Three Good, Three Bad: MLS Week 14

With the European transfer market now open, teams will be busy recruiting ahead of the new season and there may well be a few arrivals and departures from MLS.

So find out who needs reinforcements with our winners and losers from this week.

Is Pirlo heading for NYCFC?

Flying High…

1) NYCFC stop the rot

After making a bright start, Manchester City’s sister club have struggled in the last few weeks and had been on an 11-match winless run.

But a 2-1 victory against Philadelphia Union did alleviate some of the pressure and with Frank Lampard arriving next month things could be looking up.

The Chelsea legend may not be the only new midfielder to arrive, with rumours rife that losing Champions League finalist Andrea Pirlo could be on his way.

2) Montreal finally make an impact on the road

Despite winning the Canadian Championship and reaching the final of the Champions League, Montreal were not able to win away from home in MLS.

But their 18-month stretch without a win is now over, thanks to their triumph in Columbus– a result meaning they have won four of the last five.

As well as winning for the first time in 25 matches, they also scored their first goal on the road in MLS for 466 minutes – quite the weekend then.

Bobby Wood hit USA's winner

3) USMNT fight back for a win

Away from MLS action, the USA pulled off another impressive result against last year’s World Cup semi-finalists the Netherlands, winning 4-3 in the Amsterdam Arena.

Jurgen Klinsmann masterminded the country’s first win against the European giants in a highly entertaining game that saw three US players score their first international goals.

That included Bobby Wood, who plays in Germany’s second tier, as the 22-year-old scored a 90th minute winner to complete the remarkable comeback from 3-1 down.

In the pits…

1) Three strikes and you’re out

San Jose Earthquakes and FC Dallas’ 0-0 draw saw only 19 players finish on the field as referee Baldomero Toledo dished out three red cards.

In just his second game back after a long injury lay-off Mark Sherrod was the first to go, clipping Dallas’ Dan Kennedy when trying to hurdle the goalkeeper.

Dallas’ Je-Vaughn Watson and San Jose’s JJ Koval were also given their marching orders and both managers questioned the referee’s performance in their post match interviews.

Pogatetz made his feelings known after missing out

2) Another social media rant

Soccer players have never been shy in coming forward with their views and this week it was the turn of former Middlesbrough defender Emmanuel Pogatetz.

The Austrian international was overlooked for selection for Columbus Crew’s last two matches and posted his displeasure on Facebook after missing the defeat to Montreal.

Luckily for Pogatetz , his manager was pleased to see his desire to get on the field and after clear-the-air talks it appears all has now been forgiven. 

3) Wheels come off in New England

Last season’s MLS Cup finalists have not won in six matches following the weekend’s defeat to Portland Timbers and have seen their promising start disintegrate.

Revolution suffered an eight-match losing streak last season and still made the end of season showpiece but will be hoping for a more comfortable run this campaign.

The only positive for New England was that the 2-0 defeat was the first time they have failed to score since April 25th, and remember goals change games.

Images courtesy of Bongarts, Michael Steele and awunimoss, with thanks