NYCFC and the Montreal Impact kicked off the third week of MLS with a 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium. Rodney Wallace scored for the team from the Bronx in the 43rd minute off a rebound from Alexander Ring's shot to give NYCFC the lead. It is his second goal this season. Piatti's pace troubled the NYCFC defense at the end of the half as he drove down the field and hit the ball to the far corner, hitting the post just before the half. In the 68th minute, Dominic Oduro slipped behind the New York city defense and shot the ball into the top corner making it 1-1. It was a fairly evenly matched game with both sides getting chances to score, a 1-1 scoreline was a fair representation of the passage of play.
Toronto this week travelled to Vancouver where they faced off against a Whitecaps team still trying to find their feet. Vancouver dominated the opening half with the most notable chance coming from a no penalty call after Eric Zavaleta brought down Nicolas Mezquida in the box. During the second half, the tide turned as Toronto found their attacking rhythm without Giovinco. Bret Shea was then shown a red card in the 70th minute after tackling NIck Hagglund from behind. From there, Toronto found the breakthrough in the 75th minute from a Raheem Edwards cross into the box followed by head tennis as Altodore headed the ball to a rushing Victor Vazquez who put Toronto in the lead. A few minutes later Toronto finished the match as Altidore held the ball up on the edge of the box, took a few quick dribbles, and smashed it past Vancouver goalkeeper Ousted. This is Toronto's first win of the season.
Meanwhile at RFK, DC United lost 2-0 to the Columbus Crew, leaving them second bottom of the Eastern conference after three games with just one point. DC conceded two penalties, the first coming in the 38th minute after Ola Kamara got behind Steven Birnbaum and was tripped in the box. The penalty was finished off by Federico Higuain. Then in the 66th minute, Ola Kamara fell after Birnbaum stuck out his arm, pushing him away from the ball. It was a controversial call as Ola Kamara looked to have flopped on replay. Ola Kamara then finished the penalty, clinching the win for the Crew.
Canadian attacking sensation, Cyle Larin continued his scoring ways in Orlando's new stadium, scoring two goals in Orlando's 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. Cyle Larin has scored all of Orlando's goals this season. The attack of Orlando City led by Larin and Rivas looks to be un-phased without the presence of Kaka who is currently out injured. Philadelphia meanwhile currently sit with two points after three games. CJ Sapong has scored in both of Philadelphia's last two games. Orlando are off to a great start in their search for a first MLS Cup playoff birth under Jason Kreis. Their stadium is starting to look like a purple fortress.
Atlanta meanwhile looks years ahead of an expansion team as they won 4-0 against the Chicago Fire at the Bobby Dodd Stadium. A game made history as it was the first MLS game to be broadcasted on Facebook Live. Atlanta scored early after a Brandon Vincent own goal. Chicago's Juninho then got a red card in the 11th minute Johan Kapplehof brought down Martinez who was making a run towards goal. This made the game extremely hard for Chicago, as they changed their tactics to damage control Josef Martinez continues to terrorize defenses as he grabbed two goals, increasing his tally to five on the season. Atlanta's high octane offense continues to reek havic on MLS defenses. Atlanta are now second place in the Eastern conference, while Chicago languish in mid table. It might be early days but Atlanta already looks playoff bound.
Minnesota meanwhile got a 2-2 draw against Colorado. Minnesota led in the 58th minute after coming back from a goal down thanks to two goals from Kevin Molino from the penalty spot and Christian Ramirez. However; it wasn't enough as Colorado equalized in the 59th minute from Marvin Harriston. Justin Davis was then sent off after stomping on Harriston's knee in the 70th minute. Colorado had multiple chances to win the game but couldn't get the crucial breakthrough. This is Minnesota's first point as an expansion team, a step in the right direction for a team that lost 6-1 last week at home.
FC Dallas beat New England 2-1 at home after coming back from a goal down. Maximiliano Urruti grabbed two goals in the 70th and 77th minute to leave the Revs bottom the East. FC Dallas who just beat Pachuca 2-1 in the CONCACAF Champions League semi finals first leg, look to be dangerous in both competitions this year as Oscar Pareja's side continues to show depth and growth as they chase their maiden MLS Cup title.
Sporting KC finally scored a goal after beating the Earthquakes 2-1 in Kansas City. Benny Feilhaber scored in the 37th minute after taking a long range shot from thirty yards out, curving the ball to the far left corner, surprising San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham who was rooted to the spot. Feilhaber's goal was beautiful and if you haven't seen it, you should watch it. Meanwhile, David Bingham's night got worse as he conceded an own goal in the 89th minute, giving KC the eventual win despite conceding late in stoppage time. KC almost gave up the lead late in stoppage time if it weren't for a Tim Melia save off a San Jose corner.
The Saturday night cap for MLS included an LA Galaxy 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake and a 4-2 win for the Portland Timbers at home, keeping the Timbers undefeated. The Galaxy trailed early against Salt Lake but a Kyle Beckerman red card in the 44th minute changed the momentum of the game. Despite no Giovanni Dos Santos in the LA lineup, they scored two goals in five minutes as Roman Alessandrini provided both assists to David Romney and Emanuel Boateng.
Portland, scored early in their match after a Demarcus Beasley handball gave Portland an early lead after Valeri dispatched the penalty. Huston's dynamic trio continued to attack as Portland conceded a penalty in the 37th minute, which was scored by Eric Torres. Romell Quioto then scored right before halftime. Portland came out in the second half "guns blazing" as Huston defended tightly, trying to make it hard for Portland to break them down. However; it wasn't enough as holdup play by Fernando Adi, followed by a pinpoint cross by youngster Zarek Valentin into the box was headed in by Diego Valeri to tie the game in the 58th minute. Defensive midfielder David Guzman scored after a give and go play with Darlington Nagbe inside the box a few minutes later, putting the game out of reach. Adi then finished off the game in stoppage time, holding up play in typical fashion to give the Timbers an undefeated start to the new season.
On Sunday afternoon, Seattle's home opener and championship ceremony wasn't spoiled as the Sounders won 3-1 against the New York Red Bulls. In the 27th minute, a soft back pass by Red Bull defender Damien Perrinelle to goalkeeper Luis Robles on the edge of the box, gave Jordan Morris a clear path on goal as he was immediately brought down by Robles, giving Seattle an early penalty. Clint Dempsey finished from the spot, giving him his second goal of the season. Dempsey looks to be rounding into form as he was recently called up for the US men's national team World Cup qualifiers, which start next week. After halftime, New York equalized as Sal Zizzo whipped a ball into the box that was headed into the far corner off the by goal poacher Bradley Wright Phillips. Tying the game at 1-1. Though the comeback for the Red Bulls was not to be as a Jelvin Jones nutmeg on the baseline and cutback, followed by a Lodiero chip to the back post was then finished by Jordan Morris to give Seattle the lead in the 66th minute. Jones would then score in the 79th minute after taking an shot from outside the box, which was then deflected off a New York Red bulls defender, clinching the win for the defending champions as week three came to a close.
MLS will be played next week though not in its entirety as World Cup Qualifiers will be taking place throughout the next two weeks. Until then, all eyes will be on the US men's national team as they try to work their way back up the World Cup qualifying table on the road to Russia 2018.
