(Parts II and III are on deck …so check back)
19. Montréal Impact – What in the name of Gordon Banks has happened to Donovan Ricketts, the former L.A. goalkeeper whose positioning has been so unreliable and his shot-stopping even worse this year? If the Impact’s long-limbed ‘keeper can’t be better than he was in last weeks’ 5-2 loss to New York, a long expansion season in Quebec promises to be even longer.
18. Toronto FC – Two consecutive losses at home are bad enough; two consecutive matches with zero goals at home is bumping up against “unacceptable.” Now they have all this to deal with tonight down in Torreon, Mexico. And if all that isn’t enough, a match against rival Montreal awaits this weekend. That’s in Montreal. Hard times, man. Hard times.
17. Chivas USA – All the magic from last week’s huge road win at Real Salt Lake disappeared like a puff of smoke when Sporting Kansas City came in and rattled the Home Depot Center’s second tenant. Goats coach Robin Fraser calls the team’s dearth of offense a “mindset” issue; he wants to see a little more attacking chutzpah. With just one goal in four matches, it’s darn sure something.
16. Philadelphia Union – You ever locate that old CD you thought was lost forever? And you’re feeling the joy about about it – until you discover that it’s scratched beyond playable repair? That’s probably about how Philly felt about last week’s scoreless draw with Vancouver. For the first time four matches, Peter Nowak’s Union left the field without a loss. But it can’t be a completely groovy feeling, either. Three matches at PPL Park without a win can’t feel great, at all.
15. Portland Timbers – What might Timbers fans have paid to be in the locker room as fiery Scotsman John Spencer lashed into his side for turning an 88th minute lead into a shattering loss at Jeld-Wen Field? Wait … turn that around. What would they pay not to be in the room as Spencer’s head went spinning, horror movie style, over that one? Needless to say, that can’t happen very often.
14. New England Revolution – The Revs followed last week’s white-knuckle win at home over Portland with a landmark victory, a 3-1 thumping over the reeling Los Angeles Galaxy in Southern California. The story out of L.A. is all about headline-generating substitutions and pointing fingers and such, but credit the Revs for a night full of smart, professional industry. With a visit up this week to an FC Dallas side still dented by injury, Jay Heaps’ club has an opportunity to build some real momentum.
13. Columbus Crew – Spend five minutes here on this clever game scroll from Massive Report and you will: A) know pretty much everything you need about a Columbus season off to a reasonable start, and; B) enjoy a few giggles along the way. Well done, guys. (Pictured above are center back Eric Gehrig and goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum celebrating the weekend’s 1-0 win at BMO Field in Toronto.)