MLS Weekend in Review

Major League Soccer had a quiet weekend schedule wise with the Holiday and international schedule. Even with that, there was MLS news of note on and off the field.

DC United – 0, FC Dallas – 3

FC Dallas used efficient shooting to grab a wing on the road. Despite losing the possession battle, FCD made their chances count as Michael Barrios netted two goals in the first half before Maximiliano Urruti put the game out of reach in the second half. FC Dallas has seemed to have woken up after the beating they took in Houston a few weeks back. Urruti has provided the finishing up top that Dallas struggled to find last season. He now has 3 goals in four games. If he can remain consistent with taking advantage of the opportunities he is given, FCD could become an offensive juggernaut.

United has continued to struggle out of the gate as they still search for their first win of the season. Their game was summed up when FCD keeper Chris Seitz saved Fabian Espindola’s penalty kick in the second half. It is still early in the season, but Ben Olsen’s troops need to find some rhythm soon or risk being left behind in a competitive Eastern Conference.

NYCFC – 1, New England Revolution – 1

Thomas McNamera (NYCFC) and Chris Tierney (Revs) scored in the first half as the Revolution held out to gain a point in the 1 – 1 draw. NYCFC will be disappointed with the result holding a man advantage for much of the second half. New England survived going down to ten men six minutes into the second half as Gershon Koffie was shown red for his challenge on McNamera.

The tie was a missed opportunity for NYCFC to go to the top of the Eastern Conference. The two points lost may be vital for playoff seeding. For New England, they were able to grind out their third draw of the season.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Vancouver Whitecaps – 1, Houston Dynamo – 0

A Pedro Morales penalty kick conversion gave the Whitecaps the spoils as they shutout Houston. Masato Kudo drew a foul in the box from Jalil Anibaba to set up the Morales tally. Houston could not solve David Ousted who made sure the first half goal stood up.

The win was Vancouver’s second of the season, and moved them into a three way tie for third in the Western Conference. Houston fell to 1 – 2 -1, with their only win being the thrashing of FC Dallas in Houston.

League Notes:

DC United signed 23 year old Italian midfielder Andrea Mancini. Mancini is the son of current Inter Milan head coach Roberto Mancini. Andrea has spent time in both the Inter Milan and Manchester City academies. He was recently applying his trade in the Hungarian first division.

Many MLS players were representing their country over the past week as CONCACAF World Cup qualifying took place. There seemed to be more disappointment in the performances then delight as players like Orlando City SC’s Cyle Larin left fans wanting more, a lot more.

Brazilian Ronaldinho may finally make his move to MLS. His agent stated that the former Brazilian international will play in China or MLS. Unfortunately for fans, this is a little too late as the flashy attacker is a far cry from the player who once dominated the world game.