MLS Season opens [R]

On Saturday, three matches with 5 sides showing some pretty good football..
Unfortunately the youngish Crew were the ones showed as not up to it.

So, on the day, both my teams lost 1-3 ... sigh!

Dallas' Kenny Cooper, newly arrived ex-ManU reserve knocked in the winner as Dallas retained their composure and beat Chicago 3-2

In the nightcap, the Rev's got even for the MLS Cup loss and won the defensive battle at Home Depot Center to beat LA 1-0.
I watched first half of this game and was struck by the quality of play in midfield.. which was sorely lacking in the KC-Cols long-ball fest.

Notes:
Bruce Arena was at this match, looking to decide which of certain players deserved to make his short list... commentators figured he was mainly watching Ralston and Noonan.

The Home Depot pitch looks TERRIBLE, divots and bumps show plainly even on standard TV and this is the START of the season... with two teams sharing it, something need to be done about the surface of what is supposed to be the premier grounds of North American soccer. Indeed, that is the problem, matches are played there year-round and it gets a real workout; it would be a travesty for this stadium to have to switch to field-turf just to accomodate that schedule.

- - - - -
Second half of MLS slate played SUNDAY, with:
RBNY drawing at DC 2-2,
RSL being thumped at Chivas USA 0-3,
and Colorado losing 2-5 at Houston.

Only comment I have is puzzlement at apparent continued disarray at RSL, Steve Ellinger was touted for years as one who should make a great team manager, mainly because of his success with National youth teams. He made quite a few adjustments and, on paper, has a team capable of much more.

MLSNet for more...

 

Petty,
Another Crew fan here, and was able to get the match down here in FL....not the worst, but indeed disapointing to have fulham and crew both drop by same margin...any word on hejduk's fitness? Also, shame about HDC...saw it as well...highlights i saw of Pizza Hut Park appeared to show the pitch in good shape....alright..heres hoping to a better crew result...but more importantly 3 for the boys in white....