Image Courtesy of mlssoccer.com
The first ever MLS Rivalry Week featured the league’s most celebrated derby matchups over a two day period, bringing with it the promise of intense emotions and quality play. Despite the fact that 6 of the 9 matches ended in draws, a competitive and emotional spirit was spread throughout the fixtures, bringing with it a selection of quality play. Late game offensive heroics by Portland, Real Salt Lake, San Jose, and Chivas USA earned them well fought draws, while an epic goalkeeping performance by Bill Hamid and the DC United backline was all that stood in the way of 3 points in a fierce Atlantic Cup game against the New York Red Bulls. Not to be forgotten, Montreal Impact posted their 3rd straight win over Canadian rivals Toronto FC, establishing themselves with a league leading 9 points. Here are the week’s highlights:
Best Match : Seattle Sounders 1 – 1 Portland Timbers
In what has become arguably the best rivalry in MLS, Pacific Northwest arch nemeses Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders squared off in front of a crowd of 40,150 at Seattle’s Century Link Field. Sounders took the early lead with a 13th minute simple tap in from forward Eddie Johnson, who was set up all too easily by a quality Steve Zakuani cross that penetrated Portland’s lagging defense. Seattle dominated possession for most of the first half, but the Timbers began to turn things around in the 49th minute when a Diego Valeri free kick barely glanced off the crossbar. Seattle substituted on their newest Designated Player Obefemi Martins in the 70th minute, a Nigerian forward who bought out his own contract from La Liga side Levante to come play for the Emerald City club. However, any fanfare was ultimately tempered by a last minute goal from Portland’s Ryan Johnson, who flicked in a header past the reach of keeper Michael Gspurning. The quest for the coveted Cascadia Cup, a trophy given to the points leader between Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, began in style and will likely remain a contested race for the rest of the season.
Biggest Disappointment: LA Galaxy 1 -1 Chivas USA
Once billed as one of the marquee rivalries in Major League Soccer, this iteration of the Superclassico was nothing more than a letdown in the minds of all but the most diehard Chivas USA fans. While typically host to a sold out crowd of 27,000, this weekend’s match only drew 19,117 of the Home Depot Center faithful. Even though Galaxy dominated the game offensively (61% possession, 14 shots compared to 2), Chelis’s new look Chivas team battoned down the hatches after an early Velaquez red card and squeezed out a point with a late game goal from Carlos Alverez. The character of the game resembled an American Football game rather than a soccer match, as Chivas committed 22 fouls in a hard nosed effort to counter Galaxy’s skill on the ball. While Chelis might have engaged in some post-match interview shenanigans boasting of earned respect, Champion’s League weary LA emerged with a markedly different tale. Midfielder Marcelo Sarvas said it all, commenting that “It was one team trying to play, the other team trying to destroy.” (lagalaxy.com interview)
Upset of the Week: FC Dallas 3 – 2 Houston Dynamo
In what many expected to be an open and closed Texas Derby clash, FC Dallas emerged the unlikely winners, upsetting 2012 MLS Cup Runners Up Houston Dynamo for only the 4th time in 20 matches. Goals from George John and Andrew Jacobson quickly elevated Dallas to a 2-0 halftime lead, but Dyanmo’s attacking line clawed back into the game with a quick succession of goals. Andrew Driver made a huge impact off the bench with a goal in the 79th minute, and National Team midfielder Brad Davis curled in a rebound cross for the equalizer. However, Dallas wasn’t finished off by the Dynamo attacking flurry, as newly acquired forward Kenny Cooper put the nail in the Houston coffin with a headed effort towards goal that was setup by a looping cross from Michel.
Most Valuable Player: Bill Hamid (DC)
Forget about dramatic last second goals, this weekend’s most valuable player award goes to DC United and US Men’s National Team net-minder Bill Hamid. The DC United #28 was nearly flawless against a relentless New York Red Bulls offense that posted 24 shots, 7 of which were on the frame of goal. Hamid blocked all 7 shots while marshaling the visiting United defense, salvaging a key early point in the race to the Eastern Conference title. Most importantly, Hamid singlehandedly prevented the Red Bulls form escaping with a last minute goal, slapping away a controversial Brandon Barklage shot that could have crossed the goal line were it not for an absence of goal line technology. Hamid’s performance left no doubt to his quality, leading many to question his omission by Jurgen Klinsmann for National Team selection against Costa Rica and Mexico.