MLS: Week Two

Columbus 0, Real Salt Lake 0

Andy Gruenebaum now has 2 clean sheets this season and was the main reason this game stayed a 0-0 deadlock. Unfortunately, like when Dontrelle Willis is on the mound (except we can't overlook how well the Marlins are doing this year), Gruenebaum was without any offensive help. In what looked to be a shared goalkeeper post for the Crew with Gaudette and Hesmer sharing with Gruenebaum, we are now seeing the making of a decent Crew first team keeper. Then again, it's been two games. Andy Herron has not proven to be the answer to Columbus' scoring woes. Yet. RSL looked somewhat stagnant, no real standouts. Ballouchy and Adu did okay again, but still not producing. I met Danny O'Rourke's good high school friend from Indiana at Spring Fling this weekend. Needless to say, she called him, asked him about the game, and he said it was 'shit'. Columbus is frustrated and if they don't find a goalscorer sooner or later...it's gonna be a long season. Guillermo Barros Schelloto, where are you?

Because I Think...'s MVP: Gruenebaum.

CLB: NONE
RSL: NONE

New England 4, Toronto F.C. 0

Why can't every expansion team start out like the Chicago Fire did? Unfortunately, TFC was a mess today. New England took last week's loss to Chicago personally and came together, egos and cancerous personalities aside. The Revs were helped out by Toronto's disarray but, essentially, any team playing the Revs on Saturday would have had trouble with their fluent play. Mo Johnston's boys were particularly weak on the wings and were turned around by the sweeping play of Stevie Ralston (who connected for 2 assists to make it 109 total) and Bermudan Khano Smith. The only wingers that played better than these two were Dane Richards and Dave Van den Bergh of the Bulls in their 3-0 win on Sunday over Dallas. Adam Cristman played to his potential today. No real standout for TFC.

Because I Think...'s MVP: Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman...self-explanatory

NER: Twellman 2 (2), S. Joseph (1), A. Dorman (1)
TFC: NONE

Kansas City 4, D.C. United 2

DC’s CONCACAF Champions Cup run has nobody impressed apparently. Kansas City took advantage of DC’s inconsistencies with a wonderful and diverse performance featuring four goalscorers and a really confident Wizards team. Eddie Johnson looked somewhat his old self while Jose Burciaga Jr. and Michael Harrington played brilliantly on the wings. Harrington, out of UNC, became the second rookie to get on the scoresheet this season. Two Facundo Erpen screw-ups, slips, trademarks and a Joshua Gros trip...whatever you want to call it, allowed Kansas City to go up 2-0. I wouldn't be too worried about DC. A slow start means a fast finish with them. DC will be okay...

Because I Think...'s MVP: Eddie Johnson, a revival of sorts, smart play, vision, less laziness, but still not buying it until it's consistent

KCW: M. Harrington (1), S. Victorine (1), E. Johnson (1), S. Sealy (1)
DCU: L. Emilio (2), C. Gomez (1)

Chivas USA 0, Houston 1

Chivas sort of lost this game themselves. They missed coming out of the gate and pouncing on some early chances created by the new kickstart Maykel Galindo. Chivas USA kept Houston from shooting on net until the 39th minute. The game was back and forth and entertaining, too bad I didn't catch it all. Englishman draft pick John Cunliffe came on for the first time and produced some chances without any real results.

Because I Think...'s MVP: Brian Ching

CHV: NONE
HOU: B. Ching (1)

Sunday, April 15th

Red Bull New York 3, F.C. Dallas 0

Today was a lesson...and I was the teacher. Dallas' defense was completely manhandled by the Red Bull midfield. Jozy Altidore scored RBNY's first goal of the season as the Bulls took advantage of FC Dallas' slow start (probably attributed to the Nor'easter conditions). The near post header off an RBNY corner should not be his last this season. Hunter Freeman got his first start this year in the back and Ronald Waterreus was fantastic yet again. For FCD, David Wagenfuhr took a knock and was subbed in the 19th minute for Chris Gbandi. "Gooooooooooolllllll...Cleeeeeeeetoooooooos!". Yes, Clint Mathis scored his first goal in his second stint with the Metrobulls. Nice showing by the Bulls and I like the pieces they have, just need to make them work consistently.
Because I Think...'s MVP: Dane Richards, this kid has hit the ground running


RBNY: Altidore (1), C. Mathis (1), D. Van Den Bergh (1)
FCD: NONE

Colorado 1, Chicago 1

This game was headlined by Herculez Gomez's second goal and resulting celebration. He jumped into the stands and was mobbed by Colorado fans. A man down after new acquisition Roberto Brown was dismissed in the 6th minute, the game was still relatively even despite Chicago's advantage. The Rapids seem to have some bite in them this year. New look? New park? New roster? What's not to like? There will be some tough stretches but these guys will be in the play-offs. Bouna Condoul, once he settles a bit, will be a quality keeper. Chad Barrett spoiled Colorado's charge and fought back with a goal at about the 80 minute mark.

Because I Think...'s MVP: Herc Gomez

COL: H. Gomez (2)
CHI: C. Barrett (1)