Darren Mattocks scores to help Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0

VANCOUVER – Darren Mattocks scored for the fourth time in the last five games to help the Vancouver Whitecaps beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

The Whitecaps took the lead in the 17th minute when Sporting defender Igor Juliao and goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum got their signals crossed after Vancouver’s Pedro Morales lofted a long ball toward goal. Juliao tried to head a pass back toward Gruenebaum, but it dribbled over the line.

Vancouver doubled the advantage in the 30th minute when Morales passed the ball to Mattocks, who made no mistake in slotting a low shot past a helpless Gruenebaum for his sixth goal of the season.

Chicago’s Mike Magee scored in the 38th minute to give the Fire a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls.

Sean Johnson made four saves for his fourth shutout of the season and in Chicago’s victory over New York.

New York was called for a bad tackle in the box and goalkeeper Luis Robles made the initial save on Magee’s penalty, but MaGee scored off the rebound.

At Seattle, Marco Pappa scored in the 69th minute and Gonzalo Pineda converted a penalty 6 minutes later as the Sounders beat the Houston Dynamo 2-0.

The win lifted the Sounders back to the top of the Western Conference and overall standings with 41 points.