Monday League Review

It's Monday yet agian, which means it is time for yet another review of all the MLS action that took place on the weekend. With roughly a month left to go in the regular season, hardly any match is seen as monotinous, as teams are scraping for every point they can manage. Two common trends exist in the league when it comes to playoffs. The first being that attendences seem to go up, the second being if a team falls short of the post-season, the coach is not around much longer. With cash and jobs short in this country, the race to make the play-offs is proven to be a vital task.

New York Red Bulls 1- New England Revolution 1
Coming into Friday's match the Revolution were feeling comfident about themselves. They were about to play the worst team in the league, a team in which they have dominated since 2003, going 11-2-10 in matches against their rivals the Red Bulls. However it was not to be as the Red Bulls keep showing signs of life in the late part of the season (to bad it was not their for the FIRST 20 games). Sainey Nyassi scored in the 13th minute for New England, making the Red Bull faithfull groan 'Here We Go Again.' However the Red Bulls did not give in, and almost got a PK call their way when John Wolyniec was pulled down in the box in the 49th, however the clear penelty was waived off as play continued. Still Wolyniec would not be stopped as he struck in the 69th minute to give the host a 1-1 against thier Atlantic Cup Rivals. The Red Bulls' dismal season is drawing to a close, but the side is playing well in there final matches. As for New England, only getting a point in New York is disapointing. But with a PK that wasn't and the Bulls missing a wide-open net in stoppage time, they should count theirselves lucky. Still, games in hand do not help if you do not capitalize. Revs are currently 2 points out, but have 2 games in hand on DC.

San Jose Earthquakes 1- Colorado Rapids 1
The Rapids got away with murder last Friday in San Jose. Colorado was outpossesed, and outplayed while visiting the Earthquakes. Ryan Johnson but the Earthquakes on the board early with a 8th minute goal. Throughout the match it looked like San Jose would give their fans something to cheer for this season (wins do not come easy in Northern California). The tragedy struck for the Earthquakes. In a flurry in front of the net San Jose's Johnson took down the Rapids' Drew Moor for a PK. Captian Conor Casey buired the PK and the Rapids salvaged a point on the road. With the point that they probably do not deserve by any stretch the Rapids sit 6th overall only 2 points ahead of DC, but Colorado has 5 games left, one more than the teams they are currently racing.

Seatlle Sounders 0- Chivas USA 0
Saterday began with huge Western Conference match up with even larger playoff impications. Coming into the match Chivas only got points from 5 of 12 road games. This time they were travelling to the much intimidating crowds at Qwest Field to plat the Sounder a team who has only lost twice at Seatlle. Coming out with a strict defensive strategy the Goats allowed the Sounders to controll the game and fire off 11 shot to thier 3. But All-Star Keeper Zac Thorton was up to the task recording 5 saves to secure his second steight shutout. Seatlle's Kasey Keller only had to make one save to secure his own shutout in a match the Sounder were in controll of but not win. With the tie the Sounders are the first of the Wild Card teams, and a solid team to make the playoffs. For Chivas, a point at Seatlle will ALWAYS be good news, but only one does not make them feel safe. The Goats are 7th overall, only a point up on DC, but with 6 games on their schedule, Chivas controlls its own destiny.

Kansas City Wizards 3- FC Dallas 2
For a team that in all practicallity is eliminated from the playoffs, the Wizards refuse to be mathmatically eliminated from the post-season. Kansas City has won three streight thanks to Josh Wolff and Jimmy Conrad's late match heroics to save the Wizards hopes. Wolff started the scoring in the 9th to put KC up 1-0. However Dallas' Dax McCarty equalized right before the half. Jeff Cuningham put Dallas up 2-1 thanks to his 54th minute goal. Then with the clock winding down KC's stars showed up. Josh Wolff put his second tally up in the 77th, and then fan-favorite Jimy Conrad gave the Wizards the lead and win with a 80th minute goal. Both teams playoff chances are bleak, with the loss Dallas is 9 points back with 5 to play. While the Wizards could still make the playoffs, but it would require them to continue this amazing win streak, while getting some help. Still, it's always nice to beat the other Lamar Hunt Ownings team, as the two sides have the same owning family.

Houston Dynamo 3- Real Salt Lake 2
A match between two teams, in two different races. The Dynamo helped their Supporter's Shield cause by defeating Real Salt Lake 3-2 at home. In the first 5 minute of the match the Dynamo set the tone as Brian Ching struck 2 minute into the match, and Geoff Cameron found the net 3 minutes earlier to make it 2-0 after 5 minutes. Kyle Beckerman found the net in 27th to pulled the Lakers within one. In the second half Salt Lake evened the score at 2-2 with Yuro Movsisyan in the 60th minute. Houston however, would not be robbed of the three points as Brad Davis scored the winner in the 81st minute to secure the win. With the win the Dynamo pull even with the league leading Crew on points, but trail on goal differential and have only 3 games left in the season. As for Salt Lake, traveling to Houston is never a great place to get points, but nonetheless the team really needed atleast one. Right now Real Salt Lake is two points behind DC, and would be the first team out of the playoffs. Still there is hope for the side that almost made it to the Cup Final last year.

Los Angelas Galaxy 2- Toronto FC 0
After all the controversy that has surronded David Beckham this season, the man can still produce results for the Galaxy. Los Anglelas defeated Toronto FC 2-0 to keep the Galaxy Supporters Shield hopes alive. David Beckham stuck in the 9th minute, scoring his second goal of the season, to put the Galaxy ontop 1-0. Edson Buddle secured the win for LA with a goal in the 83rd minute to give the Galaxy a 2-0 win. Donovan Ricketts only had to make one save to record his sixth shutout of the year. LA is only two points behind the Crew for the best record in the MLS, but they play one less game than the Crew has remaining on there schedule. As for the Reds, their playoff race has much more higher stakes as Toroanto trails United by two points with only 4 games remaing. Still, now is not the time to loose games where you only put one shot on frame. Toranto needs to do better if they are to make the francises first playoff birth.

Chicago Fire 2- Columbus Crew 2
The match of the week was the Midwest Showdown that took place in Chicago. The two top teams in the Eastern Conference battled for supremesy, and possibly the right to host the Conference Final come November. In classic Crew-Fire tradition, the match was a close one, as the teams drew for the fourth consecutive draw between the two clubs, excluding the last years conference final in which the Crew won 2-1 at Columbus. The Fire looked to beat their arc-rivals and pull to a tie ontop the East, espicially after young gun Peter Lowry struck in the 6th and 35th minutes to put the Fire up 2-0 at the half. But, like last years conference final, the Crew would comeback, and none other than last year's league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Schelotto scored off a header in the 55th minute. Then controversy came in at the Bridgstone Park as Crew Foward Steven Lenhart went down in the box in the 79th minute and was called for the penelty. While the Fire were furious in protest, Schelotto stuck the PK well, and made it a 2-2 match. Despite some late attacks, the Fire could only tie the Crew 2-2, adding on to a disapointing home record for Chicago at home. With the draw, Columbus maintains the league lead of Houston on goal differential, with both sides having 43 points. In the Eastern Conference race, the Crew hold a 3 point lead over the Fire, and also have one more game left than the Fire. With two quality sides in the American heartland, look for the Eastern Conference Final to be contested between these two fierd Midwest rivals.

With roughly 5 weeks left in the regular season, so much is yet to be determined. The Supporter's Shield race is tight with the 4 contenders only split by 3 points. The Crew controll the race with the lead, and the most games left. The Crew should secure a CONCACAF Champions League spot by the regular season's end. In the playoff race, the race is even tighter, with spots 5-8 seperated by only two points. Meanwhile three other teams are only four points back, with New England left with the most games left, with six left to play. With many important matches left in the year, the race for the playoffs should make the end of season stretch exsiting, and full of drama. All of this to cap off a great week of MLS action.