MLS Review: Altidore red and Rooney heroics lead to drama-filled Sunday

MLS Review: Altidore red and Rooney heroics lead to drama-filled Sunday image

For a night with only three matches on tap, MLS saw more than a little bit of drama on Sunday. 

The day kicked off with a showdown between Toronto FC and New York City FC in the Eastern Conference, and just 11 minutes in the game turned on its head when Jozy Altidore was sent off for kicking out at Alex Callens after the two clashed near the sidelines. 

Devoid of one of its top goalscoring threats, the Canadian club found itself down a goal as well as down a man four minutes later when David Villa scored on his return to action to put NYCFC out in front. 

Sebastian Giovinco hit back for Toronto in the 27th minute, but Ismael Tajouri-Shradi put New York back in front before halftime. 

TFC was far from out of the match however, and a brave header from Victor Vazquez had the clubs back level soon after the break, with the home side holding firm for much of the second half despite the numerical disadvantage. 

But Tajouri-Shradi was not to be denied, with his late stunner giving New York a 3-2 win on the night, leaving Toronto with plenty of work to do in the closing weeks of the regular season if the club wants a shot at defending its MLS Cup crown. 

The defending champion currently sits seven points back of the sixth and final playoff spot in the East with just 11 matches remaining. 

The wild night continued as Wayne Rooney came up with a moment of magic for D.C. United in a 3-2 win over Orlando City. 

Rooney helped get the night started by setting up Luciano Acosta deep into first-half stoppage time, but a David Ousted own goal had the Lions back level shortly after the break. 

Orlando's Cristian Higuita was sent off soon after and Acosta had the home side back in front just after the hour mark, only to see Dom Dwyer level matters seven minutes later seting up a thrilling ending. 

United was pushing for a winner late into stoppage time and pushed Ousted forward as they searched for a goal from a corner. It seemed like the risk would be punished as Orlando broke free and had an open net awaiting a winner. 

Rooney's effort to run the play down and a brilliant sliding tackle just inside his own half was the only thing that saved a loss, but the former Manchester United star wasn't done there. The 32-year-old popped up and broke forward, looping a long cross to the back post where Acosta was on hand to head home his third for a 96th minute winner. 

The late match didn't lack drama either, as the Seattle Sounders equaled a club record with their fifth straight win in a contentious 2-1 victory over FC Dallas. 

Chad Marshall headed home from a corner to open the scoring just before the break, but new-signing Dominique Badji had the visitors level on 52 minutes. 

Nico Lodeiro found the winner for Seattle with a bent free kick evading both attackers and defenders and finding the far corner of the net just after the hour mark, but the drama was far from over. 

Reto Ziegler was sent off in stoppage time for violent play, and despite the moment going to VAR the sending off stood even though Seattle's Raul Ruidiaz had headbutted the Dallas defender to initiate the contact between the two.

That sparked several small clashes as the match drew to a close, though the Sounders hung on for the win.