From last-gasp equalisers, to reminding Jurgen Klinsmann just how good you are and a third goalkeeper this season already.
Find out who’s on the up and who’s coming down from this
weekend’s MLS action.
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| Collin's late header saw Orlando battle back to earn a point |
Flying high…
1) Orlando roar back
Aurelien Collin’s last-gasp header snatched a point for the
Lions against a New England Revolution side that are still unbeaten since the
opening day of the season.
Orlando have struggled in front of their own fans this
campaign but will be delighted to have battled back from 2-0 down to salvage a
point.
It's the second time the expansion franchise have done so
this season and while the results may not yet be coming, they’re showing plenty
of character.
2) Real Salt Lake back
on track
RSL got their first win in six games against Chicago Fire on
Saturday, a result that moved them level on points with LA Galaxy in the final
play-off spot.
Chicago had won their last three at home but the visitors
produced a text book away performance, with Alvaro Saborio and Luke
Mulholland scoring in either half.
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| Pontius was in MLS' Best XI in 2012 |
USMNT goalkeeper Nick Rimando was called into action on a
couple of occasions but it was still a resolute and disciplined defensive
display worthy of all three points.
3) Pontius shows he’s still got it
Chris Pontius was touted as a future USA international when he was the seventh overall draft pick by D.C. United in 2009, but injuries have curtailed his progress.
Now 27-years-old, and having only ever been called up to train with the national squad, time may be running out for the attacking midfielder to fulfil that early promise.
Yet he looked back to his very best this weekend and the highlight was when he chested down a 40-yard pass before setting up Jairo Arrieta – sumptuous.
In the pits…
1) Toronto’s unhappy
homecoming
TFC made their long-awaited return to BMO Field on Sunday
night but were unable to reward their fans who had suffered through nine weeks
without MLS.
Perhaps the home crowd were wishing their seven-match
away start to the season had continued a little longer after a lethargic defeat to Houston Dynamo.
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| M'bolhi was training but not in the squad |
Toronto were second best throughout and despite what looks
like an abundance of quality in the team, performances need to match those
reputations.
2) Goalkeeper carousel
continues for Union
Rais M’bolhi was again in the headlines for Philadelphia
this week after it was announced he returned to training with the first team
following his hiatus.
Union’s goalkeeping situation took another turn come Friday,
when they signed Brian Sylvestre on a short-term loan and the stopper made his
debut immediately.
Unfortunately the move didn’t work and Philadelphia’s third
goalkeeper this season could not stop them going down 3-0 to Vancouver
Whitecaps – their seventh defeat already.
3) New York City hit
rock bottom
NYCFC captain David Villa said his side have hit rock bottom
after their winless run was extended to eight matches in the first ever New York
derby.
Perhaps more worryingly for Villa and his teammates is that
Red Bulls played more than 45 minutes with a man less but remained in control
of the match.
New York City seemed bereft of ideas and lacked the cutting
edge to breakdown a Red Bulls defence that were rarely stretched in the eagerly
anticipated clash.
Images courtesy of Alex Menendez, Ned Dishman and Martin Rose, with thanks
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