SOCCER
Sporting KC, Colorado Rapids claim MLS play-off places
Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids clinched their places in the MLS play-offs on Saturday, as New England Revolution were confirmed as Supporters' Shield winners.
Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids earned Major League Soccer play-off berths on Saturday, while New England Revolution clinched the Supporters' Shield, awarded to the regular season's top-performing side.
Sporting KC, Colorado wins secure play-off spots
Johnny Russell's 79th-minute goal gave Sporting KC a 2-1 win away to Seattle Sounders, locking up a play-off spot for the second-placed team in the Western Conference table as Russell netted for the seventh straight game.
Colorado are also in after defeating Portland Timbers 2-0 behind goals from Dominique Badji and Diego Rubio.
New England guaranteed to top overall MLS standings
The Seattle loss ensured New England, who face Orlando City on Sunday, will finish atop the overall table. The Revs are on 69 points, 20 points clear of Philadelphia and Nashville in the Eastern Conference and 11 clear of Seattle overall.
Nashville miss opportunity to secure postseason place
Nashville had a chance to clinch the play-offs with a win but fell 1-0 to Philadelphia Union on Kacper Przybylko's first-half penalty.
Inter Miami got a goal and three assists from Gonzalo Higuaín, while his brother Federico also found the net in a 5-1 rout of Cincinnati, who lost their ninth in a row.
Toronto dealt a blow to rival Montreal's play-off hopes as Jozy Altidore's free kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time secured a 1-1 draw after Sunusi Ibrahim had netted in the 55th minute for the visitors.
Minnesota and LAFC also finished at 1-1, as did San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps.
New York City crushed DC United 6-0 and Sean Nealis' 87th-minute goal lifted New York Red Bulls past Columbus Crew 2-1.
Sebastian Lletget's brilliant 83rd-minute equaliser gave LA Galaxy a 2-2 draw with Dallas, while Chicago Fire downed Real Salt Lake 1-0.