• Home
    • Who Are We
    • USMNT Ramblings
    • Where Are They Now >
      • Mike Ammann
      • Chris Armas
      • Brian Bliss Part II
      • Petter Mellor
      • Gary Hamilton
      • John Robinson
    • My Club My Passion
  • Interviews
    • Robbie Mustoe
    • Cyle Larin
    • Daphne Corboz
    • Neil Stafford
    • Eric DaCosta
    • Ian McIntyre
    • Keidane McAlpine
    • David DiIanni
    • Keelin Winters
    • Rachel Daly
    • Arie Ammann
    • Andres Deza
    • EPL 2013 Steve Coxon
    • EPL 2013 Jeremy Melul
    • EPL 2013 Jim McGirr
    • EPL 2013 Elie Monteiro
    • EPL 2013 Lee Billiard
    • EPL 2013 Brian Tompkins
    • Derek Canavaggio
    • Dante Marini
    • Katy Freels
    • Lee Billiard - NWSL
    • Caitlin Foord
    • Sophie Schmidt
    • Jill Loyden
    • Brittany Bock
    • Veronica Perez
    • Kate Deines
    • Brendan Schimmel
    • Gerry Marrone
    • Lee Billiard
  • Extra Time
  • Off The Ball
  • Five For Friday
    • Gary Curneen
    • Dave Clarke
    • Andrew Kean
    • Dan Abrahams
    • Dave Hannigan
Soccer Banter

MLS Weekend Wrap Up

8/27/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
As the playoffs near and teams jockey for the final positions, lets recap what we have learned in recent weeks.

The Montreal Impact are very much alive and are a force at home.  Saputo Stadium has been a safe haven for the Impact as they upped their home record to 10-2-3.  They have won five consecutive matches and have scored twelve total goals during the streak.  Their newest designated player, Marco Di Vaio, has made his presence very well known by scoring in the last two matches.  Newly acquired goalkeeper Troy Perkins has played very well, along with midfielder Patrice Bernier and defender Jeb Brovsky.

Columbus is trying to rejoin the race.  The Crew were dealt a serious emotional blow with the death of their star Kirk Urso, but are trying to get back into the Eastern Conference playoff race with his spirit in their hearts and minds.  They have put together a nice string by going unbeaten in six of their last seven.  They have also received a big boost from their new designated player, Federico Higuain, who has scored three goals in his first two games as a member of the Crew.



Picture
Seattle is priming for a championship title run.  The Seattle Sounders beat Chivas 6-2 on the road at the Home Depot Center on Saturday.  Fredy Montero continued his scoring tear with a hat trick (the first of his career) which continued his streak of scoring in four consecutive matches.  Their defense has been very stingy, goalkeeper Michael Gspurning has been solid and All Star Eddie Johnson has contributed greatly.

Besides Seattle, San Jose and Los Angeles are also showing signs of clubs capable of making a run at MLS Cup. The Earthquakes scored a decisive 4-1 victory at their Buck Shaw fortress, while the Galaxy won 2-0 at the Home Depot Center.  It is very interesting how differing, yet dominant these two squads can be. The Quakes play like a scrappy bunch, who ultimately strangle their opponent.  The Galaxy tend to ultimately just have more talent than the team they run off the pitch. Both teams have solid and stout defenses and quck, lightning-like scoring punches.  There is no doubt that talent for both teams is the prevailing factor, but brass tax, they just know how to finish off games.

Chivas USA continue to be in a massive downward spiral with their defense.  The transfer window has closed, but they must figure out a way to shore up this part of their team in the immediate future.  All of their trades in this window were to add more scoring options, but defense must be their focus going forward.  To add to the negativity, Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy told reporters, "It makes me sick to be honest with you."  



Picture
The Houston Dynamo may rue the day they sold Geoff Cameron.  He made his EPL debut with Stoke City and featured in a 0-0 draw with Arsenal over the weekend.  New stadiums don't guarantee wins as Houston found out by drawing with Toronto FC 1-1 on Saturday.  WIll Bruin continued a solid young career with a goal in the 26th minute, but a late Terry Dunfield header equaled the match in the 85th minute.  Like many top MLS squads, the Dynamo seem to have a great scoring attack, but at times look listless and have defensive lapses that end matches in draws when they should be victories.    

That is all for now, but let me know your thoughts on how your teams are looking in their current form in the comment section below. As always, you can also reach me on Twitter, @RaveGreenLoyal 
  

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Craig Giovannetti

    Giovannetti is based in Fairfield, CA and is an avid supporter of Seattle Sounders in MLS and Aston Villa in the Premiership.  He will be keeping tabs on Major League Soccer and can be followed on twitter @RaveGreenLoyal



    Archives

    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Soccer Banter: Been Kicking Since March 1, 2011