MLS Monday
MLS Monday Week 2: More Shocks & Crew Fans No Show
Columbus vs. Montreal
Well, well, well. Remember that "#SaveTheCrew" thing that infected every comments section on every soccer-related article on the internet?
Yeah. Well, that generated a frenzy that brought a whole 11,098 people to the Crew's home opener. And all 11,098 got to see a pretty good 3-2 match.
Piatti and Edwards had the best goals--both for Montreal--and the Crew got the penalty kicks (two of them) plus a Zardes tap in to remain undefeated. And largely unattended.
New England vs. Colorado
Brad Friedel got his first win as the man in charge as the Revs got a 2-1 home win.
Ironically, the legendary keeper had his own goalkeeper make a great play, and a great big mistake along the way. Matt Turner saved a penalty, only to make a hash out of a ball in the air that Niki Jackson headed home--all after a Diego Fagundez goal started off the proceedings.
But, in the end, a 93rd minute free kick goal with a deflection added in made sure Friedel's dressy overcoat didn't go to waste with his first win as an MLS manager.
Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC
OH MY, LAFC!
THIS is an expansion team? Last week, we asked if Bob Bradley could have something starting in his spanking new side. Well, IN Salt Lake, the spanking was all done by LAFC--even though they were behind in a match for the first time in their short history.
After going down 1-0 on an 18th minute penalty, LAFC came back with five unanswered goals.
And answered a lot of critics. Can they keep it up? We'll find out. But for the time being, they're off to a Chicago '98 start for Mr. Bradley.
Chicago vs. Sporting Kansas City
This one was a barnburner all the way, no pun intended.
The scoring never stopped and went back and forth as SKC came into Chicago and ruined the Fire's home opener with some uncharacteristic high scoring & lax defense.
But a win's a win. Even if it is 4-3 on the part of last year's stingiest defense.
Houston vs. Vancouver
Squandered chances? The Dynamo were the poster children for them in a rare loss at home.
Outshooting Vancouver early & often, Houston fell prey to nemesis Brek Shea in the 50th minute, as the Whitecaps man sprinted half the length of the field to tuck away a goal that broke a 1-1 tie and put the Dynamo down for good.
Dynamo fans will be irked by the 21-7 advantage in shots they had--and simply hope they return to their one loss at home in 2017 form the next time they play in H-town.
NY Red Bulls vs. Portland
Giovanni Savarese didn't have such a great return to New York. Nor is he having such a great start to his MLS coaching career.
After losing to the Galaxy in LA by a goal, the Timbers went bi-coastal and took on New York Red Bulls. And lost 4-0 in a game that wasn't even that close.
A 20-12 advantage in shots on the part the Red Bulls didn't help. And neither did anything else, with perhaps the exception of Jake Gleeson's five saves to keep it from becoming extra-ridiculous.
Orlando vs. Minnesota
A controversial first goal (offsides?), a controversial second goal via PK (in the box?), and a no-doubt-about-it third goal added up to a 2-1 win for the Loons on the road in Orlando.
Ethan Finlay bagged a brace for Minnesota, and Orlando had a huge 20-9 shot advantage (but only a 4-3 on target advantage.)
Three yellows handed out. For time wasting, unsporting behavior, and simulation for the trifecta of "come on, man" cautions. (Minnesota led that, 2-1.)
Atlanta vs. DC United
Two of the usual suspects, Martinez and Almiron, contributed as Atlanta United shook off last week's lambasting to look like the team we saw in 2017--with a 3-1 home win over DC.
Darren Mattocks pulled one back late to help DC avoid the shutout, but with a 6-1 shots on target advantage, Atlanta started with pressure and never let up.
Julian Gressel played a smart "unsung hero" match to keep things flowing in the return to Atlanta's scoring ways.
NYCFC vs. LA Galaxy
Anton Tinnerholm opened things up with a goal--which we mention because a) it's so much fun to say Anton Tinnerholm, and b) it was a positively crushing volley off the underside of the bar.
David Villa then made it four goals in four home openers while playing for NYCFC. Jonathan Dos Santos put one in for the away side, but no matter. 2-1 to NYCFC is how it ended up.
The topsy-turvy, parity-filled schedule that is the MLS season continues next week. What perils and glories will Week 3 bring? We'll tell you next time.
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