Chris Writing Anything

Although spring has only recently arrived, the MLS season is starting to take shape, and many teams are starting to demonstrate true identities. Today, I’ll take you through the games I had watched, and I’ll give you my middle aged American, former baseball fan who’s new to soccer and hopelessly white male view of these games.

At one PM, two rainy affairs were slated. Okay, when the schedule was issued, no one knew this nation’s northeast corner would suffer downpours. Yet, in Red Bull Arena, and Gillette Stadium, the players dealt with inclement weather.

The first match I had watched, and it was eagerly anticipated, turned out to be a lopsided competition. Surprisingly, the New York Red Bulls had their way with Inter Miami. Not even Suarez could stave off New York’s frontline.

While the rain poured, and Miami had a new goalie in net, the Heron’s defense failed to stop the flood of New York scoring opportunities, allowing a total of four goals.

Messi less Miami are a mess, and the Red Bulls, despite last week’s hiccup, look like a strong, goal scoring threat…although, in this particular match up, New York benefited from having a chippy ex Miami player on its squad.

The other one o’clock game, featuring Chicago and New England, was a dull 1-1 stalemate. Basically, both teams are struggling, and they refused to change those fortunes during Saturday’s game…and neither seemed to really want the W.

Of the 6:30 games, I chose Atlanta versus Toronto. That being said, I had only watched the first half, and Toronto appeared to be the stronger side. I found Toronto’s superiority ironic, because I had chose the game due to Atlanta’s prior performance. I’ll say, at least for the beginning of this season, that the United appear to be rather inconsistent. Granted, last weekend, they defeated a struggling Orlando side, yet I believe Orlando is better than their record…and, yes, this week, the Lions finally won.

When the clock struck seven thirty, I was all revved up, and my selected game did not disappoint. Both teams, Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy, came to play. And if you’ve read my prior posts, depending on what half you watched, I looked like I was very smart, but I also looked very stupid…in the same breath.

Two weeks ago, I had mentioned that Sporting Kansas City, if they could score goals, and because of their Defense, would be a tough team to beat. Their team shutdown the Galaxy, and they ended the half with a two goal lead…so I actually seemed to know what I was talking about.

HOWEVER…

Last week, I had mentioned that the Galaxy were the most entertaining MLS team…and, in half number one, they did absolutely nothing…so, I looked, well…I certainly seemed to have spoken too soon…

But then the second half happened…

And the Galaxy started outplaying Kansas City’s defense…passing, one versus one battles, set pieces…it didn’t matter. During the entire second half, LA looked like the stronger team, and they scored three goals…they actually scored more, but a couple were nullified. So the Galaxy WERE a very entertaining team…but… KC’s defense?? Ugh, no matter what happened, I was going to look like an idiot. Granted, Johnny Russel didn’t play for SKC, so the next meeting between these two sides should be just as intriguing.

After that fun match, LAFC, despite going three games without scoring a goal, justified my label for them…’A Prolific goal scoring team’. After that uncharacteristic drought, on Saturday, they scored five goals against Nashville. Denis Bouanga scored at least two, I’m not sure if he scored more, I started watching a different game after LAFC’s third goal.

I did catch a bit of Portland and Philadelphia, and I discovered the Timbers fast start might simply be a flash in the pan. The game, despite being in Providence Park, was not fun to watch…and the home team was easily defeated.

I also turned to the Sounders game, yet, ugh, the undermanned Sounders got wrecked by a subpar San Jose side, I hope Seattle, my first favorite team, that was back when I had started watching the MLS, will look better when the key starters return.

Other than that, the games I had not watched, yet ones that seemed of note, were Charlotte versus Columbus…the Crew suffered their first loss, DC and St Louis ended in a 2-2 tie….St Louis looks strong, and Real Salt Lake beat Van Couver. Real Salt Lake is one of five Western Conference teams, including Houston and LAFC, with seven points in the early standings.

So…that’s my unprofessional, but very enthusiastic, take on this past MLS week. There are teams I haven’t watched this year, but am really interested in witnessing. Charlotte, Houston and Dallas certainly come to mind. So, I’ll peruse the schedule, highlight the match ups that raise my brows and take in this very entertaining sport.

Entertainment Value is the Goal!