MLS Week 4

With one exception, everything went pretty much according to pundits...

DC went into Giant Stadium and applied a 2x4 between the RedBull's horns, winning 4-1. Evidently FO turmoil and management question DOES take a toll. Most expected a 3-2 or 2-1 result for DCU

RSL remains winless and ..well.. pretty hopeless, as they went into Houston's borrowed stadium, played fairly evenly, scored first (Jeff C) and still lost.
Ellinger's job will have to be commented on soon... he was touted as one of the best and brightest US coaches, but he still hasnt seemed to put together any sort of coherent team.
Note, of: Jeff Cunningham, lone striker in style of Collins John, led RSL in fouls committed with three. Trans: MLS defenses have learned how to stifle him.

Crew went into Home De-Pot against the Gals an underdog, but with a certain air of suspense as Sigi Schmidt, fired by the LA side in mid-2004, for uninspired team play while Gals were leading the west, brought in a totally re-made Crew against the home side which had just made a few changes in the roster that took MLS Cup 2005.

so, naturally.. Crew won, 1-0 in extratime.

The secret.. shutting down LA flow of play through midfield. Cornell Glen, up top for LA, turned out to be as ineffective as he was last year as a striker sub with the Crew.. if he cant get the ball a lot...

While newly returned Alexi Lalas said at half-time: "The Galaxy seem to play down to their opponents" (he always has something nice like that to say about Columbus), the stats that matter tell a different story... Crew got the most chances, and were unlucky to not score late in the first half.. getting into rhythm after the two teams went 15 minutes before the first shot to goal vicinity was registered.
In the end, Columbus did get a bit of luck on a rebound off LA GK Hartman and that's all it took... other than smothering every LA counter. It might be long-ball and not pretty, but it's three points - AWAY!

Today: Dallas takes on the 3-0 Wizards. Dallas was expected to be part of top-3 in west; KC was expected to struggle a little to climb back out of the East cellar it shared with the Crew, last year, after both ended top of table in 2004.
While it's early.. KC has the mo-mentum and confidence going for it... but I expect Dallas to come out of this with AT LEAST a point, depending on how many show up at Pizza Hut park... attendance has not been great, and that has to have some effect on the home team.

update:
Dallas did indeed draw a respectable gate.. and beat KC by a goal

Chicago and NE off this week.

Go to MLSNet.com for stats and summaries

 

Congrats on the Crew win yesterday Petty! I was shocked when I saw the final score.

 

In third year as a Crew fan (ex Mutiny as i've mentioned a time or two!)...but i was jaw dropped to see the 1 nill result for sigi's men....GREAT WIN for Columbus and for the galaxy that is gonna hurt them b/c when almighty landon leaves for the national team and whoever else may go...they will be depleted for a few weeks....hopefully awhile if the U.S. does good!!!

Petty, I may need to hit you up for some information on the Columbus area..as in late summer i may try to get together a Crew game and possibly a fulham match if they do a summer tour again....

COYW and COYC

piece out

 

If anyone just saw the FC Dallas match vs. KC..it wasnt that bad...wasnt that great...but what i do HATE the most is the keeper for FCD....as a keeper myself, he really makes our position look "real tough" and helps other non-soccer fans believe that soccer is not a "sissy" sport.....as you can tell i dont "love" the hoops keeper....zbass out

 

Crew's desperation GK, lastyear was one of those...Bill Gaudette, is promising but every touch of a shot on goal is ended with a 'flourish'. Rahter transparent and was criticized roundly.