Toja Strikes Again, Benny O Hits for Three, and Houston Follows Suit

Saturday, June 9^th

FC Dallas 3, Los Angeles 1
Pizza Hut Park

Things are not looking rosy for the Galaxy. News that Ramon Calderon, Real Madrid President, wants to keep Beckham through a loophole/clause that was in his existing contract doesn’t make things much better either. FC Dallas exploited the disorganization in the back through the composure and nonchalance of Juan Carlos Toja. He scored the first goal with a nice, no-angle finish after a run into the box. Everything came back to Earth for the Hoops in the 89^th minute, when Jamaican international laid a hard tackle on fellow big-man Kenny Cooper, breaking his tibia and putting him out of commission for at least 2 months. Cooper had only been on the field for 20 minutes. Marshall was ejected with possible further punishment coming, but Dallas now has to find a consistent scorer again and the burden will fall on Alvarez or “Birdman” Oduro.
Because I Think…’s MVP: Juan Carlos Toja, this guy continues to be obscenely consistent for Dallas – a consistency that has been much needed.

FCD: Toja (3), A. Thompson (2 pk), Moor (1)
LAG: R. Findley (2)

Chivas USA 1, Chicago 0
Toyota Park

Paolo Nagamura has been shopped around, almost in a Nick Rimando-like manner. His arrival at Chivas has allowed CUSA supporters the privilege of going, “Amado who?”. Nagamura has shored up a somewhat shaky midfield, lacking creativity and real determination. It was Paulo in the 79^th minute who broke down an improving Chicago back-line and rifled home a shot for his first career MLS goal, not to mention the game-winner. For Chicago, they can be happy about Bakary Soumare’s play as he has slowly worked himself into the starting line-up. Chad Barrett had several opportunities but none that Brad Guzan couldn’t handle.
Because I Think…’s MVP: Nagamura, the first career goal deserves an MVP.

CHV: Nagamura (1)
CHI: NONE

Sunday, June 10th

D.C. United 4, Red Bull New York 2
RFK Stadium

I am confused. Confuddled, if you will. Bobby Boswell’s ejection with about 30 minutes to go actually made the Red Bulls play worse. For the majority of the first half, it was a RBNY game as Dane Richards landed several of crosses efficiently but nothing came from it. United countered eventually by figuring out the Reyna to Richards to Angel combination and it looked like the Bulls had no contingency plan. Benny Olsen had one of those games where pretty much everything went right for him – scoring the first hat-trick of his professional career. Emilio got on the scoreboard as well for the first time in a while. The Bulls fell victim to fatigue it seems and D.C. pounced on it, converting most every chance they got. Angel scored a consolation goal, however, and kept his own personal streak alive.

Because I Think…’s MVP: Ben Olsen, the Philadelphia native acted as the 10^th and 11^th man on the field after Bobby Boswell was sent off in the 60^th minute

DCU: Olsen 3 (4), Emilio (3)
RBNY: Kovalenko (2), Angel (7)

Houston 2, Columbus 1
Columbus Crew Stadium

Both Alejandro Moreno who was traded to Columbus for the services of Joseph Ngwenya and Ngwenya himself tallied goals for their respective teams. The clincher, however, was an errant own goal by Columbus centre-back Chad Marshall which kept the Crew from capitalizing on key absences of the Dynamo. Schelloto is continuing to get more and more visibly fed-up with the lack of goalscoring and creativity on the Columbus side. Take Angel’s dismay and multiply it by two. He still managed to be the architect of the Moreno goal. The Crew need to find a goalscorer fast – but critics have been saying that for more than a month now. When will it happen – and who would it be? Houston will be happy to have their 3rd consecutive win in 8 days, two of which came with a weaker line-up.

Because I Think…’s MVP: Brian Mullan, for taking over the team when most needed.

HOU: Ngwenya (3)
CMB: Moreno (1)