Sporting Kansas City moved two points clear of the New York Red Bulls at the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference summit with a 2-1 victory over DC United.

Graham Zusi's 63rd-minute strike proved decisive at Livestrong Park as Sporting showed no ill-effects from their hard-fought US Open Cup triumph, when they beat the Seattle Sounders on penalties, three days ago.

Zusi had earlier provided the assist for Teal Bunbury's opener, only for Nick DeLeon to restore parity midway through the first half. Elsewhere, Western Conference-leading San Jose Earthquakes edged past Seattle 2-1 in a dramatic finish at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Simon Dawkins' 71st-minute strike looked to have been enough to win it for the Earthquakes, but substitute Fredy Montero then seemed to have nicked the Sounders a point when he equalised two minutes into stoppage time.

However, within a minute, Steven Lenhart restored San Jose's lead and this time there was no way back, meaning the Earthquakes opened up a five-point cushion over second-placed Real Salt Lake.

Victory for Vancouver, Dallas
Second-half goals from Camilo Sanvezzo and Dane Richards lifted the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 2-1 win over RSL at BC Place.

Brazilian Camilo capitalised after Will Johnson's attempted clearance had fallen kindly to him in the 58th minute and then turned provider for Richards to curl home the second six minutes later. Nat Borchers' stoppage-time header halved the deficit but it was too little, too late.

Finally, FC Dallas overcame an early deficit to sink the Colorado Rapids 3-2. Jaime Castrillon put the Rapids ahead after 12 minutes but Fabian Castillo, Jair Benitez and David Ferreira turned the match on its head.

Jeff Larentowitcz pulled a goal back for the visitors after 54 minutes, but an equaliser was not forthcoming. Their cause was hindered by the 72nd-minute dismissal of Castrillon for kicking out at Dallas defender George John.