Week two of Major League Soccer has come and gone, and it left
a few surprises with us. Several “bottom dwellers” claimed victory from the
“big boys”, and the Goonies still refuse to say die. Let’s grab a can of Red
Bull, enjoy the first half, pour the second half of it on
the floor, and dive in shall we?
The Games:
Toronto FC 2 – 1
Sporting Kansas City
234 days. That’s how long it had been since Toronto FC had
won a MLS match. Toronto built on their positive showing last week to claim
their first win of 2013 in front of their home fans. Robert Earnshaw was the
man of the day, scoring both goals for the Reds off of a weak back pass from KC
and a penalty. Toronto had to hold on as Sporting tried to mount a rally late,
but weathered the storm.
Sporting fans, remember the first half of the Philadelphia game
last week? Then you pretty much know how the first half of this one went down.
Sporting’s league-best 2012 defense looks a shadow of its former self, despite
having all the same personnel. 2012 Defender of the Year Matt Besler looked
anything but proficient as he played a weak back-pass which was intercepted for
a goal. The only bright spot for the Sporting faithful is DP Claudio Bieler
scored again, and is looking like a great addition.
D.C. United 1 – 0
Real Salt Lake
D.C. United started their 2013 home campaign in a (somewhat
uneventful) win over Real Salt Lake. United seemed to be lacking in offensive
creativity, something that should be fixed next week when DeRosario comes back
from suspension. The game’s lone goal came from Lionard Pajoy, who scored a
diving header from a deflected save from Nick Rimando.
Chicago Fire 0 – 1
New England Revolution
Chicago limped back home from Los Angeles, hoping to clear
their heads of the thrashing they received at the hands of the Galaxy. For the
first half of the match, the Fire put it all behind them and looked the more
dangerous side against the Revs. Dilly Duka almost put them ahead at one point.
However, Chicago would lose its grip shortly after halftime. After conceding
the goal, the Fire looked a little listless, and finished the game without a
goal to show for it. Chicago are the only team to have played both weeks this
season without scoring.
New England came to Toyota Park to start their 2013 season
after a week one “bye”. The Revolution looked slightly timid in the early
going, allowing Chicago to come at them and get some good shots away. Matt Reis
proved up to the task, keeping the scores even going in to halftime. Shortly
after the second half whistle, Kelyn Rowe entered the match and the tide began
to turn New England’s way. Rowe provided the assist for Jerry Bengtson’s
game-winning header.
Vancouver Whitecaps 2
– 1 Columbus Crew
Before I talk about the Crew, can we just take a minute and
dwell on how awesome Daigo Kobayashi’s goal was? Go ahead, watch it again.
Done? Ok, let’s move on.
The Crew didn’t put in the best of first-half efforts
against the Whitecaps, and were fortunate to go into the locker room only down
by one. Jairo Arrieta brought Columbus level in the forty-sixth minute,
but Glauber was dispossessed in horrific
fashion ten minutes later to put the Crew back behind the eight ball where they
would remain until the final whistle.
Portland Timbers 1 –
2 Montreal Impact
Montreal brought their “wait and counter” from the match
against Seattle down to Portland, with similar results. Hassoun Camara scored a
wonderful bicycle kick to open the scoring, and Filipe doubled Montreal’s
advantage just before the hour mark. Portland did put together a pretty scoring
sequence with ten minutes to go, but Montreal’s defensive solidarity saw them
through to claim all six points from their season-opening road trip to
Cascadia.
Colorado Rapids 1 – 2
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia was never in the driver’s seat during their
visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but the Union emerged with a victory
thanks to a tightened defense. Amobi Okugo scored the opening goal from a
LeToux corner kick, giving the Union the lead heading into halftime. Colorado
equalized, but Philadelphia’s Jack McInerney scored the game winner on a
counter attack to give the Union their first win of 2013.
San Jose Earthquakes
2 – 1 New York Red Bulls
If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn this was a
replay from last season. Eric Alexander scored early to give the Red Bulls the
lead after the first quarter of an hour, a score line that would hold until the
game was nearly over. New York’s defense stumbled with a lead yet again as the
Earthquakes scored two goals in the FINAL TEN MINUTES OF PLAY. Chris
Wondolowski’s first penalty attempt was even saved before Roy Miller (who
caused the penalty) was whistled for encroachment. Roy Miller probably shouldn't show his face for a while.
The Stories:
The Montreal Impact find themselves at the top of the
Eastern Conference standings for the first time in their MLS history, having
won both of their first two games in 2013. The Impact have also matched their
road victory total from 2012 in those two weeks. Both wins have come from a
more defensive style of play, will they open up the offensive throttle at home?
Mike Petke’s Red Bulls failed once again to defend a lead,
can they change their fortunes in front of their home fans?
Sporting Kansas City’s defense was among the best, if not
the best, in the league last season. So far this season that same defense
featuring the same starting players has put Sporting behind early in matches
for the second straight match.
Chicago are the only team in the Eastern Conference sitting
on zero points. After being crushed in Los Angeles and beaten at home, spirits
probably aren’t exactly high. It won’t get any easier for the Fire either, as
their next match is at Sporting Park.
The Table: (ties
decided by goal difference)
1.
Montreal Impact – 6 (2-0-0)
2.
Columbus Crew – 3 (1-1-0)
3.
Sporting Kansas City – 3 (1-1-0)
4.
Philadelphia Union – 3 (1-1-0)
5.
Houston Dynamo – 3 (1-0-0)
6.
New England Revolution – 3 (1-0-0)
7.
Toronto FC – 3 (1-1-0)
8.
D.C. United – 3 (1-1-0)
9.
New York Red Bulls – 1 (0-1-1)
1. Chicago Fire – 0 (0-2-0)
The Week Ahead:
Another week, another round of home openers. Montreal will
play Toronto at Olympic Stadium, New York welcome D.C. United to Red Bull
Arena, Sporting Kansas City host the Chicago Fire, and the Columbus Crew will
be hoping San Jose’s late-game magic has run out.
Elsewhere, Philadelphia will take on New England and Houston
will travel north to take on rival FC Dallas.
MLS Reserves Eastern
Conference Player of the Week: Robert Earnshaw (Toronto FC)
Leading Toronto FC to their first league victory since last
July is noteworthy. Scoring two to make it happen is just icing on the cake.
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