Monday League Review

On this labor day it appears I will not have to labor so much to wrap up all the action throughout the MLS weekend. A whole whopping three games. Then again, this weekend was a FIFA international fixture date, so there should have been NO games this past weekend. Well, kudos for MLS for getting a little bit of an idea. I'll touch a little on the US-El Salvador match, but look latter this week for a more in-depth analysis and commentary of that fixture

New England Revolution 2- Kansas City Wizards 4

So much for making good use of the games in hand. New England squandered a prime opportunity of getting a win against Kansas City, they had all the elements going for them. The Wizards are in disarray after firing there coach, and not wining a game since June 13th, also against the Revs. Kansas City's play-off hopes are still dismal, but what can you do when your post-season hopes are smashed?-SMASH THE OTHER TEAMS POST-SEASON HOPES. Claudio Lopez scored in the third, then New England let in an own goal. The Revolution tied it at two, but two late goals by Josh Wolff put a dent in the Revolution's play-off push. The Wizards are still a long shot to make the play-offs, as for the Revs they can still shake this off as they are still in the hunt. Steve Nicol's team is only on the outside looking in thanks to goal differential-and they still have 8 more games to collect points

FC Dallas 2- DC United 2

The real sad part about this scoreline for United, is that they should of lost this game. The shots were even, but Dallas pulled out to 1-0 lead in the 18th thanks to Jeff Cunningham. United tied it with Marc Burch's 44th minute strike, but a 55th minute goal by David Ferrira gave the hoops their second lead of the match. Then, the Oscar performance occurred. With out being touched Santino Quaranta fell in the box to earn the Screaming Eagles a penalty. The large replay board next to the field showed that Santino simply fell, and got the call-Santino would like to thank the Academy. Jaime Moreno buried the PK (big shock) and United escaped with a point. The tie is a real pain for United, who really need to take 3 points away from lowly Dallas. DC would be the last team in if the season were to end right now, but it does not, and the Revolution have two more games than United to collect points to grab a play-off spot.

Colorado Rapids 1- Toronto FC 0

Not many people notice this (judging by the attendance's in Denver, but especially the people in Colorado). The Rapids are a really good team. Last year there arc-rivals denied them a play-off spot on the final day of the season, but Colorado is a really consistent franchise. The Rapids are led by Connor Casey and Omar Cummings, two great players that not a lot of people know about. Casey hit a PK off the cross-bar in the 25th minute, but redeemed himself in the 51st minute. The Rapids out shot Toronto 6-1, and dominated the game. The win has finally put Colorado on the rest of team's radar. The Rapids occupy the first wild-card spot, and are only two points behind the Galaxy, with a game in hand on LA. You can bet that teams around the league will not joke with this side, as they become the fifth team to win 10 games this year. As for Toronto, the Reds really needed this one. Toronto is 2 points out of the play-offs, and with only 6 games left time is running out to jump the pack. It looks like Toronto will have to wait another year to get the club's first post-season trip.

A quick review of the standing show that Houston, Columbus, Chicago, and Los Angeles all are sitting pretty, and barring any catastrophe these teams will be in the post season. The wild card spots remain what the name indicates, wild. Colorado looks like a safe bet to get in with 36 points and 7 games left. Then you might as well take guesses at the final 3 teams to get into the post-season. My money is on Seattle, Chivas, Salt Lake, and finally DC squeaking past New England on goal differential.

United States 2- El Salvador 1

Not exactly what Bob Bradley had in mind, but he will take it. El Salvador's Cristian Castillo scored in the 32nd minute to give El Salvador a 1-0 lead in a game the Yanks were dominating. There was many worried faces in Sandy, Utah, wondering if the Yanks were to collapse again to a weaker team. Then Landon Donovan found Clint Dempsey in the 41st minute. For an encore' Donovan found Jozy Altidore in the first half stoppage time to take the lead at the half. The second half had some anxious moments but Sam's Army held true and the Americans took 3 points. Qualification can be assured if the US can win on the road against Trinidad and Tobago.