MLS wrap: Union thump Toronto, Galaxy lead in the West

Justin Mapp and Danny Mwanga both netted twice as the Philadelphia Union romped to a 6-2 victory away to Toronto in Saturday’s MLS action.

Philadelphia made a flying start at BMO Field, with midfielder Gabriel Farfan putting the visitors ahead in just the second minute.

Left winger Mapp claimed his first eight minutes later with a shot from outside the box.

And the match appeared over as a contest when Kyle Nakazawa made it 3-0 a minute before half-time.

Maicon Santos gave Toronto hope of staging a comeback with a quick-fire brace in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

But just three minutes after forward Santos had reduced the deficit to 3-2, Mapp weighed in with his second and Philadelphia’s fourth to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.

Congolese teenager Mwanga then got in on the act, striking on 71 and 88 minutes to cap off the rout.

The heavy win lifts Philadelphia to the top of the Eastern Conference at the expense of New York Red Bulls, who could only draw 1-1 at the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps had led at home through Eric Hassli’s 23rd-minute penalty, but striker Luke Rodgers levelled 10 minutes later to secure a point for the visiting Red Bulls.

The draw leaves Vancouver bottom of the Western Conference, still with just one victory from 12 matches of their inaugural MLS campaign.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Columbus Crew came from behind three times to draw 3-3 at home to Chivas USA.

Goals from Nick LaBrocca, Andrew Boyens and Jorge Flores gave visitors Chivas the lead three times throughout the match, but two goals from Andres Mendoza and one from Emmanuel Ekpo saw Columbus escape with honours even.

Chivas finished the match a man down after goalscorer Flores received a straight red card on 69 minutes.

A goal from Miguel Lopez-Cedron with 20 minutes remaining helped the Los Angeles Galaxy beat New England 1-0 away from home.

The win sees Galaxy extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference to seven points from second-placed Dallas.

Dallas slipped further behind after they twice surrendered the lead to draw 2-2 away to third-placed Houston Dynamo.

With just three minutes left on the clock, Colin Clark netted the equaliser for 10-man Houston, who had Kofi Sarkodie sent off in the second half.

In other matches, the San Jose Earthquakes drew 2-2 at Chicago Fire; the Seattle Sounders won 2-1 away to Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids drew 1-1 at home to Sporting Kansas City.