MLS Major League Soccer

Busiest Week of 2014 - This Week in MLS

Published on May 5, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


With national team camps on the horizon ahead of the World Cup, MLS teams and players alike will be looking to take advantage of a week that features a combined total of 14 matches across all competitions from Wednesday through Sunday.

With Clint Dempsey and Brad Evans likely headed to the U.S. camp in a couple of weeks, Seattle Sounders FC will look to add some cushion to their two point lead over Real Salt Lake and earn a maximum six points in two games -- midweek at Colorado Rapids and Sunday at New England Revolution. Getting past Colorado and New England won't be easy, as both teams will be looking to improve their standings and get the most out of their World Cup hopeful players - Honduras' Marvin Chavez (COL) and Jerry Bengtson (NE) - before the break.

The other five teams with a chance at six league points this week include the Rapids, Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, and San Jose Earthquakes.

Amway Canadian Championship

The Amway Canadian Championship kicks off Wednesday, providing recent imports such as Michael Bradley (TOR), Jermain Defoe (TOR), Jack McInerney (MTL) and Steven Beitashour (VAN) with their first opportunity to win the annual competition that secures a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto FC host Vancouver Whitecaps FC, while Montreal Impact, the defending champions, travel to face NASL side FC Edmonton. Montreal lifted the Voyageurs Cup for the second time last year and first time since the inaugural tournament in 2008. Toronto won the cup four years in a row from 2009-12; Vancouver has finished as the tournament's runner up for five consecutive seasons.

Week 10 National Broadcasts

Saturday, May 10

Montreal Impact vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4:00 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS)

Columbus Crew vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN2)

Sunday, May 11

Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy, 2:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, TSN)

Colorado Rapids vs. Chivas USA, 3:00 p.m. ET (UniMas)

Quotables

"We just played Seattle last week and they had good forwards too. But we have a game plan for players like that. We just stay organized and keep to the plan. That's the back four - we've got to be together if we're going to defend."

Colorado Rapids defender Chris Klute on playing against talented players like Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan

"The ring ceremony was fantastic. It's a really special occasion and I thought the best part of it was to be able to do it with the fans. They deserve that kind of recognition just as much as we do. To share that moment with them was pretty cool. I think it can boost you a bit. The fans were fantastic again today. In tough conditions, we definitely use them to push us through the 90 minutes."

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi on the pre-match MLS Cup ring ceremony

"It was huge. The relief and the feeling that you feel when you score a 94th-minute winner like that is something that is hard to put into words. It's why you play the game. It's the best feeling in the world, it's fantastic. You kind of black out, nothing else matters and you just start running around going crazy. It's a blur, but it's fun. That's why we play."

Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson on getting first win of the season

"It's a great occasion; it marks a really rich history of this club. Obviously, to be playing the Earthquakes, who were there in 1974 as well, it's a great step, I suppose, in the right direction for North America soccer, and it's great that the Whitecaps are commemorative in that occasion."

Vancouver Whitecaps defender Jay DeMerit on the 40th anniversary of Whitecaps soccer against facing the franchise's first ever opponent

"There are not very many forwards that can just rely on their movement. We definitely have similar styles; were not going to be that big physical forward that's going to take on three defenders. He played in some of the top leagues in the world and being successful in MLS, it's kind of a perfect fit, I can play under him and learn from all the experience that he's gained over the years."

Montreal Impact forward Jack McInerney on playing alongside of Marco Di Vaio

Sweet Tweets

"@EKronberg - April 29 - Eric Kronberg, Sporting Kansas City

You can never start them too early. Kaitlin Lee Kronberg 4-1-14 pic.twitter.com/7SGXZ2xocZ

@raygaddis - May 2 - Ray Gaddis, Philadelphia Union

I left my mark on the famous #gumwall in Seattle. I can cross another thing off my bucket list. http://instagram.com/p/ngOH5lMDxu/

"@tallyhallGK - May 2 - Tally Hall, Houston Dynamo

Thank you to all the ppl who voted me for SOTW! Or as I call it, the Rimando Rickets Award! @NickRimando

"@DaxMcCarty11 - May 3 - Dax McCarty, New York Red Bulls

Landed in Dallas. Spent 5 great years here. Always nice to come back. (My skin could do without the sweltering heat though). #paleproblems

@Ddwyer14 - May 4 - Dom Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City

Sleeping in this only 940] pic.twitter.com/X1x3sYRRXl

Week 10 Game Previews

Wednesday, May 7

Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew, 8 p.m.

"¢ The Dynamo put an end to their six-game winless run in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 win at Chivas USA on Saturday evening. It was their second four-goal output this year (high in MLS), after recording a 4-0 win against New England in the season opener.

"¢ The Crew saw their winless streak reach five games after a trio of victories to open the season, following their 2-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

"¢ The teams met once last season at BBVA Compass Stadium, a 3-1 Dynamo win on Aug. 3. It was the Dynamo's first win against the Crew in almost exactly five years, since Aug. 2, 2008. The victory snapped a nine-game Crew undefeated streak vs. Houston.

"¢ The Dynamo have also won just twice all-time in Houston in eight matches vs. Columbus; the teams have played to five draws in Houston.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas, 10 p.m.

"¢ Sounders FC won their fourth consecutive match, a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening. The winning streak is one short of the club's MLS record, set previously on three occasions, including last year from Aug. 25-Sept. 13.

"¢ FC Dallas were shut out for the first time this season in a second consecutive loss, falling 1-0 at home to the New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon. The loss leaves Seattle Sounders FC as the only team to have scored a goal in every MLS game thus far this season.

"¢ The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Clint Dempsey scored a pair of goals, his second in the 85th minute capping a second-half comeback to give Sounders FC a 3-2 win on April 12 at Toyota Stadium, the first FC Dallas defeat of the season.

"¢ Sounders FC have won their last three home meetings with FC Dallas. The lone FCD victory all-time at CenturyLink Field came May 25, 2011, a 1-0 win.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m.

"¢ Chris Wondolowski scored a pair of goals in the Earthquakes' 3-2 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday afternoon, the 14th multiple-goal game of his career, moving him into a tie for eighth place in the all-time MLS leaders list in the category.

"¢ Vicente Sánchez scored his first goal since March 29 - when he started the season with four goals in three matches - to lead the Rapids to a 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

"¢ The teams are meeting for the second time this season, having reached a scoreless draw on April 19 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

"¢ The Rapids last defeated San Jose in the first meeting in the 2011 season. The Quakes have won five of the eight meetings since, with three draws, including the last three matches.

Saturday, May 10

Montreal Impact vs. Sporting Kansas City, 4 p.m. (UDN; TSN)

"¢ The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Dom Dwyer scored a pair of late goals as Sporting rolled to a 4-0 win April 19 at Sporting Park.

"¢ The SKC victory ended a two-game Impact winning streak in the series. Sporting have won once in Montréal, in 2012; the Impact had won in back-to-back seasons at KC.

"¢ The Impact return to action after a week off, coming off their first MLS victory of the season in a 1-0 win against Philadelphia Union on April 26, Felipe Martins scoring the game's only goal.

"¢ Before the return to league play, the Impact will take on FC Edmonton of the NASL in the semifinals of the Canadian Championship, with the first leg in Edmonton on Wednesday.

"¢ Sporting KC celebrated receiving their MLS Cup 2013 championship rings by remaining undefeated this season at Sporting Park in a 2-0 win vs. the Columbus Crew on Sunday.

Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m.

"¢ Union saw their winless streak reach eight matches - tying the club record, set now on three occasions - following their 2-1 loss at Seattle Sounders FC over the weekend.

"¢ United had their undefeated streak put to an end after five games as the Portland Timbers scored a last-gasp 3-2 win Saturday evening. It was United's first defeat since March 22, when they opened the season with back-to-back losses.

"¢ The teams met three times a season ago, Union taking victories in the first two encounters before a draw in the third. They were Union's first wins in the all-time series since 2011.

"¢ The teams have also met each of the last three seasons in the U.S. Open Cup, United winning 3-1 last season in a fourth-round matchup.

New York Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire, 7 p.m.

"¢ Bradley Wright-Phillips continued his remarkable run of form, scoring his fifth goal over the past three games to lead the Red Bulls to a 1-0 win at FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon, extending the New York undefeated streak to four matches.

"¢ The Fire saw their season-opening streak extended to eight matches in a late 3-2 home loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday. The Fire are the only team in MLS still without a victory this season; the MLS record is 11 games without a win to open the season (Real Salt Lake, 0-5-6 in 2007).

"¢ The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Chicago's Jeff Larentowicz and New York's Dax McCarty traded goals in the first half to leave the teams in a 1-1 draw, March 23 at Toyota Park.

"¢ When the Fire won 2-0 at Red Bull Arena in the final meeting between the teams in 2012, it was their first away win in the series since the 2009 season. The Red Bulls have never won at Toyota Park. Their last away win against Chicago came May 14, 2005, a 3-0 win at Soldier Field.

Columbus Crew vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 7:30 p.m.

"¢ Pedro Morales became the 15th player in Major League Soccer to score goals in consecutive minutes when he netted in the 19th and 20th minutes, sending Whitecaps FC on their way to a 3-2 win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon.

"¢ Before the trip to Columbus, Whitecaps FC will begin their Canadian Championship campaign with a semifinal first leg match at Toronto FC. The return match is May 14 at BC Place.

"¢ Whitecaps FC have won the last two meetings between the teams, over the last two seasons. They won on their last trip to Columbus, a 1-0 win in 2012.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas, 10:30 p.m.

"¢ FC Dallas hasn't won in Santa Clara since 2009. The Quakes have won three of the five home meetings since, with two draws.

"¢ When FCD defeated San Jose 1-0 last May 25, it ended a six-game Dallas winless streak in the series. FC Dallas had last defeated the Earthquakes on June 5, 2010, a 2-0 victory in Frisco.

"¢ Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch became the seventh player in MLS history to reach the 1,000-save plateau, in the 3-2 loss in Vancouver over the weekend. Busch has reached the mark in the third-fewest games; he's one of two active goalkeepers (with RSL's Nick Rimando) on the list.

Sunday, May 11

Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy, 2:30 p.m. (NBCSN; TSN)

"¢ The Timbers became the first team in MLS history to take the lead in the first minute of play, then score the winning goal in second-half stoppage-time, in their 3-2 win against D.C. United on Saturday. On three occasions, a team scoring in the first minute has scored a stoppage-time equalizer.

"¢ It was the first victory of the season for the Timbers, snapping an eight-game winless streak to start the season.

"¢ The Galaxy had their four-game undefeated run put to an end in a 1-0 loss at the Colorado Rapids on Saturday.

"¢ The Timbers won the final two meetings between the teams a season ago, both wins coming in Portland, a 2-1 triumph on July 13 and a 1-0 win Sept. 29. They were the first Timbers wins in the series since the 2011 campaign.

"¢ The Galaxy have never lost to the Timbers in Carson, winning the first three meetings there all-time before the teams played to a scoreless draw last June 19.

Colorado Rapids vs. Chivas USA, 3 p.m. (UniMás)

"¢ For the second consecutive match, Chivas USA had a goalkeeper sent off, when Tim Melia was ejected in the second half of the 4-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo. The defeat extended the Chivas winless streak to eight games.

"¢ The Rapids have not lost to Chivas USA since March 21, 2009, going 8-0-3 in the 11 matches since. The Rapids have taken points from each of their last five visits to take on Chivas in Carson (4-0-1), over the past four seasons.

"¢ Colorado has a six-game undefeated streak alive against Chivas USA at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, dating back to 2008. The Rapids have won four of the six meetings since in Commerce City, with two draws.

New England Revolution vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 6 p.m.

"¢ The Revolution last won in the series in 2010, a 3-1 win at Gillette Stadium. In four meetings since, Sounders FC have won twice, both during 2011; the teams have played to draws in each of the last two seasons, including a scoreless result last April 13 at CenturyLink Field.

"¢ Obafemi Martins scored a goal in a third consecutive match in Sounders FC's 2-1 victory against Philadelphia Union over the weekend, matching the longest goalscoring streak in his MLS career. Martins has a goal and/or an assist in seven of his nine appearances this season.

"¢ Lee Nguyen scored a goal in a third consecutive match - all from the penalty spot - as the Revolution extended their undefeated streak to three games with a 2-1 win at Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon.

"¢ Revolution rookie Patrick Mullins - the winners of the MAC Hermann Trophy in both 2012 and 2013 as the top Division I college soccer player - scored his first professional goal in the Revolution victory in Toronto.

Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake, 7 p.m.

"¢ Real defeated Houston1-0 last Aug. 10 at Rio Tinto Stadium, their first victory against the Dynamo since the 2010 campaign. RSL has taken points from their last five home games vs. Houston, with three draws in that time.

"¢ RSL is 0-8-1 lifetime in Houston. Last year, Real won for the first time ever in the state of Texas after 22 games, in a 3-0 victory July 13 against FC Dallas.

"¢ Giles Barnes collected the third two-goal game of his MLS career in the Dynamo's 4-1 win against Chivas USA, his first two goals of the 2014 season. Barnes led Houston with 9 goals in 2013.

"¢ Joao Plata scored the first two-goal game of his MLS career to bring Real Salt Lake back for a 3-2 win at the Chicago Fire on Saturday evening, keeping RSL undefeated to start the year.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 5, 2014


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