Thursday, 12 March 2015

MLS 360

It was business as usual for MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy with last year’s MVP, Robbie Keane, securing a 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire in Galaxy’s first game since Landon Donovan’s retirement.
Bruce Arena’s side weren’t at their fluid best and had already spurned a series of chances before Jose Villarreal’s left-foot finish gave them a second-half lead.
Irishman Keane pounced late on to hammer home a bouncing ball from 15-yards out.
Robbie Keane scored in LA Galaxy's win over Chicago Fire
Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins ensured Seattle Sounders made a winning start to their Supporters’ Shield defence, beating MLS Cup finalists New England 3-0.
Dempsey scored either side of Martins’ second-half strike as the Sounders outclassed a poor New England side.
Eastern Conference champions DC United beat Montreal Impact 1-0 at home, thanks to Jairo Arrieta’s goal.
Meanwhile Toronto FC sprung a surprise, recovering from an early Octavio Rivero strike to beat Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 with a brace from Jozy Altidore.
Robbie Findley put Toronto ahead after Altidore’s equaliser, and the former Sunderland man then put the game to bed with a chipped penalty.
Blaz Perez, FC Dallas’ top scorer for three seasons running, scored an added-time winner against San Jose Earthquakes to give his side a winning start.   
In the new franchise battle 10-man Orlando SC equalised in extra-time through World Cup winner Kaka’s deflected free kick.
Earlier, Orlando’s Aurelien Collin was sent off for an ill-judged lunge on David Villa after Mix Diskerud had stroked New York City into the lead from the edge of the penalty box.
  Spain's record scorer David Villa made his New York City debut
New York Red Bulls struggled, drawing their first league game since Thierry Henry’s retirement 1-1 at Sporting Kansas City, who finished without red-carded captain Matt Besler.
Ike Opara, returning from a severe ankle injury, opened the scoring for Kansas but Lloyd Sam equalised with a powerful 18-yard drive four minutes later.
It was a better day for Owen Coyle who won his first game in charge of Houston Dynamo, against Columbus Crew, 1-0 after Giles Barnes converted Kofi Sarkodie’s right-wing cross.
Nick Rimando was man of the match as Real Salt Lake drew 0-0 with Portland and Colorado Rapids earned a point against Philadelphia Union despite Bobby Burling’s sending off. 

Images courtesy of Bay Area Bias and David Villa, with thanks. 

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