MLS Wrap-Up: The Gold Cup Calls for MLS Stars

This blog post was originally posted here.

MLS wrap-up for the week ending May 29:

European Cup Qualifiers during the league season are a common enough occurrence. But just imagine the club versus country row that would erupt if they tried to stage the actual Euro 2012 Finals during the club season. It’s such a ridiculous suggestion that there is no way you can ever even imagine it being put forward. Well, for the MLS, not only is it a reality, but it’s now upon us. Again.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup pits the 12 best nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean against each other in a tournament very similar to the European Championship. This year’s edition takes place from June 5 to June 25 in venues around the United States. In total, MLS will be losing 32 players to 10 of the 12 participating nations (sorry Cuba and Panama). So this week’s set of matches represents each manager’s best chance to get some positive momentum before losing some of their top talent.

The New York Red Bulls will be most affected by the Gold Cup, losing a total of five players to the tournament. This could not come at a worse time for them. They struggled to a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, with Thierry Henry scoring their first. Henry was kept out of Saturday’s match, however, after aggravating a knee injury. The Red Bulls could only manage a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps, a team that has not managed to win since their opening match. The Red Bulls haven’t gained full points in five matches. Luckily, they are still only two points behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union, whose goal scoring issues seem to be well behind them.

Philadelphia, who had managed only eight goals in their first 10 games, exploded against Toronto FC on Saturday, putting six (!) past Toronto keeper Stefan Frei. The Union jumped out to an early lead, taking advantage of some lax Toronto defending, scoring two goals in the opening 11 minutes. They added one more before the break. Toronto looked to be staging a comeback after halftime, as Brazilian forward Maicon Santos scored in the 50th and 59th minutes. But three minutes later Union midfielder Justin Mapp scored to put the game out of reach, with forward Danny Mwanga adding two goals of his own late to complete the rout.

Over in the Western Conference it’s back to the boring, boring Galaxy, who managed a pair of 1-0 wins over Houston (Wednesday) and New England (Saturday). Landon Donovan converted a penalty to bring his league-leading goals tally to eight on Wednesday, while David Beckham provided an assist, his seventh of the year, in the victory on Saturday. Beckham’s near post cross found the head of Argentine Miguel Lopez, who glanced the ball into the far corner. It was Lopez’s first MLS goal. The Galaxy now have a seven-point lead in the Western Conference, with FC Dallas back in second.

Dallas also had a busy week, extending their shutout streak to 489 minutes with a 1-0 victory in Seattle on Wednesday. They had little time to savor the victory, though, because it was right back home to face Houston in the Texas derby match on Saturday.

Dallas would only manage 42 more shutout minutes before Houston’s Cam Weaver would net his fourth goal of the year, bringing the score even before the half. Dallas looked to be heading for victory after Ugo Ihemelu scored in the 70th minute and Houston had defender Kofi Sarkodie sent off after his second yellow in the 72nd. But it was Houston’s Brad Davis who helped rescue a point with his second assist of the night, a wonderful through ball slotted home by Colin Clark. Davis now leads the league in assists with eight.

FC Dallas’ shutout streak wasn’t the only major record to fall this weekend, as both Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers saw home winning streaks disappear. Real Salt Lake had gone 29 games undefeated at home before losing to the Seattle Sounders 2-1. The Portland Timbers, playing in their first MLS season, had not been defeated in their first six home games, but fell to DC United Sunday Night, 3-2. Scottish midfielder Adam Moffat made it on as a substitute in the 84th minute.

In brief

Chivas USA and the Columbus Crew had been shut out a combined nine times this season, but they each finally found a defense to their liking on Saturday. Three times, Chivas took the lead, only for Columbus to answer back each time. It was Columbus’ first point earned in three matches.

Sporting Kansas City earned their first point in five games with a 1-1 draw at Colorado. It was the fifth draw in a row for the Rapids. Jamie Smith was kept out of the lineup due to a calf strain.

The Chicago Fire earned a 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. They sit second from bottom in the Eastern Conference, having not earned a victory in nine league matches.