Our weekly, sometimes offbeat, look at the best and worst of the week's MLS action. We took your suggestions on board and either embedded videos of our best/worst selections or included links. So what did week 12 of the 2013 season throw up for us?
<b><u>Games This Week:</u></b>
Ten games played this week. Montreal had yet another bye week, Toronto lost again and Vancouver got a draw that felt like a loss and leaves them looking up still at most of the rest of the west.
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The week started off with just one midweek match and LOS ANGELES bounced back from their defeat by Vancouver to thrash PHILADELPHIA 4-1 away from home. Well, on paper it looked a thrashing. In reality, the Union went down to an early goal then fought back superbly and had the better of the match before the Galaxy turned up the heat in the second half of the second half. Landon Donovan had his best game of the season so far, with one goal and two assists, but Philly will wonder how they managed to let this one get away from them so much. This game and the Vancouver one certainly showed that LA can be played against and look quite ordinary at times, despite all the talent they have.
With Montreal having yet another bye week (what is that all about?), Canada's other two teams kicked off the first two games in Saturday's action.
TORONTO were first up, showing once again that no matter what players they bring in, they're still struggling to find a winning formula. Nice to have some constant in our MLS lives. COLUMBUS grabbed the only goal of the game in their first half, with a lovely finish from Dominic Oduro. It could have all been so different for Toronto moments before that had Justin Braun not missed a great chance in front of goal. Of course, it could also have been a lot different before even that if the Crew hadn't crashed two previous efforts off the woodwork.
VANCOUVER were still left looking for their first Cascadia Cup win in MLS, with a 2-2 draw at home to PORTLAND, in a game blighted by dives and handballs. Better than a defeat for the Caps of course, but if it hadn't have been for what felt like the single handed exertions of Camilo, it could have been. Lots more to read about this elsewhere on AFTN.
PHILADELPHIA had their second home game of the week when CHICAGO came to town. The Union got their second win over the Fire in eight days, thanks to an early strike from Jack McInerney. It was a pretty uneventful game. Chicago really weren't at the races and actually looked slightly better when they pushed late on with ten men.
Another all eastern clash was next up, with HOUSTON trying to start their unbeaten home streak all over again against NEW ENGLAND. It's still stuck at none, as the Dynamo home fortress no longer seems so impenetrable. Back to back home defeats now for Houston, who must be wondering what's happening and will need to pick up their road form to make up for it. The Revs were worth the win. A double sending off in the first half in this one. New England's Dmitry Imbongo can feel a little hard done to, after seeing red for hands to the face of Bobby Boswell who had just landed a cheap headbutt on him.
The match of the weekend came at the Clink. It's always nice to see DALLAS taken apart. Well, nearly always. Not so much when it's SEATTLE doing the dismantling. And that's how it looked for the first 40 minutes, with the Sounders running rampant. They should have been more up but then towards the end of the half the Conference leaders showed they weren't out of the game just yet. Then amazingly they got themselves right back in it, with two goals to tie it all up before Seattle turned it on once again and ran out comfortable 4-2 winners. Dallas flopped, whined and Blas Perez saw red for an elbow. You know, their usual shtick. Two teams that make me want to puke, but they did serve up a cracker. Dallas dropping points at the moment can only be good for Vancouver. Seattle picking up three though, not so much.
Saturday rounded off with another unlikeable team, SAN JOSE, who hosted a COLORADO side that have quietly gone about their business and picked up some good points recently. And they got another at Buck Shaw, with a 1-1 draw. A great result for Vancouver from a playoff perspective, but more concerning is the fact that Colorado looked really good and dominated a lot of the game, taking the lead, hitting the woodwork twice and being denied by Jon Busch on several other occasions. San Jose continue to look a shadow of last season's side and were fortunate to come away from this one with even a point.
Sunday kicked off with a tasty looking game between NEW YORK and the visiting LOS ANGELES. Wasn't as tasty as we'd hoped but an entertaining enough game, with LA dropping all three points despite being the better side for the majority of the game. The Galaxy played the better football, had their chances, but it was the Red Bulls that nicked it at the death through Tim Cahill. Not a great road trip for the MLS champs and keeping the Western playoff places looking pretty tight. The win gives New York sole leadership of the East. You wouldn't think they were doing considering the amount of empty seats visible despite the reported 25,219 attendance.
An all Western clash was next up as hapless DC hosted rampant KC. And the home team finally had some luck on their side, getting away with a point in a game which Kansas City dominated and had enough chances to be out of sight. KC had the ball in the net and wrongly ruled for offside, before going ahead on an own goal. But former Whitecaps Residency player sneaked in to grab his first MLS goal and bring DC back in to it. You were just waiting for the KC winner, as they mounted wave after wave of attacks, but the just couldn't find the breakthrough. Maybe this fortuitous draw will stop the rut in DC. Unlikely though!
Talking of currently hapless teams, CHIVAS went down 4-1 to a SALT LAKE side that took full advantage of the Goats' three man defence playing so high up the pitch, getting past them and beating the offside trap time and again. Chivas had a lot of chances themselves but in the end it was another loss and another shitty crowd. The banner behind the goal demanding to keep Chivas in LA was hilarious. I wouldn't even keep them in MLS. Close the franchise down then promote a worthy D2/3 club with an infrastructure and support already in place.
So after Week 12, Vancouver sit second bottom of the West, with the 14th best record in all of MLS. Only three points of a playoff spot, with a game in hand mind you. The Western Conference remains tighter than my mate John, and that's pretty tight. The Caps can't afford to be dropped too much but with a bye week, then two very tough away games in New York and Seattle, it's hard not to see that happening right now.
<b><u>Outfield Player of the Week:</u></b>
New York's Jamison Olave put in a strong defensive performance and played a pivotal role in their clean sheet against LA, with some vital last ditch tackles.
Love him or loathe him, LANDON DONOVAN is a quality player. Thankfully the Caps never got a Landycakes in full flow at BC Place. Philadelphia did four days later and he turned in his best performance of his short season so far, with one goal and two assists in the midweek game, and it could have been more. Didn't have the most spectacular second game against New York, but worked hard. In the two games he had 5 shots and 75 successful passes.
<b><u>Goalkeeper of the Week:</u></b>
New York's Luis Robles was solid and kept a clean sheet, but there were two good goalkeeping performances in the San Jose - Colorado game. The Rapids' Clint Irwin had a couple of nice stops, but the Earthquake's JON BUSCH had a string of important stops to actually keep his San Jose side in the game time and again.
<b><u>Goal of the Week:</u></b>
Michel's goal straight from a corner for Dallas was nice, especially coming against Seattle, but it wasn't really meant.
For me, it was between two free kicks. Camilo Sanvezzo's free kick for Vancouver against Portland was of world class quality, albeit earned very softly. My winner though goes to San Jose's MARVIN CHAVEZ. His free kick against Colorado was struck superbly and moved in the air, giving Rapids' keeper Clint Irwin no chance. Lovely celebration too.
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<b><u>Miss of the Week:</u></b>
Toronto's JUSTIN BRAUN channelled his best inner Darren Mattocks to miss a vital first half sitter for TFC at home to Columbus. The fact that the Crew scored the only goal of the game moments later, made it all the funnier!
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1734128/mls_2013-05-18-175328.640hq.mp4
<b><u>Save of the Week:</u></b>
He may have ended up picking the ball out of the net four times, including one off his face, but ZAC MACMATH had a hand in stopping the time being five past Philly. Literally. His one handed stop on Landon Donovan was excellent, after it looked like it was a certain goal. He made himself big, despite being on the deck, and turned the danger away.
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1730456/mls_2013-05-15-205956.640hq.mp4)
<b><u>Celebration of the Week:</u></b>
I love to see players celebrating with the fans, even if FIFA don't and want to book players for doing that. Sharing the passion on both sides of the spectrum is a joy to see, as long as it's not your team on the other end of things. Loved San Jose's MARVIN CHAVEZ rocking the Casbah and getting right in there with the fans. You can see it in the goal of the week video above.
<b><u>Dive/Embellishment of the Week:</u></b>
There's no doubt that Vancouver's Camilo probably takes the overall 'diver of the week' crown, but for the most ridiculous and embarrassing embellishment of the week goes to Colorado's DREW MOOR. As the long ball is played in, Moor and Wondo go for it. The San Jose striker makes no real contact with Moor whatsoever (his shoulder slightly brushes his face) but the Colorado defender goes down clutching his face. This frees Wondo and results in his Rapids' teammate Shane O'Neill bringing him down and seeing red. It could only have been worse if the Earthquakes then buried the free kick, but thankfully they didn't.
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1734660/mls_2013-05-19-004200.640hq.mp4)
<b><u>Stat Attack:</u></b>
After Week 12 - 110 games
<b>Total goals in week</b> - 29 (255 this season)
<b>Average goals per game</b> - 2.9 (2.32 ave this season)
<b>Highest scoring team</b> - Los Angeles, Seattle and Kansas City (4 goals)
<b>Biggest win this season</b> - 4-0 LA v Chicago (2/3/13) / KC v Chivas (5/5/13) / Houston at DC (8/5/13) / Seattle v San Jose (11/5/13)
<b>Goals scored by feet</b> - 21
<b>Goals by headers</b> - 7
<b>Goals scored by other body parts!</b> - 1
<b>Goals inside box</b> - 23
<b>Goals inside six yard box</b> - 8
<b>Goals outside box</b> - 6
<b>Penalties awarded</b> - 1, scored (23 this season)
<b>Clean sheets</b> - 4 (59 this season)
<b>Sending offs</b> - 6 (24 this season)
<b>Bookings</b> - 37 (332 this season)
<b>Total attendance this week</b> - 192,206 (1,989,704 total for season)
<b>Average attendance this week</b> - 19,220 (17,261 average for season)
<b>Highest attendance this week</b> - 38,979 Seattle v Dallas
<b>Highest attendance this season</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland (16/3/13)
<b>Lowest attendance this week</b> - 8,125 Chivas v Real Salt Lake
<b>Lowest attendance this season</b> - 7,121 Chivas v Columbus (2/3/13)
<b><u>Fantasy Football Highs and Lows (after Week 12):</u></b>
This is mainly my attempt to keep my interest in the competition going beyond the first few weeks this season, which has been my downfall in the past!
<b>Highest Scoring Goalkeeper</b> - Luis Robles (NY - 71 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Goalkeeper</b> - Andy Gruenebaum (CLB) / Zac MacMath (PHI) (both 9 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Aurelien Collin (KC - 94 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Sheanon Williams (PHI - 13 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Graham Zusi (KC - 89 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Landon Donovan (LA - 19 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Jack McInerney (PHI - 61 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Robbie Keane (LA - 16 points)
<b>Overall Highest Scoring Club</b> - Sporting Kansas City (746 points)
<b>Overall Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Chivas USA (390 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Club</b> - Los Angeles Galaxy (103 points)
<b>Week's Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Houston Dynamo (26 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Club Defence (inc GK)</b> - Sporting Kansas City (407 points)
<b>Lowest Scoring Club Defence (inc GK)</b> - Chicago Fire (155 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Club Midfield</b> - New York Red Bulls (307 points)
<b>Lowest Scoring Club Midfield</b> - Columbus Crew (123 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Club Forwards</b> - San Jose Earthquakes (150 points)
<b>Lowest Scoring Club Forwards</b> - Chivas (32 points - after Agudelo transfer)
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