Week 25 Recap – Winding down the stretch

By: travis | September 16th, 2008

The playoff race is tightening with just six weeks to go. That’s still a lot of time for those in need of some points, and it’s safe to say, at this point, everyone is still alive. A few teams are fading fast (Galaxy) and others try to stay close (Wizards, Dallas) to the remaining spot. I’m still in the process of trying to deduce what exactly the playoff system will be like. In the meantime, a look at the action from the weekend.

New England 4-0 Chivas USA
While this game was not nearly the blowout that the final score indicates, it was a good win for the Revolution. Taylor Twellman took advantage of a miscommunication at the back to open the scoring, and Chivas didn’t test Matt Reis all that much before a flurry of goals in the last ten minutes, including two in extra time delivered the final result. Steve Ralston had a particularly nice goal to finish things off. The Goats are still hanging on to a playoff spot, but just barely.

Toronto 1-1 Columbus
It was a great match up in Toronto, featuring one of the worst penalties taken that I’ve ever seen. The Crew should have come away with all three points on the road, but Alejandro Moreno decide to hit a weak dribbler right to Greg Sutton. Fortunately for Moreno, Pat Noonan’s well taken shot from the top of the box would beat Sutton and become the game tying goal. I still think that Columbus is the team to beat going down the stretch, and they continued to prove it by taken away a point at BMO Field. Toronto is struggling to contend in the viciously competitive East, and sit six points out of the final playoff spot. Carlos Ruiz is paying no dividends up there.

Kansas City 2-0 Los Angeles
The Wizards kept themselves in distant contention with a win over the Galaxy – who remain winless in the last 12 games. That’s pretty astounding, considering the star power that Beckham is supposed to bring in. It was a pretty blah game, with Kevin Hartman rarely tested in goal by LA, and it wasn’t until Josh Wolff deflected home a cross from Davy Arnaud. Arnaud then drilled home a stunning 30 yard shot, surprising just about everyone at the stadium. That was all she wrote out at Arrowhead, and Bruce Arena is sent searching for more answers.

DC United 2-2 FC Dallas
Attention Bob Bradley: take a long, long look at Kenny Cooper. His postup goal against United’s backline is a perfect example of what the USMNT needs. A big, strong forward who can go up against the stronger centerbacks of the world. My weekly Cooper-rant aside, it was a pretty entertaining match at RFK. Cooper’s goal in the 9th minute started things off, and new DC player Thabiso Khumalo (that’s a mouth full) set up captain Jaime Moreno to level things at 1. Each team managed a goal apiece in the second half to share points. United is a team to keep an eye on, as a packed Champions League schedule means they will be stretched thing as the season winds down.

New York 2-1 Real Salt Lake
This is my pick for game of the week. It was an entertaining, back and forth match out at the Meadowlands as the Red Bull stay in strong contention for the playoffs. Dave van den Bergh’s played exceptionally well coming up and down the left flank, and eventually scoring the game winner. Yura Movsisyan scored for Real, who fall to 1-9-2 on the road, an absolutely atrocious record. They do hang on to second place in the West, although just one point ahead Chivas and Colorado.

San Jose 1-1 Houston
It was the old meeting the new out in San Jose, as the old Earthquakes met the new ones. And it was honors even, as goals from Ronnie O’Brien and Brian Ching kept things level. It was disappointing to see the Earthquakes slip up a little bit, but they still are very much alive in the playoff race, something that is still incredible to me. And it wouldn’t be surprising to see them scrape by into the postseason with an easy schedule ahead of them between here and the end of season.

Colorado 2-0 Chicago
Two howlers from Jon Busch and this game was all but over. Actually, not quite the case, as Chicago forced a number of saves from Preston Burpo in the second half, but couldn’t get anything by him. The Rapids are now tied with Chivas USA for third place in the West and one of the last playoff spots. Interim coach Gary Smith obviously has them doing something right, even without Christian Gomez, who remains fixed on the bench. The Fire, even with the addition of McBride, have gone quite stagnant on the offensive side of the ball. They’ll need to shake things up if they have any serious aspirations for the MLS Cup.

Goal of the week
Davy Arnaud’s rocket against the Galaxy. It was a difficult choice, as there were goals aplenty, and lots of quality finishing. Don’t forget to vote.