 |
| Who's world is this? |
Howdy! Time for the second leg of the Week 12 Review/Week 13
Preview. As always, all of that – which, here, means the results for every team
in Major League Soccer, listed and tabulated according to every foe and
location – and with notes on all of it. I posted a narrative piece over on
Orange & Blue Press, but, honestly, I’d read the three big talking points
and then walk away. I fucked up that one…
As for this post, most of the useful information shows up
in/around the Info-Boxes (i.e., where I tabulate the results), but, for the
good folks in a reasonable hurry (hustle, y’all!), I pulled together some top-line
notes. That way you can catch up on some trends and pick through what you want
down below. You can skip the whole damn thing too, but, full disclosure: the
rest of the preamble is nothing but teases.
First, and after years of training, I just can’t quit
ranking things. On that, fuck it, it’s clarifying. To draw folks’ attention to
some key points: loathe as I am to do it, the Seattle Sounders’ pathological
solidity forced me to upgrade them; FC Dallas squeaked upward as well, and that’s
in spite of earning only one point from two games against Los Angeles FC.
Colorado went up based on long-term trends, while Toronto FC went down on
short-term ones. And, to give one sharp example of how I make choices, I kept Atlanta
United FC over the Houston Dynamo on the very specific grounds of Altanta’s
defensive sturdiness, and the fact that Houston has built its impressive record
almost entirely on the back of home wins – something that will continue through
the immediate future. Speaking of…
With the Gold Cup Break coming up (I think June 9 is the
last game till latter June), a lot of my attention down below goes toward how
most (but not all) teams in the league do between today and June 9. Based on
that, I’ve done my damnedest to lump all the relevant teams in MLS into three
broad categories: Watch (which means, what they do till the Gold Cup matters);
Hold (which means the team has a solid foundation, so maybe the next few don’t
matter); and Just Watch (for a variety of reasons). To loop back to the “teases”
theme, I’m just going to list them (fine, with parenthetical notes where
appropriate). Here goes:
Watch
I’ve divided these into “Up” or “Down” according to which
way each team seems likeliest to go, mostly based on the opponent and where
they’ll play them:
Up: New York City FC, Atlanta, Dallas, Red Bull New York, San
Jose Earthquakes, New England Revolution.
Down: Seattle Sounders, Houston, TFC, Columbus Crew SC,
Sporting Kansas City.
Hold
I put three teams here, two of them for the same reason: the
Chicago Fire and the Portland Timbers, both on the grounds that they could lose
every game between now and the Gold Cup Break and…eh. Basically, both teams
have this freaky combination of a shitty record and solid play.
Just…Watch (because I don’t know what to make of them):
Los Angeles Galaxy, Minnesota United FC, Real Salt Lake (see
the pattern outlined below, just for this one); Orlando City SC, FC Cincinnati
(and in the saddest of ways), and DC United.
OK, that’s all of it. Time for the Info-Boxes, which are
useful little buggers.
LOS ANGELES FC, 9-1-4,
31 points, 32 gf, 9 ga, (6-0-1 home, 3-1-3 away)
Last 10 games: WWWLWDDWWD (6-1-3)
Last 10 at home: WWDW
Last 10 away: WWLDWD
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
|
a SJ
|
a DC
|
v CIN
|
a VAN
|
v SEA
|
a SEA
|
v CHI
|
a CLB
|
v FCD
|
a FCD
|
|
5-0
|
4-0
|
2-0
|
0-1
|
4-1
|
1-1
|
0-0
|
3-0
|
2-0
|
1-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Quibble all you want, and (deeply) dodgy
officiating aside, they got four points of six against an immediate rival, and
they posted crazy goddamn numbers in their home win.
Next Games: v Montreal (5/24), @ Portland (6/1). Another
four points seems likely, and six points feels doable. The momentum is
vomit-inducing.
PHILADELPHIA UNION, 7-3-3,
24 points, 23 gf, 12 ga, (5-1-1 home, 2-2-2 away)
Last 10 games: WWWLWDWWWD (7-1-2)
Last 10 at home: WWWWWD
Last 10 away: WLDW
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
|
v CLB
|
a CIN
|
v FCD
|
a LAG
|
v MTL
|
a VAN
|
v CIN
|
v NE
|
a TFC
|
v SEA
|
|
3-0
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
0-2
|
3-0
|
1-1
|
3-0
|
6-1
|
2-1
|
0-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. The Union found plenty of chances (with a
young Brenden Aaronson finding a lot of them), but Seattle’s often a tough
outing. Not much to fret over unless it starts trending
Next Games. v Portland (5/25), v Colorado (5/29), @
Minnesota (6/2), v RBNY (6/8). They’ll be exactly halfway at the break and,
with how they’re playing, I expect them 8-10 points higher by then.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS, 7-1-5,
26 points, 20 gf, 13 ga, (6-0-2 home, 1-1-3 away)
Last 10 games: DWWLDDDWWD (4-1-5)
Last 10 at home: WWDDWW
Last 10 away: DLDD
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
|
a VAN
|
v RSL
|
v TFC
|
a LAF
|
v SJ
|
v LAF
|
a MIN
|
v HOU
|
v ORL
|
a PHI
|
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
3-2
|
1-4
|
2-2
|
1-1
|
1-1
|
1-0
|
2-1
|
0-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Another week of the bare minimum, and that’s
with an imbalance of home games in their favor. That does, however, make a draw
at Philly more impressive.
Next Games. @ SKC (5/26), v FCD (6/1), @ Montreal
(6/5). That’s a weird run, but anything less than four points between here and
the Gold Cup should be cause for concern at this point.
NEW YORK CITY FC,
4-1-6, 18 points, 15 gf, 12 ga, (1-0-4 home, 3-1-2 away)
Last 10 games: DDLDDWWDWW (4-1-6)
Last 10 at home: DDDWD
Last 10 away: DLDWW
|
D
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
|
v DC
|
v LAF
|
a TFC
|
v MTL
|
a MIN
|
a DC
|
v CHI
|
v ORL
|
a MTL
|
a LAG
|
|
0-0
|
2-2
|
0-4
|
0-0
|
3-3
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
1-1
|
2-0
|
2-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Had a bye week, but this comment holds: note where they played some of their last five: at DC, at Montreal, at the Galaxy –
where they got all available points.
Next Game: @ Chicago (5/25), @ Columbus (6/1) v
Cincinnati (6/6). I don’t expect all nine points, but I also don’t see them
slowing down. Six seems realistic (thanks, Ohio!). Also, note the back-loaded
season (only 14 games at the GC break).
ATLANTA UNITED FC, 6-4-2,
20 points, 13 gf, 9 ga, (3-1-2 home, 3-3-0 away)
Last 10 games: DLWLWWWWWL (6-3-1)
Last 10 at home: DLWWW
Last 10 away: LWWWL
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
|
v PHI
|
a CLB
|
a NE
|
v FCD
|
v COL
|
a SKC
|
v TFC
|
v ORL
|
a VAN
|
a NYR
|
|
1-1
|
0-2
|
2-0
|
1-2
|
1-0
|
3-0
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Just to note it, those road wins make some
sense out of this weekend’s road loss – i.e., beating bad teams on the road can
send a false signal. Their defense will carry them, it’s also time to start
paying more attention to who they play and when.
Next Game. @ RSL (5/24), v Minnesota (5/29), v
Chicago (6/1). Away to RSL suddenly feels bigger, but, with neither Minnesota
nor Chicago being strong attacking teams, and Atlanta defending the way they
are, those are games Atlanta should win.
HOUSTON DYNAMO, 7-2-2,
23 points, 20 gf, 12 ga, (6-0-2 home, 1-2-0 away)
Last 10 games: WWWWLWWLDW (7-2-1)
Last 10 at home: WWWWWDW
Last 10 away: WLL
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
|
v MTL
|
v VAN
|
a COL
|
v SJ
|
a LAG
|
v CLB
|
v HOU
|
a SEA
|
v POR
|
v DC
|
|
2-1
|
3-2
|
4-1
|
2-1
|
1-2
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
2-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. The Timbers dented their home record (and it
went beyond cosmetic; my notes on that), but Houston beat DC without Elis and
after Quioto left the field. And they looked good doing it. Their road form
will matter, but they’re fucking killing it at home.
Next. @ Minnesota (5/25), v SKC (6/1). They could
surprise Minnesota – God knows the Dynamo are more confident than Columbus –
but this looks like another four point turn. Anything less than three points is
what you watch for.
FC DALLAS, 5-5-3, 18
points, 17 gf, 17 ga, (3-1-3 home, 2-4-0 away)
Last 10 games: WWLWWDLLLD (4-5-1)
Last 10 at home: WWDLD
Last 10 away: WLWLL
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
|
v COL
|
a RSL
|
a PHI
|
v POR
|
a ATL
|
v SJ
|
a HOU
|
v RB
|
a LAF
|
v LAF
|
|
2-1
|
4-2
|
1-2
|
2-1
|
2-1
|
0-0
|
1-2
|
1-3
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. With all necessary caveats about reading too
much into watching 1/6 of both games, Dallas impressed me a little last weekend.
A one-point turn against the league’s best, and with the faint scent of getting
screwed in the home leg, isn’t terrible. Not enough to move them up, but still
not terrible.
Next Games. @ Vancouver (5/25), v Seattle (6/1), @
San Jose (6/8). They have a lot of work left until the break. Anything higher
than five from that run underscores signs of progress.
DC UNITED, 7-4-3, 20
points, 17 gf, 11 ga, (4-2-1 home, 3-2-2 away)
Last 10 games: LDWLWLWWDL (4-4-2)
Last 10 at home: LDLWW
Last 10 away: WWLDL
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
|
v LAF
|
v MTL
|
a COL
|
v NYC
|
a CLB
|
a MIN
|
v CLB
|
v SKC
|
a TFC
|
a HOU
|
|
0-4
|
0-0
|
3-2
|
0-2
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
3-1
|
1-0
|
0-0
|
1-2
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Recent trends on the road are not good for DC.
Even the home wins aren’t coming against the mightiest teams. It’s time to
accept the possibility that DC are just part of the pack. And, based on what I
saw this weekend, they’re frustrated/know that.
Next Game: @ NE Revs (5/25), v Chicago (5/29), v San
Jose (6/1). Picking up nine points puts them back in the conversation; anything
less than four, especially from this set of games, should ring alarms.
NEW YORK RED BULLS, 5-5-3,
18 points, 19 gf, 16 ga, (4-3-1 home, 1-2-2 away)
Last Ten: LLDLWWLWWD (4-4-2)
Last 10 at home: LWWLWD
Last 10 away: LDLW
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
|
a CHI
|
v MIN
|
a SKC
|
a NE
|
v CIN
|
v LA
|
v MTL
|
a FCD
|
v ATL
|
v VAN
|
|
0-1
|
1-2
|
2-2
|
0-1
|
1-0
|
3-2
|
1-2
|
3-1
|
1-0
|
2-2
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. This is tricky: they got a good win (full
stop) against Atlanta, but the home draw versus Vancouver has one of those
subtitle details that feels important: they rested a lot of starters – e.g.,
they tried to win this one the cheap. Moreover, pay more attention to their
last six games than you do their last 10, because that’s where the story is.
Next Games. @ Cincinnati (5/25), v RSL (6/1), @
Philly (6/8). Six points from this stretch of games, amounts to announcing its
revival.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY,
7-5-1, 22 points, 18 gf, 17 ga, (6-2-0 home, 1-3-1 away)
Last 10 games: WWWWDWLLLL (5-4-1)
Last 10 at home: WWWWLL
Last 10 away: WDLL
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
|
v POR
|
a VAN
|
v PHI
|
v HOU
|
a MIN
|
v RSL
|
a RB
|
a CLB
|
v NYC
|
v COL
|
|
2-1
|
2-0
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
0-0
|
2-1
|
2-3
|
1-3
|
0-2
|
0-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. With the Galaxy some unknowable number of
weeks from their last performance that you can’t write off as lucky (v HOU? v PHI),
and with at least two of their recent losses looking soft (at CLB and v COL),
this is a slump. My guess is their talent pulls them out, but until it does…
Next Games. @ Orlando (5/24), @ SKC (5/29), v NE Revs
(6/2). A good team eats that run alive, that’s all I’m saying. I’d be stunned
if they get less than three points.
CHICAGO FIRE, 4-5-4,
16 points, 20 gf, 17 ga, (4-1-2 home, 0-4-2 away)
Last 10 games: WDDWLLDWWL (2-4-4)
Last 10 at home: WDWWW
Last 10 away: DLLDL
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
|
v NYR
|
a TFC
|
v VAN
|
v COL
|
a NYC
|
a MTL
|
a LAF
|
v NE
|
v MIN
|
a SJ
|
|
1-0
|
2-2
|
1-1
|
4-1
|
0-1
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
5-0
|
2-0
|
1-4
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. This had all the hallmarks of a game-state
driven freak loss. Hold for now.
Next Games. v NYCFC, May 25, @ DC, 5/29, @ Atlanta,
6/1. Their road record, plus their next two opponents, plus the team they play
at home, will severely test the above “hold” call. To rephrase that, if they
give away the next nine points – sure feels possible - can they recover?
MINNESOTA UNITED FC, 5-4-3,
18 points, 20 gf, 18 ga, (2-0-3 home, 3-4-0 away)
Last 10 games: LLWDLDWDLW (3-4-3)
Last 10 at home: DDWDW
Last 10 away: LLWLL
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
|
a LA
|
a NE
|
a NYR
|
v NYC
|
a TFC
|
v LAG
|
v DC
|
v SEA
|
a CHI
|
v CLB
|
|
2-3
|
1-2
|
2-1
|
3-3
|
3-4
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
1-1
|
0-2
|
1-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. A team simply can’t leave that much fetid air
between wins and expect to get anywhere, even in a squishy-soft league like
MLS. Given the totality of what it means to play Columbus, failure was not an
option. In their defense, that’s a tough schedule. Also, see the road record.
Next Games. v Houston (5/25), @ Atlanta (5/29), v
Philly (6/2), @ Colorado (6/8). The tough schedule continues…and that game
against the Rapids is pending. A death or glory run, right there.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS,
3-6-5, 14 points, 14 gf, 18 ga, (2-3-2 home, 1-3-3 away)
Last 10 games: LDWLDWWLDD (3-3-4)
Last 10 at home: LWDWL
Last 10 away: DLWDD
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
D
|
|
v LA
|
a CHI
|
v LAF
|
a ORL
|
v PHI
|
a COL
|
v POR
|
v ATL
|
a SKC
|
a NYR
|
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
3-2
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
2-2
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. How much Vancouver has improved comes into focus
when you consider the results they’ve shed to get to their 10 most recent games
– e.g., three losses and a draw – only you’ve replaced a goal-less draw at home
against a scoring draw on the road against the Red Bull. Overall, they’re
rounding into a tough game, minimum. That feels like progress.
Next Games. v. Dallas (5/25), v TFC (5/31). Marginal
as the ‘Caps are at home, Dallas should trouble them. A hobbling TFC side,
though?
PORTLAND TIMBERS, 3-6-2,
11 points, 14 gf, 22 ga, (0-0-0 home, 3-6-2 away)
Last 10 games: LLLLLWWWLD (3-6-1)
Last 10 at home: N/A
Last 10 away: LLLLLWWWLD
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
|
a LAF
|
a CIN
|
a LAG
|
a SJ
|
a FCD
|
a CLB
|
a TFC
|
a RSL
|
a VAN
|
a HOU
|
|
1-4
|
0-3
|
1-2
|
0-3
|
2-1
|
3-1
|
2-1
|
2-1
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Secret Weapon X (we call him Brian “Spitting
Scorpion” Fernandez) bought them some points in Houston (for the curious, here
are my extended notes on that). Like Chicago, it might be worth waiting for the
next two to play out, and then starting fresh after the Gold Cup.
Next Games. @Philly (5/25), v LAFC (6/1). The games
are well-spaced, Portland is playing (broadly) well, and they’ll have time to
integrate/introduce the Spitting Scorpion, etc. Those are both hard games, and
that’s just what’s up.
REAL SALT LAKE, 5-6-1,
16 points, 18 gf, 20 ga, (3-2-0 home, 2-4-1 away)
Last 10 games: LLLLWWLLWW (4-6-0)
Last 10 at home: LWLW
Last 10 away: LLLWLW
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
|
a DC
|
a LAF
|
v FCD
|
a SEA
|
v ORL
|
a CIN
|
a LAG
|
v POR
|
a COL
|
v TFC
|
|
0-5
|
1-2
|
2-4
|
0-1
|
2-1
|
3-0
|
1-2
|
1-2
|
3-2
|
3-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. A combination of distribution and opposition
makes RSL a tricky reads. The winning record aside, their usual “Fortress Rio”
isn’t really holding. The more dominant pattern appears to be losing to good
teams (e.g., Seattle and Dallas (and Portland has given ‘em fits for two
years), and beating bad/struggling teams (e.g., Toronto, Colorado ,
Cincinnati).
Next Games: v Atlanta (5/24), @ Montreal (5/29), @
RBNY (6/1). These three should put that theory to the test. If RSL loses to
Atlanta, beats Montreal, then draws the Red Bulls, start getting into
numerology.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES,
4-6-2, 11 points, 18 gf, 23 ga, (4-3-0 home, 0-3-2 away)
Last 10 games: LLWLWDDWLW (4-4-2)
Last 10 at home: LWWWW
Last 10 away: LLDDL
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
|
a NYR
|
v LAF
|
v POR
|
a HOU
|
v SKC
|
a SEA
|
a FCD
|
v CIN
|
a NE
|
v CHI
|
|
1-4
|
0-5
|
3-0
|
1-2
|
4-1
|
2-2
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
1-3
|
4-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. This is where that “Last 10” visual comes in
handy: 2 points from 5 on the road versus 12 points from 15 at home. Now, look
at the four teams the ‘Quakes beat at home and consider when they played them.
Now, add that road loss to the Revs, and eat your eggs scrambled…
Next Games: @ TFC (5/26), @ DC (6/1), v Dallas (6/8).
At the same time, “anything over six points should command people’s attention” was
last week’s note. They’re halfway there by beating Chicago.
MONTREAL IMPACT, 6-5-3,
21 points, 15 gf, 19 ga, (2-1-1 home, 4-4-2 away)
Last 10 games: DDWLWWLWLD (4-3-3)
Last 10 at home: WWLD
Last 10 away: DDLWWL
|
D
|
D
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
|
a NYC
|
a DC
|
v CLB
|
a PHI
|
a NE
|
v CHI
|
v NYC
|
a RB
|
a CIN
|
v NE
|
|
0-0
|
0-0
|
1-0
|
0-3
|
3-0
|
1-0
|
2-0
|
2-1
|
1-2
|
0-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Nothing about L’Impact makes much sense, so
why would their results be different? A sense that they looked like shit
against Cincinnati probably tainted my take on my glance at their home draw
against the Revs.
Next Games. @ LAFC (5/24), v RSL (5/29), v Orlando
(6/1), v Seattle (6/5). Can’t imagine LAFC away will go well, but filling out
the state of their home record will clarify the analytics. Based a
lightly-informed global sense of things, I’d expect about four points out of
that run.
TORONTO FC, 5-5-2, 17
points, 22 gf, 20 ga, (3-2-2 home, 2-3-0 away)
Last 10 games: WDLWLWLLDL (3-5-2)
Last 10 at home: WDWLLD
Last 10 away: LWLL
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
|
v NYC
|
v CHI
|
a SEA
|
v MIN
|
v POR
|
a ORL
|
a ATL
|
v PHI
|
v DC
|
a RSL
|
|
4-0
|
2-2
|
2-3
|
4-3
|
1-2
|
2-0
|
0-2
|
1-2
|
0-0
|
0-3
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. The box scores are big for both games – both in
terms of TFC’s manic impotence against DC in Toronto, and how RSL flipped the numbers in that game. They key, though, is how bad Toronto has been over its
past 10 games. Also, Pozuelo’s meltdown.
Next Games. v San Jose (5/26), @ Vancouver (5/31), v
SKC (6/7). “Also, worried about a disaster ahead of the break.” That’s from
last week, and I stand by it.
COLUMBUS CREW SC, 5-8-1,
16 points, 12 gf, 19 ga, (4-3-1 home, 1-5-0 away)
Last 10 games: WWLLLLLWLL (3-7-0)
Last 10 at home: WWLLWL
Last 10 away: LLLL
|
W
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
|
v ATL
|
v NE
|
a MTL
|
v POR
|
v DC
|
a HOU
|
a DC
|
v LAG
|
v LAF
|
a MIN
|
|
2-0
|
1-0
|
0-1
|
1-3
|
0-1
|
0-2
|
1-3
|
3-1
|
0-3
|
0-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. In context, Columbus’ lone win over their past
eight games mostly begs the question, how bad are the Galaxy? A good team beats
a then-bad Portland team at home; a good team draws Minnesota away. These are
leading statements, and I’m not sure the Crew have answers yet.
Next Games. @ Colorado (5/25), and v NYCFC (6/1).
Given their road record and the monster that greets them when they arrive home,
the Crew will very likely hit the break on a major down.
ORLANDO CITY SC, 4-6-3,
15 points, 19 gf, 20 ga, (3-3-1 home, 1-3-2 away)
Last 10 games: WLWLWDLLLW (4-5-1)
Last 10 at home: LWWLW
Last 10 away: WLDLL
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
|
a NYR
|
v DC
|
v COL
|
a RSL
|
v VAN
|
a NYC
|
v TFC
|
a ATL
|
a SEA
|
v CIN
|
|
1-0
|
1-2
|
4-3
|
1-2
|
1-0
|
1-1
|
2-0
|
0-1
|
1-2
|
5-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. I’ve never seen a team score five goals while
looking like recycled garbage. Until further notice, chalk this one up to an afternoon
on a Felix Felicitas buzz.
Next Games. v Galaxy (5/24), @ Montreal (6/1). Could
be six points, could be bupkiss. These are pivotal games for Orlando. The only
shit result would be two points, because that would explain nothing.
SPORTING KC, 2-4-5, 11
points, 20 gf, 20 ga, (2-1-3 home, 0-3-2 away)
Last 10 games: WDWDDLDLLD (2-3-5)
Last 10 at home: WWDDLD
Last 10 away: DDLL
|
W
|
D
|
W
|
D
|
D
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
D
|
|
v PHI
|
a COL
|
v MTL
|
a CIN
|
v NYR
|
a SJ
|
v NE
|
v ATL
|
a DC
|
v VAN
|
|
2-0
|
1-1
|
7-1
|
1-1
|
2-2
|
1-4
|
4-4
|
0-3
|
0-1
|
1-1
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. A rotten sample for them, unfortunately, what
with Krisztian Nemeth getting sent off early, but the arresting detail is how
long it’s been since they’ve won.
Next Games. v Seattle (5/26), v LA Galaxy (5/29), @
Houston (6/1), @ TFC (6/7). “The crazy thing is, all they have to do is wake
up.” Their games between now and the break – and so many of them – are profoundly
unlikely to wake them up. Is this another Chicago/Portland situation or…? I
neither see nor hear, signs of progress and Nemeth isn’t helping.
COLORADO RAPIDS, 1-9-2,
5 points, 17 gf, 30 ga, (0-4-2 home, 1-5-0 away)
Last 10 games: DLLLLLLLLLW (1-8-1)
Last 10 at home: DLLLL
Last 10 away: LLLLW
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
|
v SKC
|
a FCD
|
v HOU
|
a ORL
|
v DC
|
a CHI
|
a ATL
|
v VAN
|
v RSL
|
a LAG
|
|
1-1
|
1-2
|
1-4
|
3-4
|
2-3
|
4-1
|
0-1
|
2-3
|
2-3
|
1-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Most of what I’m reading into this win follows
from a fairly strong downstream pattern, one that starts with the road loss in
Orlando. Pull the road loss to Chicago out of the equation, and the Rapids are
playing tight games. Then again, I said that about San Jose last season…
Next Game: v Columbus (5/25), @ Philly (5/29), v
Cincinnati (6/1), v Minnesota (6/8). The Columbus game is one to watch.
Actually, see every home game, and write off Philly. If they’ve really found
their feet, the Rapids will get six points out of those home games.
NEW ENGLAND REVS, 3-8-3,
12 points, 14 gf, 31 ga, (3-4-0 home, 0-4-3 away)
Last 10 games: WLLWLDLLWD (3-5-2)
Last 10 at home: WLWLW
Last 10 away: LDLLD
|
W
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
D
|
|
v MIN
|
a CLB
|
v ATL
|
v NYR
|
v MTL
|
a SKC
|
a PHI
|
a CHI
|
v SJ
|
a MTL
|
|
2-1
|
0-1
|
0-2
|
1-0
|
0-3-
|
4-4
|
1-6
|
0-5
|
3-1
|
0-0
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. Before dismissing
the little victory of New England getting four points, don’t miss the crucial
detail: after allowing 18 goals over their last four (under Brad Friedel), the
Revs allowed just two goals over their last two games (but mind the opposition,
as always).
Next Games. v DC (5/25), @ LA Galaxy (6/2). What the
hell, right? Serve it up. I’d write off the three points against DC, but
anything north of four points on the other two should at least suggest a
turn-around in fortunes.
FC CINCINNATI, 3-8-2,
11 points, 11 gf, 23 ga, (2-2-1 home, 1-6-1 away)
Last 10 games: WLDLLLLLWL (2-7-1)
Last 10 at home: LDLW
Last 10 away: WLLLLL
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
L
|
W
|
L
|
|
a NE
|
v PHI
|
v SKC
|
a LAF
|
v RSL
|
a NYR
|
a PHI
|
a SJ
|
v MTL
|
a ORL
|
|
2-0
|
0-2
|
1-1
|
0-2
|
0-3
|
0-1
|
0-2
|
0-1
|
2-1
|
1-5
|
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes. FC Cincinnati is now unquestionably bad on the
road, as proved by a devastating loss in Orlando (and feel free to endure my
extended look at that shit-covered pig). Also, their roster might be more
fragile than expected. Oh, and its attack is officially the worst in MLS.
Next Games. v RBNY (5/25), @ Colorado (6/1), @ NYCFC
(6/6). Red Bulls looks more and more high risk, and the Rapids game suddenly
looks like a big deal… Four points would be fabu.
No comments:
Post a Comment