10 Bright Spots of Week Fourteen

1. Columbus Crew - did anyone see this coming? the last time the Crew were high up on people's "power rankings" was the beginning of the season; the Crew grabbed a point away and pushed RSL further down into the cellar and it looks like the Kreis and Salt Laker's aren't getting out anytime soon; Schelloto and Gaven had productive July 4th weeks and although Gaven hasn't found his former form, it is still good enough to grab the Crew a respectable unbeaten streak

2. Cobi Jones - he's retiring at the end of the season but Cobi always seems to find a surefire way back into the spotlight even in his waning playing career; 2 Cobi goals salvaged a point against the Kansas City Wizards - a clear lesson in finishing for the young guys


3. Penalty Converters - Guillermo Barros Schelloto, Chad Barrett, Landon Donovan (2), Collin Samuel, Alecko Eskandarian all converted penalty kicks this July 4th week and for many of the matches, those conversions were the deciding factor; Toronto's win over RSL, LA's win over the Chicago Fire - those were both teams that needed a win, Schelotto's conversion put the Crew ahead to keep their unbeaten streak alive


4. Brian Ching - although he didn't return from the Gold Cup with a hat-trick bang, Ching managed to net 2 goals in his July 4th week matches to give him 4 so far for the season; he has some catching up to do but certainly Ching is always up for it, especially after that rather decent Gold Cup showing; Ching's goals were not only opportunistic but they were huge against Eastern Conference leaders RBNY and D.C. United

5. Houston's Defense - 515 minute shutout streak; there really isn't much to say about that except these guys have finally found the defensive form they took pride in having last year; this shutout streak is the 3rd longest in MLS history 6. Joseph Ngwenya - I still do not see how he scores goals and most of them come from defensive gifts but that doesn't change the fact he finishes; 2 goals, his fifth and sixth, in the win over the Red Bulls helped Houston continue their very hot streak

7. Luciano Emilio - the Brazilian has regained his form after starting his debut MLS season a little raw; it was Emilio's upper 90 close range shot that sunk the Wizards and gave United an important away win

8. John Wolyniec - every time he gets his chance he comes in, produces, and then fizzles; he is somewhat of a super sub for the Red Bulls and as they had dug themselves a large hole to get out of, Wolyniec placed a 25 yard shot into the right corner (something he doesn't normally do); what are defenses doing different when it comes to silencing Juan Pablo Angel?


9. Stuart Holden - this 22 year old has a knack for scoring some extremely beautiful goals and Houston's revenge win against the Red Bulls was no different; Holden waited until the 81st minute to add the icing on the cake but yet again, his second of the year was a bonafide screamer; add two assists to that in the win over RBNY and you got yourself one hell of a showing


10. Colin Clark - the Rapids midfielder and Boulder Reserve product has seen significant time as of late and although he has not been overly impressive, he has been getting the job in the midfield; unfortunately favorable results have failed to come from his desire to stay in the first team