Around the MLS, More Notes than News

The Paradox of the MLS

As the final whistle ended the game between the LA Galaxy and DC United, it also simultaneously ended the first week of the 2009 MLS season. Finding one word to describe anything, let alone seven different fixtures, is a difficult task, but after watching the majority of this week’s MLS action I can’t help but think of the contrasts. In fact, the paradox of the MLS has never been more apparent than in this past week. Here in no particular order are a few thoughts on all that was good and bad on the MLS pitch this past weekend.

#1 Maybe it was a result of the pent up emotion, energy or just love for the game, but watching the Seattle Sounders dismantle the NY Red Bulls in front of 32,000 ardent supporters made me feel like Americans were now full fledged citizens of the world of soccer. The crowd was loud, jubilant and most importantly involved in all the movements of the game. In that kind of atmosphere, even the worst of games can have entertainment value. Now, compare that to the happenings at Pizza Hut Park. In fairness, the expected crowd of 5,000 did not materialize, but the actual number of 15,905 was not much louder than five Sounders supporters. For me, this is depressing. I love watching certain teams play (product on the field), but hate the fact that their supporters are more interested in not showing up, or sitting on their hands. Once again, congrats to Seattle Sounders FC supporters, you are what the league needs.

#2 In all my years watching MLS soccer, I can’t remember a weekend where I witnessed so many class goals from distance and so many equally shocking moments from goaltenders. Davy Arnaud hit two of the best crackers from twenty five yards out that any football fan can ever hope to see. Making it even more impressive was the fact that he hit the first one with his left foot and the second with his right. Added to Arnaud’s highlight bombs were and equally impressive free kick from Blanco and some clinical finishing from Guevara and Schelotto. Now, you are probably wondering why I haven’t talked about Kenny Cooper’s sixty five yard crack into the side netting as being equal to or on par with the above episodes of finishing. Well, the truth is, as much as I admire Mr. Cooper’s strike, I was shocked by Busch’s mistake. It was terrible goalkeeping. Before Mr. Busch runs off the pitch in shame, he should wait, because there are a few other goalkeepers who need to join him. Danny Cepero got nutmegged by a ball moving slower than Sigi Schmidt, Kevin “I never catch anything Hartman” gifted Guevara with a monster rebound aimed directly at the penalty spot and Dario Salas got caught flailing his arms around after a ball that should have been easily collected.

#3 What in the name of all that is good and right were the groundskeepers at Robertson stadium doing this past week? The pitch looked like my toast in the morning. It really is quite interesting that Dallas FC, the club who no one in Dallas seems to care about, has the nicest looking pitch in the country. Why can’t the Dynamo switch groundskeepers with Dallas FC? Wouldn’t it be nice to see that bright orange offset by the deep green of Pizza Hut Park?

#4 Fredy Montero, a twenty two year old wonder boy from Colombia, appears from the hinterlands of Colombian football and electrifies a crowd of already jacked up Sounders Supporters with two goals and an assist in his first game. Now, compare that for a second, with the Brickhead from Britain, Sir David “I’m here to save American Soccer, but I can’t bring myself to show up” Beckham. Enough with the European rock stars, let’s round up more young studs like Montero.

Observations

Toronto FC v. Kansas City Wizards (3-2):

• Davy Arnaud is one of the most under rated players in the league. This guy scored two highlight reel goals and covered miles of turf doing all the things super stars refuse to do…like defend.
• Guevara and De Rosario are going to tear up the league together. I have watched many a Toronto FC game and have done what most neutral observers have done, fallen asleep. Not this year. If Toronto had any sort of finisher up front they would have scored six goals on the night.
• On the topic of Toronto FC finishers, what in the heck was Barrett doing on that one on one with the keeper? Put down your purse son. If Barrett is best Carver can put on the field, what does that say about Pablo Vitti? Is the young Argentinean a bust already? Isn’t he better than Barrett? If I were an FC fan I would be worried.
• Kevin Hartman has confirmed my belief that he is involved in some sort of reality TV show where he has to masquerade as an MLS keeper. How can it be otherwise, he is terrible?
  

Seattle Sounders FC v. NY Red Bulls (3-0):

• Angel was terrible and Montero was great, two Colombians going in opposite directions.
• Osario better not come back with another starting eleven like the bunch he fielded on Thursday night.
• Le Toux, Montero, Jaqua, Nyassi and Alonso, the best attacking five of the weekend. Who would have predicted that? Can’t wait to watch Seattle’s next game.
  
  
  

Houston Dynamo v. Columbus Crew (1-1):

• The score line did not reflect what was happening on the field. The Dynamo was the better team, but couldn’t make good on some quality buildups. The Crew, on the other hand, showed exactly what to do when presented with a half of chance. Of course it helps to have Schelotto, the man who once again proved that he can strap a team on his shoulders and steal a point.
• Given some time, Dynamo supporters are going to forget about De Rosario. Stuart Holden is going to be a star in this league and is a much better two way player than De Rosario. Hopefully he won’t take off for greener pastures in Europe.

Dallas FC v. Chicago Fire (1-3):

• Both goal keepers made huge blunders in the game.
• Blanco, who is slower than a carthorse, proved it doesn’t matter how much you can run. A dead ball is a dead ball and no one hits them better then Blanco.
• Dallas could have won this game, but they make to many mistakes in the back and can’t seem to find the net when they are in the box.
• More than 5,000 people showed up. Hopefully they will return for the next game.
  

LA Galaxy v. DC United (2-2):

• I thought things would be different with Arena calling the shots, but alas things in LA are still the same, bad goals against and Donovan scoring to salvage a result.
• Kovalenko, the king of ugly soccer, tried to piggy back on Gomez’s shoulders, a perfectly reasonable thing to do don’t you thinks? Dema may have his supporters, but don’t count me as one of them. DC United should have gotten two PK’s for that Kovalenko’s idiotic foul.
• Now that Beckham is coming until a later date, I guess three quarters of the fans are following his lead.
• Nice to see Ben Olson playing again, especially when he started making fun of Kirovski after Kirovski flopped in the box.
  

San Jose v. NE Revolution (0-1):
No comment, did not watch the game.

Chivas USA v. Colorodo Rapids (2-1):
Fell asleep after ten minutes.

Three Things I Will Be Looking For Next Week

1) A whole new NY Red Bulls team on the pitch.
2) Can Freddy Montero duplicate his heroics?
3) Will Pablo Vitti play for Toronto FC?