2007 MLS Week 5 Recap or Did Real really just do that?
The great news for week 5 was the goal scoring totals. Over the full week, 22 balls found their way into the net for an average of 3.14 goals per game. The bad news was the low number of spectators that got to see all those goals as only 76,364 fans made it out to a MLS game this week (10,909 per match).
Columbus Crew 0-1 Kansas City Wizards
How does it feel to be the Crew. They were on the verge of setting a club record of five games without a defeat and then Jose Burciaga Jr. makes them pay late. It is a shame, in a way, because the Crew defense was amazing on the day. Again and again the Wizards found their way into the area, but Columbus managed to stop everything. The good news for KC, they didn't get frustrated. Instead, they kept advancing and fighting for openings. When Burciaga Jr. did hit home, it was very deserving.
Goal: KC: Jose Burciaga Jr 91+'
New York Red Bulls 3-3 Real Salt Lake
Oh my was this ever fun. Anyone who has read this blog knows that I've gone on and on about Real's fantastic ability to give up goals late, late, late in games. Well, yet again, there were two late goals, but in an interesting twist, it was Real that did the scoring. But before we get there, I've got to hand it to Clint Mathis for his work on the day. Might it be that he is for real this year? Not only did he get two goals, but he was making smart plays to open up the field. It also helped that Real keeper Chris Seitz was a bit out of place. So Real is down 3-1 going into the 89th minute and they end up walking out with a tie thanks to the beyond fabulous strike by Chris Brown. The way he moved at the edge of the box to shake off his defender and the angle of his strike were just wow (Chris Klein's goal was also very nice). If Jason Kreis can keep his team at this level, they will be challenging in the West.
Goals: NY: Dane Richards 12', Clint Mathis 28', 83'
RSL: Chris Klein 61', Jeff Cunningham (pk) 90', Chris Brown 92+'
Houston Dynamo 3-1 Colorado Rapids
Saturday night was the night Houston started to look like champions again while Colorado looked washed up. Outside of the first 10 minutes and a few minutes a little past the hour mark, the Rapids were missing passes and failing to apply pressure thus allowing the Dynamo to control the pace of the match. Dwayne De Rosario was again acting like the star midfielder that he is, but he was getting some strong support from Brad Davis. If Colorado can walk away feeling good about one thing, it was the play of Herculez Gomez. When others were walking, he was busy trying to make plays happen.
Goals: CR: Roberto Brown 5'
HD: Brian Ching 55', Dwayne De Rosario 63', 68'
Chivas USA 1-2 DC United
I've been critical of United's goalkeeper Troy Perkins this season, but I must say he had a near perfect outing yesterday. Chivas was throwing so much at him, yet he held strong. If he were just a bit off his game, DC would only have a point for this one. United still looks a little tied up in their attack, but they were finally able to find enough to get the win. By the way, I didn't agree with the penalty kick DC got on Thursday, but yesterday's was beyond justified. I just can't believe Lawson Vaughn didn't get a card. Also, did Maykel Galindo ever make Josh Gros look the fool on his goal.
Goals: DC: Christian Gomez 48', Jaime Moreno (pk) 65'
Chivas: Maykel Galindo 73'
Chicago Fire 1-3 New England Revolution
It just didn't seem like Chicago ever found a comfort zone in this one as even their attacks were quickly turned against them. New England did surprising well with a Shalrie Joseph free midfield. Steve Ralston had a fantastic match as he was finding spaces and a key factor in just about every play. And I've also got to hand it to coach Steve Nicol who kept moving his players around and some how found better and better lineups. The Fire need to find a way to get Thiago playing quality again because Chirs Rolfe alone cannot carry this club.
Goals: NE: Jeff Larentowicz 16', Steve Ralston 68', Wells Thompson 81'
CF: Chris Rolfe 45'
Five weeks in and we are starting to see the standings become muddy again. Neither conference seems to have a breakaway club at this point. With the exception of Toronto FC, it looks like everyone still has a chance at the Supporters' Cup.
So how did the wife and I do in our predictions? We both went 4-3 on the week. I believe this is the first time over .500 for either of us. Here is our season to date:
Wife - 13-19
Me - 12 -20
Columbus Crew 0-1 Kansas City Wizards
How does it feel to be the Crew. They were on the verge of setting a club record of five games without a defeat and then Jose Burciaga Jr. makes them pay late. It is a shame, in a way, because the Crew defense was amazing on the day. Again and again the Wizards found their way into the area, but Columbus managed to stop everything. The good news for KC, they didn't get frustrated. Instead, they kept advancing and fighting for openings. When Burciaga Jr. did hit home, it was very deserving.
Goal: KC: Jose Burciaga Jr 91+'
New York Red Bulls 3-3 Real Salt Lake
Oh my was this ever fun. Anyone who has read this blog knows that I've gone on and on about Real's fantastic ability to give up goals late, late, late in games. Well, yet again, there were two late goals, but in an interesting twist, it was Real that did the scoring. But before we get there, I've got to hand it to Clint Mathis for his work on the day. Might it be that he is for real this year? Not only did he get two goals, but he was making smart plays to open up the field. It also helped that Real keeper Chris Seitz was a bit out of place. So Real is down 3-1 going into the 89th minute and they end up walking out with a tie thanks to the beyond fabulous strike by Chris Brown. The way he moved at the edge of the box to shake off his defender and the angle of his strike were just wow (Chris Klein's goal was also very nice). If Jason Kreis can keep his team at this level, they will be challenging in the West.
Goals: NY: Dane Richards 12', Clint Mathis 28', 83'
RSL: Chris Klein 61', Jeff Cunningham (pk) 90', Chris Brown 92+'
Houston Dynamo 3-1 Colorado Rapids
Saturday night was the night Houston started to look like champions again while Colorado looked washed up. Outside of the first 10 minutes and a few minutes a little past the hour mark, the Rapids were missing passes and failing to apply pressure thus allowing the Dynamo to control the pace of the match. Dwayne De Rosario was again acting like the star midfielder that he is, but he was getting some strong support from Brad Davis. If Colorado can walk away feeling good about one thing, it was the play of Herculez Gomez. When others were walking, he was busy trying to make plays happen.
Goals: CR: Roberto Brown 5'
HD: Brian Ching 55', Dwayne De Rosario 63', 68'
Chivas USA 1-2 DC United
I've been critical of United's goalkeeper Troy Perkins this season, but I must say he had a near perfect outing yesterday. Chivas was throwing so much at him, yet he held strong. If he were just a bit off his game, DC would only have a point for this one. United still looks a little tied up in their attack, but they were finally able to find enough to get the win. By the way, I didn't agree with the penalty kick DC got on Thursday, but yesterday's was beyond justified. I just can't believe Lawson Vaughn didn't get a card. Also, did Maykel Galindo ever make Josh Gros look the fool on his goal.
Goals: DC: Christian Gomez 48', Jaime Moreno (pk) 65'
Chivas: Maykel Galindo 73'
Chicago Fire 1-3 New England Revolution
It just didn't seem like Chicago ever found a comfort zone in this one as even their attacks were quickly turned against them. New England did surprising well with a Shalrie Joseph free midfield. Steve Ralston had a fantastic match as he was finding spaces and a key factor in just about every play. And I've also got to hand it to coach Steve Nicol who kept moving his players around and some how found better and better lineups. The Fire need to find a way to get Thiago playing quality again because Chirs Rolfe alone cannot carry this club.
Goals: NE: Jeff Larentowicz 16', Steve Ralston 68', Wells Thompson 81'
CF: Chris Rolfe 45'
Five weeks in and we are starting to see the standings become muddy again. Neither conference seems to have a breakaway club at this point. With the exception of Toronto FC, it looks like everyone still has a chance at the Supporters' Cup.
So how did the wife and I do in our predictions? We both went 4-3 on the week. I believe this is the first time over .500 for either of us. Here is our season to date:
Wife - 13-19
Me - 12 -20
Labels: 2007 MLS Recap, MLS
posted by Mike H at 11:11 AM
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