The level of play has been called into question by some major media outlets. I am not too sure that this season’s start has been that poor. Certainly, the league’s scheduling issues mixed with some unfortunate injuries have not been ideal for the on-field MLS product. I won’t let misfortune get in the way of enjoying my soccer.

Whoa, our first midweek match of the season snuck out of nowhere! Hope you caught some MLS wherever you are. These are my three top games from the past week in the American first division.

Colorado 4 – 0 FC Dallas

Colorado Rapids vs FC Dallas

Coming into Colorado’s game at Dallas there was one question that the Rapids needed to answer. Could they score? Colorado was winless in their past 18 games and had not managed to score in 2015. Dallas however, was looking to take advantage of the opportunity to take points off the bottom dwelling conference foe.

Four men would answer that question for Colorado. Dominique Badji opened up the score for the Rapids only 98 seconds into the game. As they are named, the goals came rapidly on the night. Dillon Powers, Gabriel Torres and Dillon Serna all managed to get on the scoring sheet for Colorado’s first win of the season.

It was a convincing offensive output for Colorado with four different players assisting on the night. The Rapids are also the first team to score four times this season.

FC Dallas was coming off of its first loss of the season at Portland and had only conceded four goals in five games this season. The Hoops were missing the leadership of center-back Matt Hedges. Hedges picked up a knock in training the day before.

Curt Irwin maintained his 4th shut out this season, which went in hand with the return of center-back captain Drew Moor. Colorado’s starting defense combined for 782 career MLS starts.

Dillion Serna’s goal was a masterful strike that is up for Goal of the Week. Make sure you check out that beauty down below.

Next week: Colorado host Seattle & FC Dallas host Toronto FC

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 – 2 Columbus Crew SC

Vancouver came in to this Wednesday night game on a four game winning streak and sitting pretty atop the Supporters Shield standings. Columbus made their first trip across the boarder this season and their first time match of 2015 on turf.

Kei Kamara scored twice for Columbus, once in each half to give the Crew the lead. Kamara’s goals were poacher-like from the veteran. Whitecap’s Kendall Watson’s tackle feel for Kamara who finished first time. The Sierra Leone international finished his second with a slow bouncing redirection that troubled Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted.

Each lead would later be equalized by the Whitecaps. MLS’ leading goal scorer Octavio Rivero would equalize in the first half after a good individual goal off of a quick throw in. Columbus was not ready and let the Golden Boot leader waltz through the goal area.

Darren Mattocks benefited from the speed of teammate Kakuta Manneh. Manneh outraced the Columbus defense to the byline and laid off a pass for Mattocks, who buried it past Steve Clark. This was Mattocks first goal since August of 2014, which broke a 15-game goalless appearance streak. Mattocks almost had a winner a minute later, although the Jamaican put his strike off of the near post.

Vancouver did lose over weekend, but remain a threat for anyone in their way. Columbus could have benefited from their designated player Federico Higuain who was an unused substitution.

Next week: Vancouver away to Real Salt Lake & Columbus host Orlando City

DC United 2 – 2 NY Red Bulls

The top two teams in the Eastern Conference met for the second time already this season. New York Red Bulls won the first affair 2-0 on March 22nd. This time New York traveled to RFK Stadium to continue one of the most historic matchups in this league.

This match showcased of quality soccer that MLS provides. A match up of two teams that know each other well and always play open styles of soccer against each other.

DC United was fortunate to not have a penalty called against them as Taylor Kemp’s hand was at his side when a shot on goal by Felipe ricocheted off his hand. The referee ruled that it was ball to hand and his arms were in a natural position.

Perry Kitchen was able to record his first professional brace for DC United. Kitchen’s first goal came off of a 26th minute corner kick from Kemp. NY’s keeper Luis Robles came off his line early and mistimed his punch leaving an open goal.

United would get its second goal from Kitchen in the second half. This time there was no helping from Robles. Chris Rolfe made a darting run through the midfield to lay of a shot for Kitchen. Kitchen unleashed a rocket strike from 25 yards into the bottom corner.

New York immediately responded to the second goal by DC United. Damien Parrinelle recorded his first MLS goal from a corner kick from Felipe.

Lloyd Sam scored the game-tying goal in the 90th minute of the game. United’s Bill Hamid spilled a Sasha Kljestan free kick and Sam was there to put in the equalizer for New York. This was Sam’s third consecutive game with a goal against DC United.

Next week: DC United host Houston & NY Red Bulls host San Jose

Other scores in MLS Week 6:

New England 0 – Columbus 0

Philadelphia 2 – New York City FC 1

Houston 3 – Montreal 0

Sporting KC 0 – Real Salt Lake 0

San Jose 1 – Vancouver 0

Portland 0 – Orlando City 2

LA Galaxy 1 – Seattle 0

My goal of the week, hands down, has to go to NYCFC and David Villa. I love team goals. This is really one of the best ones we have seen this season and certainly there are some good strikes to choose from as well. Enjoy.

 

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