MLS Round-up: Infighting at the Crew, as David Villa continues to be captain fantastic for NYCFC
Infighting takes centre stage during a goal heavy game in Columbus
First Columbus Crew SC fans waited for home goals, then they asked for them, then finally, in their 9th league game of the season, they saw 8 of them.
Wildly entertaining, but a defensive catastrophe, the 4-4 draw between Montreal Impact and Crew SC was remembered far more for two teammates disagreeing, rather than the manic action on the field.
Occurring when Federico Higuain snatched the ball from Kei Kamara to take a penalty, it denied Kamara the chance to net his first career hat-trick in MLS, “That’s selfishness.” Kamara said of the situation that denied him a chance at his first career hat-trick. “That’s not a teammate.”
An ugly argument that required captain Michael Parkhurst to settle things, it by no means explains the collapse that followed from the hosts. Instead cementing the feeling of disappointment, even Ethan Finlay’s post-game diplomacy could not pacify things, "There were two things that happened,” Finlay said. “Justin [Meram] won a PK. Federico [Higuain] finished it.”
Reminiscent of the 2011 penalty disagreement between Crew SC forwards Jeff Cunningham and Andres Mendoza, the former opted for a far more reserved approach by just walking away, (even though he was one goal shy of the MLS goal-scoring record).
Lacking that same composure on Saturday night, Kamara refused to celebrate Higuain’s goal before taking more shots at his teammate in the locker room, “I haven’t really had to depend on Pipa at all,” Kamara said. “How long have I been here? How many goals have I scored? How many have come from his assists? One, maybe two. I don’t depend on him. I depend on Ethan, I depend on my outside backs to pass me balls.”
Leaving coach Gregg Berhalter with an awkward situation to rectify, it will test his man management skills to the limit. The two look unlikely to patch things up or even pass to each other in games, which will only hinder an attack that has struggled this season. Also exposing issues that seem much deeper rooted, Crew SC fans will likely be regretting what they wished for.
Gleeson is the hero and villain for Portland during crazy Cascadia match-up
Being a goalkeeper is stressful. Very rarely do you have someone to cover your mistakes, and Jake Gleeson learned that first hand on Saturday.
The New Zealand international made more saves against Vancouver Whitecaps (11) than any other goalkeeper has in an MLS match this season. Building on his MLS Player of the Week award from week 9, things seemed perfect for the goalkeeper with his side also up 1-0 through Nat Borchers.
Then in the space of 6 second half minutes, Gleeson turned from hero to villain. First caught out by Masato Kudo’s shot at his near post, before a routine claim trickled through his legs and into the goal. Far from the ideal legacy to leave in a Cascadia Cup derby match, Gleeson was understandably dejected afterwards, “It’s my job to keep the ball out of the back of the net,” he said. “Today, I didn’t do that.
Credit to Gleeson, he did keep the score respectable for Portland. Outshot 26-9 by Vancouver, this was an important game for the Whitecaps. Shaking off derby day nerves, they looked a harmonious attacking unit, with the likes of Christian Bolanos looking particularly dangerous. Now needing to maintain that level of performance, they will head to Portland in 2 weeks time hoping that Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted does not arrive bearing gifts in the same way Gleeson did.
LA Galaxy’s attack may be the most devastating in MLS
As the half-time whistle blew, the LA Galaxy looked in complete control. Up by three goals, including a sensational volley by Gio Dos Santos, they had reaffirmed the belief that their attack is unstoppable this season.
After 70 minutes, they had also served to confirm that their defense is still a work in progress. Conceding twice in 3 minutes, it forced the hosts to desperately defend their lead. Eventually able to restore their two goal advantage through Steven Gerrard, it was not before Juan Agudelo hit the crossbar with a shot.
A game in which LA Galaxy’s stars came to the fore, it was the first time since September that Gerrard, Dos Santos, and Robbie Keane were all named on the score-sheet. Underlining their wealth of attacking talent, the LA Galaxy have scored just 5 fewer goals than the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
Invoking memories of Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United side, the Galaxy seem to approach games with the belief that attack is the best form of defence. Typified by the fact Bruce Arena chose to name a midfield trio including Sebastian Lletget and Emmanuel Boateng, the duo offered a dangerous combination of speed and creativity in the middle of the pitch.
However, it also left veteran Jeff Larentowicz isolated and exposed in midfield. Admitting afterwards that his side’s second half performance was poor, Arena may have to sacrifice some of his attacking pieces if he wants the team to look balanced and record more clean sheets, (they have just one so far this season).
David Villa is the inspirational leader that NYCFC needed
For all the talk of New York City FC’s Designated Players, one has most definitely been worth the price tag. David Villa has not only found the net on a consistent basis, but also been a consistent lightning rod for the team during their difficulties.
Producing the kind of talismanic performances we often associate with a DP, he has also been more than willing to face the media when the team have underperformed. Instrumental in their 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last week, it was the World Cup Winner that once again looked most likely to score for NYCFC against D.C. United on Sunday.
Pulling wide and dragging D.C.’s defenders around the pitch, he eventually earned his reward in the second half. Linking up with Tommy McNamara for his goal, it was not the first time the duo have found harmony on the field together, with McNamara now leading the team in assists.
Adding a second through Khiry Shelton, it served as the club’s first back to back win of the season, and their first clean-sheet win since September last year. A momentous win, few deserved it more than Villa. The veteran forward has been a shining light amid NYCFC’s struggles, and his tireless work ethic is clearly having an impact on his teammates.
The kind of leader Vieira will need if his side are to reach the play-offs, Villa will be able to leave the Big Apple with his head held high, whether they make it there or not.
Colorado may have found the most unlikely number 10 as their great start continues
Jermaine Jones was not always a ball winning midfielder, “A lot of people don’t know that back in the day I was a striker,” he told the Denver Post. “I like to attack. I’m not really a complete defense player. Most of my career I played it, but I prefer to attack the goal too.”
At the start of the year such a claim would have been scoffed at. Jones had forged a reputation as a tough tackling defensive midfielder from his time in Europe, with the veteran even dropping into central defence for the US Men’s National Team when needed. However his move to Colorado Rapids has not just been a rejuvenation for his career but also something of a reinvention.
The 34-year-old has 3 goals in 4 games for the Rapids this season, with the latest of those strikes coming at the weekend in a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake. Handing the Rapids an advantage in the Rocky Mountain Cup, it also served Real Salt Lake their first shutout of the season.
"It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. I think every game we’ve been in it, we’ve had a chance to win it,” goalkeeper Zac MacMath said afterwards. “And the confidence day in and day out has been incredible.”
A bright start that has been aided significantly by Jones’ arrival, it seems the former Schalke man is determined to prove he can still be a difference maker in MLS. A point he maintained during his very public negotiations with New England last year, it seems he is likely to have the last laugh, “[Jones’] ability to get in good spots and deliver the goods has been spectacular for us,” coach Pablo Mastroeni said. “That’s why he is where he is in this game and keeps getting looks from the national team and, at age 34, he’s a guy that still has a lot left in the tank and so much to offer.”
Results Gameweek - 10
Friday
Orlando City 1-1 New York Red Bulls
Saturday
Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Portland Timbers
Columbus Crew SC 4-4 Montreal Impact
Toronto FC 1-0 FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo 2-0 Sporting KC
Colorado Rapids 1-0 Real Salt Lake
Seattle Sounders 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Sunday
LA Galaxy 4-2 New England Revolution
D.C. United 0-2 New York City FC
