Man, I'm crazy behind. Seems like if I don't keep it going the MLS talk kind of dies down. I've been too busy with end-of-the-semester school crap... need I get my priorities straight.
Here's the sparknotes version of what's up since I last updated:
April 8, 2011
Chicago Fire SC at Seattle Sounders FC -- 1-2
Sounders finally get full points without Montero. Zakuani puts seals the deal with a pretty goal.
New York Red Bulls at Philadelphia Union -- 0-1
Overall pretty slow match but shows that Philly is actually in the race for the East this season.
Los Angeles Galaxy at D.C. United -- 1-1
Grrr so angry! Great goal by Magee early on, the G's play defence well for the rest of the match until the very end when Omar Gonzalez breathed wrong on Charlie Davies and dude went down for a tying PK. I'm not mad at CD9 or Gonzilla, they were both doing their jobs; I'm mad at the officiating. Props to CD9 for doing The Bernie as his celebration dance.
Real Salt Lake at New England Revolution -- 2-0
Typical RSL dominance of inferior Eastern competition.
Toronto FC at San Jose Earthquakes -- 1-1
Both clubs looked solid but the atmosphere was lacking. SJ's 1906 Ultras were staging a silent protest towards their Front Office due them getting slapped with a probation resulting from a complaint from ONE PERSON on twitter about pseudo-offensive tifo.
Here's a really good post from the Ultras blog about the entire debacle and their defense. (Also worth noting is that spellcheck on here is terrible. It doesn't recognize debacle and it's making me second guess my spelling of defense.)
Columbus Crew at Chivas USA -- 0-0
Meh, as long as the Goats don't win I'm happy.
April 10, 2011
Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Houston Dynamo -- 1-3
The Caps had trouble putting goals away without their DP Hassli, who was on suspension for a stupid booking involving him taking his jersey off to celebrate a goal with an identical jersey underneath.
April 13, 2011
Los Angeles Galaxy at Toronto FC -- 0-0
Well, they managed to scrape away with a point on their second consecutive road-match. Absolutely atrocious officiating, resulting in three LA players missing the next match.
Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake -- 0-1
Espindola picked up a very late stoppage-time goal to continue RSL's home unbeaten streak, as well as continue their perfect start to the season.
April 14, 2011
Chicago Fire SC at Portland Timbers -- 2-4
Holy crap this match was excellent. Portland, who came into this match with 1 point, completely dominated (with the exception of a 5-minute suckfest) with the support of Timbers Army. And speaking of Timbers Army, HOLY CRAP! Talk about a supports club! As a whole they sang the National Anthem (gaining national attention) and were just spectacular the entire 90+ minutes. And their Tetris song is awesome! Also, quite happy in their rendition you can actually hear them sing "O'er the ramparts we watched..." instead of "Over ramparts we watched".... drives me nuts when people singing the NA don't know the proper words.
Highlights
April 16, 2011
Seattle Sounders FC at Philadelphia Union -- 1-1
Despite the god-awful rain during the match, Philly looked excellent in passing and off-ball movement. They should have been rewarded for their play but sadly lost full-points when Fernandez put one in in closing minutes.
Chivas USA at Vancouver Whitecaps FC -- 0-0
While there were some good chances, overall an uneventful match. Caps fans were great as usual, though.
D.C. United at Toronto FC -- 3-0
United looking infinitely better than last season (read: last place every week.) TFC... well, they're building.
San Jose Earthquakes at New York Red Bulls -- 0-3
Duuuuude! Luke Rodgers was friggin on fire, netting two goals and assisting Henry for the Frenchman's first goal of the season (which was an absolute beaut, btw.) Absolute domination at Red Bull Arena.
Sporting Kansas City at Columbus Crew -- 0-1
The Crew finally shake off the cobwebs.... in front of a sad crowd, unfortunately.
April 17, 2011
Chicago Fire SC at Los Angeles Galaxy -- 1-2
The G's pull out a win at Toyota Park, despite being on a 9-day-3-game roadtrip and missing their stars (Becks, Landy Cakes and Juninho.)
FC Dallas at Portland Timbers -- 2-3
The Timbers once again pull away at home only to suck-it-up for a brief couple of minutes and let the visitors stay in the match. Timbers Army... once again stellar.
New England Revolution at Houston Dynamo -- 0-1
Pretty slow one up until the last 10 minutes or so.
April 20, 2011
CONCACAF Champions League Final, 1st leg -- Real Salt Lake at Monterrey (MEX) -- 2-2
Really exciting match, great back-and-forth, RSL seeing some competition that can actually slow down the quick midfield movement that their known for. Overall, though, the Royals played amazingly in a hostile venue and got two away-goals which will help if they tie in the 2nd leg. I'm so proud of our league! I can't wait to see them in the Club World Cup!
April 21, 2011
New York Red Bulls at D.C. United -- 4-0
A straight-up beating. NY looked excellent and proved they should be on top in the East. Henry put two away, his first being an almost exact replica of his goal from the previous match (with a Solli assist instead of Rodgers.) The final nail in the coffin goal from Agudelo was spectacular... goal of the year contender for sure.
This is the goal the ass-tards at Pardon the Interruption gave a C+ and pretty much called it rec-league material.
April 22, 2011
Seattle Sounders FC at Colorado Rapids -- 1-0
Montero finally puts on away after missing a couple matches due to a wrist surgery... still rocking the cast, though.
FINALLY CAUGHT UP! Stay tuned for weekend previews and other stats