The majority of the teams that had off week four were back in action on week five. Check out all the things. This week around MLS, week Five.
Toronto 0 Sporting Kansas City 0
Week five started out with a snoozer of a match. Both teams looked hungry for goals, but neither could find any. A first half injury to TFC keeper Clint Irwin, gave the home crowd some nerves, but SKC couldn’t capitalize. Sporting had chances but put all of them right at which ever keeper was in net for Toronto. TFC had only one real chance, where Giovinco hit the crossbar from a free kick. SKC will take the road point, but both teams will feel a missed opportunity.
Seattle 0 Atlanta 0
This was the first time in a long time where Atlanta looked like an expansion team. Seattle gave them a tough fight and a hostile environment. Both teams had chances, but Seattle had the better ones. They kept pushing Atlanta, and making it hard for United’s players to get on the ball. In the end both sides missed crucial oppertunities to score. It’s a points dropped situation for Seattle, and a point well-earned for expansion side Atlanta who continue to impress.
NYCFC 2 San Jose 1
San Jose did in this match what they have done so far in 2017; start hot. Bad defending from NYCFC gave San Jose the early lead. However it also woke up the home team. David Villa found Jack Harrison on a ridiculous no look pass to level the scoring in the 10th minute of play. City’s trickery and smoothness didn’t stop there. They came out swinging in the second half and found the go ahead, after some great build up play. Right when San Jose was climbing back into the match Victor Bernardez received a red card. NYCFC takes the well-earned three points.
Chicago 2 Montreal 2
Amid questions of can Chicago Fire expect to compete in the World Cup, Bastian Schweinsteiger showed that he can help Chicago in MLS. He gave the fire the lead in the first half against Montreal. Les Blues Mancosu tied the game in the second half. Both teams were very feisty each going down to 1o men. Montreal thought they spoiled Schweinsteiger’s MLS debut with a goal in the 90th minute, but Luis Solignac brought Chicago level in the 92nd minute saving the result. This was a heck of a match, and a good result for both sides.
Columbus 2 Orlando 0
Orlando came to Columbus undefeated, but they found themselves behind the front foot early. Columbus took advantage of an early counter attack to go up, and they kept countering to find chances. Orlando tried to get things going but couldn’t create many chances. In the second half Columbus doubled their lead, and held it there. Orlando looked lost in this match, no fluidity or consistency with the ball. Columbus’ win put them a top of the eastern conference.
DC United 2 Philadelphia 1
The Union continue to struggle early in games. This battle for the bottom of the east was no different. A sloppy give away gave DC an early lead, and a questionable handball call gave DC a penalty, and a 2-0 advantage heading into the break. Philadelphia looked like a completely different team in the second half. They pulled within one thanks to CJ Sapong’s third goal in as many games. The Union dominated the second half, but couldn’t equalize. DC go their first goals and win of the season, as Philly now sits dead last in the east.
Minnesota 4 Real Salt Lake 2
Minnesota won their first ever MLS game in week five of 2017. The beginning however looked to be business as usual for the Loons; they went 1-0 down in the fourth minute. 10 minutes later they found an equalizer that proved to be the catalyst for their first ever MLS win. Minnesota’s second half route saw three goals scored in twenty minutes of time. RSL found another goal late in the match, but this game belongs to Minnesota. Salt Lake did just hire Mike Petke as their new head coach, but boy does this team need some work. The Loons need work too, but they’ll be happy to get their first win.
Houston 4 New York Red Bulls 1
Houston continues to be the surprise team of 2017. The Red Bulls came to town, and the Dynamo squashed them. New York opened the scoring early, but Houston fired right back. They equalized two minutes later and never looked back. Cubo Torres scored a hat trick against New York; one from a penalty, one from the run of play and one from a free kick. Cubo is feeling it right now. He leads MLS in scoring after five weeks. Houston are trending up, while New York are trending down. New York will be very frustrated, while Houston will feel great about this huge win.
Vancouver 4 LA Galaxy 2
The Whitecaps needed to make a statement to be considered legit in the stacked western conference. They made a statement in their 4-2 win verses LA. Vancouver opened the scoring in the 19th minute, but LA countered with two goals before the end of the half. The second half is where Vancouver turned on the jets. The Whitecaps scored twice in two minutes to take the lead in the second half, and nailed the coffin shut with another goal in the dying moments of the match. This one was a tale of two halves. LA’s first, and Vancouver’s second. The Whitecaps will be happy to have their first home win of the season, and to have made such a strong statement.
New England 1 Portland 1
The last game of week five was one with a stunning result. New England traveled across the country for their clash in Portland. The hot western conference team showed why they are so good through Diego Valeri. His early volley had the home team up, and New England looked buried before the first half ended. Portland continued to dominate the second half, until the last five minutes of the game. New England started a counter attack, and a failed clearance by Portland’s keeper ended up costing the Timbers three points. New England capitalized on the second chance opportunity that sent them home with a point from a formidable foe. Portland will be annoyed they didn’t get the three points while New England will gladly take the point.
Here’s a look at where everything stands this week.
Checking in after Week 5's action.
Full Standings: https://t.co/JuMKazx7YY pic.twitter.com/ftfByBPOkG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 4, 2017
Here are MLS’ Goal of the week, save of the week and Team of the week from week five.
Goal of the week:
Lots of great options for #ATTGotW.
Vote: https://t.co/9MpGMpezWX https://t.co/xIx8CQaoho
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 3, 2017
Save of the week
Who had the best stop from the weekend?
Vote: https://t.co/iQAEXzRGd1 https://t.co/ATFPLzA3QG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 4, 2017
Team of the week:
Bench: Alex Bono, TOR; Alex Crognale, CLB; Raheem Edwards, TOR; Artur, CLB; Mauro Manotas, HOU; Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, MTL; David Villa, NYC
Week Six kicked off yesterday with LA playing Montreal… I wont spoil the score for you, check back here later fora recap of that match. Here’s a list of the rest of the games from week six:
SATURDAY
Chicago vs Columbus 2pm EST
New England vs Houston 2pm EST
DC United vs NYCFC 4pm EST
Philadelphia vs Portland 7pm EST
Toronto vs Atlanta 7:30 EST
Dallas vs Minnesota 8pm EST
Real Salt Lake vs Vancouver 9:30pm EST
San Jose vs Seattle 10:30pm EST
SUNDAY
Orlando vs New York Red Bulls 4pm EST
Sporting Kansas City vs Colorado 7pm EST
All 22 teams will feature in week six! Be sure to head over to Philly Sports Network for a recap of the Union’s game against Portland, and a recap of the entire week six in MLS. Until then, peace out.
Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
