The Union waste a chance for three points at home, the Revolution are rolling, and Zlatan magic takes the week off. Take a look back at all the action! This week around MLS week six!
New England Revolution: 4 (3-1-1)
Montreal Impact: 0 (2-3-0)
As well as the Revolution has been playing, I didn’t see this one coming. The main reason was Montreal had given up only 5 goals in its first four matches, including two consecutive shut-outs. Things would take a major turn early on in the 14th minute when Impact midfielder, Saphir Taider, was given a straight red after driving his spikes into the shin of New England rookie Luis Caicedo. Taider really left the referee no other option. This was a huge loss for Montreal as Taider had played every minute of the season up to this point. Forward Teal Bunbury would put New England on the scoreboard just 5 minutes later with an easy put-away from about eight yards out. Then in the 2nd half the floodgates would open. Right back, Andrew Farrell would put his club up 2-0 when he scored his first MLS goal after playing in 164 matches. The Revolution would add two more goals against little defensive pressure from the Impact.
It looks like coach Brad Friedel has his team in excellent form. After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on opening night, they have outscored their opponents 10-3 and are 3-0-1 in that time. They’ll have a tough match-up this weekend when they host FC Dallas, who has given up only 3 goals in 4 matches this season. The Impact face a tough challenge as they travel to Harrison, NJ to take on the Red Bulls.
Highlights
Atlanta United FC: 5 (4-1-0)
LAFC: 0 (2-2-0)
I’m going to stop making predictions about what might be the match of the week. I haven’t been right yet, especially this time. Atlanta dodged a bullet in the 4th minute when it looked like left back Chris McCann received a red card for a tackle on Benny Feilhaber. But after video review, the referee changed it to a yellow. In my opinion, although McCann did make contact with the ball, it was too reckless not to be a red. The scoring in this one got started when the back line of LAFC lost track of Atlanta midfielder Julian Gressel who netted an easy one right in front of the goal. It remained a tight one until Josef Martinez doubled the score for the home team with a header from the left side of the box. LAFC controlled possession of this match 59% to 41% and put up 16 shots. Problem was only one was on target. They were simply misfiring in this one.
After two Milguel Almiron converted penalties, Atlanta substitute forward, Romario Williams scored his first MLS goal with an excellent one-on-three effort to top the scoring at 5-0 Atlanta. LAFC coach Bob Bradley will have to sure up the defense quickly. They’ve given up 9 goals in the last two games and face a tough task in Vancouver vs the Whitecaps on Friday night. It should be goals galore on Sunday when Atlanta hosts NYCFC in what clearly should be the match of the… I won’t say it.
Highlights
Philadelphia Union: 1 (1-1-2)
San Jose Earthquakes: 1 (1-2-1)
This match-up of two clubs predicted to finish in the middle to bottom of the pack certainly lived up to its billing. San Jose almost got on the board in the 30th minute but Andre Blake made a diving save on a shot from Earthquakes midfielder Valeri Qazaishvili. San Jose would capitalize a few minutes later when Magnus Eriksson found himself left wide open inside the box by the Philly defense. He had time enough to wind up and measure Andre Blake. The Union almost tied it up before halftime but San Jose goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell was able to cut off the angle on David Accam for the save. Philly would finally get on the board in the 64th minute. Fafa Picault displayed some nifty footwork before placing a cross to Alejandro Bedoya for a header.
The Union had many opportunities including 8 shots on goal and over 60% possession, but the song remains the same – they just can’t finish in the final third. A crowd of about 5,000 at Talen Energy Stadium booed the Union off the field after the final whistle. Bedoya even mentioned in his post game interview that they have to do better. It took over half the season for him to speak up last year. Fans should at least be glad the players aren’t hesitating to call each other out. The Union get right back at it Friday night when they host Orlando City. After their emotional win over Portland this week, they could be looking past the Union, we hope. San Jose returns home to face the Houston Dynamo who sport an identical record as well as number of goals scored.
Highlights
FC Dallas: 1 (1-0-3)
Colorado Rapids: 1 (1-1-2)
Thanks to the always goofy MLS schedule, FC Dallas took on Colorado in what would be their fourth consecutive home match to start the season. Dallas is undefeated but hasn’t exactly played juggernauts (Real Salt Lake, Seattle, Portland). Rapids forward Dominique Badji almost added to his goal tally in the 25th minute but was stopped on a fantastic save by Dallas goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer. Then in the 62nd minute, Rapids center back Matt Hedges would misplay a 50/50 ball, leading to Joe Mason’s 2nd goal of the young season. A short time later, Maurer would have another great save, this time stretching to the max to stop a blast from Dallas midfielder Johan Blomberg.
With only a few minutes remaining, Dallas would finally break through. An excellent lob from nearly midfield by Mauro Diaz would find substitute forward, Cristian Coleman, for the late equalizer. Tim Howard could have come out to punch the ball away but remained flat-footed. The Rapids will try to bounce back at home this week vs the defending champs, Toronto FC. Dallas will face their toughest test thus far, traveling to New England for their first road match and against a club that is clicking on all cylinders.
Highlights
Chicago Fire: 1 (1-2-1)
Columbus Crew SC: 0 (3-2-1)
You’d say the Crew were the favorite coming into this match and for much of the game, played like it. They controlled possession 64/36 and were free enough to unleash 21 shots. Unfortunately only two were on target. If you want to see the most generous gift of the year thus far, check out Columbus goalkeeper Zach Steffen’s awful clearance into the waiting feet of last season’s golden boot winner, Nemanja Nikolic. Not characteristic of the Crew net-minder at all. It simply wasn’t their day. Fire goalkeeper Richard Sanchez made a great save off his finger tips just before the half to stop Federico Higuain.
Late in the 2nd half, Gyasi Zardes and Mohammed Abu would also run into some bad luck, watching both of their shots hit off the post. The Crew has now lost two straight and will challenge winless D.C. United in Annapolis this week. The Fire will host what should be an angry L.A. Galaxy club that was completely stymied last week at home.
Highlights
Real Salt Lake: 2 (2-2-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 1 (3-2-1)
Forward Luis Silva had an excellent chance early in the 1st half to put Real Salt Lake on top but his shot was pushed over the net by the finger tips of Whitecaps goalkeeper, Stefan Marinovic. He would have his revenge later in the half. Brooks Lennon dropped a pass to Silva who was surrounded by three defenders. He was able to gather himself and fire it past Marinovic for the 1-0 lead. The home club would add to their tally on a goal by midfielder Jefferson Savarino, who was perfectly set up by teammates Corey Baird and Damir Kreilach. Brek Shea would put Vancouver on the scoreboard in extra time but it was too little, too late.
This was a tight contest with two evenly matched teams. Their wasn’t much separating them but their matches this week could be telling. The Whitecaps should be able to put up more offensively at home against the awful LAFC defense, while Real Salt Lake journeys to the big apple to take on mighty NYCFC Wednesday night.
Highlights
Orlando City SC: 3 (2-2-1)
Portland Timbers: 2 (0-3-2)
The Timbers’ endless road trip can’t end soon enough. They’ve played five consecutive matches away from Providence Park to start the season, and the wear and tear is showing. They were fortunate early on to have a penalty called against Orlando’s Mohamed El-Munir for tripping Portland’s Sebastian Blanco in the box. Diego Valeri would step up and convert the penalty, giving the visitors the lead. Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson kept momentum on his club’s side after stopping Justin Meram from point-blank range. It was a quality save, although Meram could have done a lot more with it. Valeri would add to his day and Portland’s lead when he sent a kick from a set piece towards the box, resulting in a header and first MLS goal for center back, Bill Tuiloma.
Portland was finally going to win their first match of 2018, but then the wheels fell off. Orlando City rookie forward Chris Mueller sent a header into the back of the net for his first MLS goal. Two minutes later, Portland’s Alvus Powell was called for a foul in the box when it appeared he knocked down Dom Dwyer. It was a great acting job by Dwyer, aided by the billowing smoke that still surrounded the field from Mueller’s goal. Sacha Kljestan would convert the penalty to even the match at two apiece. The home crowd was going insane and they’d have even more to cheer about. In the 87th minute, Dom Dwyer had a magnificent game-winning goal using strength and balance, almost pirouetting through the Timbers defense. A heart-breaker for the still win-less Timbers, who finally return to play home this week, but they’ll encounter a strong Minnesota club. Orlando will try not to have an emotional letdown when they travel to Philadelphia on Friday.
Highlights
LA Galaxy: 0 (2-2-1)
Sporting Kansas City: 2 (4-1-1)
With leading goal scorer, Felipe Gutierrez, out of the lineup, Sporting Kansas City had the deck stacked against them coming into Stub Hub Center. Their defense has been average if I’m being kind, but Sunday night they looked like the SKC defense of old, not letting the Galaxy get into any consistent flow for most of the match. The home team’s best opportunity to score in the first half was a header by Chris Pontius off the right post in the 36th minute. Shortly before the break, KC goalkeeper Tim Melia made an outstanding finger-tip save on a blast from Ashley Cole. The visitors would take the lead when Galaxy forward Ola Kamara had a poor clearance, serving the ball on a plate for KC forward Daniel Salloi’s easy netter in the 56th minute. Five minutes later Kansas City’s Johnny Russell would part the LA defense like the Red Sea en route to his 2nd goal of the season.
Sigi Schmid would insert Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 62nd minute but his heroics from the previous week would not be repeated. Zlatan had a few scorching blasts in the direction of Tim Melia, but they would all be turned away, giving Melia 10 saves on the night. The stars will be out on Saturday when Schweinsteiger leads the Fire against Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy in the windy city. Sporting KC returns home this week to take on the desperate and red-card-happy Sounders.
Highlights
Week 6 Goals
Run 'em back. ⏮
Which Week 6 goal was your favorite? pic.twitter.com/LRA6H90o2x
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 9, 2018
Week 6 Saves
1️⃣ Stop what you're doing.
2️⃣ Watch these saves.You're welcome. pic.twitter.com/scZsWZbu3T
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 10, 2018
Team of the week
A strong squad for Week 6. 💪
Your Team of the Week, pres. by @Audi: https://t.co/QbwMmL82Fi pic.twitter.com/D3Hk4oNebK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 9, 2018
Player of the week
Congrats, @TimMelia28! The @SportingKC goalkeeper is the @alcatelmobileus Player of the Week! https://t.co/Ed2KSXNL0I
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 10, 2018
Week 6 Power Rankings
Power Rankings are here! Did your team go ⬆️ or ⬇️ after Week 6? https://t.co/VljqdpoC6A pic.twitter.com/tlWW83TRHj
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 10, 2018
Standings
Eastern Conference
| Points | Overall | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | PTS | PPG | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | |
| 13 | 2.6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 12 | 2.4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 7 | ||
| 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 10 | 1.67 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 3 | ||
| 7 | 1.4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 10 | -1 | ||
| 6 | 1.5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 1.2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 9 | -4 | ||
| 5 | 1.25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | ||
| 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -1 | ||
| 2 | 0.4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | -5 | ||
Western Conference
| Points | Overall | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | PTS | PPG | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | |
| 13 | 2.17 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 3 | ||
| 10 | 1.67 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -1 | ||
| 7 | 1.4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | ||
| 7 | 1.4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 10 | -4 | ||
| 6 | 1.5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 10 | -1 | ||
| 6 | 1.2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | -3 | ||
| 6 | 1.5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 3 | ||
| 5 | 1.25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | ||
| 2 | 0.4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 12 | -6 | ||
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | -5 | ||
Week 7 Fixtures
Wednesday, April 11th
New York City FC vs Real Salt Lake | 7:00 PM EST
Friday, April 13th
Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City SC | 8:00 PM EST
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Los Angles Football Club | 10:00 PM EST
Saturday, April 14th
New York Red Bulls vs Montreal Impact | 1:00 PM EST
Colorado Rapids vs Toronto FC | 3:00 PM EST
Chicago Fire vs LA Galaxy | 3:30 PM EST
DC United vs Columbus Crew SC | 7:00 PM EST
New England Revolution vs FC Dallas | 7:30 PM EST
Portland Timbers vs Minnesota United FC | 10:30 PM EST
San Jose Earthquakes vs Houston Dynamo | 10:30 PM EST
Sunday April 15th
Sporting Kansas City vs Seattle Sounders FC | 4:00 PM EST
Atlanta United FC vs New York City FC | 6:00 PM EST
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Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
