Late Pick: RSL-FCD

Calling my shot here a bit late but had to do it. Gonna go with FC Dallas over RSL. It's kind of a no-brainer to think that RSL would be a favorite but FC Dallas have an 8-0-1 record over RSL at home. That and Fabian Espindola and Jamison Olave are out on red cards. Blas Perez is also out with suspension but I think FC Dallas will be able to overcome that one.

Anyway, we'll be checking in with you later tonight with more thoughts.

Controversy and more from the weekend

One of the most anticipated matchups of the weekend that just went by was the San Jose-Real Salt Lake tilt. It may not have gone the way RSL wanted but the match did indeed live up to the billing - two red cards, four goals, including a stoppage-time winner, and drama throughout was what this game produced.

Unfortunately, it also produced some controversy which I don't quite understand.

Nobody is ever happy with a red card. Players will usually protest no matter what, even if the call seems obvious to anyone watching the game. Still, both of these red cards were textbook calls.

Fabian Espindola went in with a cleats-up two-footed tackle on Sam Cronin. That's pretty blatant. He didn't even seem to protest it too much. The second call was even more apparent and blatant yet that's the one that drew the ire of RSL and other observers.

On the play, Steven Lenhart got loose on a breakaway. Jamison Olave tried to catch up but knocked Lenhart over as the 'Quakes forward got close to the penalty area. Whistle blew, free kick given, red card flashed. It's a fairly straightforward call; Olave denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

Replays... gotta love replays. On replays, Lenhart is reaching behind and grabs Olave's shorts. Perhaps this is where the controversy was ignited.

Well, here's probably the view the match official had:

How is he supposed to see Lenhart grabbing anything? He's not, so why be upset with the call? Not only was the referee or anybody else on the field save for Nick Rimando going to see that, but it was not the cause of the fall. Lenhart was going down regardless of what he did with his hand. Olave was beaten on the play, over-compensate for it and knocked Lenhart down in the process. That Lenhart grabbed anything was inconsequential.

More Controversy

Another call that drew some attention was the penalty kick awarded to Colorado late in their game against the LA Galaxy. Replays showed that there appeared to be minimal contact on the play, certainly not enough to cause Andre Akpan to fall. It looked like Akpan lunged for the ball with his foot and that's what caused him to fall, not contact from any Galaxy player.

Perhaps the situation could have been avoided if the referee would have waited a second or two to blow the whistle. Akpan got up off the ground and started to run back to get in position. No protest, no negative reaction, no nothing, just a failed chance and time to re-position.

A lot of times players make calls by their body language or reactions.

However, one thing that I did not like from that was the Galaxy players' reactions. I understand the nature of the play and how it could have cost the Galaxy the victory but that was absurd. It looked as if almost every Galaxy player took their turn at getting into the referee's face and yelling at him. That's poor sportsmanship and frankly unprofessional. Say what you will about the call or the officiating, but I expect more from players.

Team of the Week

Every week I'm supposed to submit my picks for MLS Team of the Week. It's really difficult to do so because I can't watch every game, and often times players who have strong performances don't score goals or get assists. So going off the score sheet doesn't exactly equate to making the Team of the Week. However, if a player scores the game-winning goal, that's a bit of a stronger case for inclusion.

Having given that brief disclaimer on part of what I go through in selecting this, here's what I submitted after the weekend's games:

G: Josh Saunders, LA Galaxy
D: Steven Beitashour, San Jose
D: Eric Brunner, Portland
D: Aurelien Collin, Sporting KC
D: Gonzalo Segares, Chicago
M: Khari Stephenson, San Jose
M: Lovel Palmer, Portland
M: Eddie Gaven, Columbus
M: Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
F: Chris Pontius, DC United
F: Reggie Lambe, Toronto FC

Week Seven Rankings

So Sporting KC won't go undefeated after all. Bummer. A 34-0-0 team would have been impressive. Okay, maybe that's impossible but Sporting KC nonetheless appeared headed towards another win before Saturday's game at Portland and came away empty-handed for the first time in 2012.

That was not enough to knock them off their perch. After all, they are still the best team in the league and did come away with three points from their quick swing through Cascadia.

Here's how I see the MLS teams through seven weeks of the season:
 
1. Sporting KC: So they're human after all, even if they dealt themselves the lethal blow.
2. San Jose: Red cards helped in win over RSL but San Jose are in top form.
3. Seattle: A week off to recharge and rediscover their attack
4. Real Salt Lake: Espindola put them in a huge hole
5. Chicago: Yeah, it was against lowly Toronto but that was an encouraging road showing
6. Houston: Ching-Bruin combination deadly once more; this is a developing force
7. New York: Terrible showing; was Marquez absence that damaging?
8. LA Galaxy: Saunders PK save helps Galaxy continue on road to recovery
9. DC United: Attack is silent one match, deadly the next
10. Vancouver: Recovered well from midweek loss to have post another clean sheet
11. Colorado: Nearly got a gift draw; still, this team's got some issues that need resolving
12. FC Dallas: Hartman's absence wasn't reason enough for loss; where was the attack?
13. Chivas USA: Is this 1-0 home loss trend someone's idea of a bad joke?
14. New England: Huge test coming up at Red Bull Arena
15. Portland: So the Timbers can hold on to leads
16. Philadelphia: Not a bad result at HDC at all; boring team but it might work
17. Columbus: Offense wakes up just in time to see the defense suffer
18. Montreal: A road point! Hey, anything on the road for them deserves an exclamation mark
19. Toronto FC: As bad as season has gone, firing Winter will only make it worse

Week Seven Picks

My picks for this weekend's games! I cant say I have the most confidence in them but here you go....

Toronto FC vs Chicago

Can anything go right for Toronto? So far, in league play nothing has gone right. The team was ineffective against Chivas USA at home a week ago, but you figure that something will go in their favor at some point soon, right? Chicago meanwhile got Chris Rolfe back and the one-time Fire standout will have the chance to add punch to the Fire attack once more. He could take the field in this one. Chicago are a better team than Toronto but luck has to smile at some point on Toronto. Look for a draw.

Columbus vs Houston

If Columbus aren't the most boring team in MLS, than they definitely are in the top two. The Crew look lost offensively and while they have the standout that is Chad Marshall anchoring the back, his supporting cast isn't quite as effective. Houston meanwhile could exploit those problems, but the Dynamo have their own issues to solve. Can they be more consistent and dangerous going forward? Do they even want to do that? Houston have three goals in four games yet have seven points to their credit. Set pieces could be key for both teams, though. Look for set-piece goals to cancel each other out as Columbus and Houston draw.

Colorado vs LA Galaxy

The Galaxy did not flip a switch in beating Portland a week ago. They didn't. Sure, they won but it took a late goal to do so; David Beckham's late tally was icing on the cake but the result was most definitely not a convincing one. Still, this team is slowly starting to believe in itself once more and if David Junior Lopes can continue playing in strong form then the Rapids will be in trouble. Still, this match is at home and Colorado were rather unfortunate to leave Seattle with zero points. Colorado have the talent and ability to compete for a top spot but the team will need time for that to happen. This one ends in a draw.

Vancouver vs FC Dallas

Good news - Vancouver scored on Sporting KC! Bad news - that goal matter not as KC routed the 'Caps by 3-1. Still, that result can be dismissed since it was against the high-flying top team in MLS. Vancouver's progress will be measured against teams that they can compete with, such as FC Dallas, who have been up and down this season. FC Dallas enter on an upswing after having scored a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Montreal on the weekend. But their inconsistency will hurt them as they'll go on a downturn in this one. Vancouver takes full points.

Chivas USA vs Philadelphia

Chivas USA are one of the least-respected clubs in MLS. Granted, they've not shown much of anything over the last two years to warrant respect but this team, this squad assembled by Robin Fraser can and will contend. Oswaldo Minda has been a monster while Juan Pablo Angel could return and would give Chivas USA the consistent scoring threat the team needs in order to truly make a run at the playoffs. Philadelphia meanwhile will come in and hope to keep the game ugly and walk away with at least a point. Chivas USA won't yield much to the Union's punchless attack though. Look for Chivas USA to win.

Portland vs Sporting KC

The bottom hasn't fallen out on Portland but it will here pretty soon. This is a team that has scored the first goal in games against Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA and the Galaxy and have exactly zero points to show for that. Opponents have the confidence that they can and will find the back of the net no matter the situation. Sporting KC likely won't need a late tally in this matchup. One possible danger spot for the visitors though is the wide play of Khalif Alhassan/Eric Alexander/Franck Songo'o. Sporting KC likes to make it difficult in the middle but if Portland can get their wide game going, they could put the high-flyers from Kansas on the defensive. But they won't. Sporting KC win this.

San Jose vs Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake were expected to contend for the conference title but San Jose were not, yet both sides are up there and look poised to remain there throughout the season. San Jose looked very comfortable in breaking down New York's defense and showed considerable poise in coming back (twice) against the Red Bulls. RSL meanwhile have proven to be vulnerable. While RSL have the weapons to take down any team in MLS, San Jose will win this one.

DC United vs New York

DC did not win on Wednesday against Montreal which means they have a good chance of winning this match. DC have not won consecutive matches in some two years but since they enter the match with a draw, a win is possible. New York though do not care about statistics or trends or anything. Thierry Henry is on fine form and so is Kenny Cooper. While the defense could use some fine-tuning, this team is strong and could break it open at anytime. Look for the Red Bulls to take three points in this one.

Midweek Picks: Can KC Remain Perfect?

Midweek action means more games to pick. Here's what I got for Wednesday night's games.

DC United vs Montreal

Poor Montreal. The expansion Impact have had some success on the road, having had leads in their games at New York and FC Dallas. But leads of 2-1 and 1-0 in amounted to losses, by 5-2 and 2-1. Their success has yet to yield any points and in fact raises doubts over their abilities to pull out results. Montreal is going to struggle all season long, as most expansion teams have done since RSL and Chivas joined the league in 2005. Those struggles will continue at RFK Stadium. DC United has done well to generate more of an attack. If Chris Pontius and Maicon Santos can continue putting balls in the back of the net, this DC team will be heard before the year is out. DC wins comfortably.

Vancouver vs Sporting KC

At some points, Sporting KC will have to drop some points, right? My concern for this game is that. On the field, Sporting KC should win. They're playing excellent soccer, having given up hardly anything. Teams barely can get shots off against them. The Galaxy had zero shots on goal while RSL had a shot in the 88th minute or so, as KC beat each Western rival by 1-0. Now on the road, can KC continue their defensive dominance? Vancouver have the weapons to do so, with Eric Hassli and Sebastien Le Toux up top. I'm tempted to say that KC will put up their stone wall once more and come away with three points but I'm also unsure whether any team can start off with seven consecutive wins. I think KC will be their usual dominant defensive self but will come away with a hard-fought draw, possibly a nil-nil affair.

Diving Away

Diving is a blemish on the game, plain and simple. It's a difficult issue though because so many players dive yet those same players would say that there's no part of diving in the game.

The bad thing is, diving works. Players dive and continue to dive because it helps them get calls.

Now, this isn't something new of course. As this video points out, diving has been going on for quite some time now. It's not an epidemic that began recently, which only makes diving more troublesome and more difficult to stamp out.

This video clip is a great bit of commentary and analysis. It's about 15 minutes long but well worth it.





Gary Neville gives his thoughts on diving and is pretty much spot on.

Week Six Rankings

My power rankings for the week. No-brainers for the first and last spots, everything else around the league is up for grabs.

1. Sporting KC. Six of six. Unstoppable. Have to be considered favorites to run away with Supporters' Shield.
2. San Jose. Responded to New York, twice. Salinas injury could be tough to overcome.
3. Real Salt Lake. Can't fault them for getting run over by Sporting KC.
4. Seattle. Finally scored. Sounders can go on woeful scoring droughts, strange considering their talent.
5. New York. Marquez.... what. was. that?
6. Chicago. We love the Chris Rolfe signing.
7. Houston. If Will Bruin can consistently find the back of the net, Houston will be tough to take down.
8. FC Dallas. They like to save it late, don't they?
9. Chivas USA. Nine points out of nine on the road - no fluke here.
10. Colorado. Survived Mullan's first trip to Seattle; no points but no brawl either.
11. LA Galaxy. A win, yes, but there were still holes in Galaxy's performance.
12. DC United. Maicon Santos is flourishing alongside Dwayne De Rosario.
13. Vancouver. Massive tests as Sporting KC and FC Dallas visit this week.
14. New England. Makings are there for decent side but can't give up late goals.
15. Philadelphia. Is it possible to not feel good after a win?
16. Columbus. Talk about punchless.
17. Portland. Is it time to question whether John Spencer is the right man for the job?
18. Montreal. Couldn't hold on to a road lead with handlebars.
19. Toronto FC. Abysmal. Rock bottom continues to be deeper than we all thought.

Video Review, On Your Side

There's been much debate over the MLS Disciplinary Committee's usage of video to go back and slap players with fines and suspensions.

Now, it's possible that many of these same critics will not only praise this system but will be glad it's in place.

Rafael Marquez got away with a horrible act of violence in New York's 2-2 draw with San Jose on Saturday. Marquez... well, look for yourself.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xy6rCYtzJSY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's pretty bad. He wraps up Salinas, drags him down and for good measure kicks him in the head. Salinas broke his clavicle on the play and a key figure from San Jose's impressive early start is now gone.

Marquez deserves a lengthy ban. As if the Committee needs any reminding, Marquez began the season by serving a two-match ban for shenanigans he created after the Galaxy and Red Bulls played the first leg of their playoff series last year. I think a 3-5 match will be given, and I think five would be fair.

Anyway, without this recent rash of retroactive suspensions, not sure what sort of action would have been taken. I do believe this would have gone punished in some form or another but because the Discipline Committee is now quick to slap suspensions on players, this one should be pretty simple and straightforward.

And hopefully the criticisms over the use of the Discipline Committee and their suspensions will be quelled.

Galaxy-Portland Notes

Some leftover things from Galaxy training and more thoughts on the Galaxy-Timbers match.

Davey’s Arrival

David Junior Lopes joined the club earlier in the week to help try and solve the Galaxy’s defensive woes. The deal is a stop-gap measure. That much seemed apparent when it went down – after all, if any MLS team is relying on another team’s fourth-choice center back as a player who will step in and make a difference, then that team’s in trouble.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena also pulled the trigger on the deal because of Leonardo’s prognosis. Originally, the young Brazilian was supposed to have been back by this time of the season but instead it’s not happened. Leonardo only returned to training this week – he’d been out at practices but had not participated in much with his teammates.

“We’re a little behind with Leonardo coming back. Our plan was that he was going to be ready in March and he’s going to need a little more time,” Arena said. “He just started training. He’s trained this week with the team, which is the first time and that’s good. He’s close to being in the full swing of things but he’s going to need more time. He really suffered a devastating injury.”

The Galaxy aren’t pinning any real hopes on Lopes, at least, not any hopes beyond the near future. Down the road, whether it’s this season, next or beyond, the Galaxy have some high hopes on Leonardo.

“There was a lot there and his initial rehab in Brazil didn’t go as well as expected. He had to have another surgery here in November for some scar tissue. He’s been behind a little bit. In the case of Leo, he’s 22 and he’s a player that if he gets back to where he was we’ve got a good young center back in the league. We have him under contract.”

As for Lopes…

“Sometimes you’ve got to do things for the long term,” Arena said. “I think Lopes is a solution for the short term.”

Match Importance

How big is this match for the LA Galaxy?

Days before the Sporting KC match, I asked Bruce Arena and Todd Dunivant about whether that match was a must-win or not. They both said no, although Dunivant conceded that there was some urgency in it.

On Thursday, Arena, Landon Donovan and David Beckham all brought up the need to win, to beat Portland. This match is definitely a must-win.

“This is a game we need to win,” Donovan said. “We’re home against a team that’s now around us at the bottom of the table and this is a game we need to win, period.”

Arena was asked if it was time to hit the panic button.

“It’s like the president who’s got the black bag close, if you’ve got to send off the missiles and stuff, we’ve got it ready in case we have to do it too. It’s time for us to start winning, no question about it. Is it the panic button? No, but we’ve got to win games,” Arena said.

Certainly this match presents a strong opportunity to pick up three points. Portland have plenty of issues of their own, having blown two leads at in their last two home games. With four points thus far this season, the Timbers are suffering through their own confidence issues.

But Portland won’t be a walkover win either.

“They’ve not changed a ton in the offseason,” Donovan said when asked what he knew about Portland. “I know they brought in [Kris] Boyd who gives them a bit of a different look up front. John Spencer I think is a great coach and he’s always got them motivated and ready to go. At the end of last year they put a good licking on us up in Portland. We know they’re a team that will come in here thinking they can get something out of the game.”

Flank Play

If Portland are to compete in the match and have a chance to win, the Timbers will have to dominate the flanks. And with the way the Galaxy’s season has gone, that may not be too tough a challenge.

Khalif Alhassan and Franck Songo’o have the pace to get behind the Galaxy’s defense and have the skill to do something once they find themselves in space. If the speedy duo can get service in to Kris Boyd, the Timbers will have their chances.

Throw Darlington Nagbe into the mix and the Galaxy’s defense will have their hands full.

“Alhassan was a pleasant surprise to them last year and I think he’s continued to play well this year. Songo’o we don’t know a ton about yet but I think Darlington Nagbe is a really good player and when you combine those three athletic and unpredictable players with a guy who is predictable in front of goal in Boyd it makes them difficult. They’re a dangerous team. There’s a number of teams in this league who have dangerous attacks and this is one of them so we’ve got to make sure we’re ready.”