MLS Update: Battle For First Place In West Between RSL & San Jose, Fire Catch Their Breath, Union Pick Up Another Victory, Montreal Needs To Get Things Going

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San Jose (W11-D4-L4)  37pts.

Squad Report:Things have not gone well for San Jose after their thrilling victory over the LA Galaxy on June 30th. The Quakes lost to Portland Timbers on a rare Tuesday game, then tied bottom dwellers FC Dallas 0-0 on July 7th. With a huge match-up against RSL this weekend, San Jose is in desperate need for a win to maintain their lead in the Western Conference. Bad news though coming out of the Bay Area is that FW Steven Lenhart has concussion like symptons. Expect AZ native Alan Gordon to start in his spot instead.

Up Next: San Jose has a huge game against RSL this weekend what has first place in the Western Conference on the line. San Jose the has a mid week game on July 18th against FC Dallas.

Real Salt Lake (W11-D3-L6) 36pts.

Squad Report: After a two week ugly fest that saw RSL lose to San Jose, Crew, Galaxy and tie Seattle, Real Salt Lake needed a win badly when the Portland Timbers came to town last Saturday. Alvaro Saborio decided to take over the game himself scoring a hat trick…check out the highlights below.

Real Salt Lake also made a trade with the Montreal Impact sending a conditional 2014 super pick for local boy Justin Braun.

Up Next: A victory of San Jose would give RSL sole possession of first place in the west.

Chicago Fire (W8-D4-L6) 28pts.

Squad Report: When the LA Galaxy came to town this past weekend the Fire had a great opportunity to capitalize on potential victory that would give them enough points to be tied for third place in the Eastern Conference The Fire lost 0-2, but so did the NYRB, meaning the Fire are still 3 points away from third place. I had a chance to check out the game, and I think the Fire got hosed on the early PK that gave LA a quick 1-0 lead. After the PK the Fire battled but it just seemed to really distract the Fire from their game plan….and possibly the 3 games in 8 days might have made the team mentally and physically tired.

Up Next: Tough games for the Fire as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps tomorrow night, then travel to New York for a mid-week game against the NYRB.

Philadelphia Union (W5-D2-L9) 17pts.

Squad Report: Things have been so bad in Philadelphia think about this. Over the last 4 games the Union have picked up 9 points. Those 9 points in 4 games represent more than half of the points the Union were able to achieve in 12 games. The Union spanked the worst team in the league 3-0. Not to sure what that says about the Union except…they’re not as bad as we all thought?

The Union did unfortunately lose to SKC 2-0 in Open Cup Play.

Up Next: The Union will stay at home and take on the Montreal Impact

Montreal Impact (W6-D3-L11) 21pts.

Squad Report: Montreal has played a Eastern Conference leading 20 games this season with only 21 points to show for it. Being a expansion franchise gives Montreal the honeymoon break but they need to start winning soon. All the other teams in the East have 2 or more games in hand. In Monreal continues at this pace they may find themselves under the resurgent Philadelphia Union. That being said Montreal did beat the Crew this past weekend 2-1.

Up Next:  Speaking of the Union, Montreal will be taking on Philadelphia on Saturday night, then they stay home and take on the Revolution next Wednesday.