Montero treble as Sounders soar

Seattle tore to a three-goal lead in 34 minutes, Brad Evans putting it in front after 10 minutes before Montero struck first from close range in the 27th minute and then with a chip seven minutes later.

Juan Agudelo pulled one back with a 37th-minute penalty and it was 3-2 when Miller Bolanos scored with a long-range drive after 64 minutes.

But Seattle pulled away again, Montero completing his treble three minutes later, substitute Sammy Ochoa adding a fifth goal in the 80th minute and an own goal from Ante Jazic a 90th-minute self-inflicted blow on Chivas.

Seattle nudged ahead of Real Salt Lake to reach second place in the Major League Soccer Western Conference.

Front-runner San Jose Earthquakes also had a resounding win, 4-1 over the Colorado Rapids, Simon Dawkins and Alan Gordon both scored twice.

Dawkins opened the scoring after 11 minutes, Gordon made it 2-0 two minutes before half-time, and after Tyrone Marshall pulled a goal back in the 54th minute, the punishment continued. Dawkins netted again in the 68th minute and Gordon grabbed the fourth San Jose goal eight minutes later.

Federico Higuain and Jairo Arrieta proved an irresistible strike force as they too scored twice apiece to lead the Columbus Crew to a 4-3 win over New England Revolution.

Higuain scored in the 26th and 43rd minutes; Arrieta after 32 and 86 minutes.

New England's goals came from Ryan Guy after 17 minutes, Jerry Bengtson after 23 - which briefly gave it a 2-0 lead - and Lee Nguyen, who converted an 81st-minute spot-kick.

Columbus stands seventh in the Eastern Conference but remains well in contention for a post-season place.

Houston Dynamo was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Toronto FC, with Will Bruin's 21st-minute opener for the host wiped out five minutes from the end by Terry Dunfield.

Lowly Portland Timbers managed a rare win, 2-1 over Vancouver Whitecaps.

Darlington Nagbe put Portland ahead after 41 minutes, Kenny Miller replied four minutes later for Vancouver, and Franck Songo'o poached the winner in the 55th minute. Vancouver had substitute Darren Mattocks sent off in the 84th minute.