The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThe big story this week was Charlie Davies’ return to the Revs squad. The forward had been diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year, but he is now in remission and able to play for NE once again. Elsewhere, there was two different stories for ex-Chelsea men. Frank Lampard scored NYC’s first MLS hat-trick as they thrashed Rapids in a table-topping cross-conference clash. However, Didier Drogba was sent off for violent conduct and will be suspended next week. Matt Polster also scored at both ends in the Fire-Red Bulls game this week.
Saturday 30 July
New York City 5 (Lampard 3, Taylor, Mendoza) – Colorado Rapids 1 (Gashi)
A Frank Lampard hat-trick saw NYC overcome the favourites to win the Supporters’ Shield, despite weather delays in the area. The players went off the field of 40 minutes in the first half due to lightning in the area. When they came back, Frank Lampard (28’) opened the scoring, before Tony Taylor (42’) doubled the lead before the break. Michael Azira had been sent off for Colorado with the score at 1-0, thanks to two bookable offences. Having ten men made it much harder for the Rapids, who then conceded three in a ten minute spell. Steven Mendoza (75’) got the third, before Lampard (81’, 85’) completed his first, and New York City’s first, MLS hat-trick. Shkelzen Gashi (90’) got a consolation for the Rapids, whose 15 game unbeaten run ended at Yankee Stadium. They stay 2nd in the West, while NYC extend their lead at the top of the East.
Sunday 31 July
Sporting KC 1 (Peterson) – Portland Timbers 0
Last year’s US Open Cup winners deafened the reigning MLS Cup Champions in Kansas City on Sunday evening. Despite looking like he was going to go off injured, Jacob Peterson (50’) came up with the winner early in the second half. The goal came from a Benny Feilhaber free kick, and it was enough to give SKC the three points. Just one shot on target was the problem for the Timbers, who hit the woodwork in the final minutes when Jack McInerney hit the crossbar. SKC stay 4th in the West with the win, while Portland stay just below the red line.
Seattle Sounders 1 (Roldan) – LA Galaxy 1 (Lletget)
A late equaliser was enough for the Galaxy to take a point away from CenturyLink Field, but their biggest contribution came from their backline. The first half saw the Sounders on top, especially with the play of debutant Nicolas Lodeiro. The Uruguayan international signed from Boca Juniors in the week, and was influential for 90 minutes. It was Cristian Roldan (49’) that got the goal for Seattle though. and their lead should have been doubled, but Jelle Van Damme made two fantastic goal-line clearances to keep the score at 1-0. Because of this, Sebastien Lletget’s (78’) goal was an equaliser,giving the Galaxy a point. That point keeps them 3rd in the West, while Seattle stay 9th.
FC Dallas 2 (Acosta, Urruti) – Vancouver Whitecaps 0
The league leaders’ extended the gap at the top of the MLS thanks to two quick fire goals against the Whitecaps. FC Dallas extended their unbeaten home run to 17 games with this victory, which saw Kellyn Acosta (56’) open the scoring in the second half. Just three minutes later, Maxi Urruti (59’) scored a wonderful finish to double the lead and secure the victory. FCD now lead the chasing pack by six points, while Vancouver stay 6th in the West, just above the red line.
DC United 1 (Mullins) – Montreal Impact 1 (Bernardello)
Despite having Didier Drogba sent off, the ten men Impact came back to get a point in Washington D.C. on Sunday. Patrick Mullins (20’) opened the scoring for the hosts with a good header. The second half saw Montreal struggle, and things got worse when they went down to ten men. DD was sent off for kneeing Marcelo Sarvas after the two of them collided. However, they got the equaliser through Hernan Bernardello. The Argentinian was making his second debut for the club and his half-volley was enough to secure a point for the Impact. DC were wasteful on the night and will be disappointed with a single point, which keeps them 8th in the East. The Impact stay 5th, now in a three-way tie on 30 points.
Chicago Fire 2 (Accam, Polster) – NY Red Bulls 2 (Polster og, B Wright-Phillips)
Matt Polster scored at both ends, while Bradley Wright-Phillips became the Red Bull’s all-time leading scorer by equalising in the final minute in Chicago on Sunday evening. Matt Polster (og 16’) put through his own net early on to give the visitors the lead, but the Fire were in front before the break. First, David Accam (35’), a target for both Norwich City and Burton Albion, fired home from outside the box. Then, Polster (45+2’) got one at the right end, heading past Luis Robles to make it 2-1. The Fire looked like they had got their fifth straight home win, but BWP had other ideas. Wright-Phillips (90’) latched on to a Connor Lade cross to equalise for the Red Bulls. It was also his 63rd goal for the club, breaking the all-time record. The point means they are now four behind their city rivals at the top of the East, while the Fire are still bottom of the Conference.
Philadelphia Union 1 (Alberg) – Real Salt Lake 2 (Plata, Morales)
The one-time Eastern leaders, Philadelphia, suffered another defeat. This time, they lost at home to RSL, who have started their playoff charge. It was the Union that took the lead just before the half when Roland Alberg (44’) converted a spotkick. However, goals from Joao Plata (48’) and Javier Morales (54’) changed the game within ten minutes of the interval. Both goals were spectacular, and deserved winners of any game. With defeat, the Union are now six points behind the leaders NYC and sit 4th in the East. RSL are still 5th, but now level on points with SKC in the West.
Orlando City 3 (Molino 2, Larin) – NE Revolution 1 (K Kamara)
Kevin Molino was the star man for the Lions, scoring two and assisting the other, as Orlando ran out easy winners. They did go behind, though, when Kei Kamara (20’) slotted home to give the Revs the lead. The second half marked the start of the comeback, with just 50 seconds before Cyle Larin (46’) equalised with his 11th of the season. Kevin Molino (64’, 83’) then scored twice to give Orlando the victory in Jason Kreis’ first home game in charge. The major story of the day, though, was not football related. NE’s Charlie Davies shocked the MLS community by announcing earlier in the weekend that he had beaten a rare form of cancer, something no-one seemed to know about. Davies came on with fifteen minutes to rapturous applause from both sets of supporters. He was not able to help the team this weekend, but he will be a boost for the future. Orlando move level on points with the Revs, but its NE that hold 6th, just inside the playoff places in the East.
Toronto FC 3 (Endoh, Giovinco, Altidore) – Columbus Crew 0
The Atomic Ant assisted two and scored one as he led the way for Toronto to take all three points again the Crew. It was his shot that hit Tsubasa Endoh’s (8) back before going into the top corner. Giovinco (24’) then got his goal, doubling the lead midway through the first half. The Italian then set up Jozy Altidore (87’) late on to give the American his first goal of the 2016 season, one that has been plagued with injuries. This comfortable victory moves Toronto up to 3rd in the East, while Columbus are 9th, and need a big turnaround if they are to reach another MLS Cup final.
Houston Dynamo 1 (Alex) – SJ Earthquakes 1 (Wondolowski)
Wondo got on the scoresheet again for the Quakes, who came from behind to grab a point in Houston. It was the hosts that took the lead, when Alex (45+2’) slotted the ball home in first half stoppage time. Chris Wondolowski (59’) then made it 21 MLS teams that he has netted against. His 118th MLS goal (4th all-time) was enough to give the Quakes a point, moving them closer to the playoffs in the Western Conference. Houston are still bottom of the conference, and struggling.
NYC (36) extended their lead at the top of the East, with the Red Bulls (32) their closest rivals, both geographically and in the standings. Toronto (30), Philadelphia (30) and Montreal (30) are all in the chasing pack, and all with games in hand on the top three. The Revs (26) sit just above Orlando (26) in the final playoff spot. DC (23), Columbus (19) and Chicago (18) will need to improve for a top six finish.
FCD (44) doubled their lead at the top of the MLS and Western. With defeat, Colorado (38) slipped back, but they still have three games in hand. So do LA (36), but they have SKC (34) and RSL (34) in close company. Vancouver (30) remain a top six side, with Portland (29) and the Quakes (27) chasing them down. Seattle (21) and Houston (20) are still languishing at the bottom.
