MLS Takeaways: Week 13
Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel from USA Today Sports
Well, we finally hit it.
When I decided I would do this, I remembered that sometimes MLS has multiple games in a week, and I wondered how I would handle that, but decided that that’s future Brian’s problem.
Now it’s here, and current Brian thinks that past Brian really sucks.
But I’ve decided I’m just going to go over the weekend results, while mentioning what happened midweek if deemed necessary.
I could do every game, but that’d be a lot of writing and I don’t get paid for this so who cares?
With all that being said, here are what we learned this week.
Nashville defeats Charlotte 2-1
How did Nashville win 2-1? With a double from Hany Mukhtar.
As he goes, as does Nashville.
Cincinnati defeats Columbus 3-2
The “Hell Is Real” Derby did not disappoint, with a high scoring game and an unbelievable final save to give Cincinnati the win.
Ohio gave us something fun!
DC United defeats LA Galaxy 3-0
The Galaxy, yet again, played two games after a much needed win and ended up with zero goals and two losses.
They can not make any progress whatsoever.
Orlando defeats Miami 3-1
Orlando was tortured by Josef Martinez when Martinez was in Atlanta, and they faced off against him in Miami as he was on a hot streak.
But alas, Orlando did a great job shutting him down and got a crucial win over their in state rivals.
Maybe they’re finally free.
New York Red Bulls defeat Montreal 2-1
The Red Bulls no longer play their usual brand of exciting soccer, but they’re getting results.
I guess that’s all that matters…
Philadelphia defeats New England 3-0
We knew Philly would come back, but New England has had themselves a very difficult couple of weeks, and are starting to show quite a few bit of cracks.
Austin defeats Toronto 1-0
Where New England has had a tough go of it, and LA can’t seem to get any traction, Austin is finally beginning to turn a corner, with a win over Seattle midweek followed by beating Toronto on Saturday.
As for Toronto…
Yikes.
Chicago draws Atlanta 3-3
I’ll tell you what, I thought the Fire firing Ezra Hendrickson was a big mistake, but the proof is in the pudding.
The Fire have continued to get results since then, with two wins and a super fun draw against Atlanta.
I still think it falls apart in the end, but it’s working for now.
Dallas draws Houston 1-1
Ben Olsen’s Dynamo play very good defensively, but have basically nothing happening going forward.
But that’s ok! This is a good start to his tenure.
I just hope it changes.
Real Salt Lake defeats Colorado 3-2
The Rapids finally got some goals! Yipee!
Of course, it came the one time they can’t keep the ball out of their net.
Progress?
St. Louis defeats Kansas City 4-0
St. Louis came into this game really, REALLY struggling, while SKC was finally beginning to put it all together.
Maybe it was hubris, maybe it’s just a weird rivalry game.
Whatever it was, St. Louis absolutely destroyed them.
SKC deserved the trouncing they got.
LAFC defeats San Jose 2-1
LAFC keeps winning, and has a chance to win CCL as well.
It’s early and they still need to win CCL, but they’re heading towards potentially the greatest season in MLS history.
Minnesota defeats Portland 1-0
Two games this week for Portland and 0 goals.
One draw and one loss, and the Timbers sit 8th in the West.
Not good enough for the talent on that squad.
Vancouver defeats Seattle 2-0
MLS is a close league, so there are ways to lose games.
For example, Seattle lost midweek against Austin 2-1, but Seattle had 2.3 expected goals while Austin had 0.6.
Just a weird game where it doesn’t go your way, but nothing to be down about. Just dust it off and get after it on Saturday, right?
Wrong. Big wrong.
While Seattle outplayed Austin, they found themselves on the other end Saturday night, as Vancouver had 2.4 expected goals and Seattle managed only 0.5.
THAT, is something to be down about.
