Note from JD: I was unable to watch most of the MLS action this weekend, so Matt Acconciamessa from US Soccer Daily is filling in with this week's "The One Thing".
Since I haven’t been contributing here nearly as regularly as I once did, I decided to help Jason out this week and write up MLS Week 4’s “The One Thing” post. As is the case with the previous editions, this isn’t meant to be comprehensive (the game reports are linked, if that’s what you’re looking for), but is instead intended to focus on the one thing that had the biggest impact on the match. Enjoy:
Toronto FC 2, Philadelphia Union 1
Recap – Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Roger Torres
TFC gave me two chances this weekend to point out their lackluster play, so for their midweek match, I’ll instead talk about the Colombian gem that Piotr Nowak has found. Once again, 18 year old Roger Torres turned in a very strong performance in the midfield, distributing well and floating a gorgeous ball behind the defense to set up Philly’s lone goal just before halftime. Despite being a man down, the Union actually fared quite well in the opening 10 minutes of the second act, largely thanks to the hard work of Torres. But this all changed when the America de Cali loan player was subbed off in the 55th minute. Without their minute maestro, the Union soon found themselves on their heels and eventually on the losing end of a 2-1 final score.
New York Red Bulls 2, FC Dallas 1
Recap - Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Bouna Time
A week after making being featured in “The One Thing” for all the wrong reasons, Bouna Coundoul redeemed himself with a game-changing save in the second half of NY’s comeback win. Trailing 1-0, the Red Bulls very nearly fell into a deeper hole, but Bouna came to the rescue, robbing David Ferreira from point-blank range with a great reaction save. The diving stop was just enough, pushing the ball into the post, after which it was cleared by the defense. Just 30 seconds later, Juan Pablo Angel leveled the score, and NY went on to add a second in the final minute of regular time to record their second home win of the season. Without Bouna Coundoul’s crucial save in the 56th minute, the outcome likely would have been a lot different.
Seattle Sounders 1, Kansas City Wizards 0
Recap – Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Playing until the final whistle
The Wizards had gotten off to a good start to their 2010 campaign, and they very nearly added a result at the unfriendly confines of Qwest Field to their growing list of early season accomplishments. They played well enough to earn a draw and very well could have walked out with win with some better finishing, but instead they got back on the plane to KC empty-handed. Their strong 90+ minutes of play were wiped away because of a defensive lapse in second half stoppage time, where substitute Michael Fucito was able to sneak behind the defense on a throw in and fire a shot from 10 yards out into the back of the net. If the Wizards are really going to be one of the league’s elite this season, they’ll have to learn how to close out games like this one. Seattle was almost guilty of the same offense, but fortunately for them, Kasey Keller made a fantastic save on Chance Myers just a minute after Fucito’s tally to preserve the clean sheet and secure a victory.
Houston Dynamo 3, Chivas USA 0
Recap – Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Lovel Palmer
After losing Stuart Holden and Ricardo Clark in the winter window, there were some questions about how the Dynamo would replace the all-star duo. On Saturday, Lovel Palmer did his best to fill that void, helping Houston to a 3-0 victory in his first career MLS start. His solid midfield play in the opening half was capped off by a spectacular 30 yard bomb into the far side-netting beyond the outstretched arms of Zach Thornton, doubling his team’s lead en route to a shutout victory. It was Palmer’s first MLS goal, and the stunning strike should earn him Goal of the Week honors.
Chicago Fire 2, DC United 0
Recap - Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Brian McBride
Carlos de los Cobos looks like a pretty smart guy after bringing on Brian McBride as a 75th minute substitute in a 0-0 game on the road. Four minutes after coming on, the USMNT and Fulham legend made his presence felt, setting up the Fire’s opening goal with a delicate flick to a trailing Marco Pappa inside the box. 10 minutes later, he doubled the lead by adding a goal to his stat line, muscling off Carey Talley to get his head on a long free kick from Andrew Dykstra. There wasn’t a lot behind the header, but it had just enough to sneak by Troy Perkins at the near post and secure three points for the visitors. Overall, McBride’s 15 minute appearance was a super-sub performance in every sense of the word.
San Jose Earthquakes 2, New England Revolution 0
Recap - Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: The Earthquakes’ Defense
With all due respect to Chris Wondolowski’s goal, this game was decided by the SJ defense. Joe Cannon turned in a fantastic performance in goal, recording six saves along the way, including a couple of point blank stops late in the second half. The one shot that did manage to beat Cannon was kept out by a Bobby Convey goal line clearance, which proved to be a pivotal point in what was then a 0-0 match. On the other end of the field, it was Ike Opara creating havoc on set pieces, nearly burying one in the first half before heading home his second goal of the year in the 72nd minute.
Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Real Salt Lake 1
Recap – Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: Edson Buddle
Another game, another couple of goals for Edson Buddle, who brought his season total up to seven with a brace in LA’s victory. This latest performance has some claiming he should be in South Africa, while others are trying to hold off on jumping on the Buddle bandwagon. Regardless of his national team status, Buddle continues to rack up the goals in bunches. DC United Director of Marketing Communications Kyle Sheldon put it best with this tweet: “At this rate, Edson Buddle is going to score 52 goals this season. Is that good?” Yep, it’s been that kind of start for the Galaxy striker, whose production has helped the Galaxy take all 12 points from their first four matches.
Colorado Rapids 3, Toronto FC 1
Recap – Goal.com
Highlights
The One Thing: TFC’s defensive miscues
As I alluded to earlier, the Reds didn’t exactly do a lot to instill confidence in their fans this weekend, with their Sunday match against Colorado having a lot to do with that. All three Rapids goals came as the result of a poor play from the Toronto defense. Conor Casey converted a first half penalty after an overzealous slide from Adriann Cann led to his handling the ball in the area, while Jeff Larentowicz scored on a direct kick from 20 yards out thanks to a huge hole in the wall created by a jump to the side from Julian de Guzman. To cap off the defeat, Maxim Usanov pulled down Conor Casey inside the box on a long ball, sending him to the spot once again for another PK goal. TFC has given up 10 goals in four games; only DC United (11) has allowed more. Yikes.
