Off The Bench Episode 78: Guests Garth Lagerwey (Real Salt Lake) and Josh Hakala (TheCup.us), NYC FC and the US Open Cup

In this episode Luke Lohr and Pedro Gomes to sit down and examine the impact that the 20th MLS team will have on the NASL's New York Cosmos, the results of the Open Cup and where each league stands in the tournament. Josh Hakala of TheCup.us steps in to shed light on the Open Cup's best talking points and Garth Lagerwey, General Manager of Real Salt Lake, joins to talk about the possibility of an RSL branded team competing in USL PRO. Off The Bench: Best when shared.

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Your video today comes courtesy of Greg Lalas and MLSSoccer.com. Anatomy of a Goal shows Diego Fagundez playing wise beyond his years. Impressive. 

MLS Weekly: Week 12

By Leanne Elston

The Games

Vancouver Whitecaps 2-2 Portland Timbers

Down to ten men and trailing, the Timbers equalized late at BC Place to salvage a draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Portland dominated possession in the match, but the ‘Caps scored first in the 24th minute through a Camilo free kick from just outside the area. Vancouver kept a lead until the second half, when in the 62nd minute Will Johnson converted a penalty to bring his side level. Just two minutes later, though, Gershon Koffie curled in a shot from the top of the box to pull the ‘Caps ahead again.

In the 81st minute, Futty Danso was issued a red card for seemingly bringing down Camilo, though the decision was controversial and harsh. However, Jose Valencia equalized for Portland on 83 minutes, and the two teams had to share the points. With the draw, the Timbers made it clear that they can’t be counted out and mean to stay in the top of their conference.

Seattle Sounders 4-2 FC Dallas

The Sounders made a big statement with their wild 4-2 win over the current Western Conference leaders on Saturday. Eddie Johnson contributed two goals for his side, starting in the 16th minute with a half-volley past Dallas keeper Raúl Fernández. Lamar Neagle doubled the Sounders’ lead on 30 minutes as he collected a through ball, rounded Fernández, and slid the ball into the net. That was all for the first half, but the second half didn’t take long to get going. In the 54th minute, Kenny Cooper headed home a free kick from Michel, cutting the home team’s lead in half. Then, seven minutes later, Michel scored one of his own straight off of a corner kick -- a rare “Olimpico.”

Off The Bench Episode 77: Guest Daryl Shore (Ft. Lauderdale Strikers), USMNT roster picks and graduation ceremonies

Pedro Gomes and Luke Lohr give some gut reactions to the latest USMNT roster. Head coach of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers Daryl Shore joins us to talk about the NASL season, US Open Cup draw and league formats. Pedro Gomes graduated from grad school and we are a cursed show. Give us a listen and maybe a share; get Off The Bench.

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David Beckham has retired and the legend has perhaps the most incredible career of any player in soccer. Arguably Beckham is more recognizable than even Pele. Congratulations to him and we thank him for growing the game in Major League Soccer and the rest of the world. 

USL Pro Spotlight Week 8: US Open Cup's "Battle of the Bay"

Article By: Pedro Gomes

This week’s USL Pro Spotlight will switch it’s field of view away from USL Pro league action and instead focus on the USL Pro clubs in US Open Cup competition. The First Round of the competition is in the books and a few of the USL Pro clubs have already seen action. For the most part, the clubs did fairly well with the exception of expansion franchise, Phoenix FC, who were handed defeated by their bitter USL PDL rivals, FC Tucson. It was a tough pill to swallow especially when you throw in the off-field wager the two clubs partook in.

MLS Weekly: Week 11

Article by Leanne Elston

The Games
Three that Matter

Sporting Kansas City 0-1 Seattle Sounders

A 1-0 win for the Sounders at Sporting Park was the first of two important wins for them in this round (the second being a 4-0 home win against the San Jose Earthquakes). Djimi Traoré scored in the 94th minute to steal the three points for the visiting Sounders in a heated game that featured back-up goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann being ejected from the Seattle bench. Traoré’s goal came after Aurélien Collin whiffed his clearance on a long throw-in, thus allowing Traoré to smash in the game-winner from close range. For the Sounders, three road points against a very good SKC team are big, and those points, coupled with the rout against the Quakes at the weekend, indicate that the team may be back on a winning path.

Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 LA Galaxy

A brace from Russell Teibert spurred the ‘Caps to get out of their winless funk with a 3-1 home win over the Galaxy. The game remained scoreless until the 63rd minute, when Teibert fired a left-footed strike into the bottom left corner. The goal was Teibert’s first in MLS, and he got himself another in the 76th minute, burying a set-up from Gershon Koffie. Gyasi Zardes scored his first MLS goal ten minutes later for LA, heading in a cross from Jose Villarreal, but a goal from Darren Mattocks in stoppage time sealed the win for the home side. For Vancouver, these were three big points over a conference rival to grab them their first win in seven games. 

Off The Bench Episode 76: Guest Mike Anhaeuser (Charleston Battery), Ball Boy Incidents, Portland Timbers and FC Dallas

In this episode Luke Lohr and Pedro Gomes debate what a ball-boy (ball person) means to a team and how players should or shouldn't react to them. FC Dallas and the Portland Timbers are showing serious class and DC United just isn't. Head Coach of the Charleston Battery Mike Anhaeuser steps in to talk about his team's 5 game winning streak. That and some NASL to boot. Kick it.

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Simon Borg breaks down the ball boy incident we were referring to and several other controversial plays. What do you think?

USL Pro Spotlight Week 7: Where Have The Good Times Gone?

Article By: Pedro Gomes

Last week’s Spotlight focused on the two remaining undefeated teams in the league, the Richmond Kickers and the Charlotte Eagles. This week we will be focusing on a different type of “0” in the standings, the “0”under the wins columns. Currently there are three teams who have yet to record a win in the 2013 season, the Antigua Barracuda’s, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and the Rochester Rhinos. Instead of talking about each of the club’s search for a win this season, this week’s Spotlight will focus on the tough season the Rhinos have encountered so far.

Off The Bench Episode 74: One Card, Two Card, MLS Red Card, Yellow Card; NASL & USL Roundup

Luke Lohr and Pedro Gomes are back to talk about the weekend action for MLS. Referee decisions are the heavy talking point, as is the rise of Sporting KC. NASL graced us with three draws, but some great individual plays and USL PRO gives us goals. Off The Bench, because it's the right price.

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All these cards prompted Simon Borg over at MLSSoccer.com to take a look at several referee decisions. This is a fun one.