MLS Takeaways: Week 9

Photo from LA Galaxy

Yes, I missed week 8.

It’s because I had to write those NHL posts and this isn’t a full time job so I got caught up with other stuff and lost track of time and missed it.

It is not because the Sounders got punked in Portland last weekend, I promise.

To prove it, I’ll discuss that game before diving into week 9, and point out that Gio Savarese may not have the accolades or the record Brian Schmetzer has, but Savarese and the Timbers have absolutely owned that rivalry as of late.

Now, let’s get into week 9.

Charlotte defeats Columbus 1-0

Charlotte’s slow start looks like a thing of the past now with a string of solid performances and some good wins.

Almost a third of the way through the season, and they’re only 2 points out of a playoff spot.

That doesn’t necessarily sound great, but with how horribly they started it’s actually not bad!

FC Cincinnati defeats Portland 2-1

Despite the domination Portland gave Seattle above (rivalry games are really weird!) Portland’s struggles on the season continue.

However, going cross country and playing maybe the best team in the East ain’t easy for anyone.

Cincy continues to put in strong defensive efforts. A total 180 from last year.

Montreal defeats New York Red Bulls 2-0

Red Bulls supporters are furious after the racist incident from a few weeks ago and the lack of accountability taken by coach Gerhard Struber, and the team continues to lose.

This time, to a not good Montreal team.

The vibes in Harrison, New Jersey aren’t great!

New England defeats Sporting Kansas City 2-1

Kansas City have the same amount of red cards this year as they do goals.

Three a piece.

Yikes.

New York City FC defeats FC Dallas 3-1

Not much to say here, to be honest.

NYCFC played better, and won comfortably.

Simple as that.

DC United defeats Orlando 3-1

DC needs a lot from Christian Benteke, and they got it on Saturday.

A very big win for the Screaming Eagles.

Philadelphia defeats Toronto 4-2

Thaaaat’s more like it from Philly.

As for Toronto, it’s not going well. At all.

I had questions about their depth, and they have had some injuries, but these performances aren’t good enough for a team that spends money like Toronto does.

Is Bob Bradley already on the hot seat? I’m not sure.

Houston defeats Miami 1-0

I figured Ben Olsen would turn around Houston. He’s a good coach.

I did not think he would do it this quickly.

They’re very sound defensively, which is all you need to make the playoffs.

They probably need a bit more scoring to go far, but baby steps, people.

Nashville draws LAFC 1-1

LAFC, who are in the semi finals of CCL and have had to deal with more match congestion than other teams in MLS, are still unbeaten.

Scary. Very scary.

Colorado draws St. Louis 1-1

It feels absolutely crazy to me that I’m saying this, but those are points St. Louis can’t drop if they want to keep up with LAFC and Seattle as top tier in the west.

Who would’ve thought?

Real Salt Lake defeats San Jose 3-1

RSL, much like Charlotte, have turned things around after a very slow start to get back into a playoff spot.

That’s what we expect from scrappy ole RSL.

LA Galaxy defeats Austin 2-0

So, yes, LA Galaxy won their first game of the season. And that’s great! Maybe it can be a jump start to their season!

But man, what is going on with Austin?

This is not the same team as last year, and it’s not like these struggles are new after their embarrassing loss in CCL to Haitian side Violette.

They’re in trouble.

Sure, there’s a lot of season left. But they look rough.

Seattle defeats Minnesota 1-0

It wasn’t a pretty game, at all.

Which isn’t really unexpected. Minnesota isn’t thriving with star power, and the Sounders were missing Raul Ruidiaz, Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris for most of the game.

So not a ton happened except for Albert Rusnak’s solid goal from outside the box.

You didn’t miss a ton here.

Atlanta defeats Chicago 2-1

For the second time this year, Atlanta won a game in the 99th minute.

The first time was a beautiful Thiago Almada free kick.

This time it was a pinball in the box that bounced off a Chicago player into the net.

Ah, the beauty of MLS…