MLS Review: Five-star LAFC rout Sporting KC, Fire crush Atlanta 5-1

High-flying Los Angeles FC eased past Sporting Kansas City 5-1 in MLS, while Chicago Fire routed 10-man Atlanta United on Wednesday.

There were no surprises in Kansas City, where Supporters’ Shield leaders LAFC scored four second-half goals to complete a crushing victory midweek.

LAFC led 1-0 at half-time through Christian Ramirez’s 28th-minute opener and the visitors put Sporting KC to the sword after the break at Children’s Mercy Park.

Diego Rossi doubled the lead five minutes into the second half before Carlos Vela made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute, with Rodolfo Zelaya restoring LAFC’s three-goal advantage after Yohan Croizet pulled one back for the hosts – who had an 82nd-minute penalty saved by Pablo Sisniega.

@11carlosV putting them on ice #SKCvLAFC pic.twitter.com/zDhVvdngi1

— LAFC (@LAFC) July 4, 2019

LAFC – nine points clear in the Western Conference – added some gloss to the scoreline via Mohamed El Monir in stoppage time as Bob Bradley’s side made it nine wins in 10 games.

MLS champions Atlanta were humbled 5-1 by Chicago after playing the remaining 79 minutes with 10 men.

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez was sent off for a handball in the 11th minute as Atlanta already trailed the Fire 2-0 in Chicago.

And Frank de Boer’s men were no match for the Fire, who added another three goals before half-time via Nicolas Gaitan, Charles Sapong and Fabian Herbers.

Us: Whoa yeah four goals in one half you don’t see that very often.@fherbers9393: Hold my beer. pic.twitter.com/IxohdqzJ52

— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) July 4, 2019

Brandon Vazquez converted a penalty approaching the hour mark to pull a goal back for Atlanta, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference, while the Fire are eighth and a point adrift of the play-off places.

Elsewhere, New York City extended their unbeaten streak to 14 games in all competitions by beating Seattle Sounders 3-0, Houston Dynamo snapped their losing run with a 4-0 drubbing of New York Red Bulls, Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union were 3-1 winners over Orlando City, Minnesota United trumped San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 and Real Salt Lake edged Columbus Crew 1-0.