MLS preview: Second place up for grabs

Sporting Kansas City and the Houston Dynamo do battle for second spot in the Eastern Conference in MLS on Sunday.

Both sides failed to win their previous outings, with Sporting a point clear of Houston after their draw with DC United.

A physical Kansas City outfit broke Houston’s 36-game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win over the Dynamo on May 12.

Breaking up the game proved successful for Sporting the last time the teams met and expect similar tactics this time around.

Claudio Bieler has scored six goals for Sporting this season, but has failed to net in his past three matches.

The New York Red Bulls, who are top of the Eastern Conference, will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches when they host the Columbus Crew.

A header from Tim Cahill gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 win over Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday and the Australian and French star Thierry Henry have combined for nine goals this season.

Western Conference leaders Dallas will be looking to return to winning ways when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes.

Dallas slumped to a surprise loss to the Seattle Sounders last time out but will be confident of beating the seventh-placed Earthquakes.

Elsewhere, Marco Di Vaio’s Montreal Impact host the Philadelphia Union, who rely heavily on top-scorer Jack McInerney (eight goals).

Strugglers DC United will go in as underdogs against the Portland Timbers.

Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw will be hoping he can lead Toronto to a first win in six when they do battle with New England.

Chivas USA can climb off the bottom of the Western Conference with a win over the Colorado Rapids, while Real Salt Lake should be too good for the Chicago Fire.

The in-form Seattle Sounders, who are unbeaten in their past seven, meet the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on Sunday.