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MLS: Jermain Defoe misses penalty as Toronto lose to Houston

CHARLESTON, SC - FEBRUARY 23: Giles Barnes #23 of the Houston Dynamo celebrates his goal against the Charleston Battery during the first half of the Caroli
Image: Giles Barnes: Scored match-winner before Jermain Defoe missed penalty

Jermain Defoe missed a penalty as Toronto FC suffered a costly 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Houston Dynamo.

Former Derby midfielder Giles Barnes scored the only goal of the game to keep Houston's faint playoff hopes alive and deal the Canadian side a massive blow in their bid to reach the post-season.

Defoe wasted a couple of chances to give Toronto the lead in the opening half-hour and Barnes made them pay on 35 when he muscled his way past defender Nick Hagglund and fired a shot through keeper Joe Bendik's legs.

Toronto were handed the chance to level 10 minutes after the break when Luke Moore was tugged down in the box by A.J. Cochran, who was eventually sent off after a case of mistaken identity almost saw team-mate David Horst dismissed instead.

But Defoe failed to hold his nerve after the delay and Tyler Deric dived to his right to push away his spot-kick.

Toronto dominated the closing stages but their almost constant pressure failed to bring an equaliser with Deric standing firm to earn Houston the points.

The result leaves Toronto three points adrift of the Eastern Conference playoff places with three games remaining in the regular season - Houston are one point further back.

In the Western Conference, there was a massive win for the Portland Timbers, who move into the playoff places thanks to their 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Rodney Wallace scored in the first-half to enliven the Providence Park crowd and Diego Valeri grabbed two goals in the second period.

The win puts Portland two points ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps in the race for a post-season berth but their rivals are in action against the Seattle Sounders on Friday and will retake the place with victory.

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