MLS Review: Union extinguish Fire to stay top, Earthquakes extend streak

Philadelphia Union returned to winning ways to maintain their lead atop the Eastern Conference, while San Jose Earthquakes triumphed again in MLS.

The Union bounced back from their worst loss of the season – a 4-0 rout at the hands of Real Salt Lake last week – to beat Chicago Fire 2-0 on Saturday.

Philadelphia had only won one of five MLS fixtures heading into the match, but the Union consolidated top spot in the east with DC United due to play on Sunday, thanks to Marco Fabian and Anthony Fontana.

Fabian's thunderous first-time strike from outside the area put the Union ahead in the 11th minute and his second-half replacement Fontana sealed the win with 25 minutes remaining.

Don't blink or you'll miss that from @marcofabian_10!#DOOP | #PHIvCHI 1-0 pic.twitter.com/8TWo3fOVm3

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 20, 2019

San Jose extended their winning streak to three matches by overcoming lowly Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1.

The Earthquakes conceded first to the Western Conference's bottom side – Vancouver – in the seventh minute but goals from Valeri Qazaishvili, Chris Wondolowski and Magnus Eriksson saw San Jose to victory.

Elsewhere, New York City defeated 10-man Colorado Rapids 2-1, Houston Dynamo were too good for Toronto 3-1, Montreal Impact lost 2-1 against Columbus Crew, Dallas beat Sporting Kansas City 2-0 and RSL salvaged a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United.