The second week of the 2011 MLS season was completed on the weekend with a host of mixed results yet again. On Friday, Seattle Sounders managed to get their first point of the season after two opening losses when they fought back to force a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo in front of a second-straight crowd of more than 36,000 at Qwest Field.
The Dynamo opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when Geoff Cameron made the most of a half-chance with a low shot that ricocheted off Sounders defender Jeff Parke following Lovel Palmer's 30-yard thunderbolt which struck the crossbar.
Dynamo keeper Tally Hall was the man for the visitors with six vital saves as the Sounders looked as though they would endure a third match without a goal but fortunately for them, Steve Zakuani was on hand to tap home from close range after Erik Friberg's corner was not properly dealt with by the Houston defence.
In Canada, Toronto FC bounced back from their embarrassing loss to first-gamers Vancouver Whitecaps last week to defeat their fellow newcomers Portland Timbers 2-0 at BMO Field.
Dutch signing Javier Martina provided the goals for TFC with a neat 14th minute finish after receiving a lay-off from skipper Dwayne De Rosario before wrapping up proceedings 20 minutes from time with a brilliant lob over Timbers' replacement keeper Jake Gleeson following an injury to Adin Brown.
Philadelphia Union edged the Whitecaps 1-0 thanks to Carlos Ruiz's 77th minute finish in a match marred by eight yellow cards including a red to French striker Eric Hassli who scored a double on debut for the expansion franchise whilst Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls played out a scoreless draw in Ohio.
Chicago Fire and Sporting Kansas City played out the match of the round with the home side managing to hold out for a 3-2 victory at Toyota Park.
The Fire scored twice in six minutes just after the half-hour mark to take a 2-0 lead into the break and despite Sporting hitting back early in the second half, a third goal came before Teal Bunbury made it 3-2 but was unable to get his side over the line.
New England Revolution scored twice early, one a penalty converted by Shalrie Joseph, to run out 2-1 winners over DC United despite comeback kid Charlie Davies scoring his third goal of the season as San Jose Earthquakes were served by a Chris Wondolowski brace to record a 2-0 away win over FC Dallas.
Real Salt Lake produced the biggest result of the round with a 4-1 thumping of a Landon Donovan-less LA Galaxy. Javier Morales scored twice for the victors as Juan Pablo Angel marked his first Galaxy start with a goal.
And finally, reigning MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids grabbed their second win of the new season with a 1-0 away win at Chivas USA.
2011 MLS season - Week 2 scores
Seattle Sounders: 1 (Steve Zakuani 80') Houston Dynamo: 1 (Geoff Cameron 42') Qwest Field, Seattle - 36,204
Toronto FC: 2 (Javier Martina 14'/70') Portland Timbers: 0 (red card - Mikael Yourassowsky 84') BMO Field, Toronto - 20,086
Philadelphia Union: 1 (Carlos Ruiz 77') Vancouver Whitecaps: 0 (red card - Eric Hassli 57') PPL Park, Chester - 18,591
Chicago Fire: 3 (Diego Chaves 34', Gaston Puerari 40', Marco Pappa 60') Sporting Kansas City: 2 (Matt Besler 51', Teal Bunbury 72') Toyota Park, Chicago - 12,157
Columbus Crew: 0 New York Red Bulls: 0 Crew Stadium, Columbus
New England Revolution: 2 (Zack Schilawski 8', Shalrie Joseph 17') DC United: 1 (Charlie Davies 90+1') (red card - Dejan Jakovic 90+3') Gillette Stadium, Foxborough - 12,914
FC Dallas: 0 San Jose Earthquakes: 2 (Chris Wondolowski 5'/23') Pizza Hut Park, Frisco - 11,022
Real Salt Lake: 4 (Andy Williams 2', Javier Morales 10'/41', Paulo Araujo Jr 68') LA Galaxy: 1 (Juan Pablo Angel 79') Rio Tinto Stadium, Utah - 20,507
Chivas USA: 0 Colorado Rapids: 1 (Quincy Amarikwa 32') Home Depot Center, Carson - 13,027