MLS Capsules: Red Bulls beat Rapids in Tim Howard’s return

HARRISON, N.J. – Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard returned from leg surgery in November, allowing an own goal in the 45th minute Saturday in the Rapids’ 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls.

Howard, the U.S. starter at the last two World Cups, was hurt Nov. 11 during the first half of the Americans’ World Cup qualifier against Mexico, a 2-1 loss. He was diagnosed with an injured adductor muscle in his right thigh and had surgery Nov. 17.

Still in the final stages of his recovery, he missed the Rapids’ opening 1-0 win over New England on March 4. Playing five days after his 38th birthday, Howard was tested quickly and made a leg save on an open 10-yard shot by reigning Major League Soccer scoring champion Bradley Wright-Phillips in the second minute. Howard then made a sliding stop on Wright-Phillips in the 23rd.

New York scored when a cross deflected off Colorado’s Eric Miller. Howard had seven saves in all.

New York’s Luis Robles made one save in his MLS record-setting 143rd consecutive start, one more than midfielder Chris Klein from 2005-09. Robles’ streak started on Sept. 29, 2012.

The Red Bulls (2-0) are unbeaten in 18 straight regular-season MLS matches (11 wins, 7 draws), one shy of the league record set by Columbus from 2004-05. The Rapids (1-1) allowed 32 goals last season, the league’s fewest.

Earthquakes 3, Whitecaps 2

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Anibal Godoy scored in the 79th minute, capping San Jose’s comeback from a two-goal deficit in the win over Vancouver.

After sending a 67th-minute free kick high, Godoy scored from outside the penalty area with a shot just under the crossbar. San Jose improved to 2-0 this season.

Vancouver (0-1-1) led 2-0 on goals by Erik Hurtado 1:43 in and by Nicolas Mezquida in the 17th.

Chris Wondolowski began the comeback in the 32nd minute. Goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi punched a corner kick to Vmctor Bernardez, who volleyed the ball back into the area. Wondolowski, a 34-year-old forward, scored his first goal this season, the 122nd league goal of his MLS career.

Nick Lima tied the score in the 54th off a pass from Wondolowski, his first MLS goal.

Toronto FC 2, Union 2, tie

CHESTER, Pa. – C.J. Sapong tied it for Philadelphia two minutes after Toronto took the lead.

Sapong took a perfect feed from Fabian Herbers that left him one-on-one with goalkeeper Clint Irwin. Sapong tapped the ball around the closing Irwin and left-footed it into the empty net.

Toronto took a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute. Michael Bradley lofted a long free kick into the box, Justin Morrow chested it near the corner of the 6-yard box and finished from a difficult angle.

Philadelphia’s Jay Simpson’s and Toronto’s Jozy Altidore scored in the first half.

Dallas 0, Sporting Kansas City 0, tie

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Tim Melia made five saves to help Sporting Kansas City tie Dallas.

Sporting KC (0-0-2) remained scoreless this season. Jesse Gonzalez made two saves for defending Supporters’ Shield champion Dallas (1-0-1).

Dynamo 3, Crew 1

HOUSTON – Romell Quioto scored 67 seconds into the match after intercepting a poor clearance by Columbus goalkeeper Zack Steffen, and Houston beat the Crew.

Will Trapp passed back to Steffen, and the goalkeeper attempted to slow, rolling pass back to the midfielder. Quioto intercepted the ball just outside the penalty area, took several touches and beat Steffen between the legs with a right-footed shot from about 14 yards.

Alberth Elis scored off Alex’s corner kick the 35th minute, his first MLS goal, and Erick Torres made it 3-0 in the 65th for the Dynamo (2-0), with Alex again assisting.

Ola Kamara scored for the Crew (0-1-1).

Fire 2, Real Salt Lake 0

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – Nemanja Nikolic and Arturo Alvarez scored in the opening 15 minutes and Chicago beat Real Salt Lake for its first victory of the season.

Chicago and RSL each opened the season with draws last weekend.