Major Impact in MLS chase
The Revolution lost ground to Montreal last night in the race for the final MLS playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
While the Revs saw a lead vanish in a 1-1 home draw against Portland, the Impact enjoyed a much better home encounter. French defenders Rod Fanni and Bacary Sagna each scored on headers, Ignacio Piatti added a third and Montreal beat the MLS-leading New York Red Bulls, 3-0.
Both Frenchmen scored their first goals for the Impact (11-14-3), who moved six points ahead of the Revs in sixth place in the East. The Red Bulls (17-7-4) had a four-game road unbeaten streak snapped . . . .
The Philadelphia Union remained nine points clear of the Revs with a 2-2 draw at Orlando City. But the visitors blew a chance to go 11 points up, as Fabrice-Jean Picault gave the Union (12-11-4) a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute, only for Scott Sutter to tie it in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to end the Union’s four-match winning streak . . . .
In Columbus, Ohio, Harrison Afful and Justin Meram scored in the second half to help the Crew (12-8-7) beat New York City FC, 2-1. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi opened the scoring for NYCFC (14-7-6) in the 53rd minute.
Pair stay perfect
Liverpool survived a major gaffe by new keeper Alisson to remain perfect in English Premier League play.
After a pass-back, Alisson attempted to drag the ball back between his legs to outsmart Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho. But it got caught in his feet, he was dispossessed, and ended up conceding a goal in embarrassing fashion.
The Reds still held on to win 2-1 and maintain its 100 percent start to the season, thanks to first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
They are one of two teams on 12 points from four games. Chelsea is the other after beating Bournemouth 2-0 at home, thanks to second-half goals by Pedro Rodriguez and Eden Hazard.
Manchester City, the defending champions, beat Newcastle 2-1 to remain two points off the pace, despite American DeAndre Yedlin’s first EPL goal for the Magpies. Kyle Walker broke a 1-1 tie when he rifled home a 30-yard blast in the 52nd minute.
Real nice win for Madrid
Karim Benzema scored twice to lead Real Madrid over Leganes, 4-1, in the Spanish league, including one goal awarded by an overrule from the video assistant referee. Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos scored the other goals for Madrid.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid lost its first match of the season after going down at Celta Vigo, 2-0. Striker Maxi Gomez had a goal and assist for the victors.
Juventus keeps rolling
Cristiano Ronaldo is still scoreless after three matches with Juventus, but the Italian powerhouse club stayed perfect as Mario Mandzukic scored one and set up another as the Bianconeri won at promoted Parma, 2-1 . ...
Leon Goretzka scored his first goal for Bayern Munich and set up another to lead the defending champions to a 3-0 win at Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga.
Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller also scored and set up goals as Bayern delivered a statement of intent with a cohesive performance to end Stuttgart coach Tayfun Korkut’s sevengame unbeaten run at home . ...
Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant goahead goal in the 72nd minute and got sent off right at the end of Paris SaintGermain’s pulsating 4-2 win at Nimes in the French league.
PSG has won all four games and leads Dijon and Toulouse by three points.