MLS Saturday: Colo cry Salty tears (Week 31)

Salt Lake 1-1 Colorado (DSG Park)
With a dramatic 90th minute goal, Yura Movsisyan saved RSL from elimination by equalizing Conor Casey's 11th goal of the season. The draw allows RSL to punch their ticket into the MLS Cup and eliminates Colorado on the final weekend of the regular season.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City 3-1 New England (Gillette Stadium)
It was not the way New England wanted to go into the playoffs, as the Revs saw two players sent off in a 3-1 loss to KC. The Wizards Claudion Lopez scored from the spot after Gabriel Badilla was ejected for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the 28th minute. Just before halftime, Khano Smith was also sent off for a hard foul on Herculez Gomez (retaliation for Steve Ralston, perhaps?). In the second half, KC added a goal from Davy Arnaud and an own goal scored off the Revs Michael Parkhurst. The Revolution's Jeff Larentowicz managed a consolation goal in the 90th minute.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto 0-2 San Jose (BS Stadium)
In a game with no MLS Cup implications, San Jose managed the home win, getting goals from Ryan Cochrane and Shea Salinas (from the penalty spot). The win put San Jose a point over Los Angeles, who currently have the worst record in MLS but have a game to play.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Houston 1-1 Chivas USA (HDC)
Also, no direct playoff implications in the other nightcap, as Houston's Dwayne DeRosario and Chivas USA's Jim Curtin exchanged second-half goals. But Chivas USA will be without their keeper for the first match of the playoffs, after Dan Kennedy, who stopped one PK, was sent off for taking down Nate Jaqua on a breakaway.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The MLS Cup playoff picture

What if I show them my man boobs?

With one match to play, five teams are vying for the final three spots in the MLS Cup playoffs. Taking into consideration tie-breaks (head-to-head, then goal differential), these are the current standings:

TEAM	GP	W	L	D	Pts.	Diff
Kansas City	29	10	10	9	39	-4
New York	29	10	10	9	39	-3
Salt Lake	29	10	10	9	39	1
Colorado	29	11	14	4	37	-1
DC United	29	11	14	4	37	-7

As you can see, Kansas City, New York and Real Salt Lake are all in the driver's seat. The match to watch next week will be Real Salt Lake versus Colorado, with the winner most likely punching their ticket to the MLS Cup playoffs. The other four clubs will face teams that have already qualified or have been eliminated. DC face Columbus on Sunday, who will likely rest their starters, but even if the Red-and-Black manage a win, they could be eliminated if Colorado beat Real Salt Lake. This is because Colorado boast a much better goal differential, meaning DC would have to win by something like eight goals (depending on the score of Colorado v Salt Lake) to move ahead on the tie-break.

Is all that too confusing? 

MLS Sunday: Rapid ascent (Week 30)

Colorado 2-1 Chivas USA (HDC)
Conor Casey's penalty kick in the 85th minute gave Colorado the win they needed to have in order to stay in contention for the final three playoff spots. After Colin Clark gave the Rapids the lead in the 65th minute, Jonathan Bornstein, nearly played spoiler, equalizing in the 72nd, but Shavar Thomas fouled Omar Cummings in the box and Colorado was awarded the PK.

----------------------------------------------------------------

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 29)

Saturday
New England 0-1 Kansas City (CAB)
Jimmy Conrad scored his sixth of the year for the Wizards. Flashback to preseason...Conrad tells Extratime tools that if he scores 10, KC wins the MLS Cup. Four more to go, Jimmy. With three playoff spots left, KC kept pace with RSL and New York with the win.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto 2-2 FC Dallas (PSP)
TFC's Marco Velez and Marvell Wynne scored in between a Kenny Cooper sandwich. But considering the top piece of bread was a PK given in injury time, Toronto FC fans were left with a bad taste in their mouths. The PK was awarded after rookie Julius James tugged Adrian Serioux down by the shirt. No video evidence was offered on mlsnet.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Chivas USA 1-0 San Jose (BSS)
Justin Braun scored in the seventh minute and than the Goats Americano shut it down with good defense for 83 minutes. The win clinched a post-season berth for Chivas USA, who have won four in a row.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday
Columbus 2-2 Chicago (Toyota Park)
This just in: Brian McBride plays for the Chicago Fire. I know this because he finally reared his head (pun intended) in their match with his ol' team Columbus. Providing the first and last goal of the game in a 2-2 draw. Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored second-half goals for the Crew. But more importantly, the Crew secured the Supporters Shield and are thus, this year's MLS league champions.

----------------------------------------------------------------
DC United 0-0 Houston (Robertson Stadium)
A nil-nil draw moves DC closer to the offseason and further away from the playoffs. Hope that Open Cup trophy is big enough for Tom Soehn's tears. DC also loses defender Bryan Namoff for the next match, as he was shown a second caution in the 73rd minute.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado 2-3 Los Angeles (HDC)
David Beckham is away. Landon Donovan plays just 27 minutes. And the Galaxy ... win. Go figure. Edson Buddle, a Ugo Ihemelu own goal and Brandon McDonald's first of the year gave L.A. the 3-2 victory. Former U.S. national team defender Cory Gibbs and a Tom McManus PK gave Colorado its two.

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 28)

Saturday
Chivas USA 3-0 DC United (RFK Stadium)
A tale of two teams headed in opposite directions, as Chivas put three past United at RFK. Ex-United striker Alecko Eskandarian scored in the first half (after a horrendous gaffe by United keeper Louis Crayton) and added an assist in the second. Sasha Victorine and new-Goat Dejair provided the second and third goals.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles 0-1 Columbus (Crew Stadium)
Alejandro Moreno's 43rd-minute goal was all the Crew needed to fend off the LA Beckhams who have won just once in their last 15 matches. Ouch. Can that be right? Yes it can. Highlights
----------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Lake 2-2 New England (Gillette Stadium)
Javier Morales scored a beauty in the 13th minute and then set-up Andy Williams in the 73rd minute. With the 2-0 lead it looked like RSL would coast. Well, it looked like that for about four minutes, as Steve Ralston scored in the 77th and Taylor Twellman added the equalizer just two minutes later. BTW, Williams received his walking papers in extra time.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto 3-1 New York (Giants Stadium)
TFC broke an eight-game winless streak in style, thanks two goals by Chad Barrett. Sandwiched in between was a goal by Dane Richards, and then, TFC's added a icing goal in the 86th minute. Check out the extra gear on defender Marvell Wynne:

----------------------------------------------------------------
Houston 3-1 Colorado (DSG Park)
After three goals in nine minutes, Hawaii 5-0 Brian Ching's two goals had Houston up 2-1. Conor Casey's goal would prove to be a conciliation goal, as Ricardo Clark iced it in the 19th minute. No goals in the second half, despite the 53rd minute double-caution ejection of Casey.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday
Chicago 1-1 Kansas City (CAB)
Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Michael Harrington traded goals on either side of halftime and the Wiz and Fire split the points.

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 27)

Saturday
Houston 1-1 Toronto FC (BMO Field)
How can you score two goals and still draw? A rare goal from defender Marvell Wynne saved a point at home against Houston, as Hunter Freeman knocked an own goal for the visitors.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Columbus 1-0 New England (Gillette Stadium)
The power in the East may have shifted a bit to the west, as Columbus continues their good form, picking up a road win thanks to Chad Marshall's fourth of the season.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado 5-4 New York (Giants Stadium)
An old-fashioned NISL-like shootout, with seven goals in the first half. Omar Cummings goal in the third minute was quickly answered by New York's Mike Magee. Conor Casey put the Rapids back on top, only to see a Juan Pablo Angel PK and a Dane Richards strike put New York up 3-2. Then, defender Mike Petke equalized in the 43rd and Casey converted a PK of Colorado's own. New York's Matthew Mbuta equalized again for the home side before Casey completed his hattrick with the winner in the 90th minute. Whew.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Lake 3-2 San Jose (BS Stadium)
Yura Movsisyan sandwhiched two of his own between a Darren Huckerby brace, leaving the two sides deadlocked till the 59th minute, when RSL's Javier Morales emerged as the hero.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City 1-2 Chivas USA (HDC)
Alecko Eskandarian and Sasha Victorine supplied the two goals for Chivas USa, who made the lead hold up despite a 70th minute bicycle kick from Josh Wolff.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday
DC United 0-3 Dallas FC (PHP)
The three-headed monster of Andre Rocha, Jeff Cunningham and Kenny Cooper kept DC United in the dumps. United are winless since taking the Open Cup title.

MLS Saturday & Sunday (Week 26)

SATURDAY
Toronto 0-2 Kansas City (CAB)
A Jack Jewsbury PK and a 79th minute from substitute Kevin Souter (his first of the year) -- could it get worse for Toronto? Only if Vancouver is given a team and then they're not even a novelty anymore.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Chivas USA 1-0 Salt Lake (RES)
MLS journeyman Alecko Eskandarian scored the lone goal of the match, and RSL go winless in their last three matches.

----------------------------------------------------------------
New England 1-1 Colorado (DSG Park)
Colorado's Colin Clarke and New England's Kenny Mansally traded goals on either side of the half, as the Rapids and Revs split the points.

----------------------------------------------------------------
DC United 2-5 Los Angeles (HDC)
When even the star player who was fouled said you made a bad call, it's time to get a new job. With Los Angeles up 3-2, referee Terry Vaughn sent off defender Marc Burch for an ill-timed slide tackle on David Beckham. The controversial call overshadowed a terrific outing by Landon Donovan who scored a hattrick and added an assist. Alan Gordon and Peter Vagenas rounded out the scoring for the Galaxy, while DC's Devon McTavish and Thabiso Khumalo each scored their first goals of the season. Watch the goals here, but everyone really wants to see "the foul" so here:

----------------------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY
FC Dallas 4-1 Chicago (Toyota Park)
There's no telling who will show up for FC Dallas in any given match, but this time they came to played, as Jeff cunningham scored two goals and Aaron Pitchkolan and Bruno Guarda added two more before Brian McBride scored a conciliation goal for the suddenly sorry Fire who have only four wins in their last 10 matches.

MLS Sunday: Rapid return (Week 25)

Chicago 0-2 Colorado (DSG Park)
Chicago keeper Jon Busch put one in his own net and Colorado forward Omar Cummings scored the second, as the Rapids scored back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------

MLS Thursday: Rapids burn Dallas (Week 24)

Sept. 4
Colorado 1-0 FC Dallas (PHP)
Ten-year veteran Mike Petke scored for the visitors, as the Colorado Rapids defeated FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park. It was only the Rapids second away win in 12 matches. Meanwhile, FC Dallas continues their downward spiral, with just two wins in their last 10 matches.

MLS Friday: Location, location, location (week 23)

August 30
Colorado 0-3 Real Salt Lake (R-E Stadium)
It's all where you play for these two team, as Fabian Espindola's brace kept RSL undefeated at home (7-0-5) , while Colorado's road woes continue with their seventh consecutive road loss.

MLS Saturday Round-up (Week 22)

August 23
Colorado 0-3 DC United (RFK Stadium)
It wasn't a great start of the post-Clavijo era for Colorado, as Luciano Emilio proved he can give as good as he can get, setting up teammates Joe Vide and Santino Quaranta before Quavas Kirk cleaned-up a rebound to round out the scoring in this lopsided contest.

----------------------------------------------------------------
New England 1-1 Toronto FC (BMO Field)
Taylor Twellman demonstrated that he is well on the way to regaining his form with his second consecutive match with a goal, but Toronto was able to stop the bleeding with Chad Barrett equalizer in the second half. TFC is still on the Carlos Ruiz watch, as the Guatemalan douche still hasn't reported to Canada after being traded from the Galaxy last week. There is some question whether Ruiz will ever show. I, for one, would say good riddance.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Real Salt Lake 0-3 Columbus (Crew Stadium)
An assist and a PK goal by Guillermo Barros Schelotto and the Crew had a rather comfortable lead by halftime over the visiting Salty Lakers. Brad Evans added his third of the season in the 55th minute in a play begun by -- you guessed it -- GBS. MLS reduxer Clint Mathis made an appearance in the 72nd minute for RSL, but was a nonfactor.

----------------------------------------------------------------
FC Dallas 1-1 Kansas City (CAB)
It took 85 minutes and a FC Dallas red card, but KC defender Jimmy Conrad saved a point at home with an injury-time equalizer. It appeared as if the Hoops would make a seventh minute Andre Rocha golazo stand up, despite playing with 10 men due to second caution given to Pablo Ricchetti in the 62nd minute, but the pressure in the final minutes paid off for the Wiz. KC has a long way to go, however, with just five points from the last five matches.

----------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose 0-0 Chivas USA (HDC)
Despite creating several chances, Chivas USA were forced to share the points with their California neighbors. The Quakes are still without a loss since July 5th, but four draws and just three wins won't move you up in the standings too much.

Clavijo finally booted, is life beautiful?

Mediocrity no longer holds sway in Mile High land, as Colorado have finally done what they should have done a year ago and fired head coach Fernando Clavijo.

Clavijo will be replaced for the remainder of the 2008 season by Gary Smith, but we all know he's keeping the seat warm for Colorado's former fan favorite John Spencer, currently an assistant with Houston.

The Rapids front office tried to make it seem like it was Clavijo's decision. They even let him arrange a bogus "family medical emergency" to Uruguay to make it appear as if he left for personal reasons and not the stinking 40-49-25 record since 2005.

"We appreciate all that Fernando has done for this team over the last four years and wish him and his family the best," said Rapids' managing director Jeff Plush. "He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our organization and brought us some of our greatest successes. We are poised to achieve great things, and when we do we will look back fondly and appreciatively of Fernando's tenure with our club."

As of press time, the owners of the web site fireclavijo.com was still up and running. No doubt that the webmaster is out boozing it up in celebration of his successful campaign. Congratulations, how's poor Fernando going to feed his kids now?

An oldy, but a goody.

MLS Saturday Round-up (Week 21)

August 16
FC Dallas 1-2 Columbus (Crew Stadium)
Toronto trade bait Jeff Cunningham scored for his new club in 35th minute, but two second half goals scored three minutes apart sealed the home win for the Crew. Guillermo Barros Schelotto knotched his 11th and 12th assists on the goals by Brian Carroll and Brad Evans, as Columbus keeps pace with New England in the East.

-------------------------------------------------------------
DC United 1-0 Chicago (Toyota Park)
The return of the native son ended up being a bit anti-climatic, as Brain McBride's Olympic fruitlessness continued in his first match back in MLS. DC, however, got a goal from their winger Fred and a clean sheet from a newcomer of their own, Liberian goalkeeper Louis Crayton. It was the first match since their US Open Cup encounter and Cuauhtemoc Blanco's notorious head-butt, but it was a surprisingly clean match, although DC accounted for seven of the eight yellow cards.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Real Salt Lake 3-4 Houston (Robertson Stadium)
There were six goals scored in a sloppy first half. Unfortunately for RSL fans, Houston scored four of them. After RSL's Yura Movsisyan and the Dynamo's Brian Mullan traded goals in the first 16 minutes, Salt Lake went ahead in the 25th thanks Javier Morales. Houston, however, would respond with three unanswered goals in 13 minutes from Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark and Nate Jaqua. RSL made the last 10 minutes of the match entertaining after substitute Kenny Deuchar scored his third of the season in the 80th minute. This match saw the return of Clint Mathis, who entered the match at the hour mark for Andy Williams, but like fellow American Brian McBride, he was unable to mark his return with a goal.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City 1-2 Colorado (DSG Park)
The Rapids were without head coach Fernando Clavijo, who reportedly left for Uruguay for family emergency this week, leaving assistant Gary Smith in charge and perhaps this was a good thing for Conor Casey who nearly had as much production in this match as he's had all season, scoring two goals and snapping the Rapids two-game losing streak.

-------------------------------------------------------------
New England 0-4 San Jose (BS Stadium)
Two beautiful goals by Ronnie O-Brien bookended this one-sided contest, as New England continued their SuperLiga championship hangover with a 4-0 loss to cellar-dwellers San Jose. In between O'Brien's goals, Ryan Johnson and Scott Sealy got in the act for the Quakes, who haven't lost since July 5th.

MLS Saturday round-up (Week 20)

August 9
Toronto 1-0 Colorado (DSG Park)
While the Fire will have to wait till Brian McBride returns from the Olympics, Toronto's end of the deal is already paying dividends, as Chad Barrett delivered the game-winning goal for the Reds in the 44th minute off a free kick. The match got rather physical in the second half, and the cards were flying, including a second yellow ejection of Colin Clark in the 70th minute, which sunk any chance of a Colorado comeback.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago 2-1 New England (Gillette Stadium)
Even with the return of Double-T (Taylor Twellman) to the Revolution scorer's sheet, New England's SuperLiga fatigue (and the 74th minute ejection of midfield general Shalrie Joseph) caught up with them, as the SL champs allowed two goals by Gonzalo Segares and Wilman Conde in the final eight minutes and lost to the visiting Chicago Fire.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Chivas USA 2-3 Kansas City (CAB)
Kansas City scored three unanswered and weathered a late comeback attempt to beat visiting Chivas USA. First half goals by Sasha Victorine and Claudio Lopez, gave the Wizards a somewhat comfortable lead, and when Davy Arnaud added a third in the 58th minute the match seemed all but over. However, Chivas made a late charge, ass Carey Talley scored in the 73rd and Justin Braun scored his third of the year to make it interesting in the final eight minutes.
-------------------------------------------------------------

MLS Sunday (Week 18)

JULY 27
New York 1-1 San Jose (BS Stadium)
The Earthquakes scored both goals in this one, unfortunately one of them was in their own net. Darren Huckerby gets his first goal in MLS, and defender Eric Denton accidentally plays a goal into his own net. New York continues to match bystanders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles 0-4 Dallas (PHP)
An explosion of offense at Pizza Hut Park, as Kenny Cooper leads FC Dallas in a rout of Los Angeles. Cooper scored twice in two and then helped create a goal for Dominic Oduro in the 36th minute to put the game away at halftime. The Galaxy's occassionally potent offense never got going in this one and Dallas' Abe Thomspn added a fourth in the 89th.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago 0-0 Kansas City (CAB)
Mired at the bottom of the table, a scoreless draw at home doesn't decrease the heat on coach Curt Onalfo's seat (hey, that rhymed). Kansas City fired eight shots on goal but Jon Busch saved each one, while Kevin Hartman picked up a clean sheet on the other end, saving five.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Columbus 2-0 Colorado (DSG Park)
The Rapids drop consecutive matches at home. Crew noob Steven Lenhart, making his first MLS start, scored his third goal of the year in the 21st minute, and substitute Jason Garey chipped the keeper in the 75th. Lenhart didn't see the second half, however, after throwing an elbow into Facundo Erpen's face in the 42nd minute and receiving a red card. Maybe he thought he was a Wet Ham supporter.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MLS Saturday (Week 17)

JULY 19
San Jose 0-0 Toronto (BMO Field)
After dominating much of the match against MLS worst club, TFC continues to search for a consistent scorer, as 11 shots went begging in this scoreless draw. San Jose debuted DP Darren Huckerby, while the Reds gave 16-year-old forward Abdus Ibrahim his first start, but neither could find their way to the scorer's sheet. Toronto's futility in front of goal, which included a blocked PK, was jeered by the home fans, as they once again settled for a draw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Los Angeles 2-2 New York (Giants Stadium)
Over 46,000 were on hand to see the home side recover from an early deficit only to surrender an equalizer in injury time. The Galaxy, apparently unable to trade away the Guatemalan striker, started Carlos Ruiz who finally got off the snide scoring the first goal of the match. But Red Bulls new addition Jorge Rojas set up Dave van den Bergh for the equalizer in the 35th minute, a powerful right-footer inside the left post. Juan Pablo Angel chose finesse over power and chip the keeper from near the left-side endline in the 71st, but Landon Donovan evened things up again with his 12th goal of the season two minutes into extra time, a "wonder goal" apparently.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado 2-2 FC Dallas (PH Park)
Colorado's bookends of two Dallas goals forced the Hoops to a draw. Herculez Gomez got things going quickly with a goal in the fifth minute. The other three goals came in the second half, as Kenny Cooper's penalty kick tied it and Juan Toja's second goal of the year in the 64th minute put FC Dallas on top for approximately three minutes. That's when Conor Casey scored his third of the season to lock things at 2-2.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Salt Lake 0-0 Chicago (Toyota Park)
Our second scoreless draw of the night. These teams couldn't find the goal in a goal-making factory. A total of four shots of goal combined. It's enough to make someone headbutt someone. Please tell me Blanco headbutted someone.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MLS Saturday (Week 16)

JULY 12
Columbus 0-2 Real Salt Lake (R-E Stadium)With their coach sitting out the match due to suspension, Real Salt Lake ended Columbus' unbeaten streak at five games, with two goals by Javier Morales in the third minute and Robbie Findlay in the 78th.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado 1-1 San Jose (BS Stadium)
Two terrific headers decided this contest. San Jose Rookie Ryan Johnson scored his third goal of year off a set piece for Colorado in the 62nd minute, but Colorado's Conor Casey equalized just 12 minutes later.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto 1-2 Chicago (Toyota Park)
A John Thorington goal in the 92nd minute gave Chicago the full three points at home against Toronto. Fire forward Chris Rolfe scored his fourth of the year just six minutes in, but second-half sub, 17-year-old Adbsu Ibrahim, scored an equalizer in his first match for TFC.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------d

MLS Friday: Fireworks!

Kansas City 1-1 FC Dallas (PHP)
An injury time goal by Abe Thomson saved a point at home for FC Dallas by equalizing a 39th-minute strike by Scott Seally.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York 0-4 Colorado (DSG Park)
Colorado spanked New York before a sold-out holiday crowd. The fireworks were provided by four different vendors: Tom McManus, Mehdi Ballouchy, Colin Clark and Omar Cummings. Even a second half Angel sighting couldn't help the Red Bulls' terrible defense. So starts the "I-should-have-stayed-in-Chicago" deathwatch for NY coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New England 2-1 Los Angeles (HDC)
No. 3 Adam Cristman scored a first half brace and New England staved off a second run, led by a David Beckham goal, to beat Los Angeles at home.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rapids run rough over Salt Lake

Colorado improved its home record to 3-1 by beating Real Salt Lake 2-0 on Thursday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids improved their record to 4-4 primarily through strong midfield play by Colin Clark and Pablo Mastroeni. Clark's low, left-footed cross to Omar Cummings put the Rapids on top and Christian Bomez converted from the spot after an RSL handball.

'FutboLucha' night at DSG Park