A Canadian Perspective of Week 3 in the MLS

This week saw a sub-par performance from Canadian teams, as Vancouver was the only club able to squander points. 

This weekend we saw Toronto FC take on the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Field. Montreal Impact played at Columbus against the Crew and Vancouver Whitecaps hosted Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario and DC United. 

Toronto FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Toronto played host to San Jose in what was Toronto's home-opener, on a blustery rainy day by the lake in Toronto.

Toronto played a very poor match, again defensive mistakes led to opportunities and goals for the opponent as Toronto fell 3-0. 

Toronto's Torsten Frings and Stefan Frei were both out with injuries, although Kocic was always likely to get the start in goal. 

The Earthquakes hit early and often scoring in 9', 56' and 68'.  Former Toronto midfielder Sam Cronin was a catalyst from mid, assisting on two of the three goals. 

As expected Chris Wondolowski was a spark plug, boosting his early goal tally with a brace here in Toronto. 

Overall, this was a poor match from Toronto; not much else to say in terms of their play. Again, their back four was extremely weak, gifting San Jose with some painful goals to watch like Wondolowski's second goal (viewed here). 

Toronto won't have much time to regroup as they have a quick turnaround, having a Champions League match this Wednesday and a league fixture next weekend. 

Toronto is in desperate need of defensive help. 

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. DC United

Vancouver earned a point in draw as they hosted DC United last night in front of 19, 394 fans.  

This match began slow, each team failing to record a shot on frame in the first half.  The second half continued with much of the same, neither team really generating much in terms of chances.  

In the 67' DC United nearly found goal from a corner kick.  Once again, Vancouver's Joe Cannon saved points with an incredible save from a header in close (viewed here).

This match wasn't the pretties. However, a point earned for Vancouver won't be dismissed. They now sit with seven points from a potential nine in the West.

Columbus Crew vs. Montreal Impact

Montreal was on the road again this week after a very impressive home showing at Olympic Stadium. 

A controversial straight red card sent Montreal to 10 men in the 19' of play.  Brovsky was issued a straight red for a forearm to the head of Mirosevic, making Montreal's away match difficult early (viewed here).

Montreal failed to earn any points in Columbus having still just one point in three MLS fixtures. 

Columbus attacking midfielder Milovan Mirosevic scored from the penalty spot in the 30' after Renteria earned a penalty after some hard work outside of the Montreal box (viewed here).  

Chances continued in both ends before the half was through.  

In the end, 10 men proved to be too difficult for Montreal to save a point and Columbus went through with a 2-0 victory at home.