1. DC United | WWDWW | Next: SUN@Fire
Not the most competent performance for the Men in Black, but good enough to get a result against an improved RSL side. United got a deserved break this past weekend after their recent hectic schedule, though most of United's midfield will be out of action longer than others with Fred, Gomez, and Olsen all suspended for their next match against the Fire.
2. Chivas USA | WDWWD | Next: SAT-KC
Solid at the back and deadly on the counter. To be fair though, it wasn't a deserved 3-0 as Chivas took advantage of a desperate Galaxy side throwing attackers forward in a futile attempt to keep alive what little playoff hopes they had. On the road at the weekend, Chivas were very unfortunate to have their game with Colorado marred by lightning delays that probably let the Rapids overcome the 10-man fatigue syndrome a bit as they put a dent in the Goats title charge. They'll be back in the happy hunting grounds of Carson, CA this weekend for the visit of the on again, off again Wiz.
3. Houston Dynamo | WDDWW | Next: -
The Dynamo are starting to flex their muscles again as they stretch the unbeaten run to five and look to reclaim the top spot that they held for much of the summer. It must be said that much of their recent run of results has been against poor sides, so we'll have to see how much of a legitimate threat they can be. The potential is certainly there, though they'll have to sit and stew this week as their title rivals use up their game in hand on the Dynamo.
4. New England Revolution | LWWLW | Next: SAT@NYRB
The Revs roar back and dump four on the visiting Hoops to solidify their claim on the second spot in the East and keep the pressure on DC United for both the Eastern Conference crown and the Supporters' Shield. The big worry will be some of the questionable decisions creeping into the normally reliable Matt Reis' game. This week brings a potentially tricky visit to the Swamp, but the Bulls defense should give them plenty of chances to win the game.
5. FC Dallas | WLLWL | Next: THR-Fire, SUN@LA
El Pescadito is firing again, but a loss against top of the table rivals New England opens up a gap between the Hoops and the top four and drops them closer to the dreaded Red Bull Country of humdrum mediocrity. They'll have a last gasp at the regular season title race this year as Blanco and DenÃlson spice up the Brimstone Cup (do they still contest that thing?) midweek, before the Hoops cash in their 3-point voucher at Crazy Alexi's Goal Shipping Extravaganza.
6. Red Bull NY | LLWLD | Next: SAT-Revs
Probably fortunate to grab a draw against a Fire side that looked ready to storm back into the match, but leaving 9 of the last 15 points available on the table has to be unacceptable to the Bruce as he tries to fire up the aged and bruised Bulls for a late-season run. They might have an even tougher go of it this weekend as the free-scoring Revs roll into the Swamp.
7. Kansas City Wizards | WLLDW | Next: SAT@Chivas
The Wiz are finally back in the win column and in dramatic fashion with two in stoppage time to down the Crew and keep the chasing pack off their heels. Things will be significantly more difficult this weekend as they roll into the Toolbox, where Chivas have yet to lose a match this season.
8. Chicago Fire | LWLWD | Next: THR@Dallas, SUN-DC
Chicago roared back after conceding an early goal to the Bulls, and were unlucky to go down a man and a goal at the point they did as they probably would have gone on to win the game. Regardless, they managed to scrap out a point in an area of the table where every point is precious at the moment. This week sees a step up in the level of competition as Osorio's boys face a midweek tilt with Dallas before flying home to face a suspension-weakened, but well-rested, United on Sunday.
9. Colorado Rapids | WWDLD | Next: SAT@RSL
Quick, somebody check Clavijo's closet for dead chickens! Some serious voodoo going on out at the Dick as a combination of lightning delays and mysterious non-yellows for brutal challenges allow the Rapids to muscle a point off the unlucky Goats, though obviously Clavijo should have opted for an entire sheep or fatted calf as he didn't get any of the late penalty claims. The Rapids' unlikely run towards the playoffs continues apace, as they stumble past the reeling Crew, but the Fire are proving less easy to drag down. They'll have an edge on their Windy City rivals this week though as a visit to RSL is significantly easier than what the Fire have in store.
10. Columbus Crew | LDDLL | Next: SAT@TFC
Heartbreak for the Crew as they give up two in stoppage time and lose three points they desperately needed in the playoff battle. This match looked to be the most dramatic of the weekend. Too bad Mark Cuban's evil minions are keeping the highlights locked up in their cold, dank HDNet vaults. The Crew are struggling mightily, but facing goal-shy TFC this weekend might be the cure for what ails Sigi's men.
11. Real Salt Lake | WWLLD | Next: WED-LA, SAT-Rapids
A gutty performance against a tired DC side missing and sitting a few key cogs, but a loss all the same. Fortunate that an early red doesn't cost them as the road trip continues in Toronto, but the combination of Rimando and really, really poor TFC finishing hands them an unlikely point against their bottom-feeding brethren. Another busy, two-fixture week awaits, though they'll be home this time, with visits from the SuperClub and the Clavijo's brutal band of voodoo bruisers.
12. LA Galaxy | LLWLL | Next: WED@RSL, SUN-Dallas
Donovan tries to carry the team in the Super Classico, but the dead weight on the Galaxy roster is just too much to bear. Once again, the defensive errors conspire to undermine the Gals as the Dynamo follow suit with the rest of MLS and take candy from Alexi Lalas' malnourished SuperBaby. LA need points in a midweek trip to RSL if they're to climb off the bottom, and more points against Dallas at the weekend if they're to have any shot at respectability this season. Playoffs? You're joking, right?
13. Toronto FC | LLLLD | Next: SAT-Crew
Talk about impotent! 24 shots, 12 on goal, none in the net. TFC dominates RSL, aided by an early red for the visitors, but the hapless Canucks are the literal unfulfilled in a house of ill-repute. Man, that expansion fever sure plays hell with the ability to put a bulge in the old onion bag, if you get my arched-eyebrow, double entendre drift. Full credit to the TFC faithful, over 20k of whom still turned out to cheer on their luckless lads. They'll get another chance to show that kind of inspired support as a Crew side in a serious slump of their own present TFC with a golden opportunity to break the winless streak.
No comments:
Post a Comment