Five things we learnt from MLS Game Week Nine

You may have seen that MLS’ last unbeaten run ended but New York Red Bulls are not resting on their laurels and already looking ahead.

Here are a few things you may have missed in Game Week Nine...

Dempsey & Martins set to hit new heights

1) Seattle strike force will only get better

Seattle Sounders arguably have MLS’ most potent attacking duo in USMNT captain Clint Dempsey and former Newcastle United frontman Obafemi Martins.

Martins scored twice, one assisted by a Dempsey back heel, and the former Tottenham man also netted in their side’s 3-1 win over New York City.

Yet Ante Razov, MLS’ fourth highest goalscorer of all-time and Sounders assistant coach, insists he has been working to take the pair to new heights – we fear for MLS defences!

2) Kinnear knows how to win in Houston

San Jose Earthquakes manager Dominic Kinnear spent nine years coaching Houston Dynamo, winning two MLS Cups in the process, and returned to inflict a 1-0 on the Texans.

He knew how to get one over on his former employers but may not have been expecting it was Adam Jahn he would have to thank for the three points.

Jahn scored his first goal in almost two full years after making a blistering start to his rookie campaign in 2013, netting four times in his first nine matches.

3) No Fairytale in New York

MLS’ first ever New York derby may not be until Game Week 10 but that hasn’t stopped the rivalry starting already, as any true match involving local pride should.

And it’s the established Red Bulls that have fired the first shot at their new neighbours by posting NYCFC’s ‘song sheet’ on social media.

While a ‘song sheet’ is strange in itself, there will be plenty more back and forth this week so make sure you keep up to date with the hashtag #NYCSoccerWarz.

Study up, @NYCFC. Sunday's coming. #NYvNYC #RBNY pic.twitter.com/l4mUmzOuja

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) May 4, 2015

4) Home is where the heart is but not the points for Toronto

The Canadian franchise were scheduled to play their first seven matches of the season away from home and after four straight defeats it was not looking good.

But with three consecutive wins and a rise into the play-off places, Toronto are on course to break their franchise record for away wins in a season.

Former boss Ryan Nelsen guided them to four victories on the road last season, the most in their eight year MLS history, and they’ll certainly have their sights set on breaking that.
Image courtesy of Otto Greule Jr, with thanks

5) Rais M'bholi back in the fold

When Rais M'bholi was dropped by Philadelphia Union we, like many, thought that was the end of his MLS days and he even made our Worst Signings XI.

But it would appear that the out of favour goalkeeper may yet have a future with the franchise after they announced on Twitter he had returned to training.
There has been no word from Philadelphia to suggest that he will return in place of John McCarthy any time soon but the Algerian international could be in line for a sensational return.

Rais Mbolhi has re-joined the team and was a full participant in practice today.

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 5, 2015 

Image courtesy of Otto Greule Jr, with thanks