MLS: 8 Things We Learned This Weekend
The MLS weekend is over with several interesting storylines emerging in the aftermath of the games.
Orlando City SC defeated the Portland Timbers as the Lions recorded their second win of the season. Meanwhile, the LA Galaxy snapped their four-game winless skid after topping the Seattle Sounders at the Stubhub Center on Sunday.
The Vancouver Whitecaps' four-match winning streak ended in San Jose on Saturday. The New York Red Bulls overturned a 2-0 deficit to draw their fierce rival D.C. United earlier in the day, plus the Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids earned their first victories of the campaign.
Here are eight things we learned this past weekend in MLS.
The Colorado Rapids Are Not One of the Worst Teams in MLS History
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The Colorado Rapids could have set two MLS records for futility on Friday against FC Dallas. One was for the longest streak without a win and the other was for the lengthiest goalscoring drought.
The Rapids avoided setting all-time lows in both categories. The 4-0 victory ended an 18-match winless skid, per the Associated Press (h/t Yahoo Sports) and snapped Colorado's scoreless streak at four games, per Opta.
This would indicate that Colorado is not a very good side, but this team isn't as bad as the all-time worst clubs.
D.C. United's 2013 squad was far worse than Colorado is now. D.C. was poor on both sides of the pitch and the Rapids are defensively solid. Toronto FC's 2012 team and practically every Chivas USA season were also poorer than the Rapids.
Philadelphia Union Exploit Cracks in New York City FC's Defense
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New York City FC will feel aggrieved to have lost to the Philadelphia Union after conceding late on Saturday. However, this game highlighted the team's defensive issues.
The second goal may have been unfair after Josh Saunders appeared to have been fouled by Conor Casey, but the collision occurred following the clearance by the goalkeeper, which Ian Joy of the YES Network pointed out on Twitter.
The cross into the box should have been prevented in the first place. Javier Calle over-committed and lunged towards Andrew Wenger, who sent the ball into the area. Center-back Kwame Watson-Siriboe tried to clear it despite Saunders' being right there, and Nogueira capitalized.
On the first goal, center-back Jason Hernandez needed to run toward the flank to stop Sebastien Le Toux, since Josh Williams was pushed too high up the pitch. The defenders gave the Union forwards too much space to make their runs towards Le Toux's cross, which led to the opening tally of the match.
Head coach Jason Kreis has to fix this soon before it becomes a chronic issue.
Lloyd Sam Is One of the New York Red Bulls' Most Important Players
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Lloyd Sam has always been an electric player. His pace and technique made him one of the New York Red Bulls' most important players, even with Thierry Henry in the lineup.
However, in the post-Henry era at Red Bull Arena, Sam has scored three goals in four appearances. His latest strike came against D.C. United to equalize in the dying moments of the match. It was also the Englishman's second goal against D.C. this season.
What's most significant is that Sam's career-high for goals in a campaign is five. He already has three from seven shots, per the official MLS website.
Even with the likes of Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sam has proven that he's one of the Red Bulls' most important players.
The Houston Dynamo Found Their Scoring Boots
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The Houston Dynamo scored just twice all season entering their game against the Montreal Impact. The Dynamo eclipsed that total in one match with a 3-0 victory.
Houston used set pieces and counterattacks along the flanks to expose Montreal's defense. Granted, the Impact's back line was disorganized, but it was a brilliant performance by the Dynamo in the final third.
Giles Barnes also scored his first goal since the season opener against the Columbus Crew. It's important for him to be in form because once Erick Torres arrives this summer, he'll have serious competition.
However, the Dynamo weren't perfect on Saturday. Montreal had the majority of the possession and had more shots than Houston, but the hosts were more clinical and that's what counts on the scoreboard.
Sporting Kansas City Lost a Key Contributor
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Sporting Kansas City earned a point and another clean sheet against Real Salt Lake in a 0-0 draw on Saturday. However, SKC also lost one of its best players in center-back Ike Opara.
Opara ruptured his Achilles' tendon during the match versus RSL, the club's official website announced on Monday. SKC didn't give a timetable, but Andy Edwards of NBC's ProSoccerTalk claims the 26-year-old will be out for four to six months.
The defender missed all of 2014 with an ankle injury. This knock comes at a horrible time for both Opara and SKC, because the American has been fantastic in 2015 and leads his team in goals.
Head coach Peter Vermes has a few options to replace Opara. Jalil Anibaba, a natural center-back, has to be the favorite to slot into the lineup alongside Matt Besler. Kevin Ellis and Erik Palmer-Brown are the other two candidates.
Referees Have to Let Games Flow
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The match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes was one of the most frustrating games to watch so far this season. Twenty-seven fouls were called and eight cards were brandished by referee Edvin Jurisevic.
Apart from the two red cards, almost all of the fouls and bookings were unnecessary. Giving a yellow to Darren Mattocks after the first few minutes of a game means he cannot be as aggressive and shows the other players that they have to be careful.
Calling legitimate fouls during counterattacks or for infractions in the box is fine, but Jurisevic was far too whistle-happy in this game. It ruined the flow and turned the match into a physical battle.
Neither side was able to string together a rhythmic attack. One of the rare times it occurred, it resulted in a goal. Referees need to keep the cards in their pockets in the opening moments of the game and let the teams play. Otherwise, the league's quality will decline.
Cyle Larin Repaid His Head Coach's Faith
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Orlando City SC head coach Adrian Heath gave the No. 1 pick from the 2015 SuperDraft, Cyle Larin, his first professional start against the Portland Timbers. Not only was the game on national TV, it was also played in a raucous atmosphere at Providence Park.
Larin repaid his coach's faith with the opening goal off a Kevin Molino cross. The ball redirected off the Canadian's chest and into the net. It appeared to be accidental, but the 20-year-old was in position for the pass, so he deserved the credit.
Larin was also working hard off the ball. He closed down the Timbers' defenders and was involved in the buildup play. His contributions didn't go unnoticed by his manager, per Jon Arnold of Goal.com:
"The finish was fantastic because there was no way he was going to be able to control the ball and shoot in that tight of an area. It was a really good improvisation on his part and I think that will be the first of many for him in MLS."
Judging by Heath's words, Larin will be starting the next few matches.
The Seattle Sounders Missed Clint Dempsey
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The Seattle Sounders were stymied by LA Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, who made 10 saves in a man-of-the-match performance. However, Seattle struggled in front of the goal all game without forward Clint Dempsey.
The Sounders rarely controlled the game, which was also due to Gonzalo Pineda's absence, but missing Dempsey affected Seattle's game plan.
The 31-year-old forward would've given the Galaxy defense one more player to focus on during the game. It would've also allowed Lamar Neagle to move out wide and Marco Pappa could have been deployed centrally.
Seattle needs Dempsey back as soon as possible, because without the U.S. international, the Sounders are a lesser squad.
Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.
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