What We Learned – MLS Rivalry Week

What We Learned – MLS Rivalry Week

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Daniel Fraiz-Martinez analyses all the big issues to emerge from the MLS’ rivalry week.

New York is red as NYC massacred in Hudson River Derby

In a result that resonated around the world, not just the in city of New York, the New York Red Bulls emphatically thrashed their local counterparts New York City 7-0 to make an emphatic statement for MLS’ self proclaimed ‘rivalry week’.

With a defensive performance that would be out of place even on Sunday morning park pitch, Patrick Viera’s men gave clinic – in how not to defend set pieces, and in the process make your opposition look like world beaters.

It is hard to imagine anybody connected with the City Football Group forgetting the result any time sooner than those across the river, where Jesse Marsch’s men will be dinning out on said occasion for some time. Truth be told, the lamentable lack of defensive effort, or even basic congeniality aside, it would be hard to synopsise such a thrashing with any great deal of rhyme or reason.

Real Salt Lake look to have Sporting KC’s number

While MLS’ rivalry week brings a diverse range of contests for its barely two decades of existence, few could be argued to be as passionate (or bad tempered) as the hatred between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City.

The feud dates back to both sides’ heydays. A fiercely contested MLS Cup, a serious of keenly contested games thereafter, and some very public statements of dislike from both camps have helped create a budding MLS classic in the making whenever these two meet.

However, after an initial period that favoured Sporting KC, Real Salt Lake have seemingly returned with a vengeance, with the weekend’s result leading RSL to four consecutive victories. Saturday’s game owed a lot to the impressive ability of Real Salt Lake’s frontline, ably supported by the magic of veteran midfield maestro Javi Morales.

Morales was involved in both his side’s first two goals, with Movsysian, Plata and ‘Burrito’ Martinez participating in all three goals in the 3-1 triumph. If Jeff Cassar is able to effectively manage his attacking quartet in terms of minutes and/or fatigue, he will have a side capable of not just dominating this rivalry, but much, much more.

Timbers return to winning ways just in time for Cascadia bragging rights

After a run of three-straight defeats came a career first for Caleb Porter. The Portland Timbers picked the perfect time to bounce back, with a comprehensive victory over their Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps.

Despite being a side missing both its starting forward and goalkeeper, the Timbers took to the field in buoyant fashion, grabbing the lead early on through a Diego Valeri penalty, and did not look back.

Indeed the 4-2 victory showcased both the good and bad. The good? Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe’s almost superfluous creativity. The bad? A defensive unit that has failed to hit the heights that led Timbers to their end of season MLS Cup success last time out.

Nonetheless, what the result does not change is that Vancouver, unlike their Rose City rivals, remain above the line in terms of playoff contention. And with Darlington Nagbe set to depart for international duty with the US for the Copa Centenario, Porter will be expecting his Timbers defence to step up to the plate in his absence.

Cali Clasico finishes as a somewhat stale stalemate

The matinee rivalry week performance of the round finished in a drab stalemate against the predicted forecast. The ‘Californina Clasico’, usually a reliable source of MLS entertainment, never got going and teetered over the line, with two late goals producing a 1-1 draw that saved face somewhat.

Despite the omens being good, and the LA Galaxy fielding their full star-studded XI containing the likes of Gerrard, Keane, Dos Santos, De Jong, Cole and co., they never looked like dominating the resolute San Jose Earthquakes, who showed their patented brand of ‘goonie time’ fighting spirit to peg Galaxy back immediately and salvage a point.

With one game left in the series for the pair’s rivalry this season, the final bragging rights are delicately poised with one LA win and one draw. It will be decided on 25 June.

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