Daniel Royer netted a brace as the New York Red Bulls heaped further misery on slumping Los Angeles FC with a 2-1 win in MLS.
Red Bulls midfielder Royer scored in either half to condemn LAFC to a fourth match without victory on Sunday.
Royer broke the deadlock six minutes before halftime at Red Bull Arena when LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller spilled the ball straight into the path of the six-time Austria international.
LAFC equalized eight minutes into the second half courtesy of Diego Rossi, who restored parity after receiving a defense-splitting pass from Carlos Vela.
The breakthrough they've been waiting for!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 5, 2018
Daniel Royer delivers #RBNY's opening goal just before the break. #RBNYvLAFC https://t.co/EWeFsgyrj4
But Royer put the Red Bulls ahead for good with 10 minutes remaining after Bradley Wright-Phillips unselfishly squared the ball for him to score easily.
Make that for Daniel Royer! #RBNY jump ahead 2-1 at home! #RBNYvLAFC https://t.co/L9kAV4UmCO
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 5, 2018
The result moved the Red Bulls level on points with neighbors New York City and four adrift of Eastern Conference leaders Atlanta United, while fourth-placed LAFC fell six points adrift of Dallas in the west.