Sunday, July 5, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 18

There's nine games this holiday weekend, as well as a big Women's World Cup game for the United States on Sunday. We begin on Friday, with two games beginning in...

Houston, with the Dynamo hosting the Chicago Fire. Sean Johnson faces a lesser foe in Joe Willis in goal. Chicago took two yellow cards for fouls by Lovel Palmer in the thirty-eighth minute and Guly in the fortieth minute. Houston got going with a fifty-sixth minute goal by Alex, assisted by Brad Davis. Raul Rodriguez took a yellow card for his sixty-sixth minute foul for the Dynamo. Chicago tied it in the seventy-second minute as Patrick Nyarko scored. Nyarko took a yellow card for dissent in the eighty-sixth minute for the Fire. The final stood at 1-1, with Nyarko as the man of the match.

Up in Seattle, the other Friday game has the Sounders FC welcoming DC United. Andrew Dykstra and Stefan Frei make the starts in goal. Seattle took a yellow card for a thirteenth minute foul by Zach Scott. DC went down to ten men when Fabian Espindola earned a straight red card for his foul in the twenty-seventh minute. In the fifty-eighth minute, Conor Doyle of United took a yellow card for a foul. The seventy-eighth minute saw yellow cards for Perry Kitchen of DC and Osvaldo Alonso of the Sounders for unsporting behavior. In the eighty-eighth minute, Seattle took the lead with a Tyrone Mears goal. The Sounders' Lamar Neagle received a yellow card for his foul in stoppage time. The game ended at 1-0 with Mears being the man of the match.

Saturday began in Columbus, with the Crew SC bringing in the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Steve Clark are in the six yard boxes. New York started on an eighth minute Anatole Bertrand Abang goal, passed from Bradley Wright-Phillips. In the thirtieth minute, Tony Tchani of Columbus took a yellow card for dissent. The Crew tied it on an Ethan Finlay goal in the thirty-third minute, made possible by Kei Kamara and the goalie Clark. In the fifty-fifth minute, the Red Bulls took a yellow card for a Damien Perrinelle foul. Columbus took the lead as Finlay scored again in the seventy-fourth minute, assisted by Kamara and Federico Higuain. In stoppage time, Felipe of New York took a yellow card for dissent. The final stood at 2-1 and Finlay was the man of the match for his brace.

Up in Montreal, the Impact host New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Evan Bush are set to start in goal. New York City opened in the thirty-fourth minute with a David Villa goal, passed from Patrick Mullins. In first half stoppage time, Kwadwo Poku of New York City took a yellow card for encroachment. New York City saw yellow cards for a Mullins foul in the fifty-third minute and time wasting by RJ Allen in the sixty-first minute. Montreal had a yellow card given to Laurent Ciman in the sixty-ninth minute for a foul. In the seventy-seventh minute, Ignacio Piatti converted a penalty kick to tie the game for the Impact. New York City regained the lead on a Villa goal in the eighty-second minute. Montreal's Andres Romero had a yellow card for a second half stoppage time dive. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Villa with his brace.

Back stateside, FC Dallas welcomes the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Dan Kennedy man the nets. Dallas led off with a Mauro Diaz goal in the ninth minute. Dallas added on with a sixty-fourth minute goal by Fabian Castillo. Dallas extended the lead as Michael Barrios scored in the seventy-third minute, thanks to Diaz. In the seventy-sixth minute, Scott Caldwell of New England took a yellow card for a foul. In the eighty-fourth minute, Dallas had a yellow card for a Zach Loyd foul. The final remained at 3-0 with the man of the match being Diaz.

Northwest to Colorado, the Rapids bring in the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Clint Irwin are the gloved men. Colorado struck first in the second minute with a Vicente Sanchez goal, assisted by Luis Solignac. Vancouver tied it on a Kekuta Manneh goal in the twentieth minute, coming off of Mauro Rosales and Steven Beitashour. Cristian Techera of the Whitecaps took a yellow card for a foul in the twenty-ninth minute. The Rapids retied it in the fifty-sixth minute with a Kevin Doyle goal, courtesy of Lucas Pittinari. Vancouver saw a yellow card for a Diego Rodriguez foul in the sixty-first minute. Colorado took three yellow cards for fouls by Jared Watts in the sixty-fifth minute, Pittinari in the seventy-second minute, and Drew Moor in the seventy-seventh minute. The score stayed at 2-1, with the man of the match being Doyle for his game-winner.

Over in Utah, Real Salt Lake host Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Jeff Attinella protect the nets. Orlando City dented the scoreboard in the fifth minute on a Kaka goal, via Pedro Ribeiro and Eric Avila. Salt Lake tied it on a Sebastian Jaime goal, set up by Tony Beltran in the twenty-eighth minute. In the thirty-eighth minute, Orlando City's Cristian Higuita took a yellow card for his foul. Orlando City went down to ten men in the forty-fifth minute as Kaka received a red card for his foul. In the seventy-ninth minute, Rafael Ramos of Orlando City received a yellow card for time wasting. Real took a yellow card for an Abdoulie Mansally foul in the eighty-ninth minute. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match being Jaime for his equalizer.

Closing out Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy welcome Toronto FC. Chris Konopka and Brian Rowe protect the woodwork. Los Angeles got going with a ninth minute penalty kick goal by Robbie Keane. The Galaxy added on with a Keane goal in the forty-first minute, made possible by Baggio Husidic and Stefan Ishizaki. Los Angeles saw yellow cards for Jose Villarreal in the fifty-fourth minute and Husidic in the fifty-eighth minute, both for fouls. The Galaxy extended the lead as Keane scored in the fifty-ninth minute to secure a hat trick. Toronto took yellow cards for Eriq Zavaleta in the sixtieth minute and Marco Delgado in the sixty-eighth minute, both for fouls. Los Angeles saw a yellow card for an A.J. DeLaGarza foul in the eightieth minute. Toronto's Collen Warner had a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fifth minute. The Galaxy iced it at 4-0 with a Sebastian Lletget goal in stoppage time, with the help of Ignacio Maganto.

Finally, the Portland Timbers bring in the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday night. David Bingham and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are the goalies. San Jose saw a yellow card go to Clarence Goodson in the fifty-first minute for a foul. In the seventy-fifth minute, Mark Sherrod took a yellow card for a foul for the Earthquakes. Portland got a late goal from Jack Jewsbury in stoppage time, via Gaston Fernandez to win the game 1-0. Jewsbury was the man of the match for his winner.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 17 Part 2

The weekend carries nine games for MLS, beginning with Friday's...

FC Dallas hosting the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Dan Kennedy are in goal. Houston took a yellow card for a Daivd Horst foul in the thirtieth minute. Dallas got on the board with an own goal by Jermaine Taylor in the thirty-third minute. Dallas added on in the forty-second minute as Fabian Castillo scored, with the help of Mauro Diaz after a yellow card went to Giles Barnes for encroachment. Dallas saw yellow cards given to Kellyn Acosta in the fifty-fourth minute, Matt Hedges in the sixty-sixth minute, and Atiba Harris in the sixty-eighth minute, all for fouls. The Dynamo's Taylor had another bad mark on his record with a yellow card in the seventy-seventh minute for his foul. The final stood at 3-0, and Kennedy was the man of the match with a three-save clean sheet.

The first of Saturday's six games saw Toronto FC welcome DC United. Bill Hamid and Chris Konopka man the nets. Toronto took a yellow card for a Collen Warner handball in the fifty-third minute. DC had four yellow cards, given to Chris Korb in the fifty-fourth minute, Miguel Aguilar in the sixty-first minute, Facundo Coria in the eighty-ninth minute, and Davy Arnaud in stoppage time, all for fouls. The final stood at 0-0, with the man of the match being Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco, who attempted nine shots and put three on target, which Hamid turned aside.

Down in Philadelphia, the Union bring in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Brian Sylvestre are in the six-yard boxes. Philadelphia led off in the eighth minute with an Eric Ayuk Mbu goal, via C.J. Sapong and Cristian Maidana. Montreal took yellow cards for fouls by Andres Romero in the sixteenth minute and Patrice Bernier in the twenty-second minute. The Impact tied it on a twenty-eighth minute goal by Ignacio Piatti, assisted by Dilly Duka. In the forty-first minute, the Union's Maurice Edu took a yellow card for a foul. Philadelphia saw another yellow card for Mbu's foul in the sixty-second minute. Montreal went down to ten men when Bernier picked up another yellow card for a foul in the sixty-seventh, earning his ejection with his second yellow of the game. The Impact still managed to take the lead in the seventieth minute with a Jack McInerney goal, coming off of Romero. In the seventy-second minute, Montreal took a yellow card for a Donny Toia foul. The Union leveled the score with an Edu goal in the seventy-sixth minute. Philadelphia went down to ten men when Mbu took his second yellow card of the game in the seventy-seventh minute for a foul, earning an ejection. The final stayed at 2-2, with the man of the match being Edu for his equalizer.

Over to the New England Revolution hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Bobby Shuttleworth protect the nets. Vancouver opened in the eighteenth minute with a Cristian Techera goal. New England's Andrew Farrell had a rough go of things, picking up a yellow card for a twentieth minute foul before drawing a straight red in the twenty-ninth minute for his tactical foul. The Whitecaps added on in the thirty-first minute with an Octavio Rivero penalty kick goal stemming from Farrell's second foul. Vancouver's Jordan Harvey took a yellow card for a thirty-third minute foul. In the forty-first minute, Diego Fagundez of the Revolution had a yellow card for a foul. In the fifty-fourth minute, New England received a yellow card for persistent infringement by Teal Bunbury. The Whitecaps saw Darren Mattocks get booked on a yellow card for his eighty-second minute foul. The Revolution got on the board in the eighty-fourth minute with a Bunbury goal, passed from Kelyn Rowe. Vancouver took two more yellow cards, for an eighty-eighth minute foul by Steven Beitashour and time wasting in stoppage time by Nicolas Mezquida. The final stayed at 2-1, and Ousted was the man of the match for turning away eight of the nine shots that went on target from the Revolution.

Southwest to Kansas City, where Sporting welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Tim Melia are the gloved men. Kansas City began with a thirty-second minute goal by Krisztian Nemeth, assisted by Chance Myers and Benny Feilhaber. Colorado had a pair of yellow cards for a fifty-second minute Jared Watts foul and a sixty-first minute foul by Joseph Greenspan. Sporting went up 2-0 when Sam Cronin put the ball in his own net in the sixty-fourth minute. The Rapids saw a yellow card for a seventieth minute Kevin Doyle foul. Kansas City took two late yellow cards for Dominic Dwyer's foul in the eightieth minute and encroachment by Jacob Peterson in stoppage time. The final stayed at 2-0, with Nemeth as the man of the match for his winner.

Further west, Real Salt Lake brings in the Columbus Crew SC. Steve Clark and Nick Rimando guard the woodwork. Salt Lake was first to score in the thirty-sixth minute on an Olmes Garcia goal, via Joao Plata and Kyle Beckerman. Columbus tied it on a forty-second minute goal by Tony Tchani, courtesy of Hector Jimenez and Ethan Finlay. Real had a yellow card in first half stoppage time for Tony Beltran's foul. Salt Lake retook the lead in the forty-sixth minute on a Sebastian Jaime goal, coming off of Abdoulie Mansally. Real had a yellow card for a fifty-ninth minute foul by Luke Mulholland. The Crew tied it again in the sixty-second minute with a goal by Finlay, assisted by Federico Higuain and Kei Kamara. Salt Lake had a yellow card given to Devon Sandoval for his seventieth minute foul. Columbus took a yellow card on a Waylon Francis foul in the seventy-third minute. Real's Aaron Maund was booked on a yellow card for a foul in the seventy-sixth minute. Salt Lake went to ten men in the seventy-seventh minute as Jordan Allen received a straight red card for his foul. The Crew's Kamara took a yellow card for an eighty-second minute foul. The game stood at 2-2 when the final whistle blew, with the man of the match honors going to Finlay for his equalizer and an assist.

Ending Saturday, there's a Cali Clasico with the San Jose Earthquakes hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo and David Bingham are the keepers. San Jose saw a thirteenth minute yellow card for Sanna Nyassi's foul. In the seventeenth minute, Los Angeles got going with a Juninho goal. The Galaxy received a yellow card for a Stefan Ishizaki foul in the nineteenth minute. The Earthquakes' Victor Bernardez had a yellow card in the twenty-third minute for his foul. In the twenty-eighth minute, San Jose tied the game on a Chris Wondolowski goal, passed from Matias Perez Garcia. The Earthquakes gained the lead in the fifty-third minute on a Clarence Goodson goal, via Garcia. San Jose added on in the seventy-second minute with a Cordell Cato goal, coming off of Shea Salinas. In the eighty-eighth minute, the Galaxy's Alan Gordon took a yellow card for a foul. The final stood at 3-1, with the man of the match being Goodson for his winner. 

The first of two Sunday games sees New York City FC welcome the New York Red Bulls. Luis Robles and Josh Saunders receive the starting nods. New York City was first to score in the sixth minute on a Thomas McNamara goal, via Andrew Jacobson and Mix Diskerud. In the thirty-fourth minute, Chris Duvall of New York took a yellow card for his foul. In the forty first minute, both New York City's David Villa and the Red Bulls' goalie Robles received yellow cards for unsporting behavior. New York tied it on a forty-seventh minute goal by Bradley Wright-Phillips, passed from Sacha Kljestan. The Red Bulls took the lead on a fifty-second minute Duvall goal, set up by Anatole Bertrand Abang and Mike Grella. New York saw a yellow card in the fifty-fourth minute for Damien Perrinelle's foul. The Red Bulls added on in the seventy-third minute with a Matt Miazga goal, with an assist from Kljestan. This made it 3-1, the final, with the man of the match being Kljestan for his two assists.

Finally, the Portland Timbers bring in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are the goalies. Portland started in the twelfth minute on a Darlington Nagbe goal, assisted by Diego Valeri. Seattle took a yellow card for a Gonzalo Pineda foul in the seventeenth minute. The Sounders tied it on a thirty-eighth minute goal by Lamar Neagle, via Tyrone Mears. In the fifty-second minute, Andy Rose of Seattle took a yellow card for a foul. The Timbers saw a yellow card go to Valeri for dissent in the fifty-third minute. In the seventy-first minute, Neagle took a yellow card for a foul. Portland regained the lead on a Fanendo Adi goal in the seventy-fourth minute, passed from Nagbe. The Timbers added on in the seventy-sixth minute as Adi scored again, with the help of Rodney Wallace. Portland iced it at 4-1 with a stoppage time goal from Wallace, set up by Maximiliano Urruti. The man of the match was Adi for his quick brace to win the game.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 17 Part 1

This is the Wednesday section of MLS week 17 action, beginning in...

Philadelphia, as the Union host the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei faces a lesser foe in Brian Sylvestre in goal. Seattle saw a yellow card go to Dylan Remick for his foul in the thirtieth minute. Zach Scott of the Sounders had a yellow card for a foul in the forty-ninth minute. Philadelphia got going in the sixty-ninth minute as C.J. Sapong scored, thanks to Sheanon Williams. This stood for a 1-0 win, and Sapong earned the man of the match honors.

Down in Florida, Orlando City SC welcomes the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Tally Hall are the veteran goalies. Colorado took a yellow card for a Dillon Serna foul in the fortieth minute. Orlando City began with a Cyle Larin goal in the sixty-second minute, made possible by Carlos Rivas. Orlando City added on when Kaka scored, with the help of Cristian Higuita. In the sixty-seventh minute, Orlando City saw a yellow card given to Rafael Ramos. The final held at 2-0 for Orlando City, and Hall was the man of the match on a four-save clean sheet.

Back north, the Columbus Crew SC bring in the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Steve Clark man the nets. New England led off in the first minute on a Lee Nguyen goal, passed from Kelyn Rowe. Columbus tied it in the fourth minute with a Kei Kamara goal. The Crew took the lead on a Kamara goal in the fiftieth minute, set up by Ethan Finlay and Waylon Francis. Shuttleworth took a yellow card for dissent in the same minute. Columbus saw the next four yellow cards, given to Michael Parkhurst in the sixty-third minute, Emanuel Pogatetz in the seventy-ninth minute, and Francis in the eighty-sixth minute, all for fouls, followed by Kristinn Steindorsson in the ninetieth minute for time wasting. In stoppage time, the Revolution saw a yellow card for an Andy Dorman foul, as did the Crew for a Kamara foul. The final remained at 2-1, with the man of the match being Kamara with his brace.

East to the New York Red Bulls hosting Real Salt Lake. Nick Rimando and Luis Robles guard the woodwork. New York struck first in the fourth minute with a Mike Grella goal, assisted by Sean Davis and Kemar Lawrence. Salt Lake went down to ten men in the fortieth minute as Javier Morales took a straight red card for a tactical foul. Real was down to nine men with a straight red card for Demar Phillips in the fifty-fifth minute for his foul. The final stayed at 1-0, and Grella's early goal made him the man of the match.

In Canada, Toronto FC brings in the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Chris Konopka are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal was first to score on a nineteenth minute goal by Ambroise Oyongo. The Impact saw a yellow card go to Bakary Soumare in the twentieth minute for his foul. Toronto tied it on a Michael Bradley goal in the twenty-seventh minute, via Sebastian Giovinco. Toronto took the lead as Jozy Altidore scored in the fifty-sixth minute, with the help of Bradley. Montreal saw another yellow card for a Laurent Ciman handball in the seventieth minute. In the eighty-second minute, Toronto added on with a Giovinco penalty kick goal. The final stayed at 3-1, with the man of the match named as Bradley for his goal and assist.

Back stateside, the Chicago Fire welcome DC United. Bill Hamid and Sean Johnson are the gloved men. Chicago took a yellow card for a Chris Ritter forty-fifth minute foul. DC dented the scoreboard with a seventy-third minute Conor Doyle goal. The Fire saw a yellow card go to Guly in the seventy-ninth minute for his foul. United took a yellow card for a Steve Birnbaum foul in the ninetieth minute. The final favored DC 1-0. The man of the match was Doyle for his winner.

Finally, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Portland Timbers. Adam Larsen Kwarasey and Jaime Penedo are the keepers. Los Angeles opened in the thirteenth minute with a Sebastian Lletget goal. The Galaxy added on with a Robbie Keane penalty kick goal in the eighteenth minute. Los Angeles extended the lead with a Robbie Rogers goal in the thirty-third minute, made possible by Keane. In the sixty-fifth minute, the Galaxy's Rogers took a yellow card for his foul. Los Angeles padded the lead with a Juninho goal, set up by Keane. In the seventy-eighth minute, Portland's Liam Ridgewell fouled Alan Gordon, who retaliated. Ridgewell was sent off to give the Timbers ten men, while Gordon got a yellow card. In the eighty-eighth minute, the Galaxy went to 5-0 up with a Jose Villerreal goal. The final stood at 5-0, with the man of the match being Keane for his goal and two assists.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 16

Nine games on for this weekend, beginning on Friday in...

Colorado, as the Rapids host FC Dallas. Dan Kennedy and Clint Irwin are the goalies. In the ninth minute, Bobby Burling of Colorado had a yellow card for his foul. Dallas took a yellow card for an eighteenth minute foul by Victor Ulloa. Dallas got on the board with a seventy-first minute goal by Fabian Castillo, via Kyle Bekker. In the eightieth minute, Kennedy of Dallas took a yellow card for time wasting. The Rapids saw a yellow card for an eighty-fourth minute foul by James Riley. Colorado tied it on an eighty-eighth minute goal by Dillon Serna, courtesy of Drew Moor and Vicente Sanchez. The final stood at 1-1, with the man of the match being Serna for his late equalizer to salvage a point.

On Saturday, the first game has the Seattle Sounders FC welcoming the San Jose Earthquakes. David Bingham and Stefan Frei are the keepers. San Jose's Sanna Nyassi took a yellow card for a twenty-third minute foul. The Earthquakes opened with Nyassi's redeeming goal in the twenty-eighth minute, passed from Matias Perez Garcia. Seattle's Thomas took a yellow card for a fifty-ninth minute foul. San Jose added on when Garcia scored in the seventy-third minute, thanks to Cordell Cato. The Sounders took a yellow card for a Zach Scott foul in the eighty-seventh minute. The final stood at 2-0, and Garcia was the man of the match with a goal and assist.

In the east, Toronto FC brings in New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Chris Konopka man the nets. NYCFC began in the eighth minute with a David Villa penalty kick goal. Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco took a yellow card for a twentieth minute foul. NYCFC saw a yellow card go to Chris Wingert in the thirty-fourth minute for his foul. Toronto's Ashtone Morgan received a yellow card for a foul in first half stoppage time. In the fifty-eighth minute, Villa added on for NYCFC with his goal, assisted by Mehdi Ballouchy and Thomas McNamara. NYCFC took yellow cards for Jason Hernandez's foul in the sixtieth minute, Saunders' time wasting in the sixty-sixth minute, Kwadwo Poku's unsporting behavior in the eighty-second minute, and a Shay Facey foul in the eighty-fourth minute. Toronto took a yellow card for dissent by Jozy Altidore in the eighty-seventh minute. The final was 2-0, and Villa was the man of the match for his brace.

Down to the New York Red Bulls hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. David Ousted and Luis Robles are the gloved men. New York went down to ten men early, when Sacha Kljestan took a straight red card for his foul. Vancouver quickly struck in the fifteenth minute on a Kekuta Manneh goal, passed from Steven Beitashour and Cristian Techera. The Whitecaps saw yellow cards for Gershon Koffie's persistent infringement in the sixtieth minute and a Matias Laba foul in the sixty-third minute. Vancouver added on with a Kianz Froese goal in the seventy-seventh minute, guided in by Octavio Rivero. The Red Bulls got on the board in the eighty-second minute as Anatole Bertrand Abang scored, thanks to Chris Duvall. The Whitecaps' Kendall Waston took a yellow card for a foul in stoppage time. The final stayed at 2-1, and Froese was man of the match for the winning goal.

Back in Canada, the Montreal Impact welcome Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Evan Bush are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal led off in the thirty-sixth minute with a Donny Toia goal, set up by Marco Donadel. In first half stoppage time, Cristian Higuita of Orlando City took a yellow card for his foul. The Impact's Bush took a yellow card for time wasting in the eighty-ninth minute. Montreal added on in second half stoppage time with a Dominic Oduro goal. The man of the match was Bush with his three-save clean sheet in the 2-0 win.

Out west, the Portland Timbers bring in the Houston Dynamo. Tyler Deric and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are guarding the woodwork. Portland was first to score in the thirty-fourth minute on a Maximiliano Urruti goal, coming off of Jorge Villafana. The Timbers took a yellow card for a fifty-fourth minute Diego Chara foul. Houston saw a yellow card for David Horst in the fifty-ninth minute for his foul. Portland added on with a sixty-first minute penalty kick goal by Gaston Fernandez. The Dynamo had another yellow card for a seventieth minute Luis Garrido offense. The final stood at 2-0, with the man of the match being Urruti for his early winner.

Ending Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Philadelphia Union. Brian Sylvestre and Jaime Penedo get the starting nods in goal. Los Angeles had a yellow card go to A.J. DeLaGarza in the sixth minute for a foul. The Galaxy started with a twenty-third minute goal by Baggio Husidic. Los Angeles added on with a Juninho goal in the thirty-fifth minute, courtesy of Gyasi Zardes and Husidic. The Galaxy extended the lead in the fifty-sixth minute as Zardes scored, thanks to Robbie Keane. Philadelphia got on the board with a C.J. Sapong goal in the fifty-eighth minute, via Andrew Wenger. Los Angeles countered with a fifty-ninth minute Stefan Ishizaki goal, passed from Omar Gonzalez and Juninho. The Galaxy padded the lead on a Sebastian Lletget goal in the sixty-fifth minute, assisted by Zardes and Husidic. The Union's Fred took a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute foul. The final stood at 5-1, with the man of the match being Husidic with a goal and two assists.

The first of two games on Sunday had DC United welcome the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Bill Hamid are the solid goalies. New England got going in the tenth minute on a Charlie Davies goal, passed from Lee Nguyen and Teal Bunbury. DC tied it with a Chris Rolfe goal in the seventieth minute, via Fabian Espindola and Nick DeLeon. United had a yellow card go to Davy Arnaud for his seventy-eighth minute foul. DC took the lead on a Rolfe penalty kick goal in the eighty-first minute. This made it 2-1, the final, with Rolfe being the man of the match with his brace.

Finally, Real Salt Lake brings in Sporting Kansas City. Tim Melia is mismatched with Nick Rimando in goal. Kansas City took the first two yellow cards for a Soni Mustivar foul in the eighth minute and a Matt Besler fourteenth minute foul. Salt Lake took a yellow card for a Javier Morales foul in the fifteenth minute, but they also gained the lead with a Sebastian Jaime goal seconds later, with Morales getting the assist on it. In the eighteenth minute, Demar Phillips of Real took a yellow card for his foul. Sporting tied it on a Dominic Dwyer goal in the thirtieth minute, coming off of Benny Feilhaber. Salt Lake saw yellow cards go to Kyle Beckerman in the forty-seventh minute and Jaime in the fifty-first minute, both for fouls. Real took a late lead with an Olmes Garcia goal in stoppage time, made possible by Morales. The final stood at 2-1 for Salt Lake, with the man of the match being Morales for his two assists.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Monday, June 15, 2015

STANLEY CUP FINALS: Tampa Bay Lightning VS. Chicago Blackhawks

Welcome to the final post of the 2014-2015 NHL season, the Stanley Cup Finals. This post covers the entire series.

Game 1: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop. Tampa Bay began in the first period on an Alex Killorn goal, his eighth of the postseason, coming off of Anton Stralman and Valtteri Filppula. Chicago tied it on a Teuvo Teravainen goal in the third period, his third of the playoffs, via Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks took the lead as Antoine Vermette scored his third of the postseason, with a lone helper by Teravainen. The final stood at 2-1, with the three stars handed to Teravainen, Vermette, and Crawford (22 for 23 in saves). Chicago begins with a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop. Tampa Bay led off with a first period goal by Cedric Paquette, his second of the postseason, via Ryan Callahan and Victor Hedman. Chicago tied it in the second period as Andrew Shaw scored his fifth of the playoffs, thanks to Marcus Kruger and Andrew Desjardins. The Blackhawks took the lead on a Teuvo Teravainen power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, powered by Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. The Lightning retied it with a Nikita Kucherov goal, his tenth of the playoffs, assisted by Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn. Tampa Bay took the lead again on a Tyler Johnson goal, his thirteenth of the postseason, with a lone helper from Kucherov. Chicago pulled even in the third period on a Brent Seabrook goal, his seventh of the playoffs, made possible by Jonathan Toews and Johnny Oduya. The Lightning retook the lead on a Garrison power play goal, his second of the postseason, passed from Hedman and Callahan. The final stood at 4-3, with the three stars given to Garrison, Kucherov, and Hedman, while Callahan gets an honorable mention. The series shifts to Chicago tied at 1.

Game 3: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford. Tampa Bay struck first in the first period on a Ryan Callahan goal, his second of the postseason, coming off of Victor Hedman and J.T. Brown. Chicago tied it with a Brad Richards power play goal, his third of the playoffs, powered by Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw. The Blackhawks gained the lead in the third period on a Brandon Saad goal, his seventh of the postseason, assisted by Hossa and Duncan Keith. The Lightning retied it on an Ondrej Palat goal, his eighth of the playoffs, made possible by Tampa Bay took the lead as Cedric Paquette scored his third of the postseason, with the help of Hedman and Callahan. This produced a 3-2 final, with the three stars being Hedman, Callahan, and Hossa. The Lightning now hold a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Andrei Vasilevskiy and Corey Crawford. Chicago got going in the second period on a Jonathan Toews goal, his tenth of the postseason, assisted by Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. Tampa Bay tied it on an Alex Killorn goal, his ninth of the playoffs, via Valtteri Filppula and Steven Stamkos. The Blackhawks took the lead back in the third period as Brandon Saad scored his eighth of the postseason, with a lone assist by Patrick Kane. This stood for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Saad, Crawford (24 for 25 in saves), and Toews. The series returns to Florida tied at 2.

Game 5: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida. In goal: Corey Crawford and Ben Bishop. Chicago was first to score in the first period on a Patrick Sharp goal, his fifth of the postseason, fueled by Teuvo Teravainen and Jonathan Toews. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period on a Valtteri Filppula goal, his fourth of the playoffs, guided in by Jason Garrison and Anton Stralman. The Blackhawks retook the lead as Antoine Vermette scored his fourth of the postseason in the third period, thanks to Kris Versteeg. This produced the eventual 2-1 final, with the three stars given to Vermette, Crawford (31 for 32 in saves), and Sharp. The Blackhawks head home leading the series 3-2. 

Game 6: United Center, Chicago, Illinois. In goal: Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford. Chicago dented the scoreboard in the second period as Duncan Keith scored his third of the postseason, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brad Richards. The Blackhawks added on in the third period with a Kane goal, his eleventh of the playoffs, assisted by Richards and Brandon Saad. This held up for a 2-0 win, with the three stars given to Crawford (25 save shutout), Kane, and Richards. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup with a 4-2 series victory, and Duncan Keith earned the Conn Smythe Award for playoff MVP.

I'll be back next season, but for now, I'm going to enjoy my part-time summer work. I'll be covering MLS only until the Premier League and KHL get going again in August, giving me some nice time to decompress. If you like soccer, check in on MLS game days for recaps.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 15

A short week of only five games, beginning with...

New York City FC hosting the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Josh Saunders man the nets. New York City began in the thirty-first minute with a David Villa goal, assisted by Mehdi Ballouchy and Patrick Mullins. In the fifty-second minute, RJ Allen of New York City took a yellow card for a foul. New York City added on with a Mix Diskerud goal in the seventy-sixth minute, made possible by Kwadwo Poku. Montreal got on the board with a Wandrille Lefevre goal in the eighty-eighth minute, passed from Laurent Ciman. New York City answered in the ninetieth minute on a Poku goal, via Villa. This made it 3-1, the final, with the man of the match being Poku for a goal and an assist.

Over in New England, the Revolution welcome the Chicago Fire. Jon Busch and Bobby Shuttleworth are the keepers. Chicago took a yellow card for a thirty-third minute foul by Adailton. New England's Andy Dorman took a yellow card for dissent in the fortieth minute. The Fire had a yellow card go to Matt Polster for his dissent in the forty-third minute. The Revolution got going with a Diego Fagundez goal in the forty-eighth minute. New England added on with a Charlie Davies goal in the fiftieth minute, courtesy of Teal Bunbury. The Revolution saw a yellow card for a London Woodberry foul in the fifty-ninth minute. Chicago's Kennedy Igboananike took a yellow card for his seventy-first minute foul. The game ended 2-0 in favor of New England, with Shuttleworth being the man of the match for his four-save clean sheet.

West to Columbus, as the Crew host the Los Angeles Galaxy. Jaime Penedo and Steve Clark are the gloved men. Los Angeles started in the fourteenth minute on a Sebastian Lletget goal. Columbus tied it on a sixty-sixth minute goal from Federico Higuain, set up by Ethan Finlay. The Galaxy took yellow cards for fouls by Omar Gonzalez in the seventy-first minute and Robbie Rogers in the eighty-seventh minute. The game ended 1-1, with Lletget earning man of the match honors for his goal.

Ending Saturday, the Seattle Sounders FC bring in FC Dallas. Dan Kennedy is mismatched with Stefan Frei in goal. Dallas took a yellow card in the forty-ninth minute on a Victor Ulloa foul. Seattle had a yellow card given to Brad Evans in the fiftieth minute for his foul. The Sounders opened in the fifty-fifth minute with a Lamar Neagle goal, set up by Evans. Seattle added on with an Obafemi Martins goal in the seventy-third minute, passed from Andy Rose. In the eighty-fifth minute, Blas Perez of Dallas took a yellow card for his foul. The Sounders iced it at 3-0 on a Leonardo Gonzalez goal, coming off of Neagle and Martins. The man of the match was Neagle for his winning goal and assist.

Finally, the only Sunday game sees Orlando City SC host DC United. Bill Hamid and Tally Hall are the goalies. DC had a yellow card for a Davy Arnaud foul in the twenty-third minute. Orlando City was first to score with a thirtieth minute goal by Kaka. This held for a 1-0 final, with Kaka being the man of the match.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Major League Soccer Week 14

We begin a full slate of games in...

Houston, as the Dynamo host the New York Red Bulls on Friday. Luis Robles and Tyler Deric are the gloved men. New York had a yellow card for a Chris Duvall foul in the twenty-seventh minute. The Red Bulls began with a Mike Grella goal in the forty-second minute, passed from Bradley Wright-Phillips. Houston tied it on a fifty-ninth minute Oscar Garcia goal, assisted by Will Bruin. New York saw a yellow card go to Grella for a sixty-second minute dive. The Dynamo pulled ahead with a Ricardo Clark goal, set up by Garcia, in the seventy-second minute. Houston added on with a Bruin goal, via Garcia in the eightieth minute. The Red Bulls got one back on a ninetieth minute Anatole Bertrand Abang goal, courtesy of Marius Obekop. The Dynamo iced it at 4-2 with another Bruin goal in stoppage time. The man of the match was Bruin for his brace to secure the game with a wild ending.

On Saturday, the first game saw the Philadelphia Union welcome New York City FC. Josh Saunders and Brian Sylvestre are in goal. New York City saw a yellow card go to Jason Hernandez in the fourth minute for a foul. Philadelphia struck first with a forty-sixth minute C.J. Sapong goal, passed from Sebastien Le Toux. New York City tied it on a Thomas McNamara goal in the fifty-third minute, via Kwadwo Poku. New York City took the lead on a Patrick Mullins goal in the eighty-seventh minute, courtesy of Jeb Brovsky. The Union's Maurice Edu took a yellow card for his eighty-ninth minute foul. The final stood at 2-1, with the man of the match being Mullins for his winner.

Over in DC, United brings in Toronto FC. Chris Konopka and Andrew Dykstra man the nets. DC led off in the sixth minute with a Steve Birnbaum goal, assisted by Fabian Espindola. Toronto tied it on a thirty-fourth minute goal by Sebastian Giovinco, coming off of Luke Moore. Around the sixty-fourth minute, Warren Creavalle took a yellow card for his foul for Toronto, while Toronto's Damien Perquis and United's Perry Kitchen received yellow cards for dissent. Toronto took the lead with an eighty-third minute Giovinco goal, made possible by Benoit Cheyrou. In the eighty-seventh minute, Birnbaum of DC had a yellow card for a foul. Toronto took a yellow card for time wasting in stoppage time by the goalie Konopka. The final stood at 2-1, and the man of the match was Giovinco with a brace.

West to Columbus, as the Crew SC host the Montreal Impact. Evan Bush and Steve Clark are in the six-yard boxes. Montreal was first to score in the fifty-fifth minute with a Maxim Tissot goal. The Impact saw yellow cards for Marco Donadel in the seventy-fifth minute and Andres Romero in the seventy-eighth minute, both for dissent. Romero made up for his card by adding onto the Montreal lead in the seventy-ninth minute, with the help of Ignacio Piatti. In the eighty-seventh minute, Donny Toia of the Impact took a yellow card for a foul. Columbus got on the board with a Federico Higuian goal in stoppage time. Two minutes later, Jack McInerney took a yellow card for Montreal for his foul. The final stood at 2-1, with Romero being the man of the match by scoring the winner.

Into Chicago, where the Fire welcome Orlando City SC. Tally Hall and Jon Busch are the veteran goalies. Chicago opened with a ninth minute goal by Kennedy Igboananike, coming off of David Accam and Razvan Cocis. Orlando City took yellow cards for fouls in the twenty-fifth minute by Aurelien Collin and in the thirty-fourth minute by Cristian Higuita. Orlando City got an equalizer when the Fire's Adailton put the ball in his own net for an own goal. Chicago retook the lead on a fifty-seventh minute goal by Accam, made possible by Harry Shipp. Orlando City took another pair of yellow cards, going to Darwin Ceren in the sixty-first minute and Sean St. Ledger in the sixty-fourth minute, both for fouls. Orlando City tied it again on a Cyle Larin goal, via Eric Avila in the eighty-second minute. Orlando City took the lead on another own goal by the Fire's Adailton, which can be dubbed the "own-brace." In stoppage time, Chicago took yellow cards for fouls from Lovel Palmer and Quincy Amarikwa. The final stood at 3-2 for Orlando City, and Larin was the man of the match for the only goal they actually earned.

Down in Kansas City, Sporting brings in the Seattle Sounders FC. Stefan Frei and Tim Melia are set to start in goal. Seattle had a yellow card for Frei's dissent in the eighty-second minute. Kansas City cashed in on what he barked about, scoring on a Benny Feilhaber penalty kick in the eighty-fourth minute. The final was 1-0, and Melia was the man of the match with his six-save clean sheet.

Out west, the Portland Timbers host the New England Revolution. Bobby Shuttleworth and Adam Larsen Kwarasey are the keepers. New England took a yellow card for a seventh minute foul by Teal Bunbury, but Portland also had a yellow card for Jorge Villafana for unsporting behavior. The Timbers saw a yellow card go to Maximiliano Urruti in the thirty-ninth minute for dissent. The Revolution took a yellow card for London Woodberry's persistent infringement in the forty-fifth minute. In the eighty-fifth minute, New England saw a yellow card for a Lee Nguyen foul. Portland gained the lead as Fanendo Adi scored in the eighty-sixth minute, with the help of Villafana. The Timbers had a yellow card for an eighty-eighth minute Rodney Wallace foul. Portland added on as Adi scored in the eighty-ninth minutes, thanks to Alvas Powell and Diego Chara. In stoppage time, the Revolution's Kevin Alston drew a yellow card for a foul. The final stood at 2-0 for Portland, and Adi was the man of the match for his late brace.

Ending Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps. David Ousted and Brian Rowe are the goalies. In the twentieth minute, Steven Beitashour of Vancouver took a yellow card for a foul. The Whitecaps started in the thirty-second minute with a Kekuta Manneh goal, via Octavio Rivero. Los Angeles' Leonardo took a yellow card for a thirty-fourth minute foul. This was all the action in the game, with the final holding at 1-0. Manneh was the man of the match for his goal.

For Sunday, Real Salt Lake brings in the Colorado Rapids. Clint Irwin and Nick Rimando are the experienced goalies. Salt Lake had a yellow card go to John Stertzer in the twenty-fifth minute for a foul. Colorado had a yellow card for an Axel Sjoberg foul in the thirty-second minute. The Rapids saw a yellow card for a seventy-ninth minute foul by Bobby Burling. The score remained 0-0 to the end, and the man of the match was Rimando for his clean sheet.

Finally, the San Jose Earthquakes host FC Dallas. David Bingham and Dan Kennedy man the nets. San Jose took a yellow card for an eleventh minute foul by Marvell Wynne. Dallas had three yellow cards in the first half, for a sixteenth minute foul by Victor Ulloa, and for a fortieth minute Michel foul that was followed by dissent from Mauro Diaz. In the second half, the referee lost his yellow card and went straight to the red card. In the fifty-third minute, Mark Sherrod of the Earthquakes took a red for his foul, putting the hosts at ten men. Dallas went to ten men when Je-Vaughn Watson received a yellow card for his foul in the seventy-fifth minute. San Jose ended the game at nine men when J.J. Koval was sent off for a foul in the eighty-seventh minute. Despite the extra space on the field, the final held at 0-0. Bingham's two save clean sheet earned him man of the match honors.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.