A shortened Wrap-Up for a short week in MLS. Lots of international games being played and the Women’s World Cup helped fill my soccer void, but if there are games going on in MLS I will be there to see them. Here is how our five-match weekend rounded out!

New York City FC 3 – Montreal Impact 1

NYCFC's Villa scores

Image: USA Today Sports

New York City FC was the last team in the league to win their second game of the season; a feat that they were only able to accomplish last week. After experiencing some growing pains and squad shuffling, the blue side of New York will not be quiet anymore.

Throughout the first thirty minutes New York City controlled the match and pegged Montreal back into their defensive third. David Villa had two opportunities to score early. One chance was headed bouncing over the bar and the second was block inside the goal area.

After the thirtieth minute New York City found their goal from none other than their star designated player David Villa. A deep ball from the back helped open the gates of the Montreal goal. Mehdi Ballouchy laid off the ball brilliantly in front of goal for Villa to make it 1-0.

Both teams would return fire for the next fourty minutes, but there was rarely a chance on target. Bush made four saves in the first ten minutes of the second half and road blocked the offense.

Wandrille Lefevre stayed up late on Saturday night thinking about the poor touch he had in the 76th minute that lead to the game winning goal for New York City. After Kwadwo Poku’s pressure forced the error by Lefevre, the 22-year-old Ghanaian found the feet of Mix Diskerud for the finish.

Lefevre would redeem himself in the 88th minute. The defender found himself on the end of a long Laurent Ciman free kick and headed in the set piece easily.

Poku had the hunger for goal and the eyes of a deadly goal scorer. The striker raced down to the New York City attacking third with only seconds to spare. Villa somehow was able to place the ball on a plate following a slight deflection to the feet of Poku who made it 3-1 in favor of New York City.

Andres Romero had Montreal’s only two shots on goal during the game besides Lefevre’s finish. Thomas McNamara seems to be back to his promising form for New York City that he showed as a rookie with Chivas USA last year, before being sidelined for the season with an ACL tear.

Things are looking better for New York City FC supporters, who will finally welcome the addition of Frank Lampard to their roster beginning a month from this week.

Next week: New York City visit Toronto FC & Montreal host Orlando City

Seattle Sounders 3 – FC Dallas 0

FC Dallas was without captain Matt Hedges who has been the key for them in defense. Seattle came into this match even with Vancouver in the Supporter’s Shield race for the best team in the regular season. They welcomed the combination of Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins back to the starting eleven.

It was Seattle’s captain Dempsey that had the best chance for the Sounders in the first half. Dallas’ Fabian Castillo used his trademark speed on the ball to burn Zach Scott but his rocket shot came off the post. Going into halftime the teams were level and without a goal although both had moments of promise. The second half however, would be all Sounders.

Lamar Neagle got the Sounders going in the 55th minute with a curling strike from outside the goal area. Neagle’s pressing defensive work in his offensive third was rewarded with the gathering of a loose ball and his first goal in nine games.

Obafemi Martins had his chance to finish off a passing sequence that would have looked stellar on a Goal of the Week campaign, but the forward had a difficult time collecting the ball at his feet. Minutes later Martins would get his goal. Obafemi held off his man with his strength and beat Dan Kennedy with a driven ball across the turf to make it 2-0.

Dallas pushed anxiously into the attack after the second goal, but was not able to collect a shot on target in the second half. Long-range efforts from Mauro Diaz and Castillo sailed past Stefan Frei without worry.

Seattle fans were treated to a special moment in extra time as seven-year player Leo Gonzales stroked in a cross from Neagle. It was only the Costa Rican’s second goal for the Sounders, his first since 2010.

This win pushed Seattle clear of the top in the Supporter’s Shield race. Their points per game is 1.93, which is also the best in the league.

Dallas is coming unglued. They are without a win in five games, but finish a five-game road trip this weekend against Colorado. Mauro Diaz doesn’t look to be the dangerous threat that he scared us with last year.

Next week: Seattle host San Jose & Dallas visit Colorado

Other scores in MLS Week 15:

Columbus 1 – LA Galaxy 1

New England 2 – Chicago Fire 0

Orlando City 1 – DC United 0

Goal of the Week is bound to fall into the hands of New England’s Diego Fagundez after his technically perfect volley against the Chicago Fire. This will be great for the young player’s confidence.

 

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