By IVES GALARCEP
The MLS Western Conference is shaping up to be a competitive dogfight in 2014, and the team that has jumped out to the early lead in the West faces a very tough test from another top West contender.
FC Dallas rolls into today’s meeting with the Seattle Sounders boasting the best record in the league (4-0-1). Looking to hand FC Dallas their first loss of the season are the Seattle Sounders, who have the firepower to really test Oscar Pareja’s defense. Clint Dempsey is coming off a hat trick against the Portland Timbers, and will look to challenge FCD standout centerback Matt Hedges.
At PPL Park, the Philadelphia Union play host to Real Salt Lake in a battle of top midfields. Maurice Edu will look to continue his impressive form as he takes the field against Kyle Beckerman, who he very well could be battling with for a place on the U.S. World Cup squad.
We could see history made today as well, with Landon Donovan on the verge of breaking the MLS career goal-scoring record. Donovan’s next goal will be his 135th career MLS goal, tying current record holder Jeff Cunningham. The Vancouver Whitecaps will do their best to keep Donovan from celebrating today.
SBI will be providing live commentary on today’s MLS cation so feel free to follow along here as we bring you updates and analysis from around the league. As always, you are welcome to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s commentary is after the jump):
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The only difference in this game was Clint Dempsey
and what direction the wind was blowing
Hah, it certainly helped.
He pretty much made all 3 goals himself. Almost back to back hat tricks.
Clint Dempsey flexing his muscles! Goal #2 putting Seattle ahead 3-2 at Dallas!!….He also caused the own goal!
what a complete 180 in attitude,
Deuce is back, Captain America waking up from his long freeze to smash Hydra (and Portugal and Ghana) at the World Cup!!!!
Captain American is, and forever will be, Claudio Reyna
goooooolllllll dempseyyy
Yedlin should consider moving to right midfield.
Yedlin is being abused left and right by Castillo. What a horrible giveaway.
I’m beginning to think the flow of the game is being dictated by the wind.
Clint causes an own goal. Does he get the assist or the wind?
Lordy Clint, nice shot.
Yedlin may be the worst starting right back in the league from a defensive standpoint.
He is doing okay considering he has no help at all over there. That penalty was just silly though.
The reason you play Yedlin is because of what he gives going forward, when you play a striker in front of him he ends up often defending 2 players. He’s clearly become frustrated.
He’s alot better when the midfielder in front of him feels like helping defend a bit, unlike today where Cooper is nowhere to be seen tracking back.
Horrendous first half from Seattle, they are doing not in this game at all. Yedlin is getting left on an island by Cooper who has no interest in defending (for the second week in a row). It didn’t work last week having Cooper in front of Yedlin so I’m not sure why Sigi thought it’d work this time. Also the ref is not having a great game, yellow cards galore and he has gotten a bunch of goal kick/corner kick calls wrong. Seattle has contributed nothing at all to this game yet other than really nice free kick goal.
doing nothing*
Ya, the ref isn’t doing well. No game changing foul ups yet.
Ill say this. Diaz has noticed Cooper isn’t defending at all. He is pulled really far over and he and Castillo are taking turns running at Yedlin.
Also doing against Portland and Dallas who might have the best wing play in the league.
Yedlin is fast but Dallas is targeting him tonight. And its working pretty well. Whoever is on the left is midfield is leaving him alone out there.
Speaking of Yedlin… he decided throw an arm rather than play the ball. Penalty. Goal.
I would say it was weak… but in off the post… that’s gunna be hard to save by anyone.
no need to throw that elbow, silly pk to give up
Texeira was never gunna get to that. He just needed to turn his body in front of the ball.
Eddie Johnson with a forgettable performance tonight
yeah he was in a couple times, a few decent chances. He does win nearly every flick on header tho
I was amazed how Dykstra found EJ every time with his distribution whether it was a punt or kick, he was very accurate.
yet not targeted in the area in front of goal in the air
I dunno. He occupied Olave for most of the time, freeing up space for others. But the one-on-one should have been finished.
I like EJ but not so much tonight nor yet for DC really
Petke reaching joke status.
Dempsey with a wonderful free kick goal, the side judge didn’t call it in but Martins put it in, Dempsey should get it though.
Frei just gave up a terrible goal, I said after the trade that Seattle gave up way to much and with each passing game it is being proven more and more. He is mediocre at best. His goalkeeping today has been beyond awful.
I am reverting to my preseason opinion the Dynamo did not churn the roster enough. We came out of camp a house afire but that may reflect pushing hard in camp (and now other teams are catching up on form and fitness). They need to check the losing streak soon because they’re about to lose Boniek and maybe Davis for weeks, at which point the situation will deteriorate further. Another summer fixer upper.
Petke wants more crosses?
Dude, you guys hit TWENTY in the first half.
Arnaud scores. Vamos United! Btw – thinks this makes 3 games in a row DCU gets a goal. Guess that’s something given how horrid 2013 was…
Rapids over TFC for 3 more points.
Both McInerney and Wenger have score now. Maybe this trade will be good for everyone…
WHAT IS BIMBO
Largest bakery company in the US, according to the wiki link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimbo_Bakeries_USA
Subsidiary of the Mexican company of the same name.
short for Kardashian
What’s up with this Chris Schuler,
The Nats could may be served well to give him a real look at CDM?
Looks like he can really move his feet for a big man.
CDM or RCB?
Come on Philly, help your keeper out!
every time i watch McMath he seems like a beast. the only weekness that i see is set pieces.