Seattle Sounders score big win in playoff chase

The Seattle Sounders secured a spectacular 4-0 away victory on the back of a Blaise Nkufo hat-trick at Crew Stadium for their biggest win in franchise history.

A quick one-two move put Sanna Nyassi in on goal. According to goal.com, Nyassi was brought down in the area by Danny O'Rourke. Although the referee opted not to punish O'Rourke any further, Nathan Sturgis ensured conceding the penalty was punishment enough, sending Hesmer the wrong way to extend Seattle's lead.

At full time the Sounders embarrassed the hometown Crew by four goals to nil to move to 36 points and 6th on the Western Conference.

The loss is the worst for Columbus Crew since a 4-0 defeat to Kansas City in 2005.

Also in the United States' Major League Soccer, Colorado Rapids dispatched visiting New England Revolution in a convincing fashion, winning 3-0.  Ken Abdoulie Mansally's and Sainey  Nyassi's New England continue its road trip and will face FC Dallas on Wednesday with only 24 points at hand and 7th on the Eastern Conference.

Dwayne De Rosario scored two stunning goals to keep Amadou Sanyang’s Toronto FC's thin playoff hopes alive. The Toronto side that looked hopeless to create anything from open play are now confidently standing on the Eastern Conference with 31 points and 3rd.

Earlier, Omar Jasseh's San Jose Earthquakes beat  Philadelphia Union 1 - 0 to gain points and climbed up to 5th and 36 points in the Western Conference in 23 matches.