It's all down to this for the KHL, and this post will contain all of the action.
Game 1: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Ilya Sorokin for Moscow. Magnitogorsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Jan Kovar. Moscow tied it in the second period with a Sergei Andronov goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom. CSKA took the lead with an Alexander Radulov goal, via Simon Hjalmarsson and Stephane Da Costa on the power play. Moscow added on with a power play goal by Igor Ozhiganov, powered by Roman Lyubimov and Radulov. CSKA extended the lead in the third period as Nikita Zaitsev scored, thanks to Da Costa and Andrei Sergeyev. Moscow padded the lead with a Denis Denisov goal, with a lone assist by Zaitsev. The three stars of the 5-1 game were Radulov, Zaitsev, and Da Costa. CSKA owns a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Ilya Sorokin for Moscow. Moscow led off in the first period with a power play goal by Nikita Zaitsev, powered by Denis Denisov and Alexander Radulov. Magnitogorsk tied it in the second period with a Danis Zaripov goal, with a lone assist by Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg took the lead with an Alexei Bereglazov goal in the third period, going in unassisted. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Bereglazov, Koshechkin (25 for 26 in saves), and Zaripov. The series is tied at 1 as the action moves east.
Game 3: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Ilya Sorokin for Moscow and Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk. Magnitogorsk got going in the second period with a Danis Zaripov goal, passed from Chris Lee and Sergei Mozyakin. Moscow tied it with a third period Stephane Da Costa goal, via Kirill Petrov. CSKA took the lead with a power play goal by Nikita Zaitsev, powered by Ivan Telegin and Alexander Radulov. Metallurg tied it again with a Jan Kovar goal with seventeen seconds left in regulation, assisted by Zaripov and Alexander Semin. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime with a Da Costa power play goal, his second of the game, an unassisted goal. The win gives CSKA a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Ilya Sorokin for Moscow and Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk. Magnitogorsk dented the scoreboard in the third period with a Tomas Filippi goal, coming off of Wojtek Wolski and Viktor Antipin. This stood for a 1-0 win, with the three stars awarded to Koshechkin (30 save shutout), Filippi, and Sorokin (32 for 33 in saves). The series heads back to Moscow tied at 2.
Game 5: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Ilya Sorokin for Moscow. Moscow drew first blood in the third period with a Roman Lyubimov goal, assisted by Alexander Kutuzov and Bogdan Kiselevich. Magnitogorsk tied it on a Sergei Mozyakin goal, made possible by Alexei Bereglazov and Jan Kovar. Metallurg won 2-1 in overtime with another Mozyakin goal, via Kovar. The three stars went to Mozyakin, Koshechkin (30 for 31 in saves), and Kovar. Metallurg has the inside lane with a 3-2 series lead heading back home.
Game 6: Arena Metallurg, Magnitogorsk, Russia. In goal: Ilya Sorokin for Moscow and Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk. Moscow started in the first period with a Mikhail Yunkov goal, assisted by Alexander Kutuzov and Bogdan Kiselevich. CSKA added on with an Ivan Telegin goal, via Alexander Radulov in the second period. Magnitogorsk got on the board in the third period with a Chris Lee goal, guided in by Wojtek Wolski and Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg tied it with a Jan Kovar goal, made possible by Mozyakin and Alexander Semin. Moscow won 3-2 win overtime with a Yunkov goal, his second of the game, fueled by Simon Hjalmarsson and Maxim Mamin. The three stars were Yunkov, Mozyakin, and Telegin. The series heads back to Moscow tied at 3, setting up one final fight for the title.
Game 7: CSKA Ice Palace, Moscow, Russia. In goal: Vasily Koshechkin for Magnitogorsk and Ilya Sorokin for Moscow. Magnitogorsk began in the first period with an Evgeny Timkin goal, assisted by Chris Lee. Moscow tied it in the second period with a Maxim Mamin goal, passed from Bogdan Kiselevich and Geoff Platt. Metallurg took the lead on a Lee goal, via Danis Zaripov and Jan Kovar. Magnitogorsk iced it at 3-1 with an empty net goal by Timkin, going in unassisted. The three stars went to Lee, Timkin, and Koshechkin (36 for 37 in saves). Metallurg raised the Gagarin Cup with a 4-3 series win.
I can't say I'll be back for the next KHL season, but what I can say is that I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the league in the last three and a half years, beginning during the NHL lockout of 2012-13 and going through this season. However, with the rebranding of the blog to a more professional look and feel under the Outsider Sports name, I truly believe my future rests in American professional sports coverage, and I may have to let the KHL go to accommodate that. If this is it, I thank the fans and people of Russia for checking in and reading my content from time to time. I appreciate the support, and I hope you don't take this as me giving up on you. It's what I need to do for myself. As always, you can find me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
2015/16 Premier League Week 34
Full slate of games on this weekend, beginning with a Saturday six-pack. The first is from...
Norwich, as they host Sunderland. Vito Mannone and John Ruddy are the goalies. Wahbi Khazri of Sunderland took a yellow card for a thirty-second minute foul. In the fortieth minute, Andre Wisdom of Norwich City received a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland began with a Fabio Borini penalty kick goal in the forty-first minute. Sunderland added on in the fifty-third minute with a Jermain Defoe goal, passed from Borini. In the fifty-eighth minute, Lee Cattermole of Sunderland picked up a yellow card for a foul. Norwich City's Martin Olsson had a yellow card for dissent in the fifty-ninth minute. In stoppage time, Sunderland iced it at 3-0 with a Duncan Watmore goal, fueled by Sebastian Larsson.
North to Everton welcoming Southampton. Fraser Forster and Joel Robles man the nets. Darron Gibson of Everton took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-second minute. Everton got going in the sixty-eighth minute with Ramiro Funes Mori goal. Southampton tied it on a seventy-sixth minute Sadio Mane goal, set up by Dusan Tadic. Jay Rodriguez of Southampton had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute. This left the game in a 1-1 draw.
Along to Manchester United bringing in Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and David de Gea are the gloved men. Manchester United led off in the thirty-second minute with a Marcus Rashford goal, coming off of Antonio Valencia. Aston Villa saw a yellow card given to Kieran Richardson in the sixty-fifth minute for a foul. The game ended with Manchester United winning 1-0.
Next up, Newcastle United hosts Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Karl Darlow are in goal. In the ninth minute, Leroy Fer of Swansea City had a yellow card. Chancel Mbemba of Newcastle United drew a yellow card in the twenty-second minute for a foul. At the forty minute mark, Jamaal Lascelles opened the scoring for Newcastle United, with his goal set up by Andros Townsend. In the seventy-third minute, Vurnon Anita took a yellow card for a foul. Newcastle United added on in the eighty-second minute with a Moussa Sissoko goal. Newcastle United extended the lead as Townsend scored in the eighty-ninth minute, thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic. This stood for a 3-0 Newcastle United win.
To the south, West Bromwich Albion welcomes Watford. Heurelho Gomes and Ben Foster are between the posts. Watford started in the twenty-seventh minute on a Ben Watson goal, via Adlene Guedioura. At the thirty-two minute mark, Miguel Britos of Watford received a yellow card for his foul. Watford had yellow cards given to Gomes in the sixty-seventh minute and Troy Deeney in the eighty-sixth minute, both for fouls. Watford held on for a 1-0 win.
Saturday ends in London, with Chelsea bringing in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Thibaut Courtois guard the nets. In the twenty-ninth minute, Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City took a yellow card for a foul. Manchester City struck first in the thirty-third minute with a Sergio Aguero goal. Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. In the forty-seventh minute, Samir Nasri of Manchester City was booked on a yellow card for his foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Manchester City added on with another Aguero goal, set up by Nasri. Chelsea saw yellow cards for Cesar Azpilicueta's sixty-second minute handball and John Obi Mikel's foul in the seventy-second minute before losing their goalie and going a man down in the seventy-eighth minute when Courtois was shown a straight red card for a foul. Asmir Begovic relieved Courtois, and immediately conceded a penalty kick goal to complete a hat trick for Manchester City's Aguero in the eightieth minute. This stood for a 3-0 win for Manchester City.
On Sunday, the first game is Bournemouth hosting Liverpool. Danny Ward is mismatched with Artur Boruc in goal. Liverpool was first to score in the forty-first minute on a Roberto Firmino goal. Liverpool added on in first half stoppage time with a Daniel Sturridge goal, courtesy of Jordon Ibe. Bournemouth avoided the shutout in second half stoppage time with a Joshua King goal, set up by Andrew Surman. This only made it a 2-1 win for Liverpool instead.
Moving along to Leicester City welcoming West Ham United. Adrian and Kasper Schmeichel guard the woodwork. Leicester City drew first blood in the eighteenth minute with a Jamie Vardy goal, assisted by N'Golo Kante. In the twenty-eighth minute, Leicester City's Vardy received a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United saw yellow cards for Winston Reid in the thirtieth minute, Mark Noble in the fortieth minute, and Dimitri Payet in the forty-second minute, all for fouls. In the fifty-sixth minute, Vardy took a second yellow card, earning an ejection that saw Leicester City go down to ten men. In the seventy-seventh minute, Leicester City's Wes Morgan took a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United tied it with an Andy Carroll penalty kick goal in the eighty-fourth minute. West Ham United took the lead with an Aaron Cresswell goal in the eighty-sixth minute. Leicester City leveled it again with a stoppage time penalty kick goal by Leonardo Ulloa. This left the score at 2-2, the final.
Sunday's last game takes us in London, where Arsenal brings in Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Petr Cech are the gloved men. Arsenal dented the scoreboard in first half stoppage time with an Alexis Sanchez goal, via Danny Welbeck. Crystal Palace saw yellow cards given to Joe Ledley in the fifty-seventh minute and Scott Dann in the seventy-third minute, both for fouls. Crystal Palace tied it on an eighty-first minute Yannick Bolasie goal, assisted by Emmanuel Adebayor. This stood for a 1-1 draw.
On Monday, the week ends with Stoke City hosting Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Shay Given man the nets. Tottenham Hotspur cracked the scoresheet in the ninth minute with a Harry Kane goal, via Mousa Dembele. In the sixty-first minute, Giannella Imbula of Stoke City had a yellow card for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Dele Alli goal, passed from Christian Eriksen. In the seventy-first minute, Tottenham Hotspur extended the lead as Kane scored again, thanks to Erik Lamela. In the seventy-ninth minute, Stoke City's Charlie Adam took a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur padded the lead in the eighty-second minute with an Alli goal, assisted by Eriksen. This stood for a 4-0 win for the visitors.
Norwich, as they host Sunderland. Vito Mannone and John Ruddy are the goalies. Wahbi Khazri of Sunderland took a yellow card for a thirty-second minute foul. In the fortieth minute, Andre Wisdom of Norwich City received a yellow card for his foul. Sunderland began with a Fabio Borini penalty kick goal in the forty-first minute. Sunderland added on in the fifty-third minute with a Jermain Defoe goal, passed from Borini. In the fifty-eighth minute, Lee Cattermole of Sunderland picked up a yellow card for a foul. Norwich City's Martin Olsson had a yellow card for dissent in the fifty-ninth minute. In stoppage time, Sunderland iced it at 3-0 with a Duncan Watmore goal, fueled by Sebastian Larsson.
North to Everton welcoming Southampton. Fraser Forster and Joel Robles man the nets. Darron Gibson of Everton took a yellow card for a foul in the forty-second minute. Everton got going in the sixty-eighth minute with Ramiro Funes Mori goal. Southampton tied it on a seventy-sixth minute Sadio Mane goal, set up by Dusan Tadic. Jay Rodriguez of Southampton had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute. This left the game in a 1-1 draw.
Along to Manchester United bringing in Aston Villa. Brad Guzan and David de Gea are the gloved men. Manchester United led off in the thirty-second minute with a Marcus Rashford goal, coming off of Antonio Valencia. Aston Villa saw a yellow card given to Kieran Richardson in the sixty-fifth minute for a foul. The game ended with Manchester United winning 1-0.
Next up, Newcastle United hosts Swansea City. Lukasz Fabianski and Karl Darlow are in goal. In the ninth minute, Leroy Fer of Swansea City had a yellow card. Chancel Mbemba of Newcastle United drew a yellow card in the twenty-second minute for a foul. At the forty minute mark, Jamaal Lascelles opened the scoring for Newcastle United, with his goal set up by Andros Townsend. In the seventy-third minute, Vurnon Anita took a yellow card for a foul. Newcastle United added on in the eighty-second minute with a Moussa Sissoko goal. Newcastle United extended the lead as Townsend scored in the eighty-ninth minute, thanks to Aleksandar Mitrovic. This stood for a 3-0 Newcastle United win.
To the south, West Bromwich Albion welcomes Watford. Heurelho Gomes and Ben Foster are between the posts. Watford started in the twenty-seventh minute on a Ben Watson goal, via Adlene Guedioura. At the thirty-two minute mark, Miguel Britos of Watford received a yellow card for his foul. Watford had yellow cards given to Gomes in the sixty-seventh minute and Troy Deeney in the eighty-sixth minute, both for fouls. Watford held on for a 1-0 win.
Saturday ends in London, with Chelsea bringing in Manchester City. Joe Hart and Thibaut Courtois guard the nets. In the twenty-ninth minute, Pablo Zabaleta of Manchester City took a yellow card for a foul. Manchester City struck first in the thirty-third minute with a Sergio Aguero goal. Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City had a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. In the forty-seventh minute, Samir Nasri of Manchester City was booked on a yellow card for his foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, Manchester City added on with another Aguero goal, set up by Nasri. Chelsea saw yellow cards for Cesar Azpilicueta's sixty-second minute handball and John Obi Mikel's foul in the seventy-second minute before losing their goalie and going a man down in the seventy-eighth minute when Courtois was shown a straight red card for a foul. Asmir Begovic relieved Courtois, and immediately conceded a penalty kick goal to complete a hat trick for Manchester City's Aguero in the eightieth minute. This stood for a 3-0 win for Manchester City.
On Sunday, the first game is Bournemouth hosting Liverpool. Danny Ward is mismatched with Artur Boruc in goal. Liverpool was first to score in the forty-first minute on a Roberto Firmino goal. Liverpool added on in first half stoppage time with a Daniel Sturridge goal, courtesy of Jordon Ibe. Bournemouth avoided the shutout in second half stoppage time with a Joshua King goal, set up by Andrew Surman. This only made it a 2-1 win for Liverpool instead.
Moving along to Leicester City welcoming West Ham United. Adrian and Kasper Schmeichel guard the woodwork. Leicester City drew first blood in the eighteenth minute with a Jamie Vardy goal, assisted by N'Golo Kante. In the twenty-eighth minute, Leicester City's Vardy received a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United saw yellow cards for Winston Reid in the thirtieth minute, Mark Noble in the fortieth minute, and Dimitri Payet in the forty-second minute, all for fouls. In the fifty-sixth minute, Vardy took a second yellow card, earning an ejection that saw Leicester City go down to ten men. In the seventy-seventh minute, Leicester City's Wes Morgan took a yellow card for a foul. West Ham United tied it with an Andy Carroll penalty kick goal in the eighty-fourth minute. West Ham United took the lead with an Aaron Cresswell goal in the eighty-sixth minute. Leicester City leveled it again with a stoppage time penalty kick goal by Leonardo Ulloa. This left the score at 2-2, the final.
Sunday's last game takes us in London, where Arsenal brings in Crystal Palace. Wayne Hennessey and Petr Cech are the gloved men. Arsenal dented the scoreboard in first half stoppage time with an Alexis Sanchez goal, via Danny Welbeck. Crystal Palace saw yellow cards given to Joe Ledley in the fifty-seventh minute and Scott Dann in the seventy-third minute, both for fouls. Crystal Palace tied it on an eighty-first minute Yannick Bolasie goal, assisted by Emmanuel Adebayor. This stood for a 1-1 draw.
On Monday, the week ends with Stoke City hosting Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris and Shay Given man the nets. Tottenham Hotspur cracked the scoresheet in the ninth minute with a Harry Kane goal, via Mousa Dembele. In the sixty-first minute, Giannella Imbula of Stoke City had a yellow card for his foul. Tottenham Hotspur added on in the sixty-seventh minute with a Dele Alli goal, passed from Christian Eriksen. In the seventy-first minute, Tottenham Hotspur extended the lead as Kane scored again, thanks to Erik Lamela. In the seventy-ninth minute, Stoke City's Charlie Adam took a yellow card for a foul. Tottenham Hotspur padded the lead in the eighty-second minute with an Alli goal, assisted by Eriksen. This stood for a 4-0 win for the visitors.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
NWSL Week 1
Hello, and welcome to the fourth season of the NWSL. The league is up to ten teams, and all of them are in action over this weekend. On Saturday, there are three games, beginning with...
The Washington Spirit hosting the Boston Breakers. Libby Stout and Stephanie Labbe will play in goal as the season begins. The game can be found at this link. Washington opened the scoring early with a third minute goal by Joanna Lohman on a bicycle kick, assisted by Crystal Dunn. In the twenty-third minute, there was an interesting occurrence on a Boston corner kick, where a foul was called as Labbe caught the ball over the line, but no goal came from the play. The Spirit almost found another when McCall Zerboni was lazy on the ball, and Dunn stole it, but her pass to Katie Stengel was deflected. Kristie Mewis nearly had an equalizer for the Breakers in the fortieth minute, but the shot went high. The first half ended with the Spirit up 1-0, and they've controlled most of the play. The Breakers defense has occasionally looked shaky, and Stout struggled early on before settling in. Caprice Dydasco has looked really good for the Spirit on the back line. The second half opened with more end-to-end action, but with another slight tilt in Washington's favor due to sloppy passing from Boston in their own half of the field. In the sixty-eighth minute, Dunn laid off to Ali Krieger, and Krieger's cross to Christine Nairn was denied by Whitney Engen to keep the Breakers alive. In the eighty-sixth minute, the Spirit's Megan Oyster received a yellow card for a hard foul on Kyah Simon. The game ended at 1-0, with Lohman being the Outsider Sports Woman of the Match, with honorable mentions for Dydasco, Engen, and Zerboni.
In the Midwest, FC Kansas City welcomes the Western New York Flash. The goalies are Sabrina D'Angelo and Nicole Barnhart. You can watch the game here. Kansas City came out in a strange formation, going with three in the back for this game. The game started out with a bit of balance between the teams, and a bit of physicality as well. Shea Groom had the best early chances in the thirteenth minute for the Blues. Jessica McDonald couldn't quite connect on a Lynn Williams cross in the sixteenth minute, sending the ball wide on Western New York's best early chance. McDonald missed another one wide in the eighteenth minute as the Flash press early. Groom went wide again in the twenty-ninth minute. At the half hour mark, the scoreless game has seen a fair share of shots for each side, but the goalies have been up to task. The Flash are a bit more reckless than the Blues so far, making it seem like Kansas City will get a breakthrough soon. Williams sent a shot high in the thirty-seventh minute, squandering the work of a good pass from Adriana Leon. Barnhart made a save on McDonald shot on a pass from Elizabeth Eddy. Barnhart made two more huge saves in the forty-second minute among a flurry of action by Western New York as they make a big push late in the half. Additionally, Erika Tymrak has been impressive in drawing fouls for Kansas City. The game goes into halftime scoreless. Defensive backs Becky Sauerbrunn and Yael Averbuch also handled most everything that came their way in the first half. Barnhart was called into action for a save early in the second half. The Flash had trouble clearing their lines in the sixty-third minute, and Jen Buczkowski nearly picked the lower left corner, but D'Angelo stretched out for the save. In the seventieth minute, Barnhart saved a free kick from Abby Dahlkemper, continuing an impressive game that has seen the Flash pull away in shots. Samantha Mewis converted a penalty kick in the seventy-second minute, finally breaking Kansas City's resistance as she sent Barnhart the other way to give Western New York the lead. Sauerbrunn's handball created the spot kick. In the seventy-fourth minute, Heather O'Reilly received a yellow card for her foul. In the seventy-eighth minute, Fran Silva made a weaving run through the defense, but D'Angelo made another strong save to deny the equalizing attempt. Barnhart pulled off another save of a curling Williams shot in the eighty-eighth minute. In stoppage time, Groom nearly got one past D'Angelo, but she knocked it out. Sub Tiffany McCarty was hauled down in the box by Eddy. O'Reilly stepped up for the Blues, but missed the penalty kick off the post, and the Flash escaped with a thrilling 1-0 win. The Outsider Sports Woman of the Match honors go to D'Angelo for her solid work in goal, while McDonald and Williams also impressed on the Flash side. For the Blues, Barnhart couldn't do anything about the penalty kick, and Groom also looked good in the attack for the hosts.
The last game on Saturday has the Houston Dash hosting the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Lydia Williams protect the nets. The game can be found by following this link. In the second minute, a Janine Beckie cross led to a distance shot from Rachel Daly that went over the bar as Houston's rookies combine for early skill. Chicago's Julie Johnston made a big block on a Beckie cross to prevent a shot by the Dash's Kealia Ohai. The Red Stars struck first in the thirteenth minute as a back pass got through multiple Houston defenders, and Christen Press pounced on it for the easy goal, coming somewhat against the run of play as Houston has been dominant up to that point. In the twenty-second minute, it was Chicago's turn for a defensive breakdown, as Sam Johnson's poor slide set up Daly for a long-range one-touch strike to tie the game for the Dash. In the twenty-seventh minute, Naeher's defense had to bail her out when she got knocked down, and Johnson stood tall against a sharp Carli Lloyd shot. The Red Stars continued under an onslaught of shots for a few minutes. In the thirty-third minute, Chicago's Danielle Colaprico nearly had one from outside the box, but the keeper Williams punched it over to keep things level. The latter parts of the half were pretty calm, and they entered the locker rooms tied at 1. Houston has seen good work from their forwards Ohai, Beckie, and Daly, while also a solid half from Allysha Chapman, the left back, and Amber Brooks in the defensive midfield. Chicago's best play has been from Johnston at center back. Naeher, and Press up front providing pressure and a dangerous shot. The Dash have had the better of play so far. Houston took the lead in fifty-first minute with a Lloyd goal set up by Daly with a strong cross to create the header by Lloyd. Houston added on with a Beckie goal in the fifty-third minute, passed from Ohai, who did well to get onto a ball into space behind Johnston, who didn't attack the ball with as much pressure as Ohai did. In the sixty-first minute, Alyssa Mautz of the Red Stars received a yellow card for persistent infringement. In the seventy-fifth minute, Johnson took a yellow card for her foul. As the game winds down, the Dash are protecting their lead, and the Red Stars have failed to really make waves in the second half. In the eighty-second minute, Houston nearly got another when Stephanie Ochs deflected a ball off the Chicago defense, but it went wide for a corner kick. The Red Stars had to stave off more in the eighty-fifth minute, blocking three shots in rapid succession. A minute later, Ochs was denied by Naeher from close range. The game ended 3-1 for the Dash, with Daly the Outsider Sports Woman of the Match. Impressing in the second half was Ellie Brush with her subtly solid defense.
On Sunday, the first of two games sees the Seattle Reign FC bring in Sky Blue FC. Caroline Casey and Hope Solo protect the nets. The game can be found here on YouTube. Seattle got a bit of break going in the fourth minute, but Kim Little's low shot was easily gobbled by Casey. The Reign nearly got one when Casey's clearance hit Manon Melis, but the spin kept it out of the net and kept the game scoreless. Seattle is controlling the game a bit more at the start. Sky Blue proved lethal on a counter in the fifteenth minute with a goal by Natasha Kai, set up by Kelley O'Hara with a brilliant cross. Seattle kept the pressure up with Melis running at goal but firing a bad-angle shot straight at Casey. A counter in the twenty-sixth minute, again led by O'Hara led to a wide shot by Kelly Conheeney. In the thirty-sixth minute, Merritt Mathias got called for a foul in the box on O'Hara, but Hope Solo turned aside the penalty kick by Sarah Killion, and the rebound went out for a goal kick to preserve things. Solo did receive a yellow card prior to the spot kick for dissent. The end of the half lacked much drama, and Sky Blue will take a 1-0 lead into the half. Impressing so far in the game, O'Hara, Kai, and Casey have provided a strong core for the visitors. Also, the Reign have gotten good performances from Jess Fishlock, Melis, and Beverly Yanez as they have had the quantity, if not quality, of shots. In the fifty-second minute, Fishlock found Mathias near the post, and she headed it in past Casey to tie the game after applying a lot of pressure to start the second half. They nearly had another as Mathias led a break the other way, but Sky Blue cleared the attack. The Reign have kept up a lot of pressure since getting the equalizer, but the back line has held strong for Sky Blue. Raquel Rodriguez led an attack in the sixty-seventh minute, seeing O'Hara shoot right at Solo, but her bad distribution allowed Conheeney to score on a pass from Taylor Lytle, regaining the lead for Sky Blue. The Reign are continuing to press as they try to find another equalizer in the last fifteen minutes. In the eightieth minute, Seattle sub Rachel Corsie took a yellow card for her foul on O'Hara. Sky Blue has remained in a defensive shell to protect their lead, and sloppy passing from the Reign has neutered most of their forays on offense. The final stood at 2-1 for Sky Blue FC, with O'Hara the Outsider Sports Woman of the match. Other impressive players not mentioned at halftime include Conheeney and Lytle, while Seattle's Mathias did do well to get her goal and sub Kiersten Dallstream played well in limited minutes.
Finally, the Portland Thorns FC host the brand new Orlando Pride. The goalies are Ashlyn Harris and Michelle Betos. The game is available at this link. Portland has had the bulk of the early possession, and a corner kick from Tobin Heath led to a high shot by Allie Long on the rebound. Orlando got a shot from Maddy Evans in the sixth minute, but it was blocked by the Thorns back line. An eighth minute free kick from Steph Catley beat Betos, but hit the crossbar on a rope, narrowly denying the Pride an early lead. Kristen Edmonds gave Orlando a free kick on the far edge of the box after being fouled by Tobin Heath, and the free kick produced a goal from Catley directly from the kick as Betos couldn't get a mitt on it. Orlando leads 1-0 in the twelfth minute after that goal. Heath had a solid effort, beating two players before Laura Alleway knocked it out for a corner that Heath couldn't make anything of. Portland equalized on a Heath cross after Nadia Nadim missed on the first attempt, and Dagny Brynjarsdottir finished right in the middle of the box, past Harris, to tie the game at 1. Around the half hour mark, the physicality came into play quite a bit, making things a tad chippy. In the thirty-third minute, Lindsey Horan was the only thing stopping an Evans cross from finding Alex Morgan. Nadim nearly had one in the thirty-ninth minute, but only because she was offside. In the forty-second minute, Morgan played Jasmyne Spencer in, but Betos made a point-blank save to preserve the score. A late half cross from Heath led to Dagny and Harris colliding in the air, and Dagny received a yellow card for the play. Harris remained down for awhile. The first half ended tied at 1. Looking good so far for the Pride are Catley, Alleway, Morgan, and Evans, while the Thorns have seen good efforts from Dagny, Heath, Long, and Nadim. The game has often been wide open to this point. Portland's offside problems finally proved costly, as Meghan Klingenberg teed up a Nadim cross, and Long was caught offside as she headed the ball past Harris for a near-goal negated by the call. Betos nearly gave one up when she was slow to clear the ball, and Spencer slid in just a second late looking for a go-ahead goal. In the sixty-second minute, Kaylyn Kyle just chipped a ball over the crossbar off of a corner kick. Things have gone end-to-end somewhat in the second half. Alleway nearly had one for the Pride in the seventy-eighth minute, but it went right to Betos and the score is still tied late in the game. In the seventy-ninth minute, Alleway took a yellow card for a foul on Dagny as the latter tried to make a break toward the Pride net. In the eighty-first minute, it was Orlando's Morgan making a run into space to take a shot on Betos, but she too was denied, earning a corner kick. The frantic play finally burst as Heath found her national team teammate Horan in the middle of the box around US #3 keeper Harris, giving the Thorns a late 2-1 lead. Lianne Sanderson had a good cross in the eighty-seventh minute, but Dani Weatherholt and Kyle both missed, and Betos let it roll out harmlessly as Orlando is desperate to tie the game. In the eighty-ninth minute, Klingenberg took a yellow card for time wasting. Dagny nearly had another in the same minute, but she shot high on the pass from Heath. In the ninetieth minute, Heath was fouled by Orlando's Kyle, and that received a yellow card for the midfielder. Heath hammered another shot in stoppage time, going just wide of the Pride net. The game ended 2-1 for the Thorns, and Heath is the Outsider Sports Woman of the Match. Earning some additional mentions include Spencer of Orlando and Horan of Portland for their strong second halves.
WEEK 1 BEST XI
GK Sabrina D'Angelo
RB Kelley O'Hara
CB Laura Alleway
CB Whitney Engen
LB Caprice Dydasco
DM Amber Brooks
RW Joanna Lohman
LW Tobin Heath
RF Rachel Daly
CF Natasha Kai
LF Janine Beckie
The Washington Spirit hosting the Boston Breakers. Libby Stout and Stephanie Labbe will play in goal as the season begins. The game can be found at this link. Washington opened the scoring early with a third minute goal by Joanna Lohman on a bicycle kick, assisted by Crystal Dunn. In the twenty-third minute, there was an interesting occurrence on a Boston corner kick, where a foul was called as Labbe caught the ball over the line, but no goal came from the play. The Spirit almost found another when McCall Zerboni was lazy on the ball, and Dunn stole it, but her pass to Katie Stengel was deflected. Kristie Mewis nearly had an equalizer for the Breakers in the fortieth minute, but the shot went high. The first half ended with the Spirit up 1-0, and they've controlled most of the play. The Breakers defense has occasionally looked shaky, and Stout struggled early on before settling in. Caprice Dydasco has looked really good for the Spirit on the back line. The second half opened with more end-to-end action, but with another slight tilt in Washington's favor due to sloppy passing from Boston in their own half of the field. In the sixty-eighth minute, Dunn laid off to Ali Krieger, and Krieger's cross to Christine Nairn was denied by Whitney Engen to keep the Breakers alive. In the eighty-sixth minute, the Spirit's Megan Oyster received a yellow card for a hard foul on Kyah Simon. The game ended at 1-0, with Lohman being the Outsider Sports Woman of the Match, with honorable mentions for Dydasco, Engen, and Zerboni.
In the Midwest, FC Kansas City welcomes the Western New York Flash. The goalies are Sabrina D'Angelo and Nicole Barnhart. You can watch the game here. Kansas City came out in a strange formation, going with three in the back for this game. The game started out with a bit of balance between the teams, and a bit of physicality as well. Shea Groom had the best early chances in the thirteenth minute for the Blues. Jessica McDonald couldn't quite connect on a Lynn Williams cross in the sixteenth minute, sending the ball wide on Western New York's best early chance. McDonald missed another one wide in the eighteenth minute as the Flash press early. Groom went wide again in the twenty-ninth minute. At the half hour mark, the scoreless game has seen a fair share of shots for each side, but the goalies have been up to task. The Flash are a bit more reckless than the Blues so far, making it seem like Kansas City will get a breakthrough soon. Williams sent a shot high in the thirty-seventh minute, squandering the work of a good pass from Adriana Leon. Barnhart made a save on McDonald shot on a pass from Elizabeth Eddy. Barnhart made two more huge saves in the forty-second minute among a flurry of action by Western New York as they make a big push late in the half. Additionally, Erika Tymrak has been impressive in drawing fouls for Kansas City. The game goes into halftime scoreless. Defensive backs Becky Sauerbrunn and Yael Averbuch also handled most everything that came their way in the first half. Barnhart was called into action for a save early in the second half. The Flash had trouble clearing their lines in the sixty-third minute, and Jen Buczkowski nearly picked the lower left corner, but D'Angelo stretched out for the save. In the seventieth minute, Barnhart saved a free kick from Abby Dahlkemper, continuing an impressive game that has seen the Flash pull away in shots. Samantha Mewis converted a penalty kick in the seventy-second minute, finally breaking Kansas City's resistance as she sent Barnhart the other way to give Western New York the lead. Sauerbrunn's handball created the spot kick. In the seventy-fourth minute, Heather O'Reilly received a yellow card for her foul. In the seventy-eighth minute, Fran Silva made a weaving run through the defense, but D'Angelo made another strong save to deny the equalizing attempt. Barnhart pulled off another save of a curling Williams shot in the eighty-eighth minute. In stoppage time, Groom nearly got one past D'Angelo, but she knocked it out. Sub Tiffany McCarty was hauled down in the box by Eddy. O'Reilly stepped up for the Blues, but missed the penalty kick off the post, and the Flash escaped with a thrilling 1-0 win. The Outsider Sports Woman of the Match honors go to D'Angelo for her solid work in goal, while McDonald and Williams also impressed on the Flash side. For the Blues, Barnhart couldn't do anything about the penalty kick, and Groom also looked good in the attack for the hosts.
The last game on Saturday has the Houston Dash hosting the Chicago Red Stars. Alyssa Naeher and Lydia Williams protect the nets. The game can be found by following this link. In the second minute, a Janine Beckie cross led to a distance shot from Rachel Daly that went over the bar as Houston's rookies combine for early skill. Chicago's Julie Johnston made a big block on a Beckie cross to prevent a shot by the Dash's Kealia Ohai. The Red Stars struck first in the thirteenth minute as a back pass got through multiple Houston defenders, and Christen Press pounced on it for the easy goal, coming somewhat against the run of play as Houston has been dominant up to that point. In the twenty-second minute, it was Chicago's turn for a defensive breakdown, as Sam Johnson's poor slide set up Daly for a long-range one-touch strike to tie the game for the Dash. In the twenty-seventh minute, Naeher's defense had to bail her out when she got knocked down, and Johnson stood tall against a sharp Carli Lloyd shot. The Red Stars continued under an onslaught of shots for a few minutes. In the thirty-third minute, Chicago's Danielle Colaprico nearly had one from outside the box, but the keeper Williams punched it over to keep things level. The latter parts of the half were pretty calm, and they entered the locker rooms tied at 1. Houston has seen good work from their forwards Ohai, Beckie, and Daly, while also a solid half from Allysha Chapman, the left back, and Amber Brooks in the defensive midfield. Chicago's best play has been from Johnston at center back. Naeher, and Press up front providing pressure and a dangerous shot. The Dash have had the better of play so far. Houston took the lead in fifty-first minute with a Lloyd goal set up by Daly with a strong cross to create the header by Lloyd. Houston added on with a Beckie goal in the fifty-third minute, passed from Ohai, who did well to get onto a ball into space behind Johnston, who didn't attack the ball with as much pressure as Ohai did. In the sixty-first minute, Alyssa Mautz of the Red Stars received a yellow card for persistent infringement. In the seventy-fifth minute, Johnson took a yellow card for her foul. As the game winds down, the Dash are protecting their lead, and the Red Stars have failed to really make waves in the second half. In the eighty-second minute, Houston nearly got another when Stephanie Ochs deflected a ball off the Chicago defense, but it went wide for a corner kick. The Red Stars had to stave off more in the eighty-fifth minute, blocking three shots in rapid succession. A minute later, Ochs was denied by Naeher from close range. The game ended 3-1 for the Dash, with Daly the Outsider Sports Woman of the Match. Impressing in the second half was Ellie Brush with her subtly solid defense.
On Sunday, the first of two games sees the Seattle Reign FC bring in Sky Blue FC. Caroline Casey and Hope Solo protect the nets. The game can be found here on YouTube. Seattle got a bit of break going in the fourth minute, but Kim Little's low shot was easily gobbled by Casey. The Reign nearly got one when Casey's clearance hit Manon Melis, but the spin kept it out of the net and kept the game scoreless. Seattle is controlling the game a bit more at the start. Sky Blue proved lethal on a counter in the fifteenth minute with a goal by Natasha Kai, set up by Kelley O'Hara with a brilliant cross. Seattle kept the pressure up with Melis running at goal but firing a bad-angle shot straight at Casey. A counter in the twenty-sixth minute, again led by O'Hara led to a wide shot by Kelly Conheeney. In the thirty-sixth minute, Merritt Mathias got called for a foul in the box on O'Hara, but Hope Solo turned aside the penalty kick by Sarah Killion, and the rebound went out for a goal kick to preserve things. Solo did receive a yellow card prior to the spot kick for dissent. The end of the half lacked much drama, and Sky Blue will take a 1-0 lead into the half. Impressing so far in the game, O'Hara, Kai, and Casey have provided a strong core for the visitors. Also, the Reign have gotten good performances from Jess Fishlock, Melis, and Beverly Yanez as they have had the quantity, if not quality, of shots. In the fifty-second minute, Fishlock found Mathias near the post, and she headed it in past Casey to tie the game after applying a lot of pressure to start the second half. They nearly had another as Mathias led a break the other way, but Sky Blue cleared the attack. The Reign have kept up a lot of pressure since getting the equalizer, but the back line has held strong for Sky Blue. Raquel Rodriguez led an attack in the sixty-seventh minute, seeing O'Hara shoot right at Solo, but her bad distribution allowed Conheeney to score on a pass from Taylor Lytle, regaining the lead for Sky Blue. The Reign are continuing to press as they try to find another equalizer in the last fifteen minutes. In the eightieth minute, Seattle sub Rachel Corsie took a yellow card for her foul on O'Hara. Sky Blue has remained in a defensive shell to protect their lead, and sloppy passing from the Reign has neutered most of their forays on offense. The final stood at 2-1 for Sky Blue FC, with O'Hara the Outsider Sports Woman of the match. Other impressive players not mentioned at halftime include Conheeney and Lytle, while Seattle's Mathias did do well to get her goal and sub Kiersten Dallstream played well in limited minutes.
Finally, the Portland Thorns FC host the brand new Orlando Pride. The goalies are Ashlyn Harris and Michelle Betos. The game is available at this link. Portland has had the bulk of the early possession, and a corner kick from Tobin Heath led to a high shot by Allie Long on the rebound. Orlando got a shot from Maddy Evans in the sixth minute, but it was blocked by the Thorns back line. An eighth minute free kick from Steph Catley beat Betos, but hit the crossbar on a rope, narrowly denying the Pride an early lead. Kristen Edmonds gave Orlando a free kick on the far edge of the box after being fouled by Tobin Heath, and the free kick produced a goal from Catley directly from the kick as Betos couldn't get a mitt on it. Orlando leads 1-0 in the twelfth minute after that goal. Heath had a solid effort, beating two players before Laura Alleway knocked it out for a corner that Heath couldn't make anything of. Portland equalized on a Heath cross after Nadia Nadim missed on the first attempt, and Dagny Brynjarsdottir finished right in the middle of the box, past Harris, to tie the game at 1. Around the half hour mark, the physicality came into play quite a bit, making things a tad chippy. In the thirty-third minute, Lindsey Horan was the only thing stopping an Evans cross from finding Alex Morgan. Nadim nearly had one in the thirty-ninth minute, but only because she was offside. In the forty-second minute, Morgan played Jasmyne Spencer in, but Betos made a point-blank save to preserve the score. A late half cross from Heath led to Dagny and Harris colliding in the air, and Dagny received a yellow card for the play. Harris remained down for awhile. The first half ended tied at 1. Looking good so far for the Pride are Catley, Alleway, Morgan, and Evans, while the Thorns have seen good efforts from Dagny, Heath, Long, and Nadim. The game has often been wide open to this point. Portland's offside problems finally proved costly, as Meghan Klingenberg teed up a Nadim cross, and Long was caught offside as she headed the ball past Harris for a near-goal negated by the call. Betos nearly gave one up when she was slow to clear the ball, and Spencer slid in just a second late looking for a go-ahead goal. In the sixty-second minute, Kaylyn Kyle just chipped a ball over the crossbar off of a corner kick. Things have gone end-to-end somewhat in the second half. Alleway nearly had one for the Pride in the seventy-eighth minute, but it went right to Betos and the score is still tied late in the game. In the seventy-ninth minute, Alleway took a yellow card for a foul on Dagny as the latter tried to make a break toward the Pride net. In the eighty-first minute, it was Orlando's Morgan making a run into space to take a shot on Betos, but she too was denied, earning a corner kick. The frantic play finally burst as Heath found her national team teammate Horan in the middle of the box around US #3 keeper Harris, giving the Thorns a late 2-1 lead. Lianne Sanderson had a good cross in the eighty-seventh minute, but Dani Weatherholt and Kyle both missed, and Betos let it roll out harmlessly as Orlando is desperate to tie the game. In the eighty-ninth minute, Klingenberg took a yellow card for time wasting. Dagny nearly had another in the same minute, but she shot high on the pass from Heath. In the ninetieth minute, Heath was fouled by Orlando's Kyle, and that received a yellow card for the midfielder. Heath hammered another shot in stoppage time, going just wide of the Pride net. The game ended 2-1 for the Thorns, and Heath is the Outsider Sports Woman of the Match. Earning some additional mentions include Spencer of Orlando and Horan of Portland for their strong second halves.
WEEK 1 BEST XI
GK Sabrina D'Angelo
RB Kelley O'Hara
CB Laura Alleway
CB Whitney Engen
LB Caprice Dydasco
DM Amber Brooks
RW Joanna Lohman
LW Tobin Heath
RF Rachel Daly
CF Natasha Kai
LF Janine Beckie
Major League Soccer 2016 - Week 7
It's a full schedule this weekend, beginning with Friday's...
Houston Dynamo hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brian Rowe and Joe Willis are in goal. Houston began in the first minute with a David Horst goal, fueled by Alex and Cristian Maidana. Los Angeles tied it with a Giovani Dos Santos goal in the fourth minute. The Galaxy took the lead with a Baggio Husidic goal in the twenty-first minute. Los Angeles added on with a thirty-first minute Dos Santos goal, passed from Steven Gerrard. The Galaxy extended the lead as Gyasi Zardes buried a goal, passed from Sebastian Lletget and Dos Santos. In the fifty-sixth minute, Ashley Cole of Los Angeles took a yellow card for a foul, as did teammate Daniel Steres in the eighty-ninth minute for a foul as well. The final stood at 4-1, with Dos Santos the man of the match with a brace.
The first of Saturday's seven sees the Chicago Fire welcome the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Matt Lampson draw the starts in goal. Chicago opened in the twenty-ninth minute with a Kennedy Igboananike goal, fueled by Gilberto. Montreal tied it on a fifty-sixth minute goal from Didier Drogba, passed from Dominic Oduro. The Impact took the lead with a stoppage time goal by Ignacio Piatti, via Oduro. This made it 2-1, the final, with Oduro named man of the match for his role in setting up both goals.
Over in DC, United brings in Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Travis Worra are the gloved men. Toronto led off with a first minute goal by Sebastian Giovinco, via Marco Delgado and Jozy Altidore. In the thirty-fifth minute, Altidore took a yellow card for his foul. In the eighty-eighth minute, Irwin of Toronto took a yellow card for time wasting. DC had yellow cards for fouls by Marcelo Savas in the eighty-ninth minute and Steve Birnbaum in stoppage time. The final held at 1-0, with Giovinco being the man of the match.
Back west, the Columbus Crew SC host New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Steve Clark protect the nets. Columbus started with an Ethan Finlay goal, courtesy of Justin Meram in the seventh minute. New York City tied it on a fifteenth minute goal by David Villa, passed from Andoni Iraola. In the twenty-seventh minute, Jason Hernandez of New York City took a yellow card for a foul. In the forty-third minute, Wil Trapp took a yellow card for his foul for the Crew. Columbus retook the lead with a Kei Kamara goal in the forty-ninth minute, assisted by Meram. The Crew added on with an eightieth minute Meram goal, coming off of Finlay and Federico Higuain. New York City had yellow cards for Patrick Mullins' eighty-second minute foul and persistent infringement by Iraola in the eighty-fourth minute. Columbus went down a man in the eighty-sixth minute when Michael Parkhurst took a straight red card for a foul, allowing New York City to get a goal back on a Villa penalty kick goal. This still came up short, with the final being 3-2 for the Crew, and Meram was the man of the match for a goal and two assists.
Further west, the Colorado Rapids welcome the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Zac MacMath draw the starts in goal. Colorado struck first in the twenty-first minute with a Jermaine Jones goal, coming off of Mekeil Williams. In the thirty-sixth minute, New York saw a yellow card for Mike Grella's foul. The Red Bulls tied on a sixtieth minute goal by Ronald Zubar, passed from Sacha Kljestan. In the sixty-fourth minute, New York's Chris Duvall had a yellow card for a foul, as did Zubar in the seventy-ninth minute for his own foul. The Rapids took the lead in the eighty-second minute on a Dominique Badji goal, passed from Jones and Luis Solignac. In the eighty-fourth minute, Kemar Lawrence had a yellow card for the Red Bulls for a foul. Colorado's Conor Doyle took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time. The Rapids won 2-1, with the man of the match being Jones for the goal and assist.
Along to Utah, where Real Salt Lake brings in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Nick Rimando are the reliable keepers. Salt Lake got going in the fifty-fifth minute with a Juan Manuel Martinez goal, passed from Joao Plata. In the seventy-first minute, Real's Kyle Beckerman took a yellow card for a foul. Vancouver had yellow cards for fouls by Kendall Waston in the seventy-ninth minute and Octavio Rivero in stoppage time, both for fouls. The final stayed at 1-0, with Martinez named the man of the match.
Up in Seattle, the Sounders FC host the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Stefan Frei are in the six-yard boxes. Philadelphia had yellow cards for fouls by Roland Alberg in the thirty-second minute and Fabinho in the thirty-fourth minute. Seattle was first to score in the forty-first minute on a Chad Marshall goal, assisted by Andreas Ivanschitz. In the fifty-third minute, Alberg of the Union took a second yellow card for a foul, with his ejection putting the visitors down to ten men. The Sounders' Dylan Remick had a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute handball. Seattle added on in the seventy-first minute with a Jordan Morris goal, helped along by Ivanschitz. Philadelphia got on the board in the seventy-third minute with a Sebastien Le Toux goal, coming off of C.J. Sapong and Fabinho. In the eighty-seventh minute, the Union's Leo Fernandes received a yellow card for a foul. The Sounders saw yellow cards given to Nelson Valdez in the eighty-eighth minute for a foul and to Osvaldo Alonso for time wasting in stoppage time. The Sounders claimed a 2-1 win, with Ivanschitz earning the man of the match honors.
In Oregon, the Portland Timbers welcome the San Jose Earthquakes. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and David Bingham guard the woodwork. Portland dented the scoreboard in the fifty-second minute with a Jack McInerney goal. San Jose had a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul by Anibal Godoy. The Timbers added on in the sixty-fifth minute with a Fanendo Adi goal. In the ninetieth minute, Portland had yellow cards given to Diego Valeri for an argument and Nat Borchers for a foul. The Earthquakes got on the board with a Chris Wondolowski goal in the first minute of stoppage time, coming on a penalty kick. About five minutes later, Bingham of San Jose and Valeri of the Timbers each took yellow cards for arguing. Valeri's was his second, so Portland went down to ten men. Portland iced it at 3-1 with an Adi goal nine minutes deep into stoppage time, set up by Lucas Melano. The man of the match was Adi for his brace, which included the winner.
On Sunday, the first of two games has Orlando City SC bringing in the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth faces a lesser foe in Joe Bendik in goal. Orlando City cracked the scoresheet with a second minute penalty kick goal by Kaka. New England saw a yellow card for Gershon Koffie in the twelfth minute for his foul. The Revolution tied it with a Teal Bunbury goal in the thirty-seventh minute, set up by Koffie and Chris Tierney. Orlando City's Antonio Nocerino took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute foul. Orlando City gained the lead in stoppage time with a Kevin Molino goal. Four minutes after that, New England tied it with a Lee Nguyen penalty kick goal. The final was 2-2, and Molino was the man of the match for what turned out to be a critical goal.
Finally, FC Dallas hosts Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Chris Seitz are the keepers. Kansas City drew first blood in the twenty-second minute on a Lawrence Olum goal, passed from Benny Feilhaber. Dallas tied it on a thirty-fifth minute on a Michael Barrios goal, fueled by Maximiliano Urruti and Kellyn Acosta. Dallas took the lead on a sixty-eighth minute Mauro Rosales goal. Dallas had a yellow card given to Atiba Harris for a ninetieth minute foul. The final stayed at 2-1 for Dallas, with Rosales named man of the match for his winner.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Houston Dynamo hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy. Brian Rowe and Joe Willis are in goal. Houston began in the first minute with a David Horst goal, fueled by Alex and Cristian Maidana. Los Angeles tied it with a Giovani Dos Santos goal in the fourth minute. The Galaxy took the lead with a Baggio Husidic goal in the twenty-first minute. Los Angeles added on with a thirty-first minute Dos Santos goal, passed from Steven Gerrard. The Galaxy extended the lead as Gyasi Zardes buried a goal, passed from Sebastian Lletget and Dos Santos. In the fifty-sixth minute, Ashley Cole of Los Angeles took a yellow card for a foul, as did teammate Daniel Steres in the eighty-ninth minute for a foul as well. The final stood at 4-1, with Dos Santos the man of the match with a brace.
The first of Saturday's seven sees the Chicago Fire welcome the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Matt Lampson draw the starts in goal. Chicago opened in the twenty-ninth minute with a Kennedy Igboananike goal, fueled by Gilberto. Montreal tied it on a fifty-sixth minute goal from Didier Drogba, passed from Dominic Oduro. The Impact took the lead with a stoppage time goal by Ignacio Piatti, via Oduro. This made it 2-1, the final, with Oduro named man of the match for his role in setting up both goals.
Over in DC, United brings in Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Travis Worra are the gloved men. Toronto led off with a first minute goal by Sebastian Giovinco, via Marco Delgado and Jozy Altidore. In the thirty-fifth minute, Altidore took a yellow card for his foul. In the eighty-eighth minute, Irwin of Toronto took a yellow card for time wasting. DC had yellow cards for fouls by Marcelo Savas in the eighty-ninth minute and Steve Birnbaum in stoppage time. The final held at 1-0, with Giovinco being the man of the match.
Back west, the Columbus Crew SC host New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Steve Clark protect the nets. Columbus started with an Ethan Finlay goal, courtesy of Justin Meram in the seventh minute. New York City tied it on a fifteenth minute goal by David Villa, passed from Andoni Iraola. In the twenty-seventh minute, Jason Hernandez of New York City took a yellow card for a foul. In the forty-third minute, Wil Trapp took a yellow card for his foul for the Crew. Columbus retook the lead with a Kei Kamara goal in the forty-ninth minute, assisted by Meram. The Crew added on with an eightieth minute Meram goal, coming off of Finlay and Federico Higuain. New York City had yellow cards for Patrick Mullins' eighty-second minute foul and persistent infringement by Iraola in the eighty-fourth minute. Columbus went down a man in the eighty-sixth minute when Michael Parkhurst took a straight red card for a foul, allowing New York City to get a goal back on a Villa penalty kick goal. This still came up short, with the final being 3-2 for the Crew, and Meram was the man of the match for a goal and two assists.
Further west, the Colorado Rapids welcome the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Zac MacMath draw the starts in goal. Colorado struck first in the twenty-first minute with a Jermaine Jones goal, coming off of Mekeil Williams. In the thirty-sixth minute, New York saw a yellow card for Mike Grella's foul. The Red Bulls tied on a sixtieth minute goal by Ronald Zubar, passed from Sacha Kljestan. In the sixty-fourth minute, New York's Chris Duvall had a yellow card for a foul, as did Zubar in the seventy-ninth minute for his own foul. The Rapids took the lead in the eighty-second minute on a Dominique Badji goal, passed from Jones and Luis Solignac. In the eighty-fourth minute, Kemar Lawrence had a yellow card for the Red Bulls for a foul. Colorado's Conor Doyle took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time. The Rapids won 2-1, with the man of the match being Jones for the goal and assist.
Along to Utah, where Real Salt Lake brings in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Nick Rimando are the reliable keepers. Salt Lake got going in the fifty-fifth minute with a Juan Manuel Martinez goal, passed from Joao Plata. In the seventy-first minute, Real's Kyle Beckerman took a yellow card for a foul. Vancouver had yellow cards for fouls by Kendall Waston in the seventy-ninth minute and Octavio Rivero in stoppage time, both for fouls. The final stayed at 1-0, with Martinez named the man of the match.
Up in Seattle, the Sounders FC host the Philadelphia Union. Andre Blake and Stefan Frei are in the six-yard boxes. Philadelphia had yellow cards for fouls by Roland Alberg in the thirty-second minute and Fabinho in the thirty-fourth minute. Seattle was first to score in the forty-first minute on a Chad Marshall goal, assisted by Andreas Ivanschitz. In the fifty-third minute, Alberg of the Union took a second yellow card for a foul, with his ejection putting the visitors down to ten men. The Sounders' Dylan Remick had a yellow card for a fifty-fifth minute handball. Seattle added on in the seventy-first minute with a Jordan Morris goal, helped along by Ivanschitz. Philadelphia got on the board in the seventy-third minute with a Sebastien Le Toux goal, coming off of C.J. Sapong and Fabinho. In the eighty-seventh minute, the Union's Leo Fernandes received a yellow card for a foul. The Sounders saw yellow cards given to Nelson Valdez in the eighty-eighth minute for a foul and to Osvaldo Alonso for time wasting in stoppage time. The Sounders claimed a 2-1 win, with Ivanschitz earning the man of the match honors.
In Oregon, the Portland Timbers welcome the San Jose Earthquakes. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and David Bingham guard the woodwork. Portland dented the scoreboard in the fifty-second minute with a Jack McInerney goal. San Jose had a yellow card in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul by Anibal Godoy. The Timbers added on in the sixty-fifth minute with a Fanendo Adi goal. In the ninetieth minute, Portland had yellow cards given to Diego Valeri for an argument and Nat Borchers for a foul. The Earthquakes got on the board with a Chris Wondolowski goal in the first minute of stoppage time, coming on a penalty kick. About five minutes later, Bingham of San Jose and Valeri of the Timbers each took yellow cards for arguing. Valeri's was his second, so Portland went down to ten men. Portland iced it at 3-1 with an Adi goal nine minutes deep into stoppage time, set up by Lucas Melano. The man of the match was Adi for his brace, which included the winner.
On Sunday, the first of two games has Orlando City SC bringing in the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth faces a lesser foe in Joe Bendik in goal. Orlando City cracked the scoresheet with a second minute penalty kick goal by Kaka. New England saw a yellow card for Gershon Koffie in the twelfth minute for his foul. The Revolution tied it with a Teal Bunbury goal in the thirty-seventh minute, set up by Koffie and Chris Tierney. Orlando City's Antonio Nocerino took a yellow card for a fifty-sixth minute foul. Orlando City gained the lead in stoppage time with a Kevin Molino goal. Four minutes after that, New England tied it with a Lee Nguyen penalty kick goal. The final was 2-2, and Molino was the man of the match for what turned out to be a critical goal.
Finally, FC Dallas hosts Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Chris Seitz are the keepers. Kansas City drew first blood in the twenty-second minute on a Lawrence Olum goal, passed from Benny Feilhaber. Dallas tied it on a thirty-fifth minute on a Michael Barrios goal, fueled by Maximiliano Urruti and Kellyn Acosta. Dallas took the lead on a sixty-eighth minute Mauro Rosales goal. Dallas had a yellow card given to Atiba Harris for a ninetieth minute foul. The final stayed at 2-1 for Dallas, with Rosales named man of the match for his winner.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
NWSL Predictions 2016
It's almost here, as the historic fourth season for the NWSL kicks off on April 16. With ten teams, the NWSL is doing something no other women's professional soccer league has done in the United States. Let's take a look at how the star-studded league might shake out this season.
Opinions
The last two years have seen very little change in terms of which teams make the playoffs. The Seattle Reign have won the last two NWSL Shields for the regular season title, and FC Kansas City has won the last two championships. The Washington Spirit have played the role of contender, and the Chicago Red Stars finally made the postseason last year. This year, things have to change, even a little bit. One team that will probably be making those moves is the Portland Thorns. With an internationally-trained Lindsey Horan, first overall pick Emily Sonnett, and the ever-creative and dangerous Tobin Heath, as well as one of the better supporting casts in the league, the Thorns should be able to overcome losing Alex Morgan via trade. The Olympic break may give the Thorns a bit of trouble, but they could shake things up for the three months before the break. The Seattle Reign can never be counted out, but without the services of Megan Rapinoe, they will lean even more heavily on Kim Little and Jess Fishlock from the midfield. The defense looks to remain solid, but there's no guarantee on how that will hold up.
In the midwest, FC Kansas City clearly can't be counted out. With a back line anchored by Becky Sauerbrunn, the Blues have as good a chance as any. However, they will be battling with Lauren Holiday's retirement and Amy Rodriguez's pregnancy, as well as potential international duty for Heather O'Reilly and Sauerbrunn. Nicole Barnhart will still be in goal, but they may be playing a more defensive game this season. To the south, the Houston Dash return a very exciting attacking core led by Carli Lloyd and Kealia Ohai, but they still lack that extra star-power, and they've lost a bit of tenacity with Meghan Klingenberg now in Portland. The Chicago Red Stars' biggest concern may not be with personnel, but with their new home. Playing at Toyota Park may take some getting used to for the team, but they'll have to adapt quickly if they want to keep pace over the 20-game season. Having the dynamic striker Christen Press should serve them well if she can hit the ground running and get into a groove as she pushes for inclusion on the Olympic roster.
To the east, there's not a lot of hope yet for the Boston Breakers. They're young in goal and lack a stout defense. Stephanie McCaffrey and Kristie Mewis are the main offensive threats, but they will need a lot more if they want to keep pace. Likewise, the Western New York Flash appear to be in a transitional season with a new coach and not a lot of scoring on the roster. They will likewise have their struggles this season. The Washington Spirit would certainly like to take the next step this year, and their mix of solid veterans and young players should serve them well. Kelsey Wys is probably a downgrade from Ashlyn Harris in goal, but with Crystal Dunn around, anything is possible. The Spirit will need a lot more out of their set pieces this season, having struggled in that regard last year. Another team not likely to make many waves is Sky Blue FC. Losing Nadia Nadim, arguably their best player last season, will hurt the offense, and it will be on Sam Kerr primarily to fill the void with the goal scoring. The team has not found much success in the NWSL, but Christie Rampone will provide the veteran presence they need under a new coach for this year. Last but not least, the Orlando Pride will be the center of attention this year, with Alex Morgan leading the expansion team's band of vigilantes. Anchoring the midfield is the underrated Canadian international Kaylyn Kyle, and having Ashlyn Harris in goal will probably help their cause as well. Still, expectations should be tempered for the team as they try to find chemistry as the first NWSL team in the southeast.
Standings
FC Kansas City
Portland Thorns
Seattle Reign
Chicago Red Stars
Washington Spirit
Houston Dash
Orlando Pride
Western New York Flash
Boston Breakers
Sky Blue FC
Awards
MVP: Tobin Heath
Coach of the Year: Mark Parsons
Defender of the Year: Julie Johnston
Goalkeeper of the Year: Nicole Barnhart
Rookie of the Year: Raquel Rodriguez
Golden Boot: Christen Press
Best XI
Nicole Barnhart
Lauren Barnes
Julie Johnston
Becky Sauerbrunn
Jaelene Hinkle
Kaylyn Kyle
Jess Fishlock
Tobin Heath
Christen Press
Kealia Ohai
Kim Little
What do you think? Let me know in the comments. Also, check back here on Saturday for the first three game recaps of the season.
Opinions
The last two years have seen very little change in terms of which teams make the playoffs. The Seattle Reign have won the last two NWSL Shields for the regular season title, and FC Kansas City has won the last two championships. The Washington Spirit have played the role of contender, and the Chicago Red Stars finally made the postseason last year. This year, things have to change, even a little bit. One team that will probably be making those moves is the Portland Thorns. With an internationally-trained Lindsey Horan, first overall pick Emily Sonnett, and the ever-creative and dangerous Tobin Heath, as well as one of the better supporting casts in the league, the Thorns should be able to overcome losing Alex Morgan via trade. The Olympic break may give the Thorns a bit of trouble, but they could shake things up for the three months before the break. The Seattle Reign can never be counted out, but without the services of Megan Rapinoe, they will lean even more heavily on Kim Little and Jess Fishlock from the midfield. The defense looks to remain solid, but there's no guarantee on how that will hold up.
In the midwest, FC Kansas City clearly can't be counted out. With a back line anchored by Becky Sauerbrunn, the Blues have as good a chance as any. However, they will be battling with Lauren Holiday's retirement and Amy Rodriguez's pregnancy, as well as potential international duty for Heather O'Reilly and Sauerbrunn. Nicole Barnhart will still be in goal, but they may be playing a more defensive game this season. To the south, the Houston Dash return a very exciting attacking core led by Carli Lloyd and Kealia Ohai, but they still lack that extra star-power, and they've lost a bit of tenacity with Meghan Klingenberg now in Portland. The Chicago Red Stars' biggest concern may not be with personnel, but with their new home. Playing at Toyota Park may take some getting used to for the team, but they'll have to adapt quickly if they want to keep pace over the 20-game season. Having the dynamic striker Christen Press should serve them well if she can hit the ground running and get into a groove as she pushes for inclusion on the Olympic roster.
To the east, there's not a lot of hope yet for the Boston Breakers. They're young in goal and lack a stout defense. Stephanie McCaffrey and Kristie Mewis are the main offensive threats, but they will need a lot more if they want to keep pace. Likewise, the Western New York Flash appear to be in a transitional season with a new coach and not a lot of scoring on the roster. They will likewise have their struggles this season. The Washington Spirit would certainly like to take the next step this year, and their mix of solid veterans and young players should serve them well. Kelsey Wys is probably a downgrade from Ashlyn Harris in goal, but with Crystal Dunn around, anything is possible. The Spirit will need a lot more out of their set pieces this season, having struggled in that regard last year. Another team not likely to make many waves is Sky Blue FC. Losing Nadia Nadim, arguably their best player last season, will hurt the offense, and it will be on Sam Kerr primarily to fill the void with the goal scoring. The team has not found much success in the NWSL, but Christie Rampone will provide the veteran presence they need under a new coach for this year. Last but not least, the Orlando Pride will be the center of attention this year, with Alex Morgan leading the expansion team's band of vigilantes. Anchoring the midfield is the underrated Canadian international Kaylyn Kyle, and having Ashlyn Harris in goal will probably help their cause as well. Still, expectations should be tempered for the team as they try to find chemistry as the first NWSL team in the southeast.
Standings
FC Kansas City
Portland Thorns
Seattle Reign
Chicago Red Stars
Washington Spirit
Houston Dash
Orlando Pride
Western New York Flash
Boston Breakers
Sky Blue FC
Awards
MVP: Tobin Heath
Coach of the Year: Mark Parsons
Defender of the Year: Julie Johnston
Goalkeeper of the Year: Nicole Barnhart
Rookie of the Year: Raquel Rodriguez
Golden Boot: Christen Press
Best XI
Nicole Barnhart
Lauren Barnes
Julie Johnston
Becky Sauerbrunn
Jaelene Hinkle
Kaylyn Kyle
Jess Fishlock
Tobin Heath
Christen Press
Kealia Ohai
Kim Little
What do you think? Let me know in the comments. Also, check back here on Saturday for the first three game recaps of the season.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Midweek Soccer: April 13, 2016
There are four games in the Premier League and MLS on this day. The Premier League game sees...
Crystal Palace host Everton. Joel Robles and Wayne Hennessey man the nets. Everton saw a yellow card given to James McCarthy in the sixteenth minute. In the fifty-second minute, McCarthy earned a second yellow card for a foul, putting Everton down to ten men. In stoppage time, Gareth Barry of Evertoon took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
In the States, Sporting Kansas City welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath is mismatched with Tim Melia in goal. Colorado had a yellow card given to Marco Pappa in the thirty-third minute for a foul. The Rapids began in the forty-first minute with a Luis Solignac goal, set up by Pappa. Kansas City saw a yellow card for Diego Rubio in the fifty-second minute for a foul. Colorado's Dillon Serna took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul and teammate Marc Burch received a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Sporting tied it on a seventy-seventh minute goal by Dominic Dwyer, via Connor Hallisey and Saad Abdul-Salaam. The Rapids retook the lead with a Shkelzen Gashi goal in the eighty-second minute. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Gashi.
Out in Portland, the Timbers bring in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Adam Larsen Kwarasey protect the nets. Dallas led off in the fourth minute with a Michael Barrios goal, assisted by Tesho Akindele. Portland's Ned Grabavoy was booked on a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. Dallas' Carlos Gruezo took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute. Dallas added on with a Fabian Castillo goal in the twenty-sixth minute, via Maximiliano Urruti. In the twenty-ninth minute, Akindele scored to extend the Dallas lead, with the help of Castillo. Walker Zimmerman of Dallas had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the thirty-third minute. Jermaine Taylor of the Timbers received a yellow card for a fortieth minute foul. Portland's Jack Jewsbury had a yellow card for a fifty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers got on the board with a sixty-seventh minute Darren Mattocks goal. Dallas saw bookings for Castillo's sixty-eighth minute foul and Atiba Harris' time wasting in stoppage time, both yellow cards. Dallas won 3-1, with Castillo the man of the match for the winner and an assist.
Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose drew first blood in the fortieth minute with a Fatai Alashe goal, set up by Matias Perez Garcia. In the forty-fifth minute, Garcia earned a yellow card for a foul. The Earthquakes added on with a fifty-fifth minute Chris Wondolowski goal, coming off of Shea Salinas. New York's Sacha Kljestan had a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. San Jose won 2-0, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
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Crystal Palace host Everton. Joel Robles and Wayne Hennessey man the nets. Everton saw a yellow card given to James McCarthy in the sixteenth minute. In the fifty-second minute, McCarthy earned a second yellow card for a foul, putting Everton down to ten men. In stoppage time, Gareth Barry of Evertoon took a yellow card for a foul. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
In the States, Sporting Kansas City welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath is mismatched with Tim Melia in goal. Colorado had a yellow card given to Marco Pappa in the thirty-third minute for a foul. The Rapids began in the forty-first minute with a Luis Solignac goal, set up by Pappa. Kansas City saw a yellow card for Diego Rubio in the fifty-second minute for a foul. Colorado's Dillon Serna took a yellow card for a fifty-seventh minute foul and teammate Marc Burch received a yellow card for a sixty-second minute foul. Sporting tied it on a seventy-seventh minute goal by Dominic Dwyer, via Connor Hallisey and Saad Abdul-Salaam. The Rapids retook the lead with a Shkelzen Gashi goal in the eighty-second minute. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the man of the match being Gashi.
Out in Portland, the Timbers bring in FC Dallas. Chris Seitz and Adam Larsen Kwarasey protect the nets. Dallas led off in the fourth minute with a Michael Barrios goal, assisted by Tesho Akindele. Portland's Ned Grabavoy was booked on a yellow card for a seventeenth minute foul. Dallas' Carlos Gruezo took a yellow card for a twenty-second minute. Dallas added on with a Fabian Castillo goal in the twenty-sixth minute, via Maximiliano Urruti. In the twenty-ninth minute, Akindele scored to extend the Dallas lead, with the help of Castillo. Walker Zimmerman of Dallas had a yellow card for persistent infringement in the thirty-third minute. Jermaine Taylor of the Timbers received a yellow card for a fortieth minute foul. Portland's Jack Jewsbury had a yellow card for a fifty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers got on the board with a sixty-seventh minute Darren Mattocks goal. Dallas saw bookings for Castillo's sixty-eighth minute foul and Atiba Harris' time wasting in stoppage time, both yellow cards. Dallas won 3-1, with Castillo the man of the match for the winner and an assist.
Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and David Bingham are the gloved men. San Jose drew first blood in the fortieth minute with a Fatai Alashe goal, set up by Matias Perez Garcia. In the forty-fifth minute, Garcia earned a yellow card for a foul. The Earthquakes added on with a fifty-fifth minute Chris Wondolowski goal, coming off of Shea Salinas. New York's Sacha Kljestan had a yellow card for his sixty-second minute foul. San Jose won 2-0, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Major League Soccer 2016 - Week 6
It's a full ten-game slate this weekend. We begin with...
The Philadelphia Union hosting Orlando City SC on Friday night. Joe Bendik and Andre Blake are the keepers. Philadelphia struck first with a C.J. Sapong goal in the second minute. Fabinho of the Union took a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Orlando City tied it in the forty-third minute with an Adrian Winter goal, via Kevin Molino. The Union took the lead with a ninetieth minute Tranquillo Barnetta goal. This stood for a 2-1 win, and earned the sub Barnetta the man of the match honors.
On Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome the Columbus Crew SC as the first of six games. Steve Clark and Evan Bush man the nets. Montreal got going in the forty-eighth minute with a Hassoun Camara goal, via Lucas Ontivero. In the fifty-third minute, Ignacio Piatti of the Impact had a yellow card for his foul. Montreal added on in the eighty-sixth minute with a Kyle Bekker goal, guided in by Ambroise Oyongo, but he also received a yellow card when it took too long to restart play. The Impact still won 2-0, with the man of the match being Camara.
Stateside, the New England Revolution bring in Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Bobby Shuttleworth draw the starts in goal. New England opened in the fourteenth minute with a Kelyn Rowe goal, assisted by Je-Vaughn Watson and Gershon Koffie. The Revolution had a yellow card given to Koffie for a twentieth minute foul. Toronto tied it in the fifty-eighth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, coming off of Jozy Altidore. Toronto saw yellow cards for Justin Morrow in the fifty-eighth minute, Altidore in the sixty-first minute, Will Johnson in the seventy-third minute, and Mo Babouli in stoppage time. The first three were for fouls, while the final one was for time wasting. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Irwin named man of the match for making seven out of eight saves.
Next up, DC United hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Travis Worra are the goalies. DC was first to score in the thirty-ninth minute with a Fabian Espindola goal. United added on with another Espindola goal in the fifty-fourth minute. Kianz Froese of Vancouver took a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute foul. DC had a yellow card given to Sean Franklin in the seventieth minute for a foul. United extended the lead as Alvaro Saborio scored in the eighty-eighth minute, thanks to Luciano Acosta. DC padded the lead on another Saborio goal set up by Acosta in stoppage time. The final held at 4-0, with Espindola named man of the match for his brace that included the winner.
Over to the New York Red Bulls welcoming Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Luis Robles are the gloved men. Kansas City started in the seventeenth minute with a Benny Feilhaber goal, assisted by Graham Zusi and Dominic Dwyer. New York saw a yellow card given to Sal Zizzo in the forty-fourth minute for dissent. Sporting added on with a Dwyer goal in the sixtieth minute, set up by Saad Abdul-Salaam. Kansas City saw Roger Espinoza take a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Dwyer for his roles in both goals.
South to Texas, where FC Dallas brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Chris Seitz are in goal. San Jose led off in the fourth minute with an Alberto Quintero goal, via Quincy Amarikwa and Simon Francis. Dallas had yellow cards for fouls by Kellyn Acosta in the fourteenth minute and Carlos Gruezo in the thirty-first minute. Dallas tied it with a penalty kick goal by Tesho Akindele in the thirty-sixth minute. The Earthquakes saw a yellow card given to Fatai Alashe in the forty-first minute for a foul. San Jose took the lead in the fifty-fifth minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal, set up by Amarikwa. Dallas tied it again when the Earthquakes' Victor Bernardez put the ball in his own net for an own goal in the sixty-second minute. Dallas' Mauro Rosales received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute, as did teammate Maynor Figueroa in the eighty-seventh minute for the same reason. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Ending Saturday is a Rocky Mountain Derby with Real Salt Lake hosting the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath and Nick Rimando protect the woodwork. Colorado had a yellow card given to Bobby Burling for a sixty-first minute foul. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard in the seventy-second minute with a Joao Plata goal. In the eighty-third minute, Yura Movsisyan took a yellow card for Real for an argument. The Rapids had a yellow card for an Eric Miller foul in stoppage time. The game ended 1-0 for Real, with Plata the man of the match for the winner.
On Sunday, the first of three games sees the Houston Dynamo welcome the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Joe Willis are the gloved men. Houston began in the thirty-fifth minute with a Giles Barnes goal, assisted by Jalil Anibaba. The Dynamo saw a yellow card given to Anibaba in the forty-first minute. Seattle saw a yellow card go to Joevin Jones in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul. The Sounders tied it deep in stoppage time with a Chad Marshall goal. This made it a 1-1 draw, with Marshall the man of the match for the dangerously late equalizer.
Northeast to the Bronx, where New York City FC brings in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Josh Saunders are the keepers. New York City saw Ronald Matarrita take a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. Nick LaBrocca of Chicago had a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the man of the match being Lampson for his eight-save clean sheet.
Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Brian Rowe make the starts in goal. Portland had a yellow card given to Nat Borchers in the seventeenth minute for a foul. The Timbers drew first blood in the fifty-second minute with a Fanendo Adi goal, via Diego Valeri. Los Angeles had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-third minute by Nigel de Jong. In the eighty-fourth minute, the Galaxy tied it with a gift from Borchers, whose own goal should prove a costly mistake. Portland saw Ned Grabavoy take a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers' Diego Chara took a yellow card for a handball in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match honors bestowed upon Adi for earning the Timbers a point with his goal.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
The Philadelphia Union hosting Orlando City SC on Friday night. Joe Bendik and Andre Blake are the keepers. Philadelphia struck first with a C.J. Sapong goal in the second minute. Fabinho of the Union took a yellow card for a foul in the thirtieth minute. Orlando City tied it in the forty-third minute with an Adrian Winter goal, via Kevin Molino. The Union took the lead with a ninetieth minute Tranquillo Barnetta goal. This stood for a 2-1 win, and earned the sub Barnetta the man of the match honors.
On Saturday, the Montreal Impact welcome the Columbus Crew SC as the first of six games. Steve Clark and Evan Bush man the nets. Montreal got going in the forty-eighth minute with a Hassoun Camara goal, via Lucas Ontivero. In the fifty-third minute, Ignacio Piatti of the Impact had a yellow card for his foul. Montreal added on in the eighty-sixth minute with a Kyle Bekker goal, guided in by Ambroise Oyongo, but he also received a yellow card when it took too long to restart play. The Impact still won 2-0, with the man of the match being Camara.
Stateside, the New England Revolution bring in Toronto FC. Clint Irwin and Bobby Shuttleworth draw the starts in goal. New England opened in the fourteenth minute with a Kelyn Rowe goal, assisted by Je-Vaughn Watson and Gershon Koffie. The Revolution had a yellow card given to Koffie for a twentieth minute foul. Toronto tied it in the fifty-eighth minute with a Sebastian Giovinco goal, coming off of Jozy Altidore. Toronto saw yellow cards for Justin Morrow in the fifty-eighth minute, Altidore in the sixty-first minute, Will Johnson in the seventy-third minute, and Mo Babouli in stoppage time. The first three were for fouls, while the final one was for time wasting. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Irwin named man of the match for making seven out of eight saves.
Next up, DC United hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Travis Worra are the goalies. DC was first to score in the thirty-ninth minute with a Fabian Espindola goal. United added on with another Espindola goal in the fifty-fourth minute. Kianz Froese of Vancouver took a yellow card for a sixty-fifth minute foul. DC had a yellow card given to Sean Franklin in the seventieth minute for a foul. United extended the lead as Alvaro Saborio scored in the eighty-eighth minute, thanks to Luciano Acosta. DC padded the lead on another Saborio goal set up by Acosta in stoppage time. The final held at 4-0, with Espindola named man of the match for his brace that included the winner.
Over to the New York Red Bulls welcoming Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia and Luis Robles are the gloved men. Kansas City started in the seventeenth minute with a Benny Feilhaber goal, assisted by Graham Zusi and Dominic Dwyer. New York saw a yellow card given to Sal Zizzo in the forty-fourth minute for dissent. Sporting added on with a Dwyer goal in the sixtieth minute, set up by Saad Abdul-Salaam. Kansas City saw Roger Espinoza take a yellow card for a seventy-fourth minute foul. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Dwyer for his roles in both goals.
South to Texas, where FC Dallas brings in the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Chris Seitz are in goal. San Jose led off in the fourth minute with an Alberto Quintero goal, via Quincy Amarikwa and Simon Francis. Dallas had yellow cards for fouls by Kellyn Acosta in the fourteenth minute and Carlos Gruezo in the thirty-first minute. Dallas tied it with a penalty kick goal by Tesho Akindele in the thirty-sixth minute. The Earthquakes saw a yellow card given to Fatai Alashe in the forty-first minute for a foul. San Jose took the lead in the fifty-fifth minute on a Chris Wondolowski goal, set up by Amarikwa. Dallas tied it again when the Earthquakes' Victor Bernardez put the ball in his own net for an own goal in the sixty-second minute. Dallas' Mauro Rosales received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute, as did teammate Maynor Figueroa in the eighty-seventh minute for the same reason. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with the man of the match being Wondolowski.
Ending Saturday is a Rocky Mountain Derby with Real Salt Lake hosting the Colorado Rapids. Zac MacMath and Nick Rimando protect the woodwork. Colorado had a yellow card given to Bobby Burling for a sixty-first minute foul. Salt Lake dented the scoreboard in the seventy-second minute with a Joao Plata goal. In the eighty-third minute, Yura Movsisyan took a yellow card for Real for an argument. The Rapids had a yellow card for an Eric Miller foul in stoppage time. The game ended 1-0 for Real, with Plata the man of the match for the winner.
On Sunday, the first of three games sees the Houston Dynamo welcome the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Joe Willis are the gloved men. Houston began in the thirty-fifth minute with a Giles Barnes goal, assisted by Jalil Anibaba. The Dynamo saw a yellow card given to Anibaba in the forty-first minute. Seattle saw a yellow card go to Joevin Jones in the fifty-fifth minute for a foul. The Sounders tied it deep in stoppage time with a Chad Marshall goal. This made it a 1-1 draw, with Marshall the man of the match for the dangerously late equalizer.
Northeast to the Bronx, where New York City FC brings in the Chicago Fire. Matt Lampson and Josh Saunders are the keepers. New York City saw Ronald Matarrita take a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute foul. Nick LaBrocca of Chicago had a yellow card for his foul in the eighty-sixth minute. The game ended in a scoreless draw, with the man of the match being Lampson for his eight-save clean sheet.
Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Brian Rowe make the starts in goal. Portland had a yellow card given to Nat Borchers in the seventeenth minute for a foul. The Timbers drew first blood in the fifty-second minute with a Fanendo Adi goal, via Diego Valeri. Los Angeles had a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-third minute by Nigel de Jong. In the eighty-fourth minute, the Galaxy tied it with a gift from Borchers, whose own goal should prove a costly mistake. Portland saw Ned Grabavoy take a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul. The Timbers' Diego Chara took a yellow card for a handball in stoppage time. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match honors bestowed upon Adi for earning the Timbers a point with his goal.
Follow me on Twitter @OutsiderSports0.
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