10 Bright Spots of Week Ten

1. Ben Olsen – playing lights out is somewhat of a Ben Olsen thing to do, normally it’s “lights out” in terms of heart, determination, and work rate but let’s be honest, none of us expected “lights out” in finishing, positioning, and vision. Olsen's performance helped D.C. United grab another three points from a formidable opponent in New York and start the journey up to the tables

2. Juan Carlos Toja – it seems like every week Toja finds his way onto this list, but not many people can argue with it; he is solid to the point that coach Steve Morrow even allowed him to push up more this game – Toja responded with a goal, a great solo effort; we also have to remember Toja is young and already his influence on the field has helped turn FC Dallas into a Western Conference contender after a shaky start.

3. Brad Guzan – a couple of his saves made the difference in Chivas USA’s 1-0 shutout of the Fire; this number three spot is more or less a tribute to his form so far this season; he has the potential to displace Timmy Howard at number one for the USMNT but it would most likely take a move abroad and a couple years experience

4. Joseph Ngwenya – I don’t particularly enjoy watching Ngwenya and nor do I see him as a great striker, but no one can argue with his recent run of 3 goals in 3 games; he supplied the opening goal in a 2-1 win over his former team Columbus; his goals have also helped Houston go 2-0 without their big three

5. Paulo Nagamura – his performances with the Los Angeles Galaxy, in my opinion, were enough to keep him in their line-up but LA left him open for the expansion draft and subsequently taken by Toronto FC; he then earned the tag of journeyman when he was shipped after a Toronto pre-season and first couple games to Chivas USA; Nagamura has found his niche back in Los Angeles with the Goats and showed that by providing the only goal (his first ever within the MLS) in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire

6. Toyota Park – the place was packed during Chivas USA’s 1-0 win over home-team Chicago; despite a rocky beginning attendance figures have looked promising for the Fire and a couple surprises on the player-front have kept fans interested; Mapp continues to dazzle (without results unfortunately) and new acquisition Willian Oliveira has made critics, commentators, and fans alike happier than they would be without him

7. David Beckham – Ramon Calderon (Real Madrid president) and Fabio Cappello (coach) have thrown a curveball to the Los Angeles Galaxy and stated they would really like Mr. Beckham back in white for next season; Calderon never stated but certainly insinuated that there existed a clause that would allow Beckham to opt out of his new contract with the Galaxy and sign with another team (i.e. back with Real). What was the point of this little ruse? And why not, for once, instead of being a fickle and disloyal to your players, try manning up to your mistakes and apologizing for 1. the benching of Beckham 2. the degradation of Beckham in the media 3. and the little potshots at American soccer (well that apology will never come). Anyways, thank you to Beckham for being a stand-up guy and choosing to go through with this contract, not to mention having actual enthusiasm for it too.

8. Brian Mullan – his presence on the field was getting on a lot of Columbus player’s nerves; Mullan was good stepping into whatever role Dominic Kinnear needed of him in trying to plug the holes left by the absence of Clark, De Rosario and Ching; in Houston’s Thursday win, Mullan even moved on up to striker

9. Real Salt Lake – congratulations on getting that first win, albeit against the Chinese National Team in a game that doesn’t count towards the MLS standings but hey, a win is a win and maybe this one will help jumpstart the stagnant RSLers. Alecko Eskandarian scored his first goal in a Real Salt Lake jersey and looks to add to it.

10. Juan Pablo Angel – yes, I know, the Red Bulls didn’t win and I might just be putting on here for the hell of it – the truth is, he’s got 7 goals in 6 appearances with the Red Bulls and if he can score against D.C. (even if they’re up 4-1 at the time), Angel can score against anybody in this league; for his efforts, Angel met the Colombian president as well as Bill Clinton.

Because I Think…’s Worst of the Week: Los Angeles Galaxy, on one hand, the line-up is sputtering and doesn't look to get much better as veteran presence Tyrone Marshall will surely be punished for his tackle on Kenny Cooper, but on the other hand the Galaxy are setting up a dramatic/Hollywood-type comeback for when Landon Donovan returns and Abel Xavier and David Beckham arrive; but for right now Frank Yallop can't be happy - he can't even salvage a point; the play of some of the youngsters like Sturgis and Quavas Kirk at times has been a bit promising but nothing that has produced concrete results