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 four of the 2013 season throw up for us?
<b><u>Games This Week:</u></b>
This is one of those lottery weeks in MLS where who knows what will happen with so many players away on international duty? The only certainty was that a number of people's fantasy teams were going to be screwed.
There are a number of unfashionable teams in MLS. The ones that the casual fans don't really care about going to watch when they come to town. Sometimes these teams can serve up a cracker and that's just what the first game of the weekend did and was our overall 'game of the week'.
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DC UNITED and COLUMBUS CREW gave us three goals, including a long range 'goal of the week' contender, a disallowed goal controversy, some goalkeeping howlers, some world class saves and end to end action. It was a great game for the neutral to watch and a fantastic showcase for the League on the NBC Sports Network. DC's 19 game unbeaten home streak was ended by a spirited Columbus side that took the game to them right from the first kick off. Bill Hamid has had a fantastic season so far, but was badly at fault when he hesitated at coming out for the Crew's first goal. He then went on to make amends with a string of top drawer saves. His opposite number, Andy Gruenebaum, had a howler of his own when he was simply terrible in allowing debutant Rafael's long range shot anywhere near the back of the net. Ex Whitecap Kyle Porter nearly grabbed his first MLS goal but it was rightly chalked off for offside after Lionard Pajoy went towards the ball in an offside position. Columbus got a deserved 2-1 victory in the end and are showing that they are a much improved team this season. Vancouver caught them at a good time.
Shame the next match was a bit of a snoozefest with neither NEW ENGLAND nor KANSAS CITY able to find the net. KC came closest when they hit the bar in the first half but offered little else. The Revolution had two penalty shouts turned down in the second half, but also offered little of danger in the final third. Highlight of the game was Jimmy Neilsen flying out of his area to berate his four man wall after one free kick. Got to love the crazy dude.
MONTREAL remained unbeaten with a fine 1-0 win over NEW YORK, in a feisty encounter that saw five bookings and a sending off. Montreal continued to look good, but New York had their chances and once again couldn't take them. Marco di Vaio could/should easily have had a hat-trick for the Impact, who are playing some of the best, if not <i>the</i> best, football in all of MLS just now. Some team is going to get a hammering off the Red Bulls sometime soon, when it all finally clicks. New York have had a staggering 40 attempts at goal in the past two games! With only ten on target and no goals to show for any of them, therein their problems lie. Sitting second bottom of the East, with just two points out of 12, patience will soon wear pretty thin, pretty quickly.
We've already covered HOUSTON extending their unbeaten home streak with the 2-1 victory over VANCOUVER elsewhere. Perhaps the sole consolation that the Whitecaps can take from this game is that if that streak continues, there aren't going to be many of their Western rivals that come away from Houston with many, or indeed any, points. Better to lose to Eastern opposition than your Conference rivals and hopefully they will take a lot of learning points away from the game.
One of the Western Conference battles this weekend saw two of the teams that many expect to be at the top come October battling it out. SAN JOSE took all three points with a narrow 1-0 win over SEATTLE. It was narrow in scoreline but SAN JOSE should have been out of sight in this game in the second half. Chris Wondolowski was dangerous throughout and took his goal well. He could easily have had at least a hat-trick if he'd taken some of his other chances. Seattle looked like they missed their absent players the most, which may raise questions around their squad depth when the injuries hit, especially in attack. They did dominate possession. They just couldn't do anything with it. The defeat leaves the Sounders sitting with just a single point from their first three games, still five behind Vancouver. Nice for the Caps to have any kind of cushion over these teams at any point of the season.
One team the Caps definitely need to keep a close eye on, and apace with, is Conference leading DALLAS. We could still be battling with the FUDs for that final playoff spot and it was another three points on the board for them against REAL SALT LAKE and they dominated the game against a very poor looking RSL side. The Saltines had five players away on international duty, and had to make six changes overall, but Dallas were also missing three. Unfortunately for RSL, one of those missing was their talismanic Nick Rimando and good old Slosh Saunders wasn't a patch in old Nick, gifting Dallas their second goal with poor control from a passback that allowed Jackson to nip in and score. Fabian Castillo's opening goal though was a beauty worthy of winning any game, but again you could lay some blame on Saunders who went down a bit early. David Ferreira and Kenny Cooper could have had Dallas out of sight by half time, as RSL struggled with their marking. Salt Lake had nearly grabbed an unlikely equaliser, but Matt Hedges came up with a vital last ditch foot to direct Devon Sandoval's effort wide. RSL ended up with ten men after Yordany Alvarez saw red after picking up a second booking for simulation right in front of the referee. Knob! Four points from their first four games is not what RSL would have been looking for and they are a team that if Vancouver can keep ahead of for the whole season, then that should set us up fine.
Talking of knobs, COLORADO's captain Drew Moor got sent off for one of those things that must just drive a coach insane, an off the ball elbow to the face. Stupid move that ultimately gave away a penalty that led to the only goal of the game, as LOS ANGELES won 1-0. How it was only a one goal victory, only LA can know. It was pretty much one way traffic for most of the game and so much of the game was played inside the Colorado half. Rapid's MLS rookie Clint Irwin was in top form to keep out an out of sorts looking Galaxy side on several occasions. Some bad finishing from LA had a helping hand. Colorado's defence were all over the place at times and easily taken apart from the Galaxy's pace guys. Something for the Whitecaps to keep a close eye on. One of the more surreal looking moments in the game came towards the end of the first half when LA a free kick on the edge of the box and 14 men lined up in the wall - eight from the Rapids and six from LA. Just looked so bizarre. LA come away still unbeaten though, whilst Colorado now sink to one point from a possible 12 and already their season looks a little forlorn.
The weekend was finished off with the highest scoring game of the weekend, as CHIVAS destroyed CHICAGO 4-1, to go unbeaten in three. The Chivas players are starting to get their eye in and when you consider that all four goals were scored against the strong wind, it's even more impressive. The Goats were happy to sit back and soak up what little pressure Chicago put them under, then hit on the break and exploit the gaps the Fire were leaving at the back. Vancouver are going to have a tough job when they head down to California next weekend. On the one hand the Caps pace will have the ability to cause problems for a shaky Chivas backline, especially if they go with three at the back, but on the other hand, if the Caps don't get their defence together themselves or leave gaps, then Chivas will punish us. It was another robust performance from Chivas but only two bookings this week from their 16 fouls committed. Chicago didn't look too bad at times, and had their chances, the best of them coming when Daniel Paladini hit the post, but they just look like a team needing a break or two to see them get their first win of the season and off the foot of the East. Chivas are playing with an excellent team spirit and really seem to be playing for Chelis, running over to hug the management after most of the goals.
So after all that, Vancouver slip down to fifth in the West, and the Caps are going to face a tough time of it in Chivas next weekend. Montreal and LA remain the only unbeaten teams left in MLS, with five teams still to record their first win.
<b><u>Outfield Player of the Week:</u></b>
Of all the first choice votes from the NASR guys for the MLS Player of the Week (I decided not to take part in the voting as I couldn't guarantee I would have watched all the games in time), none of them went for my choice of CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI.
There's maybe a reason for that, and I did go back and review my choice in case I'd seen stuff the first time around that no-one else had seen. But for me, Wondo was a constant thorn in the side of Seattle, with seven attempts at goal and he could have easily had a hat-trick instead of just his game winner, not to mention a number of key passes.
Juan Agudelo off Chivas had a good game. One goal, one assists and 26 successful passes, but for me, Wondo takes it. Props go to Montreal's Marco di Vaio as well though. If he'd only taken more of his chances, he may have snatched this, but he put in some shift.
<b><u>Goalkeeper of the Week:</u></b>
Columbus' Andy Gruenebaum had a strong game against DC, including basically a match winning double save but also including a cock up for the DC goal. Chivas' Dan Kennedy was another strong performer.
Our goalie love is being reserved for DC's BILL HAMID once again though. His indecisiveness probably cost his team a goal, but he more than made up for it with a string of top drawer saves. He made seven saves in total, including a double one from Chad Marshall and Eddie Gaven, a one hander from a Federico Higuain shot that was heading into the top corner, and an acrobatic one right at the end from a long range Dominic Oduro effort, to name just three.
Still prone to the errors, but more than making up for it with the huge saves.
<b><u>Goal of the Week:</u></b>
Many will look toward Rafael's goal for DC United, just due to the distance of it, but I feel a lot of the goal went down to goalkeeping error from Andy Gruenebaum.
Chris Wondolowski had a nice strike from the edge of the box, after some great control to bring it down, and he gets my runners up vote. As it was the match winner, it came close to winning, but without wanting to play the homer card, my winner is going to DARREN MATTOCKS' wonderstrike against Houston.
The reason this one gets my plaudits was for the both the build up play to the goal and the strike. The move started with a throw in deep in the Houston half, ended up back in the Caps half, before being blasted home after nine passes, thirty seconds and some nice footwork by Mattocks. Take a bow son.
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<b><u>Save of the Week:</u></b>
Holy cow. You could have written pages on this one from the DC - Columbus game alone, but it was certainly the week for double saves.
Bill Hamid had a string of top class saves throughout the game, the highlight being a double one in the second half to keep the scores level.
It was another double save from that match, from opposing keeper ANDY GRUENEBAUM, that takes my top honour. The Columbus stopper had been a little shaky at times during the game but came up strong with a double save to keep out a long range Brandon McDonald shot and then the rebound from Dwayne de Rosario. It was a save which ultimately gave the Crew the three points.
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1656872/mls_2013-03-23-173412.640hq.mp4)
Have to make note of Michael Gspurning's one handed instinct save from a deflection in the second half of the San Jose-Seattle game and the Earthquakes Jon Busch came up big himself, with a great double stop from Rosales and Estrada.
Dallas defender Matt Hedges could have won the award some other weeks with his wonderfully times last ditch foot in to deflect a Devon Sandoval goalbound effort away for a corner.
<b><u>Biggest Danger of the Week to a passing seagull:</u></b>
Brazilians and free kicks are usually a marriage made in heaven. Someone should tell Dallas midfielder Michel, who hit one of the worst free kicks that you'll see not just this season, but in many a season. I couldn't find a clip of it, but if you have MLS Live, it's at 43.28 of the game. Worth watching. Simply dreadful!
New York's Juninho's wasn't much better, but at least the roof was closed in Montreal and there was no danger posed to passing birds.
<b><u>Dive of the Week:</u></b>
Real Salt Lake's YORDANY ALVAREZ took a dive right in front of the referee to earn a second booking and a sending off with his team down two goals and missing six starters.
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1657128/mls_2013-03-23-222628.640hq.mp4)
<b><u>Fud of the Week:</u></b>
We could have given RSL's Alvarez the award for what we've outlined above, but it has to go instead to Colorado captain DREW MOOR.
As we covered in the games round-up, Moor inexplicably elbowed LA's Marcelo Sarvas off the ball and in the box, whilst his team were already under the cosh with eleven men on the field. A red card and game winning penalty was the result.
It's bad enough for any player on your team to do something that stupid, but when it's your captain.... A prize fud as we say in Scotland.
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1657262/mls_2013-03-24-000002.640hq.mp4)
[For those not familiar with the Scottish definition of the word fud, well it has two meanings. One of them is that of a very stupid person. That's the one we'll go with here!]
<b><u>Tackle of the Week:</u></b>
In a game which didn't have much to show for it, Sporting KC's MECHACK JEROME produced a fine cruncher on New England's Kevin Alston. He picked up a booking, but nice bit of aggression.
(WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1656800/mls_2013-03-23-165100.640hq.mp4)
<b><u>Stat Attack:</u></b>
After Week 4 and 34 games
<b>Total goals in week</b> - 16 (78 this season)
<b>Average goals per game</b> - 2 (2.29 ave this season)
<b>Highest scoring team</b> - Chivas USA with 4 goals
<b>Penalties awarded</b> - 1 (6 this season)
<b>Clean sheets</b> - 6 (20 this season)
<b>Unbeaten teams</b> - 2 (LA, Montreal)
<b>Winless teams</b> - 5 (Chicago, Colorado, New York, Portland, Seattle)
<b>Biggest win this season</b> - LA 4-0 v Chicago (2/3/13)
<b>Sending offs</b> - 3 (4 this season)
<b>Bookings</b> - 19 (95 this season)
<b>Total attendance</b> - 117,301 (626,945 total for season)
<b>Average attendance</b> - 14,662 (18,439 average for season)
<b>Highest attendance this week</b> - 26,259 Montreal v New York
<b>Highest attendance this season</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland (16/3/13)
<b>Lowest attendance this week</b> - 9,723 Chicago v Chivas
<b>Lowest attendance this season</b> - 7,121 Chivas v Columbus (2/3/13)
<b><u>Fantasy Football Highs and Lows (after Week 4):</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> - Bill Hamid (DC - 30 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Goalkeeper</b> - Cudicini (LA) / Perkins (MTL) / Reis (NE) (all 9 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Josh Williams (Columbus - 29 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Five players with 9 points
<b>Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Mike Magee (LA) / Graham Zusi KC) (both 30 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Jackson (Dallas - 13 points)
<b>Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Federico Higuain (Columbus - 26 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Juan Agudelo (Chivas - 10 points)
<b>Overall Highest Scoring Club</b> - Dallas (249 points)
<b>Overall Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Toronto (102 points)
<b>Week's Highest Scoring Club</b> - Dallas (80 points)
<b>Week's Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Real Salt Lake (26 points)
<b>Best Weekly Score so far</b> - Los Angeles Galaxy (90 points - Week 1)
<b>Worst Weekly Score so far</b> - Chivas USA (23 points - Week 1)
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