WEEK 3 PREVIEW/WEEK 2 RECAP

Week two was an exciting week in MLS, full of red cards, dives, questionable no calls, offsides decisions, and goals. So this week, I'm giving a new format a try, we'll see how she goes...

THE WEEK THAT WAS...

The weekend kicked off with HOUSTON DYNAMO hosting ORLANDO CITY. After a week of heroics, standing on his head making save after save on the way to a small upset win over Columbus Crew, Tyler Deric was well on his way to doing the same again against O City. Then, in a moment of madness which really should have seen him sent off, Deric gave away the ball, then rode Ribero like a cowboy riding a horse, as he punched the ball into his own net, sending himself and Ribero tumbling after. Not a great match by any stretch, decided by a fluke, we shall see how Deric rebounds this week. HOUSTON 0-1 ORLANDO

Next up was CHICAGO FIRE taking on VANCOUVER WHITECAPS. In another match where the beautiful game was not quite so beautiful,this match will be remembered (if at all) for two things, the debut of Matt Polster in front of a Chicago crowd, and the shameless diving of new man Octavio Rivero. Poster started off shaky, getting carded in the first 3 minutes, and could have easily been sent off for a second yellow later in the game, but for the most part, he settled down and showed flashes of what has some predicting his spot in the race for rookie of the year. Rivero on the other hand showed flashes of brilliance and pace, but also showed his south american credentials as on two separate occasions, he threw himself to the ground without contact begging for a penalty, not getting one, but also not getting carded for his theatrics. With two goals in two matches, he surely has the talent to become a star in MLS, but his diving could distract from his skill set. CHICAGO 0-1 VANCOUVER

Then came one of the games I predicted to be a match of the week, and it did not disappoint for talking points, though in the end it was not exactly the game I anticipated when COLUMBUS CREW took on TORONTO FC. For the majority of the first half this was a fantastic matchup and great advertisement for MLS, full of chances for each side. Then just before the half, Justin Morrow slid through Ethan Finley in the box. Morrow won the ball cleanly after the wide man intercepted a pass and broke for the box. After winning the ball, Morrow slide through the tackle and knocked over Finlay. While Morrow stopped a clear goal scoring attempt, he also had help entering the box on his backside. To call him the last man may have been harsh. After mistaken identity, the ref finally found the right man and red carded Morrow. From that point on, there was only one winner. Of side interest, TFC's Michael Bradley made news last season lambasting the referee in question as "Not good enough". For the second season in a row, I don't see the two sharing christmas cards. COLUMBUS 2-0 TORONTO

Up next was the clash between FC DALLAS and SPORTING KC. A hard fought battle as was expected, FC Dallas came out victorious on the back of forward Blas Perez. But the game was full of talking points. Perez's second goal was clearly offside. Matt Hedges was judged to have fouled KC's Anor in the box, leading to a penalty, even though Anor was attempting an overhead kick, whiffing, and falling into Hedges who knew very little about the challenge he was called for. In a small bit of karmic justice, Dom Dwyer ended up failing on the PK, but Sporting can consider it poor luck that another penalty shout was not given to them, perhaps because the referee knew he blundered on the first call. DALLAS 3-1 KC

Next up was REAL SALT LAKE against PHILADELPHIA UNION. In the match most likely to see a goal fest, as Philly's defense is still suspect, and RSL is still finding their feet in a new formation, the goals did come. In what could have been a fair 2-2 draw, the final result was added to thanks to an own goal gift by Jamison Olave, followed by a highly questionable penalty call for RSL on a challenge by Philly's Maurice Edu which had minimal contact. In the end, it had the excitement of goals, but all the ugliness or poor defending. RSL 3-3 PHILLY

Then we had the upset special of the week. After thumping New England in week one, SEATTLE SOUNDERS looked to do it again at home against SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES. San Jose however had other ideas. San Jose was on the front foot against a Seattle side that looked a step slow all match long, before San Jose's Bernardez was rightly red carded for a horrific challenge on Azira. While it gave Seattle life, only a late possibly offside (Andy Rose) pass to a wide open Obafemi Martins made it a thrilling finish. What stood out most this week was the fact that Brad Evans is not and never should be played at center back. At fault for two goals, how Sigi Schmid handles the bye week and Evans could tell the story of how their season develops. SEATTLE 2-3 SAN JOSE

Then came ESPN's Sunday night match, the home debut in Yankee Stadium for NEW YORK CITY FC against NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION. Not exactly the most scintillating football of the week, this match may be best known for setting a new MLS merchandise record for a single match. It may also be known as the match David Villa announced his presence in MLS, though for me the match boiled down to one key moment, New England's Conclaves getting sent off by referee Mark Geiger (the best ref in MLS and CONCACAF) after being conned by NYCFC's Shelton. It would have been nearly impossible to see from Geiger's perspective, but Shelton was already heading to ground when Conclaves made contact. From that point on, there was only going to be one winner. Lets all hope NYCFC gets a stadium of their own as soon as possible, because a baseball field is about the worst place possible for the beautiful game to take place. While it gave us a large and happy crowd, watching the game be played in that stadium was a disgrace. I guess a $100,000,000 buy in means you can play in the subway if you so desire. (Some disagree with me) NYCFC 2-0 NEW ENGLAND

Finally we had another match I tipped as a match of the week on FS1, and the final five minutes did not disappoint. Though with two points after two home matches, I'm sure PORTLAND TIMBERS were not happy with the result against reigning defending undisputed champions, LOS ANGELES GALAXY. Portland's Fanendo Adi was at his best as he opened the scoring, before Gyasi Zardes equalized. The first half was an open affair with plenty of chances to be found, but LA tightened their defensive belt in the second half before Darlington Nagbe found Adi for his second with only stoppage time to play. Then, on a corner, just before the final whistle, substitute Alan Gordon found the back of the net, stunning the home crowd and the Timbers themselves. Portland's direct style, missing mids, and defensive frailties were still on display, while LA still looks to be finding their way after the retirement of Landon Donovan and trade of Marcelo Sarvas. Husidic is not the answer while they wait for Steven Gerard to arrive in July. PORTLAND 2-2 GALAXY

A general point which had a current running through nearly every match in week two was the intentional high hand to neck or face by several players. It can be assumed that it will continue to happen until cards get handed out, so it will be something to watch for in the coming weeks. My money is on referee Ricardo Salazaar being the man to finally put his foot down.


WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS AND MATCH OF THE WEEK PREVIEWS:

PHILADELPHIA UNION 1-2 FC DALLAS (If Dallas is for real, they win on the road live on Unimas)
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION 2-1 MONTREAL IMPACT (Impact had a midweek match in CCL)
COLORADO RAPIDS 1-1 NEW YORK CITY FC (If you only watch one match this week, don't watch this one)
ORLANDO CITY SC 2-2 VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (Should be a match of highs and lows for each side)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY 3-1 HOUSTON DYNAMO (Arena will want to show up new manager Owen Coyle)
NEW YORK RED BULLS 2-1 DC UNITED (A great rivalry, back the home team on ESPN2)

SPORTING KC v PORTLAND TIMBERS FC: Marriage has not suited Dom Dwyer, as even his new wife has taken a shot at her husband on twitter over his lack of a finish this season. With the return of Besler after suspension, look for KC to be more organized this week in defense. With no Diego Valeri to mark out of the game this week as he did with Mauro Diaz last week, look for Roger Espinoza to push forward on occasion this week, putting pressure on a weak Timbers midfield and suspect defense, allowing the wide men and Graham Zusi to have open space to run into for the final killer pass from Espinoza. On Portland's side of the ball, they need to tighten up their defense, and with Liam Ridgwell and Nat Borchers as a CB pair, there is no reason they can't. The eventual returns of Johnson and Valeri will help take pressure off, but until then, Diego Chara may need to step up in a deep lying role, while Nagbe will need to stretch defenses with his pace. Adi will also need to show his class again this week if Portland is to have a chance. SPORTING KC 2-1 PORTLAND TIMBERS


SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES v CHICAGO FIRE: Why would I pick this matchup on FS1 as a match of the week? Because San Jose will be opening a new stadium, and Chicago is a dead team walking so far early doors. The crowd in San Jose will be up for it. The players will be up for it. Chicago is still trying to gel their new CB pairing, while putting rookie CB Polster in the mid, and awaiting the debut of DP David Accam. If you are a betting man, bet big on San Jose. The Fire could find their feet in a few weeks, but not this week. They should wave the white flag already. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES 3-0 CHICAGO FIRE



I hope you enjoyed the new format for my week 2 review and week 3 preview. If you have any questions, comments, or your own observations to make, feel free to add them in the comments section. The first 2 weeks of MLS have been barn burners, lets hope week 3 keeps the trend going.

Until next time, remember, as always, MLS MATTERS.