Kratz bags a brace for Atlanta

NAMPA/AFP

Substitute Kevin Kratz scored with two sensational second-half free kicks on Saturday and Miguel Almiron also bagged a brace as Atlanta rallied for a 4-1 Major League Soccer victory over Montreal.

Almiron's 70th-minute penalty pulled Atlanta level.

Kratz curled his first into the top corner eight minutes later.

Almiron struck again in the 84th before Kratz scored on another set-piece.

Saphir Taider's early header for his first MLS goal had given the visiting Impact the lead.

Chris Duvall delivered a pinpoint pass on Taider's opener. But it was Duvall's handball that led to Almiron's penalty.

Montreal, coached by France's Remi Garde, have now conceded 16 times during a four-match losing stretch, with 13 of those goals coming after halftime.

The Impact's 25 goals conceded are a league worst.

"I don't think the scoreline is indicative of the effort we put in," said Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush. "Atlanta's a good team, so if you defend like that for too long, they're going to catch a break."

In Toronto, the Chicago Fire secured a point on the road in dramatic style as second-half substitute Alan Gordon scored in the waning moments of stoppage time for a 2-2 draw against the reigning MLS Cup champions.

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger contributed a goal for the Fire and delivered the crucial pass on Gordon's equalizer.

Toronto had opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Sebastian Giovinco collected the ball and played a cross for a sliding Jonathan Osorio to finish.

The hosts made it 2-0 in the 22nd via Victor Vazquez.

Chicago's Nemanja Nikolic earned a penalty in the 36th minute after being clipped down in the box by Toronto defender Ashtone Morgan, the spot-kick awarded by Video Assistant Referee after it was initially waved off.

Schweinsteiger stepped up to take it, but his low effort was stopped by Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono.

He atoned with a 69th minute header that made it 2-1.

Elsewhere, Alejandro Romero Gamarra scored in the 84th minute and Bradley Wright-Phillips added two assists as the New York Red Bulls eased past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2.

Gamarra converted from the spot to snap a 2-2 tie after the Galaxy's Dave Romney was called for a hand ball in the area.

Former Manchester United and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a hand in setting up both Galaxy goals. L.A.'s Ola Kamara put away a through ball from Ibrahimovic in the 59th minute and Giovani dos Santos scored in the 66th after a Ibrahimovic corner kick to make it 2-2.

The Galaxy have lost three consecutive games at home.