Daniel Fraiz-Martinez dissects the big talking points from matchday five of the MLS.
Sporting KC show Red Bulls the required blueprint
In what has been a worrying turn of events versus the last campaign, the New York Red Bulls failed to score for the fourth time in five games, en route to a 2-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City.
The result in truth could be described as the combination of an inspired performance by Sporting goalkeeper Tim Melia, and the continued barren run of Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, whose penalty was saved by his Kansas City rival.
Albeit a closer look at both teams would also highlight a Sporting Kansas City that has shown itself it to be one of the league’s best away sides so far, up against a New York side that in defence in particular is showing a distinct lack of depth and a true quality replacement for now Chelsea defender Matt Miazga.
While Jesse Marsch has more than sufficient time to remedy last year’s Supporters Shield champions fall from grace, he could do worse than a cursory glance over at his previous opponents’ roster management (who also had five players absent to New York’s six) as a blueprint for getting back on track.
Plata and Real Salt Lake making up for lost time in Rocky Mountain rivalry
Although Saturday’s winning goal owed as much to Colorado goalkeeper Zac MacMath’s kamikaze rush of blood to the head, as it did Joao Plata’s opportunistic finish, Real Salt Lake’s 1-0 victory over Rocky Mountain rivals the Colorado Rapids did prove an effective demonstration of a positive change in fortunes for both the Ecuadorian forward and his side’s fortunes.
Platita, as the diminutive forward is affectionately known, and his Real Salt Lake, suffered last season with Plata’s continued absence through injury no doubt playing no small part.
This term, with his return to fitness, alongside an intriguing mix of astute recruitment including the likes of Yura Movsisyan, Sunday Stephan and Juan Manuel ‘Burrito’ Martinez and a promising crop of youngsters has seen Salt Lake to within touching distance of the top of the Eastern Conference, in the process, holding the league’s only unbeaten record.
The Eagle has landed – DC’s flair players show Olsen the way forward
DC United headed into MLS week five as one of only two sides without a win this season. Therefore it would come as something of a surprise that they would rise to the occasion with a thoroughly convincing 4-0 victory over a below strength, and below par, Vancouver Whitecaps side.
The win, largely inspired by DC’s flair players in the form of South/Central American trio Javier Espindola, Alvaro Saborio and Lucho Acosta, will give boss Ben Olsen food for thought.
Olsen, who since arriving at the helm, has embarked on a difficult rebuilding job, has been typically characterised as more of a pragmatist than an attack orientated coach.
Saturday’s win and the nature of how it was achieved should at least give the club legend food for thought in terms of mixing up his more traditional rigid style.
New York fail to find home comfort again
Despite playing four of their five games at home, New York City’s lone win this season has come away from Yankee Stadium, a venue which once again played witness to their struggles on ‘Soccer Sunday’.
Sunday’s game perhaps produced the most balanced performance by Patrick Vieira’s men, and if not for an inspired performance by Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Lampson, who produced more than half a dozen saves to frustrate Spanish striker David Villa in particular, they could well have grabbed their first home win of the season.
Villa once again proved the shining light for New York City, whose other available star man, Italy international Andrea Pirlo, was substituted for the first time by Vieira this season, in perhaps what could well be a sign of the former Manchester City youth boss’ intent to circumvent the Pirlo-shaped problem New York have had since the former Juventus man’s arrival.
Nonetheless, New York City’s start to the campaign has failed to take off in the expected surge that replacing the lower profile Jason Kreis was expected to engender. And although MLS’ lack of relegation allows for a far greater deal of patience that other leagues afford, another season of propping up the table will surely not be allowed by the wealthy City Group overlords.
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