Top Stories

MLS Notes: Vancouver shuts out Montreal, Colorado signs Zapata, and more

WhitecapsCrest ImpactCrest

By JOEY SAMUEL

In January, the Montreal Impact chose Andrew Wenger over Darren Mattocks for with the first pick in the MLS SuperDraft. On Friday night, Mattocks showed the Impact why they made have made a mistake.

Playing up top alongside the likes of Eric Hassli and Sebastien Le Toux, Mattocks scored the second goal of a 3-0 rout as the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Montreal in one of two matches Friday night at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando, Fla.

Hassli opened the scoring in the 38th minute when he one-timed a pass from defender Martin Bojour, sliding the ball past Montreal goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Mattocks extended Vancouver's lead in the 70th minute, taking a pass from Le Toux along the left side of the penalty area and finishing past Ricketts.

Le Toux rounded out the scoring with ten minutes remaining, scoring on a penalty kick after Long Tan had been fouled in the area.

It wasn't a perfect night for Vancouver, though, as both John Thorrington and Davide Chiumiento were forced to leave the field with injuries.

Here are some other stories from around Major League Soccer from Friday:

HOUSTON, KANSAS CITY PLAY TO SCORELESS DRAW

In the other matchup Friday from the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando, the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City failed to capitalize on their chances and they settled for a 0-0 draw.

The game was marked by the return of Houston's star midfielder, Brad Davis, who returned after having torn his quadriceps four months ago. He came on with 20 minutes remaining and played the rest of the game.

Kansas City controlled much of the flow of the game until the Dynamo made a late surge for a winner in the closing fifteen minutes. Geoff Cameron came closest to scoring when he was left unmarked in the penalty area but his header was saved by Sporting's Jimmy Nielsen.

COLORADO SIGN LEFT BACK ZAPATA

The Coloado Rapids took another step towards reclaiming their MLS Cup crown on Friday, filling a position of need at left back with Colombian defender Luis Zapata.

Zapata, 32, had been on trial with the Rapids for three weeks, and Friday the team decided to sign him to to a contract. Zapata has played for a number of South American teams throughout his career, including with Colombian side Millionarios, where he made 162 league appearances between 2001 and 2008. He will be expected to bring a stabilizing presence to the left back position, which was covered by numerous players for Colorado in 2011.

He joins midfielder Jamie Castillion as Colombians on the Rapids roster. Colorado's newly hired head coach, Oscar Pareja, also hails from Colombia.

ODURO AWARDED WITH GHANA CALL-UP

It would be hard to argue that 2011 was a breakout year for Chicago Fire forward Dominic Oduro. After being dealt to the Fire from the Houston Dynamo following the season opener, Oduro proceeded to tally 12 goals and went on to be named the Fire's team MVP.

Oduro was rewarded for his strong play on Friday, as he was called up to play for his home country, Ghana, when they take on Chile later this month.

Ghana is scheduled to play Chile at PPL Park in Philadelphia on Feb. 29, and it will be Oduro's first chance to suit up for the Black Stars as they gear up for 2014 World Cup qualifying.

Comments

Leave a Reply to timmytwoshoezzz Cancel reply