Outside90’s Daniel Fraiz-Martinez returns to dissect all of the action from an action-packed Matchday 10 of Major League Soccer.
Rumble in the Bronx – New York City rallies from two down to earn a draw
Last week it was Orlando City, this week it was New York City. Both MLS expansion sides are making a habit of producing miraculous late comebacks, as Jason Kreis’ side chased down the Chicago Fire’s two-goal lead to salvage a 2-2 draw. Even more impressively, doing so with only ten men.
Having gone 2-0 down to goals from Razvan Cocis and a penalty from Jeff Larentowicz that had also cost New York City the sending off of teenage defender RJ Allen, Chicago Fire seemed in cruise control with barely 30 minutes on the clock.
However New York City had clearly not read the script, and in part inspired by their ‘designated player’ and captain David Villa, NYC produced a stunning fight-back to earn a point.
When former Spain international Villa’s shot was blocked, and journeyman Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy swept in the rebound in stoppage time at the end of the first half, an unlikely comeback was suddenly on the cards. Though the fans at Yankee Stadium had to wait until stoppage time at the end of the game for the also impressive rookie forward Khiry Shelton to latch on to a (you guessed it) David Villa through ball to salvage an unlikely draw given the beginning of the contest.
The draw extends Villa and co.’s winless run to nine, though the nature of the result leaves fans in the Big Apple with cause for some optimism, and the hope that it could well prove the catalyst for a much needed upturn in their season.
Sounders give the Whitecaps a glimpse into what championship winning material really looks like
Arguably the standout MLS contest this weekend (if you exclude the FC Dallas vs New York Red Bulls game that ended in a 0-0 stalemate) was the high-flying Vancouver Whitecaps playing host to last season’s Supporters Shield champions, Seattle Sounders. When the Sounders lost one half of their all-star frontline, Obafemi Martins to injury, prior to kick off, many would have been forgiven for thinking a Whitecaps win was almost a foregone conclusion.
However, the Sounders gave a masterclass in game management, as US international forward Clint Dempsey pulled the strings behind a comprehensive team performance, and a impressive 2-0 victory.
Martins’ backup Chad Barrett bagged both the goals to silence fans at BC Place, the second coming off the back of an outstanding 25-pass team move, perhaps showing thee Whitecaps the level of play that will be required for them to take their aspirations for silverware all the way.
Also over in the Western Conference, Houston Dynamo claimed back-to-back wins, again spearheaded by their all-action front line of Jamaican international forward Giles Barnes and bustling strike partner Will Bruin.
Bruin bagged a brace, and Barnes grabbed the go ahead goal after the Portland Timbers had equalised through Fanendo Adi, as Owen Coyle’s side impressed the fans and neutrals alike at the BBVA Compass Stadium.
Orlando thrashes the defending champions to claim first ever home MLS win
Soccer Sunday saw defending MLS Champions LA Galaxy head to a packed out Citrus Bowl to face an Orlando City side that had not only thrown away a 1-0 lead to eventually lose 2-1 versus DC United midweek, but was also winless at home throughout its short MLS history to date.
However, few can say they would not have been surprised, and indeed impressed as Adrian Heath’s side would comprehensively defeat a dismal LA Galaxy side 4-0, sending the 40,000+ crowd home with an inaugural MLS home victory.
Eric Avila opened the scoring early on for Orlando City, but it would take former world player of the year Kaká to get into gear for the show to start. The Brazilian number 10 would play in 2015 number one SuperDraft pick Cyle Larin for his third goal in as many games.
Kaká was then brought down for a penalty which the Orlando captain would convert to give his side a 3-0 lead. Darwin Ceren’s long-range deflected strike would prove the icing on the cake of a comprehensive 4-0 rout.
With the dust, and more appropriately, confetti, settled, MLS fans will still be dissecting a historic result no more than both Orlando, and indeed the hapless LA Galaxy, deserved on the night.
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