Outside90’s Daniel Fraiz-Martinez breaks down all the action from a packed Matchday 15 of Major League Soccer.
Marvellous Villa takes New York City back-to-back
It may not seem like much, but Jason Kreis’ New York City achieved a milestone Saturday night. Their 3-1 home victory over the visiting Montreal Impact, played at a suitably packed Yankee Stadium, was the very first time in franchise history that the newly founded City achieved back-to back MLS wins.
It would then come as no surprise that the principal influence behind the New York City win was none other than their captain and Designated Player David “El Guaje” Villa. Those who been following the team’s (ailing) fortunes in their inaugural campaign, would have been all to aware of the one perennial bright spot – Villa.
The Spanish legend has, when healthy, proved to be his sides most consistent performer, and although he has not set the league alight in the same manner that say, Sebastian Giovinco has, the former Spain No.7 has consistently carried his time to their albeit far too sporadic successes.
Saturday night Villa scored one and created another for Rookie Kwadwo Poku, sandwiched in between both goals was strike by Mix Diskerud who capped a fantastic personal week that saw the US international score his side’s winning goal versus World Champions Germany.
And although there where many positives to take back in to the Yankee stadium locker room along with the three points, Jason Kreis’ men will be wary of yet another glaring defensive error (perhaps the one constant other than Villa this season so far this season) that almost contrived to let the perpetually erratic Montreal Impact back in to the game.
In truth things may be somewhat looking up for New York City, and the imminent arrival of the sides other “DP” Premier League legend Frank Lampard should act as further boost in morale. However, the side still sit anchored to the foot of the table (both Conference wise and overall) and with transfer rumours linking them with other high profile attacking players, such as Azzurri international Andrea Pirlo, there is perhaps a concern that either the head coach, or indeed the club itself is quite possibly overlooking the teams biggest deficiency, the lack of a (at the very least one) commanding central defensive figure.
“Centurian” Fagundez steals the show
The undoubted goal of the week came at Foxboro on Saturday. The New England Revolution’s Uruguayan midfielder Diego Fagundez’s stunner was one worthy to win any contest, and no doubt a picture perfect way to mark his 100th MLS performance.
100 domestic appearances is no mean feat, and what makes it all the more impressive is that Fagundez is the first player in MLS history to reach the landmark at the tender age of 20.
However, there is much more to the Fagundez story than meets the eye at first glance. Making his league debut as a prodigious teen, the youngster has threatened to become the forgotten man of US Soccer of after a largely ignominious last 12 months. Indeed Fagundez was far from a certainty to start prior to his sides 2-0 home victory over the ailing Chicago Fire, with the home supporters undoubtedly happy that he did.
Indeed fans of the Revolution, and arguably the game itself in the US, will also surely be hoping that the goal (and another stunning freekick a couple of weeks back versus the LA Galaxy) along with a rather eccentric new hair cut, could prove the catalyst for a eagerly awaited Diego Fagundez revival.
Kaka not to be denied as Orlando finally defeat DC
The only game to be played on “Soccer Sunday”, provided MLS fans with the perfect demonstration that Orlando City Soccer Club are most definitely on the up.
Its not just the fact that the 1-0 victory takes Adrian Heath’s men up to the dizzy heights of third in the Eastern Conference. But also the manner of their victory, and indeed the context given their opposition.
Earlier in the season Orlando City Soccer Club had gifted DC United, the leagues most consistent side to date, all three points in an almost embarrassing show of defensive naivety. The ‘Lions’ had largely outplayed their opponents, but semi-comically gifted their opponents victory in a game that posed some serious concerns in the Orlando camp.
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Fast forward to Sunday night, and Ricky Kaká’s men came away with an impressive 1-0 victory, courtesy of the former World Player of the year heading in the rebound after DC United’s Bill Hamid, has initially repelled the Brazilian’s (somewhat controversial) spot kick. However, what was all the more impressive than Kaká”s persistence in not being denied, was his teams ability to control the tempo of the game, keeping Ben Olsen’s side largely at bay throughout the contest and showing a veteran nature to their display that belies a team playing its first ever campaign in US Soccer’s top division.
Now firmly in the Eastern Conference mix, few would now rule out a concerted push from Orlando City SC as the season starts to get towards the business end. the win against DC United was achieved without one of the teams most impressive players so far in rookie forward and number one Draft Pick Cyle Larin, showing the team may well posses something fellow expansion side New York City seemingly lack – strength in depth, a priceless commodity during the unfavourably long MLS campaigns!
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