MLS Cup Review: July 6-10

There was one MLS game during the week, which saw the Eastern-topping NYC, fresh off the back of their first ever Hudson River Derby victory, travel to New England to fave the Revolution at Gillette Stadium.

 

Wednesday 6 July

NE Revolution 0 – New York City 1 (Lampard)

Frank Lampard got his third goal in four games as NYC continued their fine form to extend their lead at the top of the Eastern. However, it could have gone differently had the referee decided to award a penalty to the Revs in the early minutes of the game. Kelyn Rowe appeared to be tripped in the box but nothing was given. Frank Lampard (58’) got the only goal of the game as a cross from Tommy McNamara hit the Englishmen and went in to the Revs goal. Add to that a late red card for Bobby Shuttleworth, the NE goalkeeper, and things went from bad to worse for the home side. They now sit just above the red line in the Eastern, while the Bronx side are four points clear at the top of the Conference.

 

There was then a full compliment of games this weekend, with NYC looking to back up that midweek win as they carried their road trip on to Kansas City. The defending Champions, Portland, travel to New York to take on the Red Bulls, who themselves were looking to bounce back from their Derby Day defeat last weekend. The big game of the week was in Seattle, where the Sounders hosted the Galaxy.

 

Friday 8 July

Orlando City 0 – Houston Dynamo 0

The first game of the weekend was a basement battle between Orlando and Houston, and it finished goalless.After parting with head coach Adrian Heath in the week, Orlando came into this one without a manager, but managed to get their first shutout since March in the MLS. The Dynamo had the best chance, when Giles Barnes’ effort struck the near post, but that was the closest either side came as once again they both failed to score. The draw does neither side a favour, with Houston still 9th in the West, while Orlando are 8th in the East.

 

SJ Earthquakes 0 – FC Dallas 1 (Urruti)

After the tragic events in Dallas this week, both sides came together to show their support for the city before the game.

#DallasStrong

Thank you @SJEarthquakes for your support tonight! pic.twitter.com/nhCt7oYdai

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) July 9, 2016

After a rather dull first half, the second half came to life when Maxi Urruti (51’) opened the scoring with a fantastic bicycle kick. FC Dallas had chance after chance after that but were not able to double their lead. However, it did not matter, as they went on to win the game by a single goal, extending their lead at the top of the MLS standings as they chase the Supporters’ Shield. The Quakes are now winless in seven and have slipped to 8th in the West.

 

Saturday 9 July

Seattle Sounders 0 – LA Galaxy 1 (Keane)

Robbie Keane’s second goal for LA since returning from the European Championships was enough to help the visitors to a surprise away victory. The Irishman (15’) got the goal early, his seventh in ten appearances against the Sounders, to put the Galaxy in front. His 79th MLS goal was enough to win the game, but Seattle had their chances, with AJ DeLaGarza clearing off the line from Jordan Morris’ effort, while Clint Dempsey had two great chances late on. One was saved by Brian Rowe, while the other cannoned back off the post. The defeat leaves Seattle bottom of the Western Conference, while the Galaxy stay 4th, but are closer to the top three.

 

Philadelphia Union 3 (Ilsinho 2, Alberg) – DC United 0

Two first half penalty kicks gave the Union a lead they deserved, and one they carried to the end to take all three points. Surging runs at the DC defense from Chris Pontius, first, and then Ilsinho, brought about the two penalties as DC were not able to handle them. Roland Alberg (20’) slotted home the first spotkick, with Ilsinho (37’) hitting home the penalty he had won himself. The Brazilian (47’) then doubled his tally for the day with a goal just after the break. DC finished the game with ten men as Kofi Opare was sent off for a second bookable offence. Ilsinho’s first two goals in the MLS have moved the Union closer to the top of the Eastern once again. DC are now below the red line in the Conference, sitting 7th.

NE Revolution 3 (Nguyen, Trapp og, K Kamara) – Columbus Crew 1 (O Kamara)

Kei Kamara faced his old club for the first time, and he got on the scoresheet as the Revs overcame the Crew comfortably. The scene was set for the Kamara’s (old and new in the Crew’s case) to go head-to-head. However, it was Lee Nguyen (3’) that got New England off to a flyer. That lead was doubled when Kei Kamara’s centre was deflected in to his own net by Wil Trapp (og 34’). Ola Kamara (42’) got his eighth goal in eight games for Columbus to bring them back into the game, but Kei Kamara (71’) got the goal he so wanted to round the game off. The 3-1 win moves the Revs above the red line in the East, with the Crew down in 9th.

 

Toronto FC 1 (Morrow) – Chicago Fire 0

An early goal was enough for Toronto to heap more misery on the Fire, whose road winless streak is now at 33 games, an MLS-record. Justin Morrow (9’) was the man to get the goal for hosts, after great player from Sebastian Giovinco and Jonathan Osorio. The youngsters that were playing for the hosts held their own and were able to to deal with the Fire’s attack. However, that was not much to defend against, in truth. Another goalless game for the visitors and it is easy to see why they are currently, the worst team in the league. Toronto are up to 5th in the East as they push for the playoffs.

 

Real Salt Lake 1 (Movsisyan) – Montreal Impact 1 (Shipp)

A late rally from the hosts was enough to gain a point, which could kickstart a run after going winless in three before this one. Harry Shipp (8’) gave Montreal the perfect start. He followed in after a free kick from Laurent Ciman, who was voted into the MLS Fan XI this week, was parried by Nick Rimando in the RSL net. However, the hosts bounced back late on, and when Joao Plata went down in the box, the referee pointed to the spot. Yuri Movsisyan (79’) stepped up to equalise for RSL, who stay 3rd in the West with this point. The Impact are also 3rd, but in the Eastern.

 

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (Waston, Techera) – Colorado Rapids 2 (Doyle, Sjoberg)

Despite being down to ten men, the Rapids managed to salvage a draw in the last minute of stoppage time to extend their unbeaten league run. Kendall Waston (10’) put Vancouver in front early on, but that was cancelled out by Kevin Doyle (59’), who continued his fine goalscoring form for the Rapids. A late penalty Cristian Techera penalty (87’) seemed to have stolen victory for the Whitecaps. However, Alex Sjoberg (90+5’) popped up with a header from a Kevin Doyle cross to equalise deep into added time. With the point, the Rapids are second, but drop two points to FCD. Vancouver stay just above the red line in 6th.

 

Sunday 10 July

NY Red Bulls 0 – Portland Timbers 0

These two sides played out an exciting goalless draw, but the lack of quality was there to see in front of goal. Portland were missing their main man, Diego Valeri, but the Red Bulls had a full-strength line-up. However, they were not able to put the ball into the back of the net. Injuries were the main factor in the game, with both sides having to make a change in the first quarter of the match. The Red Bulls are still 4th in the East, while the Timbers are just below the red line in the West.

 

Sporting KC 3 (Feilhaber, Medranda, Opara) – New York City 1 (Lampard)

Conference-topping NYC fell to a surprise defeat in Kansas City on Sunday night. There were three goals in the opening twenty minutes as the game started at a real pace. Firstly, Benny Feilhaber (8’) put the hosts in front after Jacob Peterson’s effort rebounded off the crossbar. Frank Lampard (14’) then equalised soon after for NYC, with his fourth goal in five games. SKC were back in front just two minutes later through Jimmy Medranda (16’) who capitalised on a mistake from NYC goalkeeper Josh Saunders. The hosts held the lead through to half time, and then doubled it through Ike Opara (51’) who scored his first MLS goal since March 2015. The win keeps SKC in 5th place in the West, while NYC stay top of the East but their lead has been cut to a point.

 

So, NYC (30) still lead the way in the East, but the Union (29) are breathing down their necks. Montreal (25), the Red Bulls (24), Toronto (23) and New England (22) round out the top six. DC (21) and Orlando (21) are still pushing for that elusive playoff place. FCD (37) have extended their lead in the West but Colorado (34) do have games in hand. RSL (29), LA (29) and SKC (28) occupy the top five. Vancouver (25) are just keeping Portland (25) out of the playoff spots, with SJ (22) struggling in 8th.