Still nobody wants to leave the party. Five of the eight MLS play-off teams are now known, but with only two weeks remaining the other nine clubs are still competing for the final three spots.
Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls kicked off the weekend’s action at the Utah side’s new Rio Tinto Stadium, the seventh soccer-specific venue to be constructed in MLS. The sell-out crowd of 20,008, complete with rally towels, created a fantastic atmosphere as they tried to spur their team on to a vital three points. Ultimately, they had to settle for one.
Red Bulls left midfielder Dave van den Bergh silenced the home fans on 31 minutes when he blasted the visitors ahead following a corner kick. Seth Stammler’s goal-bound header was nodded off the line by Kyle Beckerman but his clearance fell invitingly into the path of the on-rushing Dutchman. Van den Bergh, best remembered in Holland for his successful years with Utrecht, drilled his precise shot beyond the reach of RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The carnival did not subside for long. Ten minutes later, Jamison Olave bundled Javier Morales’ corner into the net to bring Salt Lake back on level terms. The score remained tied at 1-1 as the hosts failed to convert their second half chances and could not capitalise on the late dismissal of Red Bulls’ Juan Pietravallo by referee Terry Vaughn.
Referees worldwide are criticised for not properly interpreting player motives because they have never played the game themselves. In America, that notion can be taken a step further. Most officials have gained little exposure to top-flight football. This shortcoming appeared to be behind Vaughn’s harsh decision to eject the Argentine midfielder.
Pietravallo looked to be making a genuine attempt to control a high pass when Clint Mathis stooped in from his blind side to win the ball. The resultant collision left the former US international with a badly gashed head. Vaughn seemed to act only when Mathis, realising he was bleeding, angrily confronted his opponent. The Salt Lake man escaped without punishment for his act of petulance while a bemused Pietravallo was sent off, much to the chagrin of the New York bench.
While the Bulls, Toronto and D.C. United all gained potentially valuable draws on the road, Kansas City made an unexpected move into the final play-off spot with a 1-0 win over New England Revolution. Captain Jimmy Conrad headed his sixth goal of the season as the Wizards’ recent good run continues.
Since surrendering with a whimper at Houston in Week 24, Kansas City have taken ten points from five matches. Their upturn coincides with the relegation of Argentine superstar Claudio Lopez to the substitutes’ bench as the team rallies together in an attempt to achieve what was unthinkable five weeks ago. The Wizards host San Jose next weekend and they will be confident of securing another win, even more so should the Quakes be eliminated from contention after their game in hand at Houston on Wednesday night.
Lopez’ performance this season can be likened to that of David Beckham, albeit without the ludicrous levels of largesse. It was no surprise that L.A. Galaxy kept their slim post-season hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids while the Englishman was out of the country. The win improves their record to 23 points from 48 in games where Beckham has been absent since he made his debut last August. By contrast, the team has taken only 29 points from 99 when Beckham brings his unique presence and contribution to the field.
Chivas clinched their play-off spot with a narrow 1-0 win at San Jose. Justin Braun scored the only goal on seven minutes as the Goats won for the sixth time in seven games. Houston’s failure to break down D.C. United at Robertson Stadium leaves Chivas only two points behind the defending champions with the teams meeting in Los Angeles on the final weekend. Home field advantage for the post-season could well be at stake should the Dynamo slip up this week against San Jose or L.A. Galaxy.
Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew both had reason to celebrate after their 2-2 draw at Toyota Park. Brian McBride’s late equaliser, his second of the afternoon in his first game against his former team, was enough to secure a play-off spot for Chicago. The point also confirms Columbus as the MLS Supporters’ Shield winners by virtue of their unmatchable points tally.
Head coach Sigi Schmid must now keep the momentum going for the last two fixtures and into the play-offs if his side are to become the first Shield winners since L.A. Galaxy in 2002 to go on to lift MLS Cup.
Week 29 Results
Salt Lake 1 New York 1
Kansas City 1 New England 0
Dallas 2 Toronto 2 (Contentious Cooper penalty rescues Dallas for second week running)
San Jose 0 Chivas 1
Chicago 2 Columbus 2
Houston 0 D.C. United 0
L.A. Galaxy 3 Colorado 2 (Brandon McDonald nets his first MLS goal in spectacular fashion)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1) Columbus 54 points (played 28)
2) Chicago 43 (28)
3) New England 43 (28)
4) New York 36 (28)
5) *Kansas City 36 (28)
6) D.C. United 34 (28)
7) Toronto 32 (28)
Western Conference
1) Houston 44 (27)
2) Chivas 42 (28)
3) *Salt Lake 36 (28)
4) Dallas 35 (28)
5) Colorado 34 (28)
6) L.A. Galaxy 32 (28)
7) San Jose 30 (27)
*Lines show teams occupying play-off positions.
Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls kicked off the weekend’s action at the Utah side’s new Rio Tinto Stadium, the seventh soccer-specific venue to be constructed in MLS. The sell-out crowd of 20,008, complete with rally towels, created a fantastic atmosphere as they tried to spur their team on to a vital three points. Ultimately, they had to settle for one.
Red Bulls left midfielder Dave van den Bergh silenced the home fans on 31 minutes when he blasted the visitors ahead following a corner kick. Seth Stammler’s goal-bound header was nodded off the line by Kyle Beckerman but his clearance fell invitingly into the path of the on-rushing Dutchman. Van den Bergh, best remembered in Holland for his successful years with Utrecht, drilled his precise shot beyond the reach of RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The carnival did not subside for long. Ten minutes later, Jamison Olave bundled Javier Morales’ corner into the net to bring Salt Lake back on level terms. The score remained tied at 1-1 as the hosts failed to convert their second half chances and could not capitalise on the late dismissal of Red Bulls’ Juan Pietravallo by referee Terry Vaughn.
Referees worldwide are criticised for not properly interpreting player motives because they have never played the game themselves. In America, that notion can be taken a step further. Most officials have gained little exposure to top-flight football. This shortcoming appeared to be behind Vaughn’s harsh decision to eject the Argentine midfielder.
Pietravallo looked to be making a genuine attempt to control a high pass when Clint Mathis stooped in from his blind side to win the ball. The resultant collision left the former US international with a badly gashed head. Vaughn seemed to act only when Mathis, realising he was bleeding, angrily confronted his opponent. The Salt Lake man escaped without punishment for his act of petulance while a bemused Pietravallo was sent off, much to the chagrin of the New York bench.
While the Bulls, Toronto and D.C. United all gained potentially valuable draws on the road, Kansas City made an unexpected move into the final play-off spot with a 1-0 win over New England Revolution. Captain Jimmy Conrad headed his sixth goal of the season as the Wizards’ recent good run continues.
Since surrendering with a whimper at Houston in Week 24, Kansas City have taken ten points from five matches. Their upturn coincides with the relegation of Argentine superstar Claudio Lopez to the substitutes’ bench as the team rallies together in an attempt to achieve what was unthinkable five weeks ago. The Wizards host San Jose next weekend and they will be confident of securing another win, even more so should the Quakes be eliminated from contention after their game in hand at Houston on Wednesday night.
Lopez’ performance this season can be likened to that of David Beckham, albeit without the ludicrous levels of largesse. It was no surprise that L.A. Galaxy kept their slim post-season hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids while the Englishman was out of the country. The win improves their record to 23 points from 48 in games where Beckham has been absent since he made his debut last August. By contrast, the team has taken only 29 points from 99 when Beckham brings his unique presence and contribution to the field.
Chivas clinched their play-off spot with a narrow 1-0 win at San Jose. Justin Braun scored the only goal on seven minutes as the Goats won for the sixth time in seven games. Houston’s failure to break down D.C. United at Robertson Stadium leaves Chivas only two points behind the defending champions with the teams meeting in Los Angeles on the final weekend. Home field advantage for the post-season could well be at stake should the Dynamo slip up this week against San Jose or L.A. Galaxy.
Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew both had reason to celebrate after their 2-2 draw at Toyota Park. Brian McBride’s late equaliser, his second of the afternoon in his first game against his former team, was enough to secure a play-off spot for Chicago. The point also confirms Columbus as the MLS Supporters’ Shield winners by virtue of their unmatchable points tally.
Head coach Sigi Schmid must now keep the momentum going for the last two fixtures and into the play-offs if his side are to become the first Shield winners since L.A. Galaxy in 2002 to go on to lift MLS Cup.
Week 29 Results
Salt Lake 1 New York 1
Kansas City 1 New England 0
Dallas 2 Toronto 2 (Contentious Cooper penalty rescues Dallas for second week running)
San Jose 0 Chivas 1
Chicago 2 Columbus 2
Houston 0 D.C. United 0
L.A. Galaxy 3 Colorado 2 (Brandon McDonald nets his first MLS goal in spectacular fashion)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1) Columbus 54 points (played 28)
2) Chicago 43 (28)
3) New England 43 (28)
4) New York 36 (28)
5) *Kansas City 36 (28)
6) D.C. United 34 (28)
7) Toronto 32 (28)
Western Conference
1) Houston 44 (27)
2) Chivas 42 (28)
3) *Salt Lake 36 (28)
4) Dallas 35 (28)
5) Colorado 34 (28)
6) L.A. Galaxy 32 (28)
7) San Jose 30 (27)
*Lines show teams occupying play-off positions.
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