Regarding Major League Soccer Games I Didn't See...
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by user The Manly Ferry
One shock result and two curious ones made for an interesting Wednesday evening. Having not watched even the highlights, I don’t have a ton to say, but one can learn a thing or two from match reports. So, starting with the shock and moving down (or is it up?) to the expected, here are some thoughts - as well as links to articles written by people who did see the games.
Real Salt Lake 1 - 0 Los Angeles Galaxy (LINK) I just didn’t see this coming. It seems wise at this point to take Real Salt Lake somewhat seriously - or as seriously as one would take the Los Angeles Galaxy at least. With both teams enjoying up-ticks in form, it’s difficult to say who has the actual leg-up heading into the stretch, but it’s worth pointing out that only one of these teams is inside the playoff picture...and it ain’t Los Angeles. Oh, and the lone goal in this game sounded pretty weak - it squeaked in between LA goalkeeer, Kevin Hartman’s, legs. And who scored it? Why Jeff “Goals Leader” Cunningham, of course.
Chicago Fire 2 - 2 Houston Dynamo (LINK) With the home team seeming to have built a better defense and the visitors looking goal-shy, this seemed an easy call. Instead, the Houston Dynamo’s Dwayne DeRosario, who counts as one of the few players in the league capable of doing so, put his team on his back and carried them to an away draw. The report also tells me that this was the second game in which Houston got on the wrong side of a penalty call (also sounds like there was a card for diving against them as well). Another item worth noting: the Chicago Fire’s Andy Herron has now scored eight goals in his last ten outings, even if this last one came on a penalty kick. The bad news - at least for Chicago - Herron will miss their next two games. (There's also a bit in this last link about DeRosario's "wunder-goal.")
Colorado Rapids 0 - 2 FC Dallas (LINK) As someone who takes the Colorado Rapid’s home record as reason enough to expect they will win all their home games, this one also looked an easy call. FC Dallas’ recent wind-sucking road trip also suggested a Colorado win. But the fact that Dallas’ roster means they should play this well makes some sense of the result. The six-point breathing room at the top of the Western Conference standings must feel nice - especially with Dallas ending an August in which they played all their games away from home.
Kansas City Wizards 2 - 2 Red Bull New York (LINK) I expected the draw, but not the goals. With nothing significant changing in the standings (even taking into account the Chicago/Houston game), the most significant thing to come out of this one could be Kansas City Wizards defender Nick Garcia hobbling off with a groin injury. (The league hasn’t yet updated its injury report, so it’s hard to say whether he’ll be out).
Date
Thu 08/31/06, 9:10 am EST
That doesn't mean there aren't traditional powers; they're just not entrenched like they are in Europe. In other words, there are no Liverpools, Man. Uniteds, Real Madrids, and FC Barcelonas. Not really, anyway. At the same time, DC United does count as the best overall team in league history. The Houston Dynamo, which was once the San Jose Earthquakes, have been one of the strong teams since, oh, circa 2000. And the Los Angeles Galaxy, despite not winning it all till 2002, has always been in or around the league elite. I suppose it makes sense to put the Chicago Fire in here as well, since they're the strongest MLS team in U.S. Open Cup history and have won the title (at least) once.
The rest have their own story: FC Dallas flatters to deceive; Kansas City has won the league once, but they're also kind of boring (at least I think so); the New England Revolution has established themselves as the great "also-rans" of the 2000 decade; the Columubs Crew hasn't won a thing (I can recall) and, based on current form, won't for some time (in a sense, any success they've had becomes irrelevant; the perception that they suck exists); Red Bull New York is the epicenter for drama and incompetence; the Colorado Rapids are just weird, kind of like a tumor on the league. Let's see, is that everyone?
Nope. There's also new boys Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. Up to this year, their suckiness defined them. They'll grow into themselves over time, I expect. And, if the playoffs started today, it's worth noting that both of them would be in it.