Saturday night saw a tale of two goalkeepers unfold for both of the MLS’ New York sides. Daniel Fraiz-Martinez runs the rule over matchday 16 in the MLS.
On the one hand, New York City was indebted to its own No.1, Josh Saunders, who produced a ‘stand on your head’ type performance to keep the in-form Toronto FC out in a surprise 2-0 victory at BMO field.
Captain and designated player David Villa grabbed both goals for City, but Toronto was left to lament an inspirational display by Saunders as well as some rather cynical tactics which nullified Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco. Victory to Jason Kreis’ men means they will be the form side heading into this week’s New York Derby.
City were left reaping the benefits of an inspirational goalkeeping display, but cross-town rivals New York Red Bulls where left cursing a historic performance by opposing Vancouver Whitecaps keeper David Ousted.
The ‘Great Dane’ Ousted has been one of the league’s top netminders for the best part of a year, however Saturday night’s performance saw the Caps custodian save not one, but two Bradley Wright-Phillips penalties on route to a hard-earned 2-1 victory.
Ousted’s heroics saw him become only the third goalkeeper in the league’s 20-year history to save two spot kicks in a single game – likewise, Wright-Philips became the first player to miss a pair of penalties in single match – as well as heap more misery on the ailing Red Bulls. In a surprising turn of events, Red Bulls could drop below their newest inter-city rivals should they lose to City in a historic matchday 17 contest at a packed Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
Given the contrast in success when both sides last met, it could lead to one of the league’s most surprising subplots in the 2015-16 season.
Fantastic four as Portland continues to climb
The Argentines where again the key, as the Portland Timbers grabbed their fourth consecutive win (five if you count USOC play) to continue their climb to challenge for the western conference title.
Maxi Urruti and Gastón Fernández where again on the scoresheet as the Timbers somewhat controversially defeated the Houston Dynamo.
Indeed, Caleb Porter’s side’s recent good form has seen it catapult to within just four points of first place in the west, all without being able to consistently count on their talismanic midfield maestro Diego Valeri. The side is not set to be hampered considerably by Gold Cup international call ups, so it could well be a dark horse in clinching western conference supremacy.
Five-star Galaxy show glimpses of their championship-winning form
In what has been a largely underwhelming MLS campaign so far for LA Galaxy, the reigning MLS champion put an understrength Philadelphia Union to the sword with a 5-1 hammering at the StubHub Center on Saturday night.
With current league MVP Robbie Keane and homegrown star Gyassi Zardes back in tandem after international absence, Bruce Arena’s side looked a lot more like its successful championship-winning self in what was a comprehensive hammering of a severely depleted Philadelphia side.
However, understandably, coaches and players alike were quick to sound the cautionary note, as in the context of both their season and their opponent, it may well be a little premature to read too much into Saturday’s result.
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Masterful Morales a reminder to not forgot Real Salt Lake
It was not so long ago that Real Salt Lake was one of the MLS’ most feared franchises. Under now-New York City boss Kreis, the Royals had enjoyed a considerable period of continued success in the league, regularly challenging for the league’s most coveted honours.
Sadly, very little remains of the all-conquering championship-winning Salt Lake side, both in terms of coaching and playing personnel. However, one constant that has perdured is the masterful magic of brilliant Argentine Javier Morales.
Age waits for no man, and while Morales is no exception on Soccer Sunday’s final fixture, the Real Salt Lake director-in-chief orchestrated a somewhat surprising 2-1 victory over the inform Sporting Kansas City. Morales did not get on the scoresheet, but created both his side’s goals, the second of which came in stoppage time. In doing so, Morales equalled a league record of 10 chances created in a single game.
The win leaves Real still behind the ultra com red line play-off spots in the western conference, but within touching distance of a sputtering FC Dallas side. With things shaping up as they are, this season’s success or failure may well rest on the shoulders of a certain Argentine No.10, and his teammates’ ability to capitalise on his undoubted individual brilliance.
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