Richards, Stephenson score in drawn matches in MLS
NEW YORK CITY, USA (CMC) — All three matches in which Caribbean-born players scored ended in draws in Major League Soccer on Saturday.
Jamaican Dane Richards continued his impressive form in front of the goal with an early second half strike, but Cam Weaver spoiled the New York Red Bulls’ party, as Houston Dynamo survived a wild finish for a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena.
Fellow Jamaican Khari Stephenson came on at the half and powered home a blistering 35-yard shot in the 52nd minute to give San Jose a 2-2 draw against visiting Seattle at Buck Shaw Stadium.
And St Kitts & Nevis striker Atiba Harris sparked a wild comeback for the Vancouver Whitecaps to earn a 3-3 draw with Sporting Kansas City at Empire Field.
In Harrison, New Jersey, Richards breathed life into a lacklustre affair, which remained goalless throughout the first half.
Richards took control of the ball along the left side of the Dynamo box, after Dwayne De Rosario sliced it to him from the middle of the field.
The Jamaican forward gave himself time and space with a cutback, and rifled his shot past goalkeeper Tally Hall in the 47th minute.
Three minutes later however, the Dynamo, whose line-up included Jamaican midfielder Lovel Palmer, were back on level terms, when Weaver tapped-in a stray ball to grab a share of the points for the visitors.
In Santa Clara, California, Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller got his left hand to Stephenson’s rocket, but couldn’t stop it from zipping into the upper 90.
The strike also earned the Quakes a share of the points, after Brad Evans and O’brian White had scored either side of Simon Dawakins’ 32nd minute tally to give the Sounders a 2-1 halftime lead.
In the Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Harris featured in easily the most compelling match that was contested on the day.
After a scoreless first half, the Whitecaps appeared buried, when Kei Kamara struck in the 62nd minute to follow up a brace from Teal Bunbury in a stunning 16-minute spell to give Kansas City a 3-0 lead.
But Harris revived the Whitecaps’ fortunes, when substitute Nizar Khalfan sped down the left flank, and found him a yard from goal to cut the deficit.
Harris nearly had another 10 minutes from time, when wBrazilian striker Camilo found him six yards from goal, but KC net-minder Jimmy Nielsen made a brilliant save to preserve the two-goal lead.
Camilo rocked KC, however, with two stoppage goals that earned the home team a share of the points.
Khari Stephenson (left), of the San Jose Earthquakes celebrates after scoring a goal with teammate Brandon McDonald against the Seattle Sounders FC during an MLS game at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday in Santa Clara, California. (Photo: AFP)