MLS wrap: Sounders climb above Salt Lake

The Seattle Sounders have defeated FC Dallas 3-1 to take back second position in the MLS Western Conference from Real Salt Lake.

Trailing RSL by three points ahead of Sunday’s game, Seattle took the lead in the 33rd minute through Brad Evans’ penalty after Fredy Montero was pulled down in the area by Dallas defender Hernan Pertuz.

Dallas hit back four minutes from half-time when Ricardo’s free-kick into the penalty area was nodded down and Panamanian striker Blas Perez smashed home a half-volley.

In the 60th minute, Seattle went ahead again when Evans side-footed into the net from Christian Tiffert’s pass and the Sounders completed their win when Mauro Rosales finished off a flowing move with 12 minutes left plus stoppage time.

Sunday’s victory has taken Seattle ahead of RSL on goal difference but they remain nine points behind Western Conference-leaders San Jose Earthquakes, who drew 2-2 at home against Los Angeles Galaxy.

After a scoreless first half in San Jose, the visiting Galaxy took the lead 13 minutes after the break when Robbie Keane finished from close range.

Just three minutes later, the home side equalised thanks to a curling free-kick over the wall and into the bottom corner from Marvin Chavez.

In an exciting second half, Edson Buddle put LA again in the 69th minute with a strong header but the Earthquakes’ lead striker Chris Wondolowski again got the job done for his team, when he stooped low at a corner to nod Chavez’s corner into the net with 17 minutes to play.

In the other MLS match on Sunday, the Portland Timbers defeated arch-rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 thanks to a 39th-minute goal from Jack Jewsbury.