Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Central Division Finals: Chicago Blackhawks VS. Minnesota Wild

This post is a reference for the above referenced series, so check back here for each game.

Game 1: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Ilya Bryzgalov and Corey Crawford. Chicago opened in the first period on a Bryan Bickell power play goal, his third of the postseason, powered by Brent Seabrook and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with a Hossa power play goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Brandon Saad and Nick Leddy. Minnesota got on the board in the third period with a Clayton Stoner goal, thanks to Zach Parise and Jason Pominville. The Wild tied it on a Kyle Brodziak goal, his third of the postseason, coming off of Erik Haula and Dany Heatley. Chicago took the lead back with a Patrick Kane goal, his fourth of the playoffs, via Patrick Sharp and Seabrook. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Kane scored his second of the game and fifth of the postseason, with the help of Ben Smith and Sharp. Chicago iced it at 5-2 with an empty net goal by Bickell, his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs, set up by Jonathan Toews and Hossa. The three stars were Kane, Bickell, and Hossa, while Seabrook and Sharp get the honorable mentions. Chicago holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Ilya Bryzgalov and Corey Crawford. Chicago began in the first period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his fourth of the postseason, guided in by Marian Hossa and Bryan Bickell. The Blackhawks added on with a Brandon Saad goal, via Brent Seabrook and Bickell. Minnesota got on the board in the third period with a Cody McCormick goal, fueled by Clayton Stoner and Erik Haula. Chicago shot back as Bickell scored his fifth of the playoffs, thanks to Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with Saad's second of the game, an empty net goal set up by Hossa, who got a sock trick, and Hjalmarsson. The three stars were given to Bickell, Hossa, and Saad, while Hjalmarsson gets an honorable mention. The Blackhawks travel with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Corey Crawford and Ilya Bryzgalov. Minnesota dented the scoreboard in the third period as Erik Haula scored his second of the postseason, thanks to Justin Fontaine and Matt Moulson. The Wild added on with a Mikael Granlund goal, his third of the playoffs, via Jason Pominville and Zach Parise. Minnesota extended the lead with a Parise power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Ryan Suter and Pominville. The Wild won 4-0 as Granlund put his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs into the empty net, set up by Nino Neiderreiter and Charlie Coyle. The three stars were Parise, Granlund, and Bryzgalov (19 save shutout), while Pominville gets an honorable mention. The Blackhawks still have a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Corey Crawford and Ilya Bryzgalov. Minnesota started with a first period Justin Fontaine goal, fueled by Matt Cooke. Chicago tied it with a Patrick Sharp goal, his second of the postseason, guided in by Marian Hossa and Michal Rozsival. The Wild took the lead back in the second period on a Jason Pominville goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. The Blackhawks tied it again as Michal Handzus found twine, thanks to Brent Seabrook and Hossa. Minnesota pulled ahead with a Nino Neiderreiter goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Charlie Coyle and Jared Spurgeon. The Wild iced it at 4-2 in the third period with a Spurgeon power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Mikko Koivu and Suter. The three stars went to Spurgeon, Suter, and Hossa. The series is tied at 2 now.

Game 5: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Ilya Bryzgalov and Corey Crawford. Minnesota was first to score with a first period Erik Haula goal, his third of the postseason, via Jared Spurgeon. Chicago tied it in the second period on a Bryan Bickell power play goal, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Patrick and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his fifth of the postseason, made possible by Marian Hossa and Sharp. This made it 2-1, the final. The three stars were Crawford (27 for 28 in saves), Toews, and Sharp. Chicago pulls ahead with a 3-2 series lead. 

Game 6: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. In goal: Corey Crawford and Ilya Bryzgalov. Chicago led off in the first period with a Kris Versteeg goal, going in unassisted. Minnesota tied it in the second period with an Erik Haula goal, his fourth of the postseason, coming off of Matt Cooke and Clayton Stoner. The Blackhawks won 2-1 in overtime with Patrick Kane's sixth of the playoffs, via Brent Seabrook. The three stars were Kane, Crawford (34 for 35 in saves), and Versteeg. The Blackhawks win the series 4-2 and will play in the Western Conference Finals. 

Metropolitan Divison Finals: Pittsburgh Penguins VS. New York Rangers

This post is a reference for the above referenced series, so check back here for each game.

Game 1: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury. New York began in the first period with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his third of the postseason, assisted by Dan Girardi. The Rangers added on as Brad Richards scored his third of the playoffs, thanks to Carl Hagelin and Girardi. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period on a Lee Stempniak goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Beau Bennett and Marcel Goc. The Penguins tied it with a James Neal goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Jussi Jokinen and Evgeni Malkin. New York won 3-2 in overtime on a Derick Brassard goal with a lone assist by Pouliot. The three stars went to Pouliot, Girardi, and Brassard. New York begins with a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury. Pittsburgh got going in the second period on a Kris Letang goal, his second of the postseason, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on in the third period with a power play goal by Jussi Jokinen, his fourth of the playoffs, powered by James Neal and Letang. Malkin gave Pittsburgh a 3-0 win with an empty net goal, his fourth of the postseason, set up by Letang. The three stars were Fleury (22 save shutout), Letang, and Malkin. The series is tied at 1 heading to New York.

Game 3: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist. Pittsburgh dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Sidney Crosby goal, via Robert Bortuzzo and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on as Jussi Jokinen scored his fifth of the postseason, an unassisted goal. This was all they needed to win 2-0, with the three stars being given to Fleury (35 save shutout), Crosby, and Jokinen. The Penguins have taken the series lead at 2-1.

Game 4: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist. Pittsburgh led off in the first period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his fifth of the postseason, courtesy of Sidney Crosby. New York tied it in the second period on a Carl Hagelin goal, his third of the playoffs, guided in by Ryan McDonagh. The Penguins retook the lead with a shorthanded goal by Brandon Sutter, his fourth of the postseason, set up by Brian Gibbons and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh added on with a Jussi Jokinen goal in the third period, his sixth of the playoffs, with a lone assist by James Neal. The Rangers pulled back with a Mats Zuccarello goal, his third of the postseason, fueled by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Penguins iced it at 4-2 with a Chris Kunitz goal, his third of the playoffs, made possible by Malkin and Crosby. The three stars were given to Malkin, Crosby, and Jokinen. Pittsburgh goes back home with a chance to knock the Rangers out as they have a 3-1 series lead.

Game 5: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury. New York started in the first period with a Chris Kreider power play goal, powered by Ryan McDonagh and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on with the second of the postseason by Derick Brassard, via Mats Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot. Pittsburgh got on the board in the second period with an Evgeni Malkin goal, his sixth of the playoffs, with a lone assist by Kris Letang. New York shot back on Brassard's second of the game and third of the postseason, courtesy of Anton Stralman and Zuccarello. The Rangers extended the lead as McDonagh scored a power play goal, thanks to Zuccarello, who got a sock trick, and Brassard. New York padded the lead with a third period goal by Kevin Klein, an empty net goal made possible by Kreider and Rick Nash. This made it 5-1, the final, with the three stars being Brassard, Zuccarello, and McDonagh, while Kreider and Lundqvist (31 for 32 in saves) get the honorable mentions. Pittsburgh still has a 3-2 series lead.

Game 6: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York. In goal: Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist. New York opened in the first period with a Martin St. Louis goal, his third of the postseason, guided in by Derek Stepan and Anton Stralman. The Rangers added on with an unassisted goal by Carl Hagelin, his fourth of the playoffs. Pittsburgh got one back with a Brandon Sutter goal, his fifth of the postseason, passed from Matt Niskanen and Olli Maatta. New York shot back in the second period with a Derick Brassard goal, his fourth of the playoffs, fueled by Benoit Pouliot and Kevin Klein. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Lundqvist (36 for 37 in saves), St. Louis, and Hagelin. The series will be decided in Pittsburgh, as Game 7 will break the 3-all tie. 

Game 7: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In goal: Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury. New York struck first in the first period with a Brian Boyle goal, his second of the postseason, fueled by Dominic Moore and Derek Dorsett. Pittsburgh tied it in the second period on a Jussi Jokinen goal, his seventh of the playoffs, guided in by Olli Maatta and Evgeni Malkin. The Rangers retook the lead on a Brad Richards power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan. This was good for a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Lundqvist (35 for 36 in saves), Richards, and Boyle. The Rangers will play in the Eastern Conference Finals after this 4-3 series win. 

Monday, May 12, 2014

MLS Sunday May 11th, 2014

Today, there are four games on, beginning in...

Portland, as the Timbers host Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo of Los Angeles and Donovan Ricketts of Portland are the keepers. Portland was the first in the books with a yellow card for a foul given to Gaston Fernandez in the thirty-fourth minute. Los Angeles matched it in the fifty-eighth minute on a foul by Dan Gargan. It took until the second minute of stoppage time in the second half for the scoring to open, as Robbie Keane tucked in a pass from Gargan to put the Galaxy ahead. The Timbers weren't having any of this, scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Diego Valeri scored, thanks to Will Johnson, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The man of the match was Valeri, whose late goal put his team in a position to pick up a point in the standings.

Down in Colorado, the Rapids welcome the Chivas USA. Dan Kennedy of Chivas and Clint Irwin of Colorado are in goal. It took all the way to the fifty-sixth minute before things got moving, beginning with a goal by Erick Torres on a pass from Martin Rivero. In the sixty-first minute, Rivero was shown the yellow card for a foul. Chivas shook it off and added on to their lead with a Marvin Chavez goal in the sixty-seventh minute, via Torres. Chavez was hit with a yellow card for excessive celebration of the goal though, showing a lack of discipline. Colorado's Nick LaBrocca was put in the books for a foul that earned him a yellow card in the seventieth minute. Chavez kept his presence known in the seventy-sixth minute, putting away his second goal of the game to extend the Chivas lead. Colorado avoided the shutout with a goal in the second minute of stoppage time, scored by Deshorn Brown. The final was 3-1, and the man of the match was Chavez, whose two goals after coming on as a substitute were crucial in the Chivas victory.

Eastward to New England, where the Revolution bring in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei of Seattle and Bobby Shuttleworth man the nets. New England opened with a goal in the fourteenth minute by Patrick Mullins. The Revolution added on with a Diego Fagundez goal, passed from Chris Tierney in the twenty-ninth minute. New England extended the lead in the thirty-sixth minute as Teal Bunbury scored an unassisted goal. The Revolution attack kept coming, scoring in the forty-first minute as Fagundez put away his second of the game with the help of Bunbury. Seattle's Djimi Traore was called for a foul in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half, earning him a yellow card. Adding insult to injury, New England picked up a gift in the forty-sixth minute as Chad Marshall was responsible for an own-goal. Gonzalo Pineda found himself in the book in the seventy-third minute, for a foul. New England coasted from here to a 5-0 win. The man of the match was Fagundez.

Finally, in Houston, the Dynamo host Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando of Salt Lake and Tally Hall of Houston are starting in goal. Salt Lake wasted no time in scoring in the first minute, with Javier Morales putting away a pass from Alvaro Saborio. Real added on as Morales scored again in the seventeenth minute, thanks to assists from Ned Grabavoy and Joao Plata. Houston got one back in the twenty-second minute as Mark Sherrod scored, with an assist from Brad Davis. Salt Lake was hit with a yellow card for a Saborio foul in the twenty-sixth minute. The Dynamo suffered a worse fate just a minute later as Servando Carrasco was called for a serious foul that was given a straight red card and put his team down to ten men. Real responded quickly in the thirty-second minute, as Saborio put away a goal with a lone assist from Luke Mulholland. In the fourth minute of first half stoppage time, Oscar Garcia was shown a yellow card for a foul, put the Dynamo back in the books. Houston avoided absolute collapse as Sherrod scored his second of the game in the fifty-sixth minute, via Giles Barnes. Salt Lake shot back on a Mulholland goal, made possible by Morales, in the seventy-eighth minute. Real got another as Morales finished his hat trick on an unassisted goal in the eighty-ninth minute. The game got chippy in the second minute of stoppage time in the second half as Sherrod was shown a yellow card for a foul, but the scoring ended 5-2 in Real's favor. Morales was the man of the match.

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

MLS Saturday May 11th, 2014

Five games on today, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Union host DC United. Bill Hamid of DC and Zac MacMath of Philadelphia are in the six-yard box. DC quickly began in the sixth minute with an unassisted goal by Chris Rolfe. United picked up a yellow card on Perry Kitchen's off the ball foul in the thirty-third minute. DC picked up another two yellows in the second half. Chris Korb in the sixty-seventh minute and Davy Arnaud were shown the book for fouls. The scoring was done though, and United won 1-0. The man of the match was Hamid for a clean sheet with four saves.

North to Montreal, where the Impact welcome Sporting Kansas City. Eric Kronberg of Kansas City and Troy Perkins of Montreal play goal. Montreal was in trouble in the seventeenth minute as Collen Warner handled the ball on the line, which he received a red card for. Adding insult to injury, Kansas City opened the scoring on a penalty kick goal by Dominic Dwyer that was earned for the foul, coming in the eighteenth minute. Sporting added on with a Paulo Nagamura goal in the thirty-fourth minute, thanks to a pass from Chance Myers. The Impact were visited by the referee again for a Hernan Bernardello foul away from the ball in the thirty-eighth minute, which earned him a yellow card. Kansas City extended the lead on another goal by Dwyer in the sixty-fourth minute, with an assist by Toni. This was it for the action, and Sporting walked away with a big 3-0 win. Dwyer was given the man of the match honors.

Back stateside, the New York Red Bulls host the Chicago Fire. Sean Johnson of Chicago and Luis Robles of New York are the keepers. Chicago started early with a fourth minute goal by Harrison Shipp, with an assist by Greg Cochrane. New York tied it on a Tim Cahill goal two minutes later in the sixth minute, via Eric Alexander. The Red Bulls took the lead back in the thirty-fourth minute, on a goal by Bradley Wright-Phillips, thanks to Thierry Henry. The Fire tied it again in the forty-ninth minute as Quincy Amarikwa, thanks to Jeff Larentowicz. Chicago took the lead on Shipp's second of the game in the fifty-third minute, with a pass from Patrick Nyarko. The Fire added on as Shipp finished his hat trick, an unassisted goal in the fifty-eighth minute. Chicago extended the lead with a Nyarko goal, with a lone assist from Shipp in the sixty-fourth minute. New York pulled back on a Wright-Phillips goal, his second of the game, assisted by Lloyd Sam and Jonathan Steele in the sixty-seventh minute. The Red Bulls clawed closer as Wright-Phillips finished his hat trick on an unassisted goal in the seventy-eighth minute. New York lost steam in the third minute of stoppage time as Cahill was shown a yellow card for a hand ball. The wild game finished at 5-4 in favor of the Fire. The co-men of the match were Shipp and Wright-Phillips.

A little west, the Columbus Crew host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted of Vancouver and Steve Clark of Columbus are manning the nets. Vancouver began the yellow card trouble as Gershon Koffie was called for an off the ball foul. Vancouver led off in the scoring with an Erik Hurtado goal in the thirty-seventh minute, thanks to the goalie Ousted. Columbus was called for a yellow card in the thirty-eighth minute on Tony Tchani's persistent infringement. The Crew picked up another yellow in the fifty-third minute on a Wil Trapp foul. The Whitecaps had a yellow card for Andy O'Brien's hand ball in the sixty-eighth minute. The Whitecaps picked up another yellow card in the third minute of stoppage time on a Steven Beitashour foul. The final score was 1-0 for Vancouver, with the man of the match being Hurtado.

Finally, in San Jose, the Earthquakes bring in FC Dallas. Raul Fernandez of Dallas and Jon Busch of San Jose receive the starting nods in goal. San Jose was first in the book with a fourteenth minute yellow card received by Jordan Stewart for a foul. In the twenty-fifth minute, the Earthquakes opened the scoring with a Cordell Cato goal, thanks to Clarence Goodson and the goalie Busch. San Jose was back in the book in the twenty-ninth minute was a yellow card on a Sam Cronin foul. The Earthquakes went shorthanded when Shea Salinas was called for a forty-fifth minute red card on a serious foul, going studs up for a tackle. Cato was booked in the sixty-seventh minute on a yellow card, adding to the foul trouble San Jose was having. Dallas had a foul in the seventy-second minute with a Michel foul. The Earthquakes received a stroke of luck in the seventy-third minute on a David Texeira own-goal. Dallas got on the scoreboard in the seventy-sixth minute as Michel made up for his foul with a goal. San Jose was back in the book in the eighty-first minute with a Michael Fucito foul. The Earthquakes overcame multiple bookings to win 2-1. The man of the match was Busch, stopping four of the five shots that were directed on goal.

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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

MLS Wednesday May 7th, 2014

Three midweek games on tonight, beginning with...

The Houston Dynamo hosting the Columbus Crew. Steve Clark of Columbus and Tally Hall of Houston are the keepers. Houston was first to score in the fiftieth minute as Will Bruin found the back of the net with an assist by Brad Davis. In the 60th minute, Columbus' Bernardo Anor was shown a yellow card for a foul, and in the sixty-first minute, Federico Higuain was booked on a yellow card for a foul as well. The Crew had another yellow card shown to Dan Paladini in the eightieth minute. The Dynamo took a yellow as Warren Creavalle was shown one for a foul. Houston took the match 1-0, and the man of the match was Hall, whose clean sheet included five saves.

Northwest to Seattle, as the Sounders FC welcome Dallas FC. Raul Fernandez of Dallas and Stefan Frei of Seattle play between the posts. Dallas led off in the sixteenth minute with a goal by Michel, going in unassisted, but he also picked up a yellow card for a foul in the seventeenth minute. Dallas' Matt Hedges picked up a yellow card for dissent in the twenty-third minute. Seattle answered with a pair of yellow cards, one to Brad Evans in the thirty-seventh minute and one to Marco Pappa in the forty-second minute, both for fouls. Dallas' Blas Perez was shown a yellow in the forty-eighth minute, also for a foul. The Sounders tied the score in the sixty-second minute on a Lamar Neagle goal, with an assist from Obafemi Martins. Seattle took the lead with a Kenny Cooper goal in the eighty-eighth minute, and Martins again picked up the assist. They held on for a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Martins for his two helpers.

Finally, in San Jose, the Earthquakes bring in the Colorado Rapids. Clinton Irwin of Colorado and Jon Busch of San Jose received the starting nods in goal. Colorado was the first team with a booking as Charles Eloundou was shown the yellow card for a foul in the forty-third minute. San Jose picked up a yellow card in the seventy-eighth minute on a foul by Victor Bernardez. This was all the activity in the game, which ended in a scoreless draw. The man of the match was Irwin, who kept the game scoreless with a big seven saves.

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Sunday, May 4, 2014

MLS Sunday May 4th, 2014

Two more games on this afternoon, the first of which comes from...

Dallas, as FC Dallas hosts the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles of New York and Raul Fernandez of Dallas are the keepers. Dallas went down to ten men in the ninth minute after a serious foul by Je-Vaughn Watson, who went spikes up on a tackle. New York's Thierry Henry was given a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-first minute. Dallas matched it in the twenty-sixth minute as Fabian Castillo was given a yellow card for diving. The Red Bulls saw another play take a yellow card in the sixty-fifth minute, as Lloyd Sam was brooked for a foul. New York opened the scoring with a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal in the seventy-first minute, with assists provided by Henry and Dax McCarty. Victor Ulloa picked up another yellow card for Dallas in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time. The Red Bulls held on for a 1-0 win. The man of the match was Robles, with a clean sheet that included three saves on shots that were on target.

The other game comes from Kansas City, as Sporting hosts the Columbus Crew. Steve Clark of Columbus and Eric Kronberg of Kansas City play goal. Kansas City started in the tenth minute with a goal by Jacob Peterson, going in unassisted. Sporting saw the game's first yellow after a Lawrence Olum foul in the thirty-eighth minute. Columbus' Wil Trapp received a yellow for a foul of his own in the forty-fifth minute. Seth Sinovic was the next to receive a yellow card in the sixty-eighth minute, adding to Kansas City's fouls. The Crew were dealt a serious blow in the eightieth minute as Trapp was booked for his second yellow for a foul in the open field, putting them down to ten men. Ethan Finlay followed with a yellow of his own in the eighty-sixth minute for a foul, and Tony Tchani also took a yellow in the eighty-seventh minute for unsporting behavior. Sporting's Benny Feilhaber was shown a yellow card in the second minute of stoppage time for a foul he committed. Sporting iced the scoring at 2-0 with a Claudio Bieler goal in the fifth minute of added time, coming from a Graham Zusi pass. The man of the match was Kronberg, whose clean sheet included four saves.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

MLS Saturday May 3rd 2014

We're opening up a new sport now. I determined that baseball was going to be too much for me, but the far-less frequently played MLS (Major League Soccer for the uninitiated) looks to be a good fit for my schedule. I will probably tweak with my format a bit before it's all said and done. Today's first game was in...

Toronto, as Toronto FC hosted the New England Revolution. Julio Cesar of Toronto and Bobby Shuttleworth of New England were between the pipes. Toronto opened in the sixth minute with a goal by Jackson, with the assist from Gilberto. New England pulled level in the twenty-fourth minute on a Patrick Mullins goal, passed from Daigo Kobayashi. Jackson was shown a yellow card in the forty-third minute for a foul. Toronto was shown another yellow card when Michael Bradley was excessive on a foul in the fifty-eighth minute. Diego Fagundez picked up a yellow card in the seventy-fifth minute for New England. The Revolution took the lead as Lee Nguyen scored in the eighty-second minute. Scott Caldwell took a yellow for wasting time in the second minute of added time, but that did not hurt New England, who won 2-1. Nguyen was the man of the match.

Across Canada, the Vancouver Whitecaps welcome the San Jose Earthquakes. Jon Busch of San Jose and David Ousted of Vancouver were in the six-yard box. Vancouver struck first in the tenth minute on a Kekuta Manneh goal, going in unassisted. The Whitecaps added on with a Pedro Morales goal, and he too did it all by himself in the nineteenth minute. Morales scored again for Vancouver in the twentieth minute on a pass from Manneh, and also earned himself a yellow card for excessive celebration. San Jose got on the board as Chris Wondolowski scored in the forty-fifth minute. Alan Gordon received a yellow card in the seventieth minute for the Earthquakes. San Jose pulled closer as Wondolowski scored in the first minute of stoppage time in the second half, but they could not even the game and lost 3-2. Morales was the man of the match.

Into the United States, as the Chicago Fire bring in Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando of Salt Lake and Sean Johnson of Chicago protect the nets. Chicago began with a Mike Magee goal in the twenty-second minute, an unassisted goal. The Fire added on in the thirtieth minute with a Juan Luis Anangonó goal, coming off of Greg Cochrane. Salt Lake's Chris Schuler was given a yellow card in this minute as well for a foul. Kyle Beckerman was also shown a yellow in the forty-fourth minute, also from a foul. Magee was called for a hand foul in the sixty-third minute that resulted in a yellow. Salt Lake got on the board in the seventy-second minute on a Joao Plata goal, assisted by Javier Morales. Real tied it in the ninetieth minute as Alvaro Saborio knocked in a goal on a pass from Kenny Mansally. Salt Lake took the lead in the third minute of added time as Plata put away the go-ahead goal, via Saborio. They held on for a 3-2 win. Plata was the man of the match.

West again to Colorado, where the Rapids host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo of Los Angeles and Clinton Irwin of Colorado get the starting nods. Colorado started in the twentieth minute on a Vicente Sanchez goal, courtesy of Marc Burch. Los Angeles was shown a yellow card for a foul by Juninho in the eighty-eighth minute. The Galaxy picked up another yellow card in stoppage time as Samuel Rosa committed a bad foul three minutes into the added time. The Rapids were able to hold on for a 1-0 win. The man of the match was Irwin, who had a clean sheet in stopping the four shots directed on goal.

Up in Seattle, the Sounders FC bring in the Philadelphia Union. Zac MacMath of Philadelphia and Stefan Frei of Seattle draw the starts. Philadelphia received a gift in the thirteenth minute as Brad Evans was charged with an own goal. The Union saw Sheanon Williams pick up a yellow card in the thirty-first minute, followed by Maurice Edu having the same thing happen in the thirty-fifth minute. Both yellow cards were given for fouls. Seattle pulled level as Obafemi Martins scored in the sixty-first minute, allowing Evans some redemption with the assist. The Sounders FC gained the lead in the eighty-fourth minute on a Chad Marshall goal, with the assist by Marco Pappa. Clint Dempsey was hit with a yellow card for Seattle in the first minute of added time in the second half for a foul. The Sounders FC still won 2-1, and the man of the match was Marshall.

Down south, Chivas USA welcomes the Houston Dynamo. Tally Hall of Houston and Tim Melia of Chivas guard the cages. Chivas was first to score in the seventh minute on an Erick Torres goal, going in unassisted. Houston tied it on a twelfth minute goal from Brad Davis. The Dynamo took the lead in the thirty-second minute on a goal by Giles Barnes, via Oscar Boniek Garcia. Houston added on as Will Bruin scored in the second minute of stoppage time for the first half, and Corey Ashe and Andrew Driver picked up the assists. Chivas got a yellow card when Oswaldo Minda was dinged for persistent infringement. Things got worse for Chivas as goalie Melia got into a fight in the penalty zone, and was shown a red card in the sixty-seventh minute. After things were sorted out, Barnes put away the penalty kick for a goal, his second of the game in the sixty-ninth minute. Trevor Spangenberg came on in goal via a substitution for Torres. Chivas took another yellow card on a foul by Bobby Burling. The Dynamo won 4-1, with the man of the match being Barnes.

Finally, in Portland, the Timbers host D.C. United. Bill Hamid of D.C. and Donovan Ricketts of Portland are the keepers. Portland wasted no time in beginning the scoring, as Gaston Fernandez put one in the back of the net in the first minute, with assists credited to Diego Valeri and Darlington Nagbe. D.C. tied it on a twenty-first minute goal by Davy Arnaud, coming off of Perry Kitchen. The Timbers retook the lead in the thirty-eighth minute as Mamadou Danso scored, and Valeri picked up his second assist of the night. In the seventy-eighth minute, United tied it up again as Danso ended up being charged with an own goal. D.C.'s Fabian Espindola was hit with a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-sixth minute. Portland got a late goal by Maximiliano in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the second half, an unassisted effort that held up as the game winner for a 3-2 final. The man of the match was Valeri.

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