Match Recaps: MLS Week 5

It was another action packed weekend of MLS; with late goals, lots of goals, red cards and great saves from around the league. Here is a quick recap of what went on this weekend. Enjoy:

Friday April 3

Orlando City 0-1 D.C United

More late heartbreak for Orlando, as it was in the final seconds of the game that won it for D.C United. Returning from injury, Luis Silva hit a great free kick to clinch the 3 points showing how vital a player he really is for D.C, who have struggled without him. There were plenty of chances for both sides, with both defenses in particular form. Credit must be given to D.C’s Bill Hamid for making some great saves to deny Orlando.

Saturday April 4

Chicago Fire 3-2 Toronto FC

A goal-packed game just had to have a winner, and that winner was Chicago who saw goals from Shaun Maloney, Jeff Larentowicz and Joevin Jones. Toronto did see their exciting Italian striker Giovinco score his first MLS goal and they hope that goal will be the first of many. The match was a really exciting game, especially for the neutral. Not so much for Toronto supporters. Their day was made worse when defender Warren Creaville saw red in the 67th minute. Jeff Larentowicz scored the third as a result.

More from Chicago Fire

Colorado Rapids 0-2 New England Revolution

It just keeps getting worse for Colorado, who have still not scored one single goal this season, despite being 5 weeks in. This meant things were better for New England however, who picked up 3 points which put them third in the Eastern Conference. The Rapids now sit bottom of the Western Conference without a win, or a goal, to account for so far in the campaign. They had three missed chances against New England even though they had more shots on goal, the problem finishing remains. Things had better change soon.

Seattle Sounders 1-0 Houston Dynamo

10-men Seattle held out to grab 3 points, leaving the Dynamo confused as to why they could not break down Seattle even though they had the advantage of an extra man, taking over 15 shots against the home side. The man in question who was sent off was Gonzalo Pineda with just over 30 minutes to go, more than enough time for the Dynamo to try and get something out of this one. But it was not meant to be. The goalscorer for the Sounders (a welcome statement after last weeks ‘no-shots at all’ game against Dallas) was Obafemi Martins, who struck in the 39th minute.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 LA Galaxy

Despite the return of Robbie Keane, the defending MLS champions lost 2-0 in Vancouver, as the Whitecaps put in a strong performance and came away with a deserved 3 points. This marked the fourth straight win for Vancouver, and they outplayed LA for the entire game. The arrival of Steven Gerrard can’t come soon enough for LA. Meanwhile, Vancouver can enjoy being top of the Western Conference. Goals came from Manneh and Rivero.

Portland Timbers 3- 1 FC Dallas

The Timbers finally got the win they had been waiting for and did it in style, hitting 3 past Dallas in front of a noisy Timbers home crowd. Dallas are still second in the Western Conference, but would rather be top obviously. This win takes the Timbers up to 7th above LA, and they will look to build on this one. Nat Borchers was among the goal-scorers, and one of the stan-out statistics is no less than 30 fouls in this one, but only three bookings.

Sunday April 5

San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Real Salt Lake

It was a slow start to the all Western Conference clash, but things escalated when the Earthquakes lost Francis to a head injury. Moments later, Salt Lake had one of their own as Luke Mulholland was heavily tackled in the air by Innocent Emeghara who was lucky not to see red. This set up a Javier Morales free kick that was initially blocked by the wall but swiftly struck on the rebound high into the corner for a beautiful finish. An entertaining game despite the low scoreline.

Sporting Kansas City 3-2 Philadelphia Union

Another action packed game, the Union remain bottom of the Eastern Conference after a defeat to Sporting Kansas. Dom Dwyer opened his account for 2015, and was also the first time that Kansas had scored more than one goal in a game this season. Philadelphia were actually leading at one point, when it was 2-1 but they could not see the result out and hence lost out on their first win, instead taking another defeat.

Next: Colorado Rapids: Tie Win-Loss Record In 2-0 Loss To Revs

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