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Simone Pierotti
MLS Week #2: Recap
Montréal Impact 1-1 Chicago Fire
The Canadians failed to achieve their first ever victory in MLS, but they made history by setting a new record in terms of attendance. 58,912 fans packed the Olympic Stadium in Montréal to follow the first ever home match of the last franchise to join MLS. After a goalless first half, the crowd was driven crazy by captain Davy Arnaud after 11 minutes, as he headed into the net on a precise cross from Sanna Nyassi. Joy lasted only a quarter-of-hour as Dominic Oduro got the equaliser on a superb assist by Sebastián Grazzini.
San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Houston Dynamo
The California-based XI encountered in San Francisco their past, as Houston Dynamo were established following the escape of the Eartquakes franchise from San Jose, which soon embraced another team with the same name. Chris Wondolowski immediately missed a brilliant chance to repeat his last week’s goal against New England. While entering into the first quarter-of-hour, host goalkeeper John Busch crashed onto forward Brian Ching, provoking a penalty kick successfully converted by midfielder Brad Davis. Later on, goalie Tally Hall protected the one-goal advantage until the final whistle. This is the second 1-0 victory in a row in California for Houston, who had beat Chivas USA one week before.
FC Dallas 1-1 Portland Timbers
The Texan side did not manage to convert the second consecutive home match into the second victory in a row. At least, not against the Portland Timbers, who had defeat Philadelphia in the first match day with Scottish Kris Boyd scoring what has been awarded as “Goal of the week”. Yet, situation turned out to be as expected for FC Dallas within 22 minutes, when newly-signed Blas Pérez pushed into the net a sloppy parry by goalie Troy Perkins. Five minutes after the second half kick-off Darlington Nagbe equalised, taking advantage of a clumsy back pass by Daniel Hernández.
Sporting Kansas City 3-0 New England Revolution
With four goals scored in two matches, and none conceded, Sporting Kansas City started this year in the best way. The first home game of the season coincided with a great victory over the New England Revolution, who played with one man down from the 13th minute as Stephen McCarthy was sent off after tugging at C.J. Sapong’s arm. Kansas City found the first goal close to the half-a-hour with a tap-in by midfielder Graham Zusi, recently capped with the US national team. Ten minutes later, forward Kei Kamara added a second after a double attempt to drive the ball past goalkeeper Matt Reis. The hammering was completed by Sapong’s second goal in the season, a comfortable shot on assist by Seth Sinovic.
Seattle Sounders 3-1 Toronto FC
The Sounders made a successful season debut in front of 38,709 cheerful fans who witnessed a stunning performance by David Estrada. The Mexican-born striker had played only six times in his two years in Seattle, without scoring goals. He definitely made his day with a phenomenal hat-trick against Toronto FC, back from the qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals. After breaking the balance with an insisted individual play, he scored twice from close range thanks to a couple of assists by Uruguayan Álvaro Fernández. Marvellous as well as unuseful the goal for Toronto by striker Ryan Johnson, a cutting shot from the right edge of the box which ended in the top corner.
Real Salt Lake 2-0 New York Red Bulls
The Utah-side enjoyed another two-goal-deficit victory after the 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first match day. The New York Red Bulls, on their part, are still winless after 180 minutes. After 38 minutes Brazilian fantasista Paulo Junior served with a long pass team-mate Fabián Espíndola, who shunned the offside trap by Red Bulls rearguard and scored his 5th goal in 6 matches against the New York side. A twist of fate, 18-year-old Luis Gil found the net in the second half on a parry by Ryan Meara; his first goal in the MLS had occurred in a match against the Red Bulls themselves. Thierry Henry delighted the crowd with a scissors kick, nice but not sufficient to avoid the second consecutive loss.
Chivas USA 0-1 Vancouver Whitecaps
It is too risky to give strong predictions after just a couple of matches, but 2012 might be a great season for the Vancouver Whitecaps after an abysmal past year. The 1-0 victory at Home Depot Center against Chivas USA, who faced the second consecutive defeat with the same score, followed the victory in the Canadian derby against Montréal Impact. Captain Jay DeMerit scored the winning goal as a dozen minutes were separating the teams from the end of the match. Throughout the first half Whitecaps goalie Joe Cannon made two decisive saves before abandoning the pitch due to injury.
Philadelphia Union 1-2 Colorado Rapids
Not the best start of the season Philadelphia Union’s fans would like to see from their team, who conceded five goals in two matches. All goals occurred in the second half, after 55 pleasing minutes. Rapids striker Omar Cummings served the ball up in the heart of the box and goalkeeper Zac Macmath failed to grab the ball, kicked in the empty net by Colombian Jaime Castrillón. In spite of the ejection of Jeff Larentowicz, the Colorado side added a second thanks to rookie Tony Cascio, who overwhelmed experienced defender Chris Albright and scored his first goal as a professional. Lionard Pajoy’s successful header on Roger Torres’ cross added a few regrets on the part of Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 DC United
Finally, the starts of David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane commenced to shine in the galaxy of Los Angeles. The reigning national champions earned their first victory after the loss to Real Salt Lake and the elimination from the CONCACAF Champions League. The Irishman scored just before the break with an easy shot assisted by Tony Dunivant, and doubled in the second half with a fulminating left-footed effort as he received the ball from Donovan. On his part, Beckham provided his second assist of the season serving midfielder Marcelo Sarvas for the 3-0 header. The visitors struck with a counterattack finished by rookie Nick DeLeon.
STANDINGS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Sporting Kansas City 6
Houston Dynamo 6
Chicago Fire 1
Montréal Impact 1
New York Red Bulls 0
DC United 0
New England Revolution 0
Toronto FC 0
Columbus Crew 0
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Real Salt Lake 6
Colorado Rapids 6
Vancouver Whitecaps 6
Portland Timbers 4
FC Dallas 4
San Jose Earthquakes 3
Los Angeles Galaxy 3
Seattle Sounders 3
Chivas USA 0
TOP SCORERS
3 goals: David Estrada (Seattle). 2 goals: C.J. Sapong (Kansas City), Robbie Keane (Los Angeles), Fabian Espindola (FC Dallas).
