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MLS Ticker: N.E., Portland post clean sheets; Quakes keep rolling in England

Sainey (Getty Images)

After giving up the most goals in Major League Soccer a year ago, the New England Revolution is off to a nice start in its attempt to rectify its defensive problems.

The Revolution posted its third consecutive clean sheet on its trip in Florida, blanking FC Dallas, 1-0, on Wednesday behind a 10th-minute goal from Sainey Nyassi.

After 2-0 victories over the University of Central Florida and members of the United States Under-17 team not taking part in the CONCACAF U-17 championships, the Revolution turned its attention to a professional side and produced a similar result.

The defensive unit comprised of Didier Domi, Ryan Cochrane, A.J. Soares and Zak Boggs went the full 90 minutes in front of Matt Reis, who made four saves in goal.

Here are a couple of more preseason results from around MLS:

PORTLAND TOPS MONTREAL

The Portland Timbers received a seventh-minute goal from Eddie Johnson, and Adin Brown posted a clean sheet in goal to lift the expansion side to a 1-0 victory over NASL's Montreal Impact in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Johnson, starting up top aside trialist Jorge Perlaza, latched onto a cross from another trialist, Roberto Merino, and headed home the eventual game-winner from short range.

SAN JOSE TOPS COLCHESTER

The San Jose Earthquakes won again during their stay in England, topping England League One side Colchester United, 3-0, in a game filled with reserves.

Ellis McLoughlin produced a brace, and Matt Luzunaris tallied the final goal to bring San Jose's record on its England trip to 2-0. 

The Earthquakes topped Birmingham City's reserves — which included U.S. international midfielder Alejandro Bedoya — on Tuesday, 4-0, behind two goals from Steven Lenhart and tallies from Joey Gjertsen and Chris Wondolowski.

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What do you make of Wednesday's other results? Think New England's defense will be better in 2011? Do you see Johnson playing a big part for the Timbers this season? Expect San Jose to be a threat in the West?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. First Team? Really?

    Beyond Joseph and Alston who weren’t there, the Revs also sat Perovic and Barnes. Not to mention Dabo hasn’t even joined the team yet.

    The team they fielded had a couple starters, but I wouldn’t call it the “first team”

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  2. I know a guy, who knows another guy, who has a brother, who has a cousin, who has a girlfriend in England who thinks…

    Come one guys.

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  3. I was thinking the same about Ellis McLoughlin. I thought that guy was playing in Germany. Has he signed with San Jose or is he on trail?

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  4. Where to begin with THIS post. While we had an up & down season last year, the Quakes were one goal away from the final last year, losing to the eventual champions. Second, bedoya has been in England probably 72 hrs and thrown into the mix w/ a bunch of reserve/trialists. I’m sure he was wishing for someone to play with.

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  5. I also know an English person and they also have the sentiment that the league is rubbish.
    The person is a fan of a league one team in his hometown, so you would think there is a frame of reference.
    However, He also said that us would lose to England at least by two goals in the WC and that england would be in the finals and Rooney would win his golden boot.

    I agree their frame of reference may be suspect.

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  6. I do in fact know an English person who said our league was rubbish. But on the other hand i know one that pays a bit of attention to MLS, (they live here in California).

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  7. Do you actually know a single English person that considers MLS a Mickey Mouse League? Is this your own insecurity about MLS’s international standing?

    Almost every single foreigner I have ever discussed MLS with has been completely respectful and realistic about the league. They certainly hold it in higher esteem than most people, news outlets, and sports personalities in the US.

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  8. The Quakes beat a straight-up third tier team and then handily beat the reserves of an EPL team. While Birmingham isn’t having their best season ever, there is still something to be said for the Quakes drubbing their reserves like that.

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  9. It should probably be pointed out that what appears to be NE first team played FCD backups and trialists. So perhaps touting that shut should be tempered a bit. I do like that teams now have enough depth to play full second strings and subs, without having starters play at all, that’s going to be good for the league in the long run.

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  10. Whenever EPL teams field even a handful of reserves in cup matches, the supporters are online crying about it. Outside of the Champions League teams (and even then…), English fans know their teams don’t have a ton of quality depth.

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  11. It is always interesting to me that whenever the English teams come over for preseason friendlies they have a tough time with MLS teams… then we go over there for preseason we seem to take care of business…albeit against reserves but heck I would bet most English fans would think even their Prem reserve squads could take care of a team from the Mickey Mouse League…

    Reply

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