Valeri Qazaishvili had a goal and an assist to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night at San Jose, Calif.
The Earthquakes (12-14-6) bounced back from two consecutive blowout losses (4-0 to D.C. United and 4-1 to the Chicago Fire) to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Portland (13-11-8) has lost two of its last three games and is four points back of the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps.
Qazaishvili bent his shot to the right post and past diving goalkeeper Jeff Attinella in the 16th minute. Danny Hoesen shot between a defender’s legs and into the bottom left corner of the net in the 49th minute. Chris Wondolowski and Qazaishvili assisted on the goal.
The Timbers’ Sebastian Blanco scored in the 87th minute for his sixth goal of the season.
MLS highlights
AT TORONTO 4, RED BULLS 2 — Victor Vazquez broke a tie in the 80th minute on a penalty kick and Toronto FC became the first Canadian team to win the Supporters’ Shield as the MLS regular-season champion.
Toronto (19-5-8) has assured itself of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the MLS Cup final if it gets back there. The Supporters Shield also means $130,000 will be deposited in the Toronto players’ bonus pool.
WHITECAPS 1, AT KANSAS CITY 0 — Erik Hurtado scored in the 53rd minute and Vancouver (15-10-6) clinched a playoff spot.
AT CREW 2, D.C. UNITED 0 — Josh Williams and Justin Meram scored and Columbus (15-12-5) clinched an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
