Matt Acconciamessa | US Soccer Daily

Another week of MLS in the books, another review of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enjoy:


PPL Park atmosphere: The record crowd of 19,027 at PPL Park on Saturday delivered an electric atmosphere appropriate for the rivalry match between Philly and New York. The game might not have been the most aesthetically pleasing, but the Union fans (and the couple hundred NY fans that made the trip) kept up the energy all night.

Staying with that same game, we’ll go to…


The Nowak-Backe Press Conference Banter:

Piotr Nowak didn’t miss a beat after Hans Backe said that there was “only one team on the pitch”, referring to NY’s sizeable possession advantage and control of the match. The Union boss replied: “You can complete a thousand passes, but if you don’t score it doesn’t matter.” He then added, “What’s the difference between winning 1-0 and 5-0? You getting 6 points for that?” It’s always fun when MLS coaches dig into each other; it’s even better when it’s between coaches on opposite sides of a rivalry.


The MVP:

Coming into week 4, some of the 2010’s big guns were struggling to match their pace last year statistically (Donovan, Le Toux, Montero, etc). David Ferreira also fell into the category, with no goals or assists in FC Dallas’ first three matches, but he finally opened his account with a brace against Colorado on Friday. If FCD are to replicate their 2010 success, they’ll need the Colombian to continue to produce offensively.



Vintage Kasey Keller:

Without a couple of huge stops from their 41 year old keeper, Seattle very likely would have gone three home matches without a win. Another thing helping them avoid that fate was…


O’Brian White’s gorgeous header:

It doesn’t get much better than this beautiful snap header from 16 yards out off Mauro Rosales’ cross from the wing.


The Davies dive:

Now, I’m as big a Charlie Davies fan as the next guy, but he went down awfully easy to draw the late PK that eventually led to a 1-1 draw between DC and LA. There was contact, without a doubt, but I have a hard time believing it was enough to send him to the turf. Landon Donovan certainly agrees.


Eric Hassli:

It’s a novel thought that one might be able to avoid a yellow card due to jersey removal if they have a second, usable jersey underneath. But Eric Hassli learned the hard way that it’s really not the best idea to test out that idea when you’re already sitting on a yellow card. Thanks to that foolish mistake, Vancouver’s DP earned his second red card of the young season.


Jay DeMerit’s groin:

Whether you’re a fan of Vancouver or the USMNT, you’re probably a little worried by the nagging groin injury that forced Jay DeMerit out of the Paraguay friendly and, most recently, the Whitecaps-Dynamo match over the weekend. Let’s hope this isn’t a pattern.


New England:

Perhaps this is more of a testament to Real Salt Lake’s depth, but anytime your “A” squad falls to a reserve-heavy visiting team, it’s never good. Throw in the fact that it was in front of another small crowd at Gilette (7,970), and makes for a pretty ugly evening for Revs fans.

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As always, feel free to add anything that I’ve missed.