FC Dallas 2 at 2 Toronto FC
If Dallas is going to be taken seriously this is the type of game they need to take care of. Like many people who watch the league, I have been surprised by Dallas's early record, but I have not been sold on them as a legitimate contender in the West. Getting a draw on the road is not bad, giving up two late goals to, what has so far been the worst team in MLS, is a problem.
The game was even with neither team creating chances until the 34' minute when Kenny Cooper headed down a deep Michel free kick to Andrew Jacobson who hammered it home for the opening goal. From there on Dallas was in control from the rest of the half, and added a second, a great run from Blas Perez, in the 59th minute. The match continued on this form until seemingly out of nothing, and against the run of play Justin Braun was able to get a goal. The play started with a hopeful punt lofted in towards goal. Dallas keeper Fernandez comes of his line to get the ball, but Mat Hedges was all ready committed to head the ball. Unfortunately Hedges was unable to do more than pop the ball in the air. Then Braun followed the ball and was able to knock it in goal. After that the goal the game changed complexion, Dallas seemed confused and Toronto came alive. The equalizer, from Darel Russell seemed inevitable.
Philadelphia 1 at 1 Columbus
Just like Dallas, Columbus needs to win games like this if it is going to be considered a serious contender. MLS playoff format is forgiving enough that Columbus should get a playoff spot in the East, but dropping points at home is not a good formula for success in any league. I did not see all of this game but from what I did Columbus was flat and if not for some hustle from Dominic Oduro Philadelphia would have gotten the win.
RSL 0 at 1 Colorado
RSL came out flat and Colorado had its best game of the year challenging for every ball and routinely wining second balls. Saborio had a saved penalty, the legend of Clint Irwin continues in the Denver, and hit three free headers wide. While Edson Buddle, had just enough to hold up the ball and draw 4 RSL players and get a ball through to Atiba Harris for the easy goal. Just minutes after the Colorado Goal RSL was awarded a penalty when Dillion Powers yanked down Kyle Beckerman as he was trying to jump for a corner kick. I know that Colorado fans feel that it was a weak penalty, there are arms and grabbing on every dead ball play, but when you are isolated away from the scrum, you keep a player from being able to jump, and the ball is hit to that player you really are asking for a penalty. Also to even the score, RSL missed the penalty and was denied a clear penalty in the second half when Saborio was yanked in the box.
More interesting in the game was some of tactical choices made. Kreis opted to pair the rookie Devon Sandoval with Saborio at forward. This made the normally narrow RSL even more compact. Normally Saborio has been partnered with a forward who stretches the field, either vertically like Findley or through wide runs into the channel, Espindola. Sandoval however, although ready to run is more of a smooth passing target forward. I assume Kreis wanted more height against a short fast Colorado back line. The pairing did not work well partly because Colorado was able to pin back the Fullbacks, taking away the width RSL needed to whip in crosses to make the twin towers pairing more effective. Colorado also opted to match like for like, playing in a narrow diamond midfield, instead of the 433 like the first meeting this year. However once Colorado go the early goal the formation changed to a 4231. This formation allowed Colorado to stymie the RSL attack, funneling them even more narrow. This was particularly evidenced late when RSL pushing for the goal had an uncharacteristic trouble playing the ball outside of its own half.
Houston Dynamo 0 at 2 Portland Timbers
Once again Portland is involved in a game with two very different halves. The first half was all Houston, although kept out of goal, Houston looked likely to score most of the half and looked to be one of the best teams in the league easily bossing around the other heavy weight. Portland also lost David Horst, just recently returned from injury, to what one hopes is not terribly serious knock. Though being taken off on a stretcher is never a good sign. They also lost Argentinean play maker Diego Valerie to a elbow, that left him leaving the field with a black eye and a looking woozy as he walked off the field. The second half however was all Portland. The first goal was a wonderful cross from Diego Chara that a on rushing Ryan Johnson knocked off the keeper in and in. It was not a good finish but it got the job done. The second goal was a Darlington Nagbe with a gorgeous pass to spring Ryan Johnson on the left wing. Johnson took the ball in stride and slotted home a great finish into the corner of the net.
NYRB 1 at 3 Chicago Fire
The Fire, like the Rapids, get their first win, and NYRB keeping are always the same. NY has some good players, they also have some players who are not playing well. Holgerson is struggling, Juninho has yet to put his stamp on a game, Robles is playing timid, Olave is having some mental lapses, and Peguy Luyindula keeps getting himself in dangerous positions, but can not seem to hit the ball on frame. Speaking of not being able to hit the ball at goal, what about Chris Rolfe it is becoming comical at this point. but smacking the PK wide is just how it is going for him.
NYRB got on th ball first on a interesting dead ball that was heading around before Jamison Olave had the acrobatic finish. Then Dan Paladini got one back Dan Paladini got one back, after the Rolfe PK miss. Once Henry, for NY, and Maicon Santos, for the Fire, came on in the second half the momentum shifted. Although the NY defense looked shaky at times, NY had control of the game and looked likely to score while the Fire offense looked disinterested. Then that all changed when Maicon Santos beatOlave down the left and scored a go ahead goal against the run of play in the 83'. Santos, always a streaky player added another in the 89'. Jeff Laerontwicz got in by Olave near post to head the ball across goal, where Santos was making run by Holgerson.
So that is the weekend that was in MLS. The only other game of the weekend was Vancouver getting a road point with a 1-1 draw in San Jose. Although I did not see the game the word is that Whitecaps scored the equalizer while two Earthquakes where changing there cleats on the sideline, leaving San Jose down to 9 players. Not sure who to blame for that, but you can't fault Vancouver for playing while San Jose is trying to sort out issues that they should have had figured out before hand. You would think a home team would know which studs to wear on their own surface in all conditions.
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