Olympic flops bounce back in MLS
It seems like it happened a while back, but the US Under-23s' failure to qualify for the Olympics took place just three weeks ago. There were plenty of tears shed, and plenty of blame issued for the shocking disappointment. This weekend in MLS, we saw the first clear signs that the players who endured that disappointment are ready to go on with their careers.
Five footballers who started for the United States’ fateful 3-3 draw against El Salvador saw action in MLS and had special outings in victories for their teams; none more so than Brek Shea and Freddy Adu.
Shea showed flashes of his 2011 form on Saturday night, streaking through the Montreal defense to bury a game-winning goal for FC Dallas. Earlier that same day, Adu enjoyed a strong run for Philadelphia, drawing the decisive penalty kick that helped the Union earn their first win of the season (while US Under-23 teammate Amobi Okugo came on as a second-half substitute to preserve the victory for the Union).
Under-23 defensive tandem Ike Opara and Perry Kitchen did their part for their MLS teams as well. Opara came off the bench to help San Jose overcome injuries and shut down the high-flying New York Red Bulls defense in a 2-2 draw. Kitchen went the full 90 in D.C. United’s stirring 2-1 comeback win versus New England.
These performances provided the clearest evidence to date that the members of the US Under-23 team have put the disappointment behind them. It seems that they are ready to make the most of the opportunities that will come their way.
For Shea and Adu the weekend could serve as a jumping-off point for two prospects who many believe could have bright futures with the senior national team. Jurgen Klinsmann has already made it clear that, without the Olympics as a showcase and the chance to provide experience, players like Shea and Adu must make the most of every opportunity they get in MLS in order to make an impression and earn a look from the senior team.
It may just be one good weekend, but it’s a good start; a chance to think about what these talented young Americans are doing well, instead of dwelling on what was easily the biggest disappointment of their young careers.
Here is a look back at five key developments from MLS Week 6:
SPORTING KC THE CLASS OF THE LEAGUE
Let there be no more questions about which team is the best in Major League Soccer. After Saturday, Sporting Kansas City wears that label with pride.
Sporting KC improved to 6-0 with a 1-0 victory against Western Conference-leading Real Salt Lake. No, it wasn’t a blowout, and yes, Real Salt Lake didn’t have injured midfielders Javier Morales and Ned Grabavoy. But, that alone doesn’t explain how Sporting KC never looked in trouble against a team that has been one of the league’s best for years.
Saturday provided a good showcase for Kansas City’s defense, which allowed just one shot on goal, the first allowed by the team in three matches.
What Sporting KC is doing is operating their 4-3-3 like a well-oiled, high-pressure machine; stifling opposing midfielders and making opposing forwards miserable by limiting space and chances. Their three forwards do a great job of contributing defensively, while Roger Espinoza has established himself as a tireless menace at midfield.
The emphasis on defense will mean that Sporting KC is in every match this year. Don’t go thinking Sporting KC can’t score goals though. They have faced some tough defensive teams early on, as well as some teams content to bunker in and counter. The goals eventually arrive, and as long as Peter Vermes can keep his team healthy, there is no reason to think Sporting KC won’t run away with the Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield.
Yes, it’s only April. But after Saturday’s performance, such lofty proclamations about Sporting Kansas City sound a lot less like hyperbole.
WHY ALWAYS RAFA?
With apologies to San Jose striker Steven Lenhart, the biggest villain in MLS is Mexican midfielder Rafael Marquez. The New York Red Bulls Designated Player has let some mindless antics tarnish his reputation, and the latest transgression is threatening to push toward the “Balotelli of MLS” territory.
After seeming to pick on San Jose midfielder Shea Salinas in various parts of the match, he took things to a new level when, on a set piece, he wrapped his arms around Salinas from behind, then drove him into the ground; a move that wound up breaking Salinas’ collarbone. To add insult to injury, as the two men hit the ground, Marquez managed to swing his leg around and “inadvertently” kick Salinas in the face and arm.
The punishment for this despicable sequence? Surely a yellow card from referee Ricardo Salazar, right? Guess again.
Salazar missed the entire incident altogether. The act isn’t likely to go unpunished though, not in this new era where MLS has no qualms with handing down retroactive suspensions for bad behavior.
What sort of punishment could Marquez face? The fact that he has been punished by the MLS Disciplinary Committee before (he missed the first two games of the 2012 season for his actions in last year’s playoffs) should lead to an extended suspension.
The fact that Salinas suffered a major injury all but assures that the committee will throw the book at Marquez.
The sad part is Marquez had actually been playing well lately, helping provide balance to the New York midfield while giving some cover to a shaky defense. Now, with a suspension looming, and with Teemu Tainio injured, the Red Bulls could face new defensive problems without Marquez.
It’s tough to feel bad for Marquez. For what seems like countless instances, the Mexican star has created his own problems.
PYRRHIC POINT FOR QUAKES
The San Jose Earthquakes should be riding high, and feeling a real sense of pride, for their impressive performance coming back to tie the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. It was tough to celebrate with news of injuries to two starters in the 2-2 draw.
Defender Victor Bernardez and Salinas suffered injuries on the same play. Salinas suffered a broken collarbone on a play where Rafael Marquez drove him into the ground. On the same sequence, Bernardez suffered a sprained MCL after landing awkwardly while trying to challenge Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara for the ball.
Both players left the game in the first half, and it remains unclear just how long both will be out. Saturday’s match served to illustrate the fact that the Earthquakes actually boast some impressive depth.
Veteran defender Jason Hernandez replaced Bernardez, and looked like the long-time starter San Jose fans have come to know and appreciate. Meanwhile, English winger Simon Dawkins replaced Salinas. Both replacements held their own weight. It can’t be forgotten that Bernardez and Salinas were key reasons why the Earthquakes have blasted to such an outstanding start.
CHIVAS USA: THE NEW ROAD WARRIORS
Admit it. When Chivas USA opened the year with a 0-2 record courtesy of two home shutout losses, you started wondering just how bad a record this team could put together if it couldn’t even defend its home field.
As it turns out, Chivas USA is much, much better at being visitors than hosts.
Robin Fraser’s squad improved to 3-3, and a perfect 3-0 on the road this year, with its 1-0 victory against Toronto FC on Saturday. Beating a winless TFC by a goal isn’t all that impressive, but couple that with wins in notoriously tough venues in Portland and Utah, and you can’t help but take notice.
Perhaps even more impressive is the fact the Goats have won three of four without the services of star Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel, who is sidelined with lingering concussion symptoms.
So how is Chivas USA doing it? The Goats are riding a stingy defense, some outstanding goalkeeping from Dan Kennedy, and some opportunistic offense. In fact, the Goats have allowed just four goals in six matches, this despite playing some pretty strong attacks like Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake.
If Chivas USA can get Angel back, and if Fraser can convince management to do some spending in the summer, the Goats just might have a good enough defense to really challenge for a playoff spot. It sounds crazy to even think about, but so would have the idea of Chivas USA being a perfect 3-0 on the road before the season began.
TIMBER TROUBLES
When the Portland Timbers kicked off the 2011 season with a resounding 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union, a victory complete with a goal from star newcomer Kris Boyd, there was a feeling this was going to be a breakout year for the second-year franchise.
The Timbers haven’t won a game since.
Portland has hit a five-game slide that has dropped the club into last place in the Western Conference. As bad as the team’s 0-4-1 slide has been, the reality is the Timbers haven’t been playing that badly.
The biggest issue has been terrible mistakes late in matches. The Timbers had a win in the bag before RSL scored two late goals in Portland for a victory. Then, Chivas USA pulled off a similar late rally, also at Jeld-Wen.
This past Saturday, the Timbers were blown offside on a Kris Boyd goal against the LA Galaxy. Instead of going up 2-0, Portland saw their 1-0 lead disappear before a late-game collapse that dropped them in a 3-1 decision.
What’s the problem with Portland? Some defensive injuries didn’t help early on, but defensive breakdowns late in matches are starting to feel like symptoms of a bigger problem. If John Spencer’s team doesn’t start finding ways to take points, rather than give them away, The Timbers could find themselves digging a hole in the West standings too steep to climb out of.
WEEK’S BEST IN MLS
Player of the Week: Blas Perez. The Panamanian striker was vital in helping FC Dallas fight back from a 1-0 deficit. He scored the equalizing goal before taking part in the build-up that led to Brek Shea’s winning goal.
Rookie of the Week: Nick DeLeon. The early-season frontrunner for MLS Rookie of the Year, put together another outstanding week for D.C. United, assisting on both of his team’s goals, including Chris Pontius’ game-winning goal.
Team of the Week: Sporting Kansas City. Won the marquee match-up of the week, and did so in convincing fashion. Shutting down Real Salt Lake in battle of conference leaders takes our top spot.
Comeback of the Week: San Jose Earthquakes. Playing at Red Bull Arena, San Jose battled the Red Bulls high-flying attack toe-to-toe and came away with a valuable road point. Yes, there were other comebacks this week, including the LA Galaxy’s and D.C. United’s. The way the Earthquakes outplayed New York in the second half despite losing two starters to injury, deserves higher praise.