This weekend was full of MLS action with many highly
anticipated matches that kept us glued to the TV. Some of the matches were
truly entertaining while others seem to lack some of the desired creativity.
For the most part coaches approached this first leg strategically. We will have
to wait and see how it turns out for each club. There were two matches on
Saturday, November 2 and two more on Sunday, November 3, and it felt good to
let go of time spent watching Premiership action in favor of MLS action.
New England Revolution 2 – 1 Sporting Kansas City
In this match up where the Revs hosted the mighty Sporting
we saw a very spirited match full of action. It was often broken up and it did
flow very smoothly but the young guns of New England made it work and they are
going to Kansas City with one goal in hand. Since goals away do not count any
more in the MLS Playoffs all they have to do is hunker down for a draw. That
won’t be easy however, as Sporting led by the experienced Peter Vermes really
own their house, and the scoring guns of the Midwest are likely going for a
very strong attacking game. Their strategy was clearly to withstand the
youthful attacks of the Revs and take a decent result home to Kansas City. Sporting
KC have the better chance to advance.
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – 2 Portland Timbers FC
This arch-rivalry of the Pacific Northwest lived up to its
typical excitement. The match was very exciting to watch, with lots of dynamism
and ongoing attacks. It was a very frustrating night for Seattle and Dempsey,
especially since he had a good game, but it seems as if Seattle’s famous coach
Sigi Schimdt just doesn’t have the right combination of players quite figured
out this year. The Timbers defended mightily and attacked very effectively and
had the Sounders scared for most of the match. There was some life sparked into
the Seattle side once Mauro Rosales came in. It is interesting that Rosales
doesn’t get more starts given that he carried this team at one point and
clearly has a very positive influence on the attack. Needless to say, the
Sounders have a monumental task ahead of them going south on I-5. The Timbers
will be gracious hosts, but they will show their neighbors to the north who’s
boss in the Rose City. Portland Timbers have the upper hand.
Houston Dynamo 2 – 2 New York Red Bull
Houston welcomed New York at BBVA and the Red Bulls wasted
no time in pushing for goals. It was a decent match for both teams but New York
definitely looked like the better side. They led Houston for most of the match.
The boys in orange just couldn’t make it happen against the rugged New York
defense. The Dynamo got the equalizer late in the match only after the Red
Bulls went down to 10 men. Olave received a red card for a reckless and
completely unnecessary foul. However, Houston will have to do much better if
they want advance. NYRB probably have this taken care of since they are going
home with a draw and a strong road performance in the back pocket.
Los Angeles Galaxy 1 – 0 Real Salt Lake
This was a fairly decent match but very one-side, as coach
Jason Kreis had his team simply worry about withstanding the attacks of the
mighty Galaxy. RSL were not concerned at all about getting players into the
attacking third. In fact, they rarely worried about the midfield; an area they
usually control well. RSL’s team general,
Kyle Beckerman, seemed relaxed on the pitch and played more like a
defender than his usual role. Los Angeles pushed hard toward the Salt Lake goal
throughout the match, but the RSL defense and their superb goalkeeper, Nick
Rimando, handled all that pressure exquisitely. All but one incredible shot
that is, as Sean Franklin’s highlight reel strike will do down in the books as
on of the best goals ever. It was a great moment for this deserving Galaxy player
who seldom scores, but contributes immensely whenever he’s on the pitch. RSL
probably feel good about going to Utah needing only one goal to make up the
loss in LA and one more to advance toward the MLS Cup, but the experience of
the Galaxy players will be difficult to match. Bruce Arena and his men are very
excited about the possibility of a three-peat as MLS Cup winners. It should be
a fantastic match to watch.
In just a few days, four
teams will celebrate and four will become spectators, but with great hope for
the rapidly approaching 2014 season. We, the fans, will have a great time being a part of it, even if our hearts will be broken at the sight of our team losing. There is always next year.
