Photo by ISIphotos.com
That sound you hear is the MLS playoff race tightening as eleven teams battle for eight post-season spots.
The Seattle Sounders and Chivas USA scored vital victories against Eastern Conference opponents this weekends to help their playoff positioning, while Toronto FC won its own inter-conference showdown to edge closer to the pack in the East.
Here is a rundown of this weekend's scores (along with media reports on each match):
Toronto FC 3, Colorado Rapids 2
Kansas City Wizards 1, New York Red Bulls 0
Seattle Sounders 2, D.C. United 1
Chicago Fire 1, Real Salt Lake 1
FC Dallas 6, Los Angeles Galaxy 3
Look for an SBI update on the MLS playoff race this afternoon. For now, what did you think of the weekend's results? Still in awe of FC Dallas' thrashing of LA? Think Columbus is the MLS Cup favorite after it's victory against Houston? Disappointed with the amount of diving that went on this past weekend?
Share your thoughts below.
I love you like a brother, Ives, but that “That sound you hear…” cliché is getting old.
Really Chance3000. I never even knew there were any Fire fans in attendance–you must have pulled your best cRapids SG impersonation or maybe La Barra Real drowned out your pathetic effort.
You are right, we are angry in SL, our team is on the verge of not making the playoffs (again) and our midfield was AWOL on Sat night–due to injuries and suspensions. Hopefully, our midfield will be close to full strength against Houston.
The replays aren’t clear on Rolfe’s goal and Prus was out of position the entire game. Prus was awful both ways and never had control of the game. His linesmen must’ve had sore arms after signaling for all the fouls he missed. And I’m surprised no one was hurt and that a fight didn’t break out.
Dlovell, I thought Lenhart was hit in the nuts first (there probably should have been two red cards). And I’m sure that GBS got into Dom’s face totally unprovoked. Poor innocent Houston.
Frank, the issue with Lenhart was that it appeared, whether he did intentionally or not, that he kicked Chabala in the nuts. Chabala, Cameron and another Dynamo player took offense. This happened right after the PK/result was gifted to the Crew. Tensions were running pretty high. Also, Moffat made a pretty reckless tackle on Mullan, who was pissing him, GBS, and Padula off all day. That resulted in alot of shoving and Ricardo Clark and Moffat being red carded.
FDV, I like how you attack the Dynamo players when your star and the league MVP folds SUPER easily and then showed so much class after the game by getting to Dom’s face. The Dynamo controlled that game, esp in the second half. If Crew fans are anything like Ohio State fans, class is not something you are well versed in.
As for the PK, that was BS. First off, that is what Moreno does, he crys and flops. My main issue is that he ref made it a point to not call it all game. He spent 90 minutes telling Crew players to get up and then gifted them the game winner. Inconsistency from refs drives me insane.
Don’t mind angry RSL fans from this weekend. They’re just upset that 5 Fire fans could outsing and outchant the entire Loyalists section during the game, that’s all.
I’ve watched all the replays and Rolfe clearly uses his arm. No doubt about it. If you think Rolfe is that acrobatic, maybe you can find time for him in the circus, or you are a Fire supporter. either way, rolfe cheated. He should be fined, suspended, and banned.
lol i tottaly posted that on the wrong link lol
Diving has been part of the sport for YEARS why change the rules now? if you can pull it off you can pull it off. Ronaldo dives every 10 minutes but no1 says anything so why is so different when an other player does it? it makes no sense.. i say stop trying to change the game and let the players play.. bad calls happen all the time in every sport, suspending players for diving is just a waste of time
anyone know why that guy was given a red at the end of the KC vs NYRB game? I saw he kinda hit Harrington in the head then Harrington got in his face, but didnt see anything other really than that.
I notice it’s TFC season one redux with Seattle fans, who are getting Montero this weeks’ goal-of-the-week even though OB White’s is easily superior. What goes around, I guess…
Houston fans, can you please comment on the scene late in the game involving Lenhart? Based on the game reviews there were also a lot of tackles from behind that should have earned several Houston players yellow cards. Did the referee just lose control of the game or what happened.
I wasn’t able to watch the game and don’t mean to provoke. I’d just like to hear your opinion.
And yes, Moreno does go down easily. It can be pretty annoying.
Jimmie, Take a careful look at the video on the MLS website and you’ll see that although Rolfe’s arm goes up, the trap is clearly made with his chest. This is very good video that you just can’t argue with.
Rolfe used his arm to trap the ball, and MLS uses it as a candidate for GOTW? Recockulous.
19,000 fans at the DC United game? Yeah, right.
FDV: Don’t forget that Moreno played in Houston before he moved to the Crew, so Houston fans know him well. He is and always has been a flopper; someone that always gets pointed to by soccer critics as demeaning the game. The PK was unjustified as most objective observers have said. The only people that support the referee are the gloating winners.
As for the fouls, Columbus was just as guilty of classless behavior as was Houston. If I were you I would hope that karma doesn’t balance the scales during the playoffs.
Vamos Dynamo!!
This year’s NE Rev and their proximity to the playoffs at this point is a testament to 3 things:
–Everyone in the East takes turns going hot and cold (even Columbus)
–Shalrie Joseph
–The competence of Steve Nicol.
Seriously, how are the Revs competitive this year? But they’re like the tortoise in the race with the hare. They keep plugging along. When they face a team that has their “A” game then they just get killed, downright embarassed. But they show up, they don’t make it easy for you, they steal points when they’re there for the stealing, they find ways to get wins. I think you argue that NE really hasn’t played badly, they’ve just played to their ability. Other teams (like TFC, DCU, RSL) have blown hot and cold and have reasonably good talent. But with Twellman, Reis, Alston, Ralston and others all missing time (and it’s not just the injuries–those guys should be critical pieces the team is built around) Nicol still has them functioning.
Despite the huge advantage of lots of home cooking, unless a striker with DCU emerges to do some finishing, I’m no longer confident they make the playoffs. And RSL fans have to be pretty PO’ed about their season–I thought they looked very strong in the preseason but they’re so lame on the road. They could have really stepped up in the West and instead they’ve taken a couple of steps back.
This is definitely a season of parity in MLS. Maybe Columbus will just go on an undefeated streak and make it two in a row. Or Houston will discover their mojo. But instead, it looks like teams take turns going on runs and then backsliding.
I’m sorry FDV, were you referring to the red card tackle by Moffat or the classless flop by Moreno? Or the diving by Schelotto. Oh, they play on the Crew? oops.
New England should not get near the playoffs after that dismal performance yesterday. I had to turn off the game, and I NEVER turn off a MLS game. Outshot 18-2 with ZERO shots on goal doesn’t bode well for a team trying to make the post season. Shame on them.
Go Crew! Classless actions by Houston during and after the game. I hope the whole team gets fined!