Week 7: Friday, April 14, 2017

Philadelphia Union 0, New York City FC 2

The slow start continued Friday night for Philadelphia, who is still winless this year. Jim Curtain’s men were able to put pressure on NYCFC who, as always, made mistakes playing it out of the back, but Philly was unable to capitalize. Goals from young Englishman Jack Harrison and a David Villa Goal of the Year candidate chip from midfield were enough to get the boys in blue a valuable road win.

Next Game:

PHI: Saturday, April 22- vs. Montreal Impact

NYC: Sunday, April 23- vs. Orlando City SC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Seattle Sounders FC 1

It had to be, I mean it was just written in the stars. Fredy Montero, the longtime Sounder turned Whitecap, scored two goals to knock off his former team in a Cascadia classic. Clint Dempsey did all he could to get his side back in it but was denied off the woodwork twice. Will Bruin tallied a goal in extra time for Seattle to make things interesting but with some heroic last-minute defending, Vancouver prevailed.

Next Game:

VAN: Saturday, April 22- @ Portland Timbers

SEA: Sunday, April 23- @ LA Galaxy

San Jose Earthquakes 1, FC Dallas 1

Never stop believing San Jose!!! For the second straight week, the Quakes equalized in the dying moments of the match for salvage a point at home. While this had to hurt for Dallas, they can take solace in the fact that they are still unbeaten. Plus, a point on the road never hurt anyone.

Next Game:

SJ: Wednesday, April 19- @ New England Revolution

DAL: Saturday, April 22- vs. Sporting KC

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Montreal Impact 2, Atlanta United 1

The Impact left it late, but they picked up their first win of the season against a quality Atlanta United side, who suffered their second defeat. Montreal earned it too, controlling the match from start to finish. For Atlanta, the road trip will come to an end next week in Salt Lake, and if they can pick up a win there, this four game road stretch should still be considered a huge success.

Next Game:

MTL: Saturday, April 22- @ Philadelphia Union

ATL: Saturday, April 22- @ Real Salt Lake

Orlando City SC 2, LA Galaxy 1

When Romain Alessandrini scored an equalizer in the 83rd minute, it looked like Orlando would suffer their first non-win at home. But Cyle Larin had something to say about that when he scored the game winner in stoppage time, making Orlando City the first MLS team to open a new stadium with four straight wins. On the other side of the stick, LA’s sputtering season continues… but it was at least a good performance in Orlando.

Next Game:

ORL: Sunday, April 23- @ New York City FC

LA: Sunday, April 23 vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Chicago Fire 3, New England Revolution 0

The Fire absolutely dominated New England on Saturday night. Bastian Schweinsteiger landed the first blow when he scored right before halftime and Nemanja Nikolic knocked the Revs out with two goals of his own. Although it was an impressive win, it did come against a Revolution squad that played a man down for most of the game. Chicago won’t care though as the three points take them up to third place in the East.

Next Game:

CHI: Friday, April 21- @ Toronto FC

NE: Wednesday, April 16- vs. San Jose Earthquakes

New York Red Bulls 2, DC United 0

Winless in their last four, the Red Bulls might have come back to life with a solid win over their Atlantic Cup rivals in front of an insane crowd. Manhattan native Alex Muyl nodded home the eventual game winner off a corner and BWP provided a cheeky finish when he nutmegged DC keeper Bill Hamid to cap the night off. The night turned scary though when US international Steve Birnbaum was taken to the hospital with an apparent head injury. Luckily, reports say it was precautionary and he is recovering well.

Next Game:

NY: Saturday, April 22- vs. Columbus Crew SC

DC: Saturday, April 22- @ New England Revolution

Columbus Crew SC 2, Toronto FC 1

Columbus continued their hot start to the season, coming from behind to defeat Toronto FC. In a hard-fought game, you need your biggest players to come through for you and Crew SC’s did. Ola Kamara and Justin Meram finished their chances and ultimately won the game. Columbus look to be in the race for Supporters Shield this year as they are tied on points with Portland for the lead. Is it 2015 again?

Next Game:

CLB: Saturday, April 22- @ New York Red Bulls

TOR: Friday, April 21- vs. Chicago Fire

Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 2

It was a tale of two halves in Houston as the Loons got a quality point on the road. Two first half goals from Houston had them thinking they would continue their dominance at BBVA Stadium, but United impressively overcame adversity and scored two goals off their only two shots on goal of the game. Former Charlotte Eagles striker Christian Ramirez tallied his fifth of the season, keeping his hot start to the season going.

Next Game:

HOU: Saturday, April 22- vs. San Jose Earthquakes

MIN: Sunday, April 23- vs. Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids 1, Real Salt Lake 2

Mike Petke continued revamping his side with a Rocky Mountain Cup win in Colorado. After going down in the first half, RSL found two late goals, with the game-winner coming from US U-20 stud Brooks Lennon, to give them their second victory on the trot. For Colorado, who was without goalkeeper Tim Howard on the night due to suspension, this slow start has to be troubling as they are now the cellar dwellers in the West.

Next Game:

COL: Sunday, April 23- @ Minnesota United FC

RSL: Saturday, April 22- vs. Atlanta United FC

Portland Timbers 0, Sporting Kansas City 1

Kansas City recorded their fourth, and most impressive, shutout this season bottling up a Timbers attack that had scored 16 goals coming into the match. Dom Dwyer scored the game winner just after halftime and, thanks to a hardy KC defense, that was all Sporting needed to claim the three points and vault up to second place in a very competitive Western Conference.

Next Game:

POR: Saturday, April 22- vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

SKC: Saturday, April 22- @ FC Dallas