Toronto FC 0, Kansas City 1
An 81st minute strike by Eddie Johnson silenced the BMO Field crowd of 20,000 plus. A shame considering Toronto was playing much better than any previous match. I like the energy and aggression that big-man Danny Dichio brings to the game and apparently so did the Toronto crowd. The biggest star of the game, however, was BMO Field itself. Even on a gray day like it was, the Toronto skyline fit nicely in the background of the stadium and there were very little empty seats. Regardless, Toronto succumbed to their defensive mistakes (somewhat defeating themselves at times). A couple Toronto chances were cleared off the line and it looked somewhat certain that they would get their first goal. But no. Improvement is promising however.
Because I Think...'s MVP: EJ, no matter how many times I call him lazy (I think he hears me), he keeps producing. All different times in the game too. Last week, 5th minute, This week, 81st minute. Can we have him do that at the international level too, please?
Columbus 1, D.C. United 0
I understand a well-fought win. I understand a slow start to the season. But a 0-3 start for reigning Supporter's Shield holders DC United is just mindblowing. Ezra Hendrickson, the veteran of all veterans, got 'two bites at the apple' and made the most of it after Devon McTavish had cleared his first chance off the line. DC shares its last place spot in the Eastern Conference with Toronto FC and failed in a chance to correct themselves. Luciano Emilio had a goal disallowed and plenty of shots were well off-target for struggling United. Watch them drop in the power rankings this week, but I still never bet against D.C., especially with this roster. New signing Nicholas Addlery got 20 minutes in his first appearance.
Because I Think...'s MVP: Ezra Hendrickson, the guy never gets the respect he probably deserves...for longevity, loyalty (despite the several teams he has played for), and leadership.
Los Angeles 3, Chivas USA 1
Landon Donovan likes big games. A goal and two assists from Mr. Landycakes put the nail in Chivas USA's coffin. His goal was his first of the season. Canadian Kevin Harmse scored LA's second with a nice run into the box with the finish right by Brad Guzan's near post. Los Angeles is starting to really like this new guy. For Chivas USA, there was a noticable difference without Sacha Kljestan in there. Despite his absence, however, the chances were there for the Goats but Joe Cannon showed his worth for the first time this season and smothered every Chivas chance (and for this game, made Frank Yallop and Alexi Lalas look like a genius). Like Toronto, Chivas USA paid dearly for their defensive lapses. Superclasico number one in the books and the majority prediction is proven wrong. Now, LA has to play well consistently, not just when they want to.
Because I Think...'s MVP: Landon Donovan and Joe Cannon. Cannon has been under a spotlight since his trade from the Rapids created some controversy. Donovan is always under the microscope and silenced the critics...for one night.
English Premiership
It was a goal-scoring weekend all over Europe as defenders everywhere seemed to take the day off.
Chelsea 2, Bolton 2
Solomon Kalou's goal couldn't spark a Chelsea rout and a tie (with Man Utd's win) puts 5 points between the two with three games to go in the Premiership season. The young Slovakian Lubomir Michalik scored a gift of a goal and Kevin Davies equalized to frustrate Jose Mourinho and the Chelsea hopefuls. Afterwards, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce resigned.
Manchester United 4, Everton 2
With the consistency, regardless of injury problems, shown this season by the Red Devils, who in their right minds would bet against them to hold off Chelsea for the crown. A head-to-head match-up with Chelski still looms but a 5 point cushion could allow for a couple mistakes here or there. Goals from the unlikelys, Chris Eagles (a long-time Man Utd loanee who just can't break into the first team) and Irish defender/defensive midfielder John O'Shea, allowed Man Utd to overcome a pesky Everton side. Timmy Howard was rained heavily with 12 shots on goals forcing Howard to make 9 saves. Wayne Rooney provided the other goal (as his drought is clearly effectively over). Everton went up 2-0 (testing Man Utd's resilience) with strikes from veteran defender Alan Stubbs and Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes.
Wigan 0, West Ham United 3
In a relegation battle, the untapped talent of WHU puts the advantage on the Hammers' side. West Ham spread out their scoring and finished what chances they had to put Wigan's season in dire straits. Luis Boa Morte, Yossi Benayoun, and big-man Marlon Harewood allowed to pull even point-wise with the Latics but goal difference still separates the two. WHU also have to face seemingly unstoppable Man Utd and recently shaky Bolton with their last two games. Wigan, on the other hand, faces Middlesbrough and Sheffield United to finish out the season. Momentum favors West Ham, but Wigan certainly has the easier match-ups. Fulham, however, is only one point up on both and is now in the thick of the relegation battle.
Other Saturday Premiership Scores:
Manchester City 0, Aston Villa 2
Jon Carew and Shaun Maloney provided the impetus to get around Man City. Damarcus Beasley sat out of this match-up.
Blackburn 4, Charlton 1
Brad Friedel had little work to do as the sharpshooting of Jason Roberts (with two goals) and young'un Matt Derbyshire pushed the Rovers forward.
Middlesbrough 2, Tottenham 3
Gareth Southgate and Middlesbrough's slide continues as Dimitar Berbatov provided the momentum buster with a beautiful volley in the 47th minute. Middlesbrough still fought back from 2 down with a goal from trusty Mark Viduka. Robbie Keane scored two goals to assure Tottenham fans and Martin Jol that Middlesbrough's comeback attempts were futile.
Portsmouth 2, Liverpool 1
Pompey went up 2-0 early and Liverpool had to fight out of the trenches. Benjani and Niko Kranjcar (I hope he stays in the Premiership) scored the goals and Finnish defender Sami Hyypia gave Liverpool a chance with 30 minutes to go. Pompey however took advantage of the young back four used by Liverpool: Gabrial Palletta, 17 year old Emiliano Insua, and Alvaro Arbeloa.
Sheffield United 1, Watford 0
Sheffield United refused to become a relegation battler and profited from a Michael Tonge deflected goal. Paddy Kenny looked strong in goal again. Jay Demerit is out for Watford.
Sunday, April 29th
English Premiership
Arsenal 3, Fulham 1
An early strike from Julio Baptista (who recently talked about the disgusting play, weather, and social life in England) allowed Arsenal to put the run on Fulham. Even an equalizer from former Everton man Simon Davies couldn't sway the momentum. Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto Silva (a penalty) provided the other two goals with 10 minutes to go. McBride couldn't find an opening, Bocanegra had trouble with the speedy Adebayor and Baptista, and Dempsey couldn't light the spark needed in the last 30 minutes of the game.
Dutch Eredivisie
PSV are crowned Eredivisie champions for. PSV Eindhoven's win could guarantee Damarcus Beasley's exit from the Dutch Eredivisie. PSV notched 5 goals to continue the trend this weekend of massive goal scoring efforts (Roda JC 7-0 win, Heerenveen's 5-1 win). PSV wins their third consecutive championship and looks to create a Lyon-like dynasty (who clinched last week their 6th consecutive French Ligue One title). This one was tighter race than past years as PSV, Ajax, and AZ Alkmaar were tied in points before matchday. As all three looked that they would win, it came down to goal difference. Ajax won 2-0 against Willem II, AZ lost to Exclesior 3-2, and PSV did the job, spreading the wealth around to 4 different scorers, to take the title.
Heerenveen's Brazilian striker Afonso Alves and Michael Bradley's teammate scored an impressive 4 goals in a 5-1 Frisian spanking of rivals Feyenoord Rotterdam (old Cory Gibbs stomping ground). His total has now reached 34 goals which surpasses some notable tally totals of former big Eredivisie strikers Dirk Kuijt, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Arnold Bruggink, and Jan Vennegor de Hesselink. All have moved on to big European careers and I would look for someone like Chelsea or a Spanish La Liga team to pick him up in the upcoming offseason. Michael Bradley also fared well providing an assist in his 20 minutes of play.
More to come...
Whoever said the Eagles picked Brady Quinn. That was a mean, mean joke.
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