Seattle Sounders earned a 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew thanks to a goal from Eddie Johnson, despite having Leo Gonzalez sent off in the first-half.
The defender was given his marching orders in just the seventh minute of the game as he hauled down Ryan Finley, who was through on goal.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Seattle took the lead in the 14th minute when Johnson headed Mauro Rosales's free kick expertly into the bottom corner of the net.
Columbus were almost level when Jhon Kennedy Hurtado nearly turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear a cross, but fortunately for the defender he managed to hook it clear just before it crossed the line.
After the break, Dominic Oduro had a great chance to get his side level as the forward was played one-on-one with Michael Gspurning but the keeper spread himself and made a good stop.
The Crew thought that they had levelled when Konrad Warzycha headed Jairo Arrieta's free kick over Gspurning only to see his effort clatter off the crossbar before Seattle hooked the ball away.
Oduro had one final chance to find the equaliser as he was played through one-on-one with Gspurning yet again; this time he rounded the keeper but could not fire his left-footed shot into the net as his side were condemned to defeat.
Simon Sinclair
