After a light schedule last week, MLS dropped the bomb on us in Week 3; eight games, all in one day, making it incredibly tough to follow them all. Nevertheless, here I am, trying to take one thing out of each.
Keep in mind that each match's "The One Thing" is dependent on how much of it I'm was able to see, and in those cases where I couldn't catch any of the action, I'm focusing on the one moment, player, or decision that influenced the match the most (read: highlights).
If you're looking for a more comprehensive match report, I'll link to one in each capsule, and I've added a link to the match highlights as well.
Chivas USA 2, New York Red Bulls 0
Recap - UPI
Highlights
The One Thing: Bouna's Blunder
It was bound to happen eventually; the New York Red Bulls had gone two matches without conceding a goal, played organized and energetic defense, and collected six points in the process. But all good things must come to an end, and Bouna Coundoul was the one responsible for killing the good feelings. New York may have deserved to lose on the road, but the manner in which Chivas the match winner is a crushing blow. Coundoul was beaten by a deflected shot, attempted to recover when he realized the ball had come off the post, then knocked the ball into his own net. Ouch.
Philadelphia Union 3, DC United 2
Recap - MiamiHerald.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Le Toux DOOP's United
It would be unfair to make this about anything other than Sebastian Le Toux's hat trick, even if United were very poor for 45 minutes and Dejan Jakovic put them in a bad position on the game-winning free kick. Credit to the Union for putting on a good show for their home fans in the first ever Philly MLS game, and credit Le Toux for being sharp enough to put away his chances. That was a much improved Union team this week, and while they might still finish at the bottom of the East, they've at least shown that they can compete. One other moment that stands out: Alejandro Moreno's cross-field ball to a streaking Le Toux for Philly's second goal of the game.
New England Revolution 4, Toronto FC 1
Recap - Soccer365
Highlights
The One Thing: The Reds Lay Down
Yes, Zach Schilawski scored a hat trick, a marvelous feat for a rookie. But what stood out at Gillette was TFC's crumbling defense and utter lack of effort or concentration in the second half. TFC had a chance to win that game, and instead rolled over for the Revs. I'm not sure what Preki is doing in Canada, and perhaps more of the blame lies at the feet of Mo Johnston and those constructing the roster; but the TFC fans deserve better, and if there's already dissension in the lockerroom in April (perhaps evidenced by Jim Brennan's retirement), that spells a very long season indeed. Credit the Revs, with Shalrie Joseph returning the the lineup, for showing that they can score without Taylor Twellman or Edgaras Jankauskas.
Kansas City Wizards 1, Colorado Rapids 0
Recap - Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Ryan Smith, the Good and the Bad
Smith has been a bit of a revelation through two games in Kansas City, and is making a mark despite being somewhat of an unknown quantity. Saturday he contributed the free kick that found Kei Kamara's head for the lone goal of the match, but there's a reasonable argument that he shouldn't have even been on the field to take it. Early in the game Smith spiked the ball in the direction of referee Landis Wiley after being called for a foul, and got off with only a warning. I'm not going to judge Smith on one discretion, but it certainly wasn't a smart thing to do. Six points for the Wizards is a great start, and holding down a potent Colorado attack, with the aid of a tiny field, should give them even more confidence going forward.
Houston Dynamo 0, Los Angeles Galaxy 2
Recap - ESPN Soccernet
Highlights
The One Thing: Edson Buddle is (Still) on Fire
Scoring is scoring, no matter how you get it done, and it therefore doesn't matter that Buddle was gifted his first by Pat Onstad's failing to cover the short side on a sharp angle and his second by lax Houston defending. A striker's job is to score goals, and Buddle has done it five times already in 2010. That's a blistering pace, and if the Galaxy can weather the Donovan-less storm in the middle of the season, they will be clear MLS Cup favorites come playoff time. Houston's scoring problems with Brian Ching out injured were only magnified by the performance of Buddle on the other side, and this game might be the first in a troublesome stretch for the Dynamo.
FC Dallas 2, Columbus Crew 2
Recap - Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Avila's Equalizer
By all accounts, this was a slobberknocker of a soccer match; things got chippy in the second half, and the crazy finish that saw an cracking goal from Eric Avila to equalize fit right in. Crew players swarmed the referee in the aftermath, protesting that Avila handled the ball before gaining control and snapping the shot. Those that did show up in Frisco got themselves a show, both with the back and forth nature of the game and the amazing finish to end it. A road point isn't the end of the world for Columbus, but having a win snatched away at the death, and with what they believe was a handball, has to sting. Schelotto is probably still yelling at the ref right now.
Chicago Fire 1, San Jose Earthquakes 2
Recap - OurSportsCentral
Highlights
The One Thing: Jason Hernandez' Save
Big moments in this match made the choice difficult; with Tim Ward's bad back pass that caught Andrew Dykstra out to Ward's failure to mark Ike Opara on the game winning goal also in the mix, I couldn't really have gone wrong. But if Jason Hernandez isn't standing on the line when Collins John's rips a shot towards the Quakes' net in the 73rd minute, San Jose doesn't even have a chance for the win. The game's biggest moments were defensive-blunder related, and unfortunately for Chicago, they couldn't take advantage. On the other end, I'm giving Andrew Dykstra a pass for costly mistake, even if his communication with CJ Brown as lacking; as mentioned, that situation is on Ward, who lazily hit a back pass that ended up in no man's land. On a side note, the Chicago color commentator is terrible.
Real Salt Lake 2, Seattle Sounders 2
Recap - Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Saborio's Last Gasp
Photo Service Fail: None available for this week
By all rights, Seattle should have left Utah with three points in hand; instead, they limped away with one after giving up an added time equalizer to Alvaro Saborio. This was probably the best game of the weekend, living up to its billing as a clash between two Western Conference contenders. To say Saborio's effort came deep into stoppage doesn't do it justice; the header off a RSL corner came almost literally on the last kick of the ball. Saborio was a handful for the Sounders backline from the moment he stepped on the field as a substitute for Robbie Findley, and nearly leveled the match fifteen minutes earlier. A draw seems just about right having seen what I did, and though Seattle will find reason to be disappointed, they can't ultimately complain about getting a point on the road against the defending champs. Now to sort out that set piece defending...
