their place in the post-season, with a wildcard playoff spot a likely outcome for Schellas Hyndman’s men.

However, they may also still earn a top-three place in the Western Conference – and an automatic spot in the finals.

The Fire had not been beaten in their past four league matches, but the loss at Toyota Park all but put an end to their Eastern Conference playoff hopes.

Dallas defender Jackson Goncalves scored from a deep throw-in on 41 minutes, before Daniel Cruz doubled the visitors’ advantage eight minutes after half-time with an overhead strike.

A red card in the 79th minute to Mexican midfielder Pavel Pardo rubbed further salt into the hosts’ wounds, however hope of salvaging a point was restored when Sebastian Grazzini pulled a goal back on 86 minutes.

But 10-man Chicago could not find an equaliser, and their hopes of earning a top-five spot in the East are all but extinguished.

Chicago are seventh on the East table, one point behind DC United and six behind fifth-placed Houston Dynamo.

Meanwhile, DC United blew a chance to make ground on the Dynamo in fifth as they lost 2-1 away to the struggling Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Canadian outfit will finish bottom of the Western Conference this season, but it did not stop them from taking points off playoff aspirants United.

Brazilian striker Camilo Sanvezzo put the Whitecaps ahead in the first minute before Chinese attacker Long Tan doubled the advantage in the second half.

United pulled a goal back through defender Brandon McDonald, but it was not enough to scrape a point.

Ben Olsen’s men have a game in hand on Houston in their race for fifth spot, but still trail them by five points in the standings.