MLS Roundup: Red Bulls Beat Galaxy, Union Annihilates Revolution

While the NBA and the NHL enter their last few weeks of the season, Major Soccer League is just getting hot. Some of the teams played the first third of their matches, which means that there is a lot of excitement ahead of us.

The LA Galaxy lost in New York, after a fantastic game in which the hosts had the lead, then fell behind and after that came back. Even with all the inspiration, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had (netted a goal a delivered an assist) Red Bulls still won, 3-2. This result has left the LAFC on top of the Western Conference.

At least for now.

Carlos Vela and his boys played only 0-0 against Chicago Fire, in what was supposed to be an easy win of the hosts. LAFC dominated the field, having 63% of the ball possession, and 22 goal attempts, but couldn’t score. The Mexican superstar who is the leading goalscorer in the championship with 11 strikes, didn’t have his day. Right now LAFC has 24 points, Galaxy 22 with a game in hand, while Houston Dynamo has a chance to jump over both of the clubs from Los Angeles.

Dynamo defeated Dallas with 2-1, in the Texas derby with Mauro Manotas scoring both of their goals. The 23-year old Colombian was masterful in this contest. At the moment, Houston has 18 points, from 8 matches, and is threatening to take over the West.

The Seattle Sounders have the same number of points in 10 games. Brian Schmetzer’s boys took one point from Minneapolis, 1-1,where they faced United. Both goals were seen in the first half with Ike Opara scoring for the hosts, and Cristian Roldan tying the result.

The situation is equally interesting in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia and DC United are at the top of the standings with 20 points each in 11 games, while Toronto has 16 from 8 events.

Philly humiliated the New England Revolution with 6-1 although nothing indicated that kind of development at the halftime break. The result was 1-1, but the furious second half of the home team swept away the Revolution. It was a demonstration of the power of Union, who had 13 shots on goal in the second 45 minutes.

DC United was not so ruthless with Columbus Crew, but they still posted a convincing win, 3-1. Wayne Rooney scored his 6th goal of the season, from the penalty kick in the fourth minute of the injury time of the first half.

Montreal Impact missed an ideal chance to stay leveled with the two above-mentioned rivals. Surprisingly, the Canadian team lost at home to New York City FC who looks very solid this season. The other club from the Big Apple stayed unbeaten for the sixth match in a row. They shocked the home team in the best possible time for them, at the beginning of both halftimes. The first goal came after six minutes since the start of the match, and the second after three minutes into the latter part of the event.

Toronto is currently in an excellent position, because they have four points fewer than the top two sides, and two games yet to play. They defeated Orlando City this Sunday down in Florida, 0-2 breaking the hosts’ resistance in the late part of the match.

Portland looks good at the moment, and the Timbers improved their game dramatically over the last few weeks. After six opening games in which they suffered five defeats, guys from Oregon put together three consecutive wins on the road – against Columbus, Toronto and yesterday in Salt Lake City against Real. It was 1-2 for the guests, and the goalscorers were Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri, their two best players.

In other matches, San Jose Earthquakes defeated Cincinnati, minimally, 1-0, while Vancouver Whitecaps beat Colorado Rapids in Commerce City in the opening game of the round this Friday.