Sunday was about several top contenders, but only one earned a win to separate themselves a bit more from the pack.

NYCFC took down Toronto FC on Sunday as the team moved past the Patrick Vieira era without missing a beat. Even with the loss of David Villa due to injury, NYCFC erased a deficit to top the reigning MLS Cup champions.

In the other match of the day, Atlanta United split goals with the Portland Timbers in an interconference battle of playoff hopefuls.

Here’s a closer look at both of Sunday’s MLS matches:

Atlanta United 1, Timbers 1 (Final)

Two contenders played to a stalemate on Sunday as the Portland Timbers left Atlanta with a 1-1 draw.

The Timbers jumped on a set piece situation with Larrys Mabiala providing the final touch. Diego Valeri’s free kick was headed on by Samuel Armenteros, but Brad Guzan was able to make the close-range save. That left Mabiala with an open goal to give the Timbers the lead.

Atlanta got an equalizer in the 56th minute on a finish from Julian Gressel as the midfielder pounced on a rebound to tie the match at one apiece.

Atlanta United nearly found a go-ahead goal in the 81st minute when Hector Villalba blasted a 20-yard shot off the crossbar.

Man of the Match: Julian Gressel did more than just score the goal as he was Atlanta’s most assertive attacker on the day.

Moment of the Match: Gressel’s rebounded finish helped Atlanta salvage a home point from a match where they outshot the opposition, 21-12.

Match to Forget: Josef Martinez was missing that little bit of sharpness on the day, firing just one of his four shots on target.

NYCFC 2, Toronto FC 1

NYCFC began the post-Patrick Vieira era with a win over the reigning MLS Cup champions.

In Domenec Torrent’s first game, the new manager was forced into an early change as David Villa came off with an apparent injury in the 28th minute.

Soon after, another Spaniard stepped up as Victor Vazquez chipped Sean Johnson to give TFC the 1-0 lead.