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| At root, the essence of sport. Down to the eye contact. |
Welcome to the only seemingly-late Form Guide ULTRA, Week
10. I make the case for “seemingly late” below every time I talk about the
games coming up (as I do 24 times), as well as the handful of games across the
league that played out (according to reasonably predictable plots) tonight.
In a break with past tradition, I posted a narrative recap of Week 10
over on Orange & Blue Press earlier this week (one that I’ve cleaned up
three times now, and only feel proud of after this last pass). While some of the
conclusions down below filter into that, a lot of them don’t, and that has
everything do with needing to stare at this great mound of shit every week and
for enough time to figure out some things. (Just to note it, enough of my
better hunches in there held up pretty well over here).
Given the tabulated pile of vomit down below (yes, I have
the good taste to not use that as an image), I’ll keep the commentary atop this
post brief. In no particular order:
FIRST, teams from Ohio are dying, teams from California are
thriving. A metaphor for our nation. Now, cry. (At the same time, LAFC has
slowed down a bit (see below), and it’s well worth questioning the Galaxy on the road – not
least because Columbus Crew SC just did).
FIRST, 1.1, Seattle has also slowed down. Factually.
SECOND, Week 10’s big risers all come from the Eastern
Conference: New York City FC, Atlanta United FC, and, to a lesser extent, the
Philadelphia Union. All three teams racked up some real points over the past week, to which I can only say....noted.
SECOND, 1.1, the Portland Timbers know what they’re about
right now, and that was the same formula for success as last season. Just
noting that.
THIRD, I just came up with a category that I call “The
Mediocrities,” i.e., teams that can either beat or lose to you any given week.
It’s a highly delicate balance in other words. Those include: (at the top end) DC
United, (then) Columbus, FC Dallas, Minnesota United FC, L’Impact Montreal, the
Chicago Fire and, for now, the San Jose Earthquakes.
FOURTH, I just came up with another category that I call “The
Middlings,” i.e., teams any given team needs to beat if just to keep up appearances.
Those include: Orlando City SC, (for now) Red Bull New York, Real Salt Lake,
and Sporting Kansas City, but only by default.
FOURTH, 1.1, I lump SKC into the same category where I as
Atlanta United FC. Teams with that much potential will lead the conversation until
circumstances make them surrender entirely. Sporting Kansas City is working very, very hard at surrendering it entirely.
FIFTH, every team not listed above is either doing well, or
re-writing their story at the moment. And you’ll read all that below.
SIXTH, the MLS season has reached a point where the game at hand means a lot more to one team than the other. To give some examples (and maybe not all of them), those games include Toronto v. Philly (for Philly); LA Galaxy v. NYCFC (for NYCFC); Vancouver v. Portland (for Portland); and, bigger stretch, Chicago v. Minnesota. With the latter, what is a "blah" week, but another week to figure themselves out. Allright, that's the suddenly not-so-short preamble.
Before I get to that, I have to tend to some bookkeeping. First, the “@”
symbol made the tables I use too wide, so I tried to replace them with “a”
(which, here, means “at’; also, I narrowed the tables); it’s not as good visually, though, and I can only
pass on my regrets. Next, as you’ll see below, I’ve started lining up the
letters that show the last 10 games for every team that’s played as many games.
Once they surpass that mark, another set of numbers comes in to show how each
team has done both home and away over its last 10 games; going forward, and for
the rest of the 2019 season, the magic number will be ten (10), because that’s
all you’ll see. As noted at the top of that post on Orange & Blue Press,
that’s the best short-hand I’ve ever found for establishing a given team’s “form.”
With that, there’s a shit-ton of data down below. For the intrepid,
obsessive-compulsive, or merely bored, dig in.
LOS ANGELES FC, 7-1-3,
24 points, 26 gf, 8 ga, (5-0-1 home, 2-1-2 away)
Last Ten: WDWWWWLWDD (6-1-3)
Last 10 at home: WWWWD
Last 10 away: DWWLD
W
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
v POR
|
a NYC
|
v RSL
|
a SJ
|
a DC
|
v CIN
|
a VAN
|
v SEA
|
a SEA
|
v CHI
|
4-1
|
2-2
|
2-1
|
5-0
|
4-0
|
2-0
|
0-1
|
4-1
|
1-1
|
0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: If you set aside them kicking
Seattle’s ass up through their heads (by why would you?), LAFC has slowed of
late. (Alternatively, they’ve played two tough defenses teams in their last two
games, in Seattle and Chicago.)
Next Game: @ Columbus Crew SC, whose defense’s
reputation has taken a knock over the past few. I’d call it a chance at three
points that LAFC won’t want to go begging.
PHILADELPHIA UNION, 6-3-2,
20 points, 21 gf, 11 ga, (5-1-0 home, 1-2-2 away)
Last Ten: LDWWWLWDWW (6-2-2)
Last 10 at home: WWWWW
Last 10 away: LDWLD
L
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
a SKC
|
a ATL
|
v CLB
|
a CIN
|
v FCD
|
a LAG
|
v MTL
|
a VAN
|
v CIN
|
v NE
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
3-0
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
0-2
|
3-0
|
1-1
|
3-0
|
6-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: On the plus side, the Union fucking
slaughtered that home-stand, even if they benefited more than a little from the
Revs’ knack for fucking up over and over and (really) over. That makes a lot of sense
once you look at Philly’s record at home over the past 10 games. Dunking on two
teams in a row does spice it up a bit. Oh, the Union is one of only three teams
with over 20 goals so far…which is probably why they felt all right letting David Accam go.
Next Game: @ Toronto FC, which…does it really matter?
Philly has built up enough credibility at this point that a road loss to a team
with some good parts; people would shrug it off, and they wouldn’t be wrong. need to win this, but if they do…
HOUSTON DYNAMO, 6-1-1,
19 points, 17 gf, 9 ga, (5-0-1 home, 1-1-0 away)
Last Ten: N/A
D
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
v RSL
|
v MTL
|
v VAN
|
a COL
|
v SJ
|
a LAG
|
v CLB
|
v HOU
|
1-1
|
2-1
|
3-2
|
4-1
|
2-1
|
1-2
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: The Dynamo has stood up two
consecutive possibly post-facto must-wins over their last two. In other words,
Houston has made BBVA a (hideous) fortress so far this season, a place where
even reputable teams fear to tread. (Counter-point, overall, the above
opponent-venue combos are not murderer’s row material. Counter-counter-point:
taller opposition is exactly why Houston’s last two wins stand taller. Answer: we'll see.)
Next Game: @ Seattle Sounders, which is kind of a
burner game, frankly. I mean, get a win, and you look awesome; drop all three
and people will excuse it for a quarter dozen reasons at least…if only for a
while longer…
NEW YORK CITY FC, 3-1-6,
15 points, 13 gf, 12 ga, (1-0-4 home, 2-1-2 away)
Last Ten: DDDLDDWWDW (3-1-6)
D
|
D
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
a ORL
|
v DC
|
v LAF
|
a TFC
|
v MTL
|
a MIN
|
a DC
|
v CHI
|
v ORL
|
a MTL
|
2-2
|
0-0
|
2-2
|
0-4
|
0-0
|
3-3
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
1-1
|
2-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: That home draw versus Orlando (who
can scrap) will shrink in significance with each passing win. As just about
everyone knows, their new kid, Heber, looks solid, but I was most impressed by the
determined inter-play that created their insurance goal. NYCFC was never bad
this year (see, all those draws), but they’re figuring it out…
Next Game: @ Los Angeles Galaxy, aka, a game that I
think will get hyped, but also one that matters one hell of a lot more to LA
than it does to NYCFC. An NYCFC win, on the other hand, should get people’s
attention.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS, 5-1-4,
19 points, 19 gf, 13 ga, (4-0-2 home, 1-1-2 away)
Last Ten: WWWDWWLDDD (5-1-4)
W
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
D
|
D
|
v CIN
|
v COL
|
a CHI
|
a VAN
|
v RSL
|
v TFC
|
a LAF
|
v SJ
|
v LAF
|
a MIN
|
4-1
|
2-0
|
4-2
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
3-2
|
1-4
|
2-2
|
1-1
|
1-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: Seattle’s hot start officially died
in MLS Week 10. Any of the last four results aren’t bad on their own, but it’s
a car spinning its wheels in mud once you line ‘em up. I get the importance of
Raul Ruidiaz, but…haven’t they won without him for a good chunk of 2019? So…what’s
up? Also, good as it was to see them upgrade, where they did it was notable…
Next Game: v Houston Dynamo, a game Seattle has to
win for the same reason that dogs piss on the same patch of ground. If the
(alleged) runt gets one over on you, and in your house, things/perceptions
change.
DC UNITED, 6-3-2, 16
points, 16 gf, 11 ga, (3-2-1 home, 3-1-1 away)
Last Ten: DWWLDWLWLW (5-3-2)
Last 10 at home: WLDLW
Last 10 away: DWWWL
D
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
a NYC
|
v RSL
|
a ORL
|
v LAF
|
v MTL
|
a COL
|
v NYC
|
a CLB
|
a MIN
|
v CLB
|
0-0
|
5-0
|
2-1
|
0-4
|
0-0
|
3-2
|
0-2
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
3-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: To follow up on last week’s note,
DC did not let their general good form go to seed. Columbus didn’t make it look
easy – they had a rally (but Bill Hamid gave them their goal later; also, seriously, no direct video?) – but this was still
one of those “cull the herd” wins, given the state of Columbus. To flag someone
else besides the usual names, Leonardo Jara was all over this win. Also, that
home/away split has promising long-term ramifications.
Next Game: v Sporting Kansas City. Oh, look. Another
baby wildebeest! (Then again, as noted above, I’m still watching SKC like a
movie serial killer, waiting for them to pop up.)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY, 7-2-1,
22 points, 17 gf, 11 ga, (6-0-0 home, 1-2-1 away)
Last Ten: WLWWWWWDWL (7-2-1)
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
v CHI
|
a FCD
|
v MIN
|
v POR
|
a VAN
|
v PHI
|
v HOU
|
a MIN
|
v RSL
|
a RB
|
2-1
|
0-2
|
3-2
|
2-1
|
2-0
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
0-0
|
2-1
|
2-3
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: Speaking of questions of dominance,
the question of whether the Galaxy are playing should roll over to the brute question
of whether the Galaxy can win on the road. The sample’s too small right now,
and they lost to credible teams besides, but it’s about to grow. Also, now that
the incredible goddamn largeness and freakish grace of Zlatan Ibrahimovic has finally
become apparent to me, I say they let players get away with tugging his jersey.
Next Game: @ Columbus Crew SC, May 8, then v
New York City FC, May 11. I crossed out the former, because it’s over and LA lost, and so grows the wretched sample. Playing NYCFC at home gives LA enough
of a leg up that they need to win to keep up appearances.
FC DALLAS, 5-3-2, 17
points, 15 gf, 11 ga, (3-0-2 home, 2-3-0 away)
Last Ten: DWLWWLWWDL (5-3-2)
D
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
v NE
|
v LAG
|
@ CLB
|
v COL
|
@ RSL
|
@ PHI
|
v POR
|
@ ATL
|
v SJ
|
a HOU
|
1-1
|
2-0
|
0-1
|
2-1
|
4-2
|
1-2
|
2-1
|
2-1
|
0-0
|
1-2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: They have literally two weapons at
this point – Michael Barrios and Bryan Acosta – and it was decent, but once
they went down two goals, you had a feeling. To take my best stab at a theory,
Dallas seems good, but not dangerous. (Or there’s something I don’t buy about
this team, I can’t figure it out, and it’s pissing me off)
Next Game: v New York Red Bulls, who come into town
on the back of two wins (and, whoops, another loss at home), and what looked
like its most in-character game of 2019…till about two hours ago. I don’t know
how Red Bull lost tonight, but that gets this closer to a 3-pointer.
ATLANTA UNITED FC, 3-3-2,
11 points, 9 gf, 8 ga, (1-1-2 home, 2-2-0 away)
Last Ten: N/A
L
|
D
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
a DC
|
v CIN
|
v PHI
|
a CLB
|
a NE
|
v FCD
|
v COL
|
a SKC
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
1-1
|
0-2
|
2-0
|
1-2
|
1-0
|
3-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: While it’s not yet recorded here,
Atlanta’s sputters died a loud enough death tonight to get them back into the
conversation (and, factually, they’re over the playoff line). Some of that has
to do with finally beating a clearly credible opponent, but more of it has to
do how I’ve seen them start to shred teams again (e.g., New England and SKC,
both on the road).
Next Game: v Toronto FC, May 8, v Orlando City
SC, May 12. The fact is, the pressure will likely build until Atlanta either leads
the conversation, or somehow unmistakably surrenders it.
PORTLAND TIMBERS, 3-5-1,
10 points, 13 gf, 20 ga, (0-0-0 home, 3-5-1 away)
Last Ten: N/A
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
@ COL
|
@ LAF
|
@ CIN
|
@ LAG
|
@ SJ
|
@ FCD
|
@ CLB
|
@ TFC
|
a RSL
|
3-3
|
1-4
|
0-3
|
1-2
|
0-3
|
2-1
|
3-1
|
2-1
|
2-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: My team gets to keep the “@” not
just because I like them better, but because they’ve earned the honor. I
accepted they might have stolen all three points, but they also had the talent
to do it (and they’ve got a game in-hand on San Jose…and the last playoff
spot). They’ve also drafted more, and very expensive talent. I have my
concerns, but…hot damn.
Next Game: @ Vancouver Whitecaps, which is another
one of those games where one team (Portland) doesn’t have all that much to
lose. Go for it, I say, and see what you can do on the road against a genuinely
improving team.
MINNESOTA UNITED FC, 4-3-3,
15 points, 19 gf, 16 ga, (1-0-3 home, 3-3-0 away)
Last Ten: WWLLWDLDWD (4-3-2, which, it bears noting, is a
little front-loaded)
W
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
D
|
a VAN
|
@ SJ
|
a LA
|
a NE
|
a NYR
|
v NYC
|
a TFC
|
v LAG
|
v DC
|
v SEA
|
3-2
|
3-0
|
2-3
|
1-2
|
2-1
|
3-3
|
3-4
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
1-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: The result against Seattle matches
the Loons form overall; good, but nothing to get excited about. Will they make
the playoffs? Oh, probably. Well, I imagine. (That’s a loose recreation of
Upper Midwestern indifference. Like Dallas, Minnesota is kind of…just fine.)
Next Game: @ Chicago Fire, had the attack not cooled
down, I’d look forward to this one. It did and I think Minnesota has something
to worry about. Chicago has played a succession of good teams tight and they just
(finally) won tonight, and, honestly, don’t become another part of a good
weekend for Chicago, guys.
MONTREAL IMPACT, 5-4-2,
17 points, 12 gf, 16 ga, (2-1-0 home, 3-3-2 away)
Last Ten: LWLDDWLWWL (4-4-2, but favorably updated tonight)
L
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
a HOU
|
a ORL
|
a SKC
|
a NYC
|
a DC
|
v CLB
|
a PHI
|
a NE
|
v CHI
|
v NYC
|
1-2
|
3-1
|
1-7
|
0-0
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
0-3
|
3-0
|
1-0
|
2-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: Given that they’re jagged as a
drunk driver, it’s impossible to ignore that they just won tonight, thus
continues the legend of Montreal’s away record. Last Saturday’s loss to NYC,
meanwhile, shows the drunk weaving into traffic. So early in the season, and
they’re already doing a Jekyll and Hyde bit. And, still no Piatti.
Next Game: @ New York Red Bulls, May 8, @ FC
Cincinnati, May 11. With Red Bulls all over the low side of the board, I wouldn’t
read a ton of progress into tonight’s win. That said, comfortable as Montreal
is on the road, they should get at least a point out of it, even in an “we-gotta-impress-coach”
outing for Cincinnati.
TORONTO FC, 5-2-1, 16
points, 21 gf, 13 ga, (3-1-1 home, 2-1-0 away)
Last Ten: N/A
W
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
@ PHI
|
v NE
|
v NYC
|
v CHI
|
@ SEA
|
v MIN
|
v POR
|
a ORL
|
3-1
|
3-2
|
4-0
|
2-2
|
2-3
|
4-3
|
1-2
|
2-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: If nothing else, they ended a
four-game habit of giving up multiple goals (and Orlando is low-middling at
worst in the attack), and that fixes their biggest problem. On the plus side,
their lower-tier talent won it for them, and they’re not that lower-tier. If
they can keep the defense sorted, it looks like they’ll stay in touch.
Next Game: @ Atlanta United FC, May 8, v
Philadelphia Union, May 11. Well, they just lost the former (again, don’t know
the how), so now comes the pressure to win what will likely be a tough home
game v. Philly. Had they won both games…just think of it. But they didn’t.
CHICAGO FIRE, 2-4-4, 10
points, 13 gf, 14 ga, (2-1-2 home, 0-3-2 away)
Last Ten: LWLWDDWLLD (2-4-4, also updated favorably)
L
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
a LA
|
v ORL
|
v SEA
|
v NYR
|
a TFC
|
v VAN
|
v COL
|
a NYC
|
a MTL
|
a LAF
|
1-2
|
1-1
|
2-4
|
1-0
|
2-2
|
1-1
|
4-1
|
0-1
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: For those counting at home (and
missing a little data above), Chicago has now allowed five goals over their past
six games. That hasn’t rewarded them with instant success – after tonight, they’re
2-2-2 over their past six – but it’s letting them steal points here (v LAFC)
and there (absolutely pounding on a frankly terrible New England Revolution
side).
Next Game: v New England Revolution, May 8, v
Minnesota United FC, well, that’s one reputation-salvaging win down (the one
crossed out). A win over Minnesota on top of that would put a little heft
behind that solidifying defense.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES,
3-5-2, 11 points, 13 gf, 19 ga, (3-3-0 home, 0-2-2 away)
Last Ten: LLLLWLWDDW (3-5-2)
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
v MTL
|
v MIN
|
a NYR
|
v LAF
|
v POR
|
a HOU
|
v SKC
|
a SEA
|
a FCD
|
v CIN
|
1-2
|
0-3
|
1-4
|
0-5
|
3-0
|
1-2
|
4-1
|
2-2
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: As noted in the weekly write-up,
circumstances punch some holes into that run of results, but the ‘Quakes have
recovered well enough from a shaky start to play solid just about everywhere
they’ve gone. As commented on in my extended notes, this wasn’t a great result,
but San Jose got it – and playing with 10 men from the 50th minute
forward.
Next Game: @ New England Revolution. That said, their
home record sucks.
COLUMBUS CREW SC, 4-6-1,
13 points, 9 gf, 14 ga, (3-2-1 home, 1-4-0 away)
Last Ten: WWLWWLLLLL (4-6-0)
Last 10 at home: WWWLL
Last 10 away: WLLLL
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
a NE
|
v FCD
|
a PHI
|
v ATL
|
v NE
|
a MTL
|
v POR
|
v DC
|
a HOU
|
a DC
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
0-3
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
1-3
|
0-1
|
0-2
|
1-3
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: I called a fifth straight win an occasion
for soul-searching, and maybe it’s time. On the (can you call it a?) positive
side, Columbus is clearly making way for some new…talent…but…when will it come?
Anyway, they shipped Lalas Abubakar to Colorado on a one-year loan (bet that
has an option, right?), and Justin Meram to Atlanta, which I get, but I don’t
like. Oh, and they lost again. Nothing matters till they get a couple wins,
really.
Next Game: v Los Angeles Galaxy, May 8, v Los
Angeles FC, May 11, a “you gotta be fuckin’ kiddin’ me” with stunning
geographic specificity. Good for them, that’s one SoCal Boss down. The only
concern follows from a light, late softening on defense. But four points from
this swing would be good, while six points would do wonders and build a useful “home
team” mythos.
NEW YORK RED BULLS, 3-4-2,
11 points, 12 gf, 11 ga, (3-2-0 home, 0-2-2 away)
Last Ten: N/A
D
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
a CLB
|
v SJ
|
v ORL
|
a CHI
|
v MIN
|
a SKC
|
a NE
|
v CIN
|
v LA
|
1-1
|
4-1
|
0-1
|
0-1
|
1-2
|
2-2
|
0-1
|
1-0
|
3-2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: It took a turn for the worse
tonight, that’s for sure, in that a burgeoning confidence at home looked like something
New York could hang its hat on went poof. As noted above, they looked like
2017-18 Red Bulls for the first time this season against the Galaxy. I’ll have
to see whether that went away in tonight’s loss.
Next Game: v Montreal Impact, May 8, v FC
Dallas, May 11. Well, that’s one rehabilitation right down the shitter. The Red
Bulls have bare respectability within grasp with a win over Dallas in Harrison,
NJ this weekend. Anything less than all three points drops them back into the
scrap heap.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS, 2-5-3,
9 points, 10 gf, 14 ga, (1-2-2 home, 1-3-1 away)
Last Ten: LLLDLDWLDW (2-5-3)
L
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
v MIN
|
a RSL
|
a HOU
|
v SEA
|
v LA
|
a CHI
|
v LAF
|
a ORL
|
v PHI
|
a COL
|
2-3
|
0-1
|
2-3
|
0-0
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
3-2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: If soccer was law, Vancouver graduated
to paralegal this weekend with its road win over a pungent Rapids team – as in
good for you, but who cares (it’s OK, that’s my field, barely). On the detail
level, they scored a couple (serious) cheapies and let (again) the Colorado (motherfucking)
Rapids back into the game, which is not a good look, even on the road.
Next Game: v Portland Timbers, which feels a little
like a coming-out party – no a Quinceanera (fancier!) – for the Whitecaps. A
win here sets the Jell-O of progress to perfection.
REAL SALT LAKE, 3-6-1,
10 points, 12 gf, 18 ga, (2-2-0 home, 1-4-1 away)
Last Ten: DWLLLLWWLL (3-6-1)
D
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
a HOU
|
v VAN
|
a DC
|
a LAF
|
v FCD
|
a SEA
|
v ORL
|
a CIN
|
a LAG
|
v POR
|
1-1
|
1-0
|
0-5
|
1-2
|
2-4
|
0-1
|
2-1
|
3-0
|
1-2
|
1-2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: They weren’t bad, but they
certainly weren’t good. As confessed in my extended notes, the Timbers got a
little lucky. Their one goal aside, though, RSL could come up with ideas big
enough to get around the Timbers. Those two wins looks smaller and more circumstantial
every day. Jefferson Savarino still looks good, and some of these players
deserve a better team.
Next Game: @ Colorado Rapids, and maybe a real chance
at redemption. Between personnel and knowing how to use them, swallowing
anything less than a draw – and one with goals, but not too many goals should
taste bitter.
ORLANDO CITY SC, 3-4-3,
12 points, 13 gf, 16 ga, (2-3-1 home, 1-1-2 away)
Last Ten: DDLWLWLWDL (3-4-3)
D
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
v NYC
|
a CHI
|
v MTL
|
a NYR
|
v DC
|
v COL
|
a RSL
|
v VAN
|
a NYC
|
v TFC
|
2-2
|
1-1
|
1-3
|
1-0
|
1-2
|
4-3
|
1-2
|
1-0
|
1-1
|
2-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: I have to admit, this loss threw me
for a loop – and it should re-open the file on Orlando’s chances. Impressed as
I’ve been by their heart, they made ‘keeper Brian Rowe this week. And, for all
the chatter, their big guns (especially Dom Dwyer) aren’t delivering often
enough, and that’s shifting them back to middling.
Next Game: @ Atlanta United FC, whose steady
improvement makes Orlando’s chances at a recovery look dismal-esque.
SPORTING KC, 2-3-4, 10
points, 19 gf, 18 ga, (2-1-2 home, 0-2-2 away)
Last Ten: N/A
L
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
@ LAF
|
v PHI
|
@ COL
|
v MTL
|
@ CIN
|
v NYR
|
@ SJ
|
v NE
|
v ATL
|
1-2
|
2-0
|
1-1
|
7-1
|
1-1
|
2-2
|
1-4
|
4-4
|
0-3
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: It’s having the blunt, clear visual
of all the goals SKC has given up over their last four games that puts the
issue in sharp relief – 13, 3.25 per game . Another fun stat: they’ve managed
one thin point from their last three homes games. One of the favorites is
falling apart, basically, and Benny Feilhaber coming back doesn’t make Matt
Besler or Roger Espinoza healthy.
Next Game: @ DC United, where I wouldn’t expect a
win. A draw would be solid, a narrow loss meaningless, but another blowout…and what
Atlanta did to them makes it pretty easy to picture.
FC CINCINNATI, 2-7-2,
8 points, 8 gf, 17 ga, (1-2-1 home, 1-5-1 away)
Last Ten: DWWLDLLLLL (2-6-2, losing a loss should feel
better…)
Last 10 at home: WLDL
Last 10 away: DWLLLL
D
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
a ATL
|
v POR
|
a NE
|
v PHI
|
v SKC
|
a LAF
|
v RSL
|
a NYR
|
a PHI
|
a SJ
|
1-1
|
3-0
|
2-0
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
0-2
|
0-3
|
0-1
|
0-2
|
0-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: Did losing their coach hurt as much
as losing their fifth straight game, and their sixth of their last seventh? As
with most recent games, Cincinnati could have scored, but only so many times.
And they really need to score. Because they haven’t. For anyone looking for a
silver lining, six of Cincy’s last 10 came on the road.
Next Game: v Montreal Impact, where a home win would
has decent potential to start a new script (“oh, it’s because they were on the
road!”). On that exact level, this makes this weekend a game any
self-respecting team has to call “winnable-or-bust.” (Also, I scouted ahead to
Game 17, and if Cincinnati doesn’t pick up at least six points out of their
next four games…sell.)
NEW ENGLAND
REVOLUTION, 2-7-2, 8 points, 11 gf, 25 ga, (2-4-0 home, 0-3-2 away)
Last Ten: LLLWLLWLDL (2-7-2)
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
v CLB
|
a TFC
|
v CIN
|
v MIN
|
a CLB
|
v ATL
|
v NYR
|
v MTL
|
a SKC
|
a PHI
|
0-2
|
2-3
|
0-2
|
2-1
|
0-1
|
0-2
|
1-0
|
0-3-
|
4-4
|
1-6
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: I can sum
up the state of the Revolution in a tiny set of numbers: they let Chicago score
five goals tonight. What the hell? Let’s stretch it back to the last 7 games
and see how they do on goals against. Well, given that generous benefit of the
doubt, the Revs have been better over time than SKC. Over that past four games,
though…holy shit (4.5 goals per game). I see they have guys coming in, but do
you really want to have Brad Friedel in charge when they show up?
Next Game: @ Chicago Fire, May 8, v San Jose Earthquakes,
May 11. After they pick up the asses that Chicago left for them on bond, we’ll
see how they do against the ‘Quakes. Irrelevant.
COLORADO RAPIDS, 0-8-2,
2 points, 14 gf, 27 ga, (0-3-2 home, 0-5-0 away)
Last Ten: DLDLLLLLLLL
D
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
v POR
|
a SEA
|
v SKC
|
a FCD
|
v HOU
|
a ORL
|
v DC
|
a CHI
|
a ATL
|
v VAN
|
3-3
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
1-2
|
1-4
|
3-4
|
2-3
|
4-1
|
0-1
|
2-3
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Current Judgment: So, so fucking bad, right now. As
reported all day as either rumor or fact, they lost Benny Feilhaber today, but
he didn’t register as either the problem or the solution to me. Seeing them
shore up the back with Abubakar could help – and he’s the kind of player
(assuming he fits) who could have rescued results away to Orlando and Chicago,
and home to DC and Vancouver. Priorities, baby…
Next Game: v Real Salt Lake, As much as I don’t
expect the Rapids to turn it around this week (and, holy shit, I don’t), they
could absolutely use it, and I can totally see RSL giving it.
I think that’s everybody. I hope at least 95% of the above
is accurate (#goals), and that 100% of it is informative. Till next week!
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