2007 MLS Week 7 Recap or muddy waters start to clear

Going into the weekend, MLS was a jumbled mess of teams with just about any of them a win away from first or second place. But what do you know, the results all went in such a way that it looks like we might just have a first and second tier opening up, at least in the East. It might be happening in the West also, however with Dallas playing two more games then just about anyone in the conference, we will need to wait and see.

Kansas City got their first tie of the season meaning there is only one team left that has not earned a share of the points (Toronto FC).

Anyway, here is the league by numbers 46 games into the season:

	Season	Week 7
Attendance	697,113	138,176
Att per game	15,155	17,272
Goals	115	19
Goals per game	2.5	2.375
Inter-conference	East 9-5-5	East 2-1-1
Visitors	14-20-12	3-3-2
Ties	12 (26%)	2 (25%)

So here are the quick recaps:
DC United 2-1 Toronto FC
After the first 45-minutes it looked like Toronto was going to make it three in a row as they just seemed able to get the better of United when it counted, but they could not sustain it during the second half. United was making some better passes and finally showing some wing play, but it took a defensive mistake by TFC for DC to finally get a goal. United kept beating up the tired Canadians but it took another bad idea by a defender to get United their second goal when Jaime Moreno converted the penalty kick to get the win and tie Jason Kreis as all-time leader in MLS goals. United should be thrilled to walk out with a win and are looking better, however they are counting on luck more then a team should in order to make it happen. By the way congrats also to Alecko Eskandarian who got his first goal of the year against his old team.
Goals: TFC: Alecko Eskandarian 44'
DC: Own Goal - Kevin Goldthwaite 53', Jaime Moreno (penalty kick) 79'

Columbus Crew 0-4 New York Red Bull
Looking at the scoreboard and watching the game can result in two very different takes as the Crew were not schooled as bad as it looks. They were actually making some passes and setting up some chances but it was not enough as keeper Andy Gruenebaum was having a bit of an off night. New York, who was missing a number of starters, must be thrilled to have come up with so much from minimum effort.
Goals: NY: John Wolyniec 17', Clint Mathis 51', Juan Pablo Angel 61', Sal Caccavale 92+'

New England Revolution 1-0 Houston Dynamo
How did Houston not win this match? They owned the ball, they had multiple scoring opportunities and their defense was tight, but still they leave with nothing. The frustration was obvious as Dynamo players were upset over their play as well as some poor calls by the ref. The easiest place to point is Dwayne De Rosario who again was a non-factor, but it was not he alone. Houston had many looks at goal, but it seemed that instead of shooting, they took an extra touch allowing the Revs to swarm. The Dynamo have allowed the second fewest goals in the league, however with them not scoring, they are starting to look like the Galaxy did in 2006.
Goal: NE: Shalrie Joseph 9'

Kansas City Wizards 1-1 Colorado Rapids
The Rapids were actually playing aggressive soccer and not leaving tons of room open, what a change. Still, their offensive attack is choppy and their defense was lucky to not surrender a couple more, but still, they looked better. The Wizards again were lead by Eddie Johnson, but he was not alone as their midfield was making smart plays. Were they suffered was in their final third as they had trouble clearing out attacks.
Goals: CR: Jovan Kirovski (penalty kick) 46+'
KC: Davy Arnaud 58'

LA Galaxy 1-1 Chivas USA
Exciting this game was not as both sides seemed to give in to the tie at about the 60-minute mark. I've often said that Landon Donovan is LA and no game could prove that better then the one on Sunday as he seemed to be the only one even trying to make something happen. Chivas wasn't much better. The most notable thing to come out of this game was the injury to Chris Albright in the 15th minute. This injury could keep him out of the Gold Cup for team USA.
Goals: Chivas: Maykel Galindo 35'
LA: Landon Donovan 50'

Real Salt Lake 1-2 FC Dallas
This was a real fun one to watch with both sides offering up some good play. Real was forcing their attack like I haven't seen in awhile, but they were still missing the ending. One bad bit of news for RSL, their habit of give up late goals returned as Chris Gbandi got his first goal of the season in the 82nd. Dallas had some good looks of their own, but their defense still hangs a bit out of position. Carlos Ruiz was back as a starter and looked okay, but he earned his fifth yellow of the young season so he will be out again next weekend. This game was they type of game the LA-Chivas match should have been.
Goals: Arturo Alvarez 26', Chris Gbandi 82'
RSL -- Freddy Adu 1 (penalty kick) 68'

During this week's predictions I decided to throw in a number of wild guess since my well though out ones were not doing so great. Anyway, this wild idea of mind did not end up so great as I went a horrible 1-5 on the weekend and 2-6 for the week. The wife, on the other hand, had a much better weekend going 3-3, but only 3-5 on the week. Still she is ahead for the season.
Wife: 17-29
Me: 14-31