Five lessons from MLS Week 16

Week 16 saw DC United return to the top of the MLS standings while LA Galaxy gave a glimpse of their best form but what five lessons have we learnt this week?

Gerrard is set to join up with the Galaxy in the coming days

1) Galaxy shooting for the stars

Despite claiming their sixth win of the season with a 5-1 demolition of Philadelphia Union, Bruce Arena feels there is still room for improvement for LA Galaxy.

Gyasi Zardes starred, grabbing a goal and three assists, in the rout which lifted the MLS Cup holders to fourth in the Western Conference but we have to agree there is more to come.

For a start Steven Gerrard will make his MLS arrival in just over a week while last year’s MVP Robbie Keane is yet to hit top form after a series of injuries.

2) Home is where Dallas’ heart is

FC Dallas ended their five game away stretch with a 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids but will be glad to return to Texas after slipping to sixth in the Western Conference.

Oscar Pareja’s team scored just twice and took only two points during the five match run, which saw them concede ten goals and keep just one cleansheet.

Despite their poor form, Dallas’ good start means they are just two points off third in the Western Conference and with four home games in five they should return to the top spots.

3) European greats inbound

Frank Lampard follows Gerrard to MLS in just over a week but they could be just the first of several big names to arrive in the league this summer.

Champions League finalist and World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo has been consistently linked with a move to New York City – and a deal could be just days away.

Wondolowski will be looking for redemption at the Gold Cup

Meanwhile former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho is rumoured to have been in talks with the New York Red Bulls about becoming their designated player.

4) Klinsmann’s Golden Oldies

After months of experimentation with his squad in the first half of 2015, USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann has decided to put faith in the old guard for this summer’s Gold Cup.

17 of last year’s World Cup squad make the roster including over 30’s Clint Dempsey, Nick Rimando, and Kyle Beckerman – Chris Wondolowski also returns to the squad after that miss in Brazil.

The San Jose hitman scored five times to be the tournament’s joint top scorer as the USA beat Panama to win the 2013 Gold Cup.

5) Set pieces set up Montreal

Montreal Impact failed to score from a single set piece in 2014 as they finished last overall in MLS’ regular season.

However, this season they have already scored three times from set piece situations this time round and subsequently find themselves fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Donny Toia’s headed opener against Orlando set the Impact en route to a fifth win in their last seven games and they have won two of the three games in which they have scored from set pieces.

Images courtesy of Philip Wilson and Ronald Martinez, with thanks.