MLS Update: San Jose and RSL play leapfrog, Montreal looking for another win, and are the Union and Fire on the rise?
San Jose (5-1-1) 16pts.
Squad Report: When the season started San Jose wasn’t supposed to be the team with depth and in first place. That was RSL’s title. Apparently San Jose didn’t get the memo and after defeating RSL 3-1 this past Saturday. A lot can be said about that game, San Jose’s 3 goal’s were in stoppage time (weird), RSL was reduced to 10 men in the 53rd-minute then 9 in the 69th-minute. But I like to believe good teams find ways to win and right now San Jose is a better team. Chris Wondoloswki scored again, and reserve backs Javier Hernandez and Ike Opara looked outstanding. Defender Steve Beitashour was named to the MLS Team Of The Week after he assisted on two goals
Up Next: What was looking like a easy win two weeks ago, San Jose takes on the resounding Union who have won back to back games. However San Jose is a way better team and should win this game easily.
Real Salt Lake (5-3-1) 16pts.
Squad Report: The last 12 days have just been blah for RSL. They lose to SKC, then lose to San Jose (which moved them to second place) then they tied FC Dallas last night. RSL has played already played 9 games this most out of any team. They have 3 more games within the next 15 days. They really need a break. Kyle Bekerman played great in the game against San Jose adding another goal and being named to the Team Of The Week.
Up Next: RSL gets a breather when Toronto FC comes to town. RSL needs to let out the last 12 days of frustration. Sorry Toronto you may get the brunt of this.
Chicago Fire (2-1-2) 8ts.
Squad Report: The Fire picked up their first win in over a month. Which puts them tied for 4th place in the weak Eastern Conference. Point of reference they would be in 9th place in the Western Conference. This team shouldn’t go anywhere but because the East sucks they will. Not really much else to say because they beat Toronto FC (0-6-0) who is now tied for the second worse start to a season in the MLS.
Up Next: Big game against Seattle. For some reason ESPN has the Fire ranked 6th in their power rankings….Seattle is going to exposure the Fire, big time.
Philadelphia Union (2-3-1) 7pts.
Squad Report: The Union, on a roll? They have won their past two games after defeating Chivas USA 1-0. Freddy Adu was big in this game with a nice backheel goal (check the video below). However two players were shown red cards in this game and manager Peter Nowak was also ejected and not expected to be coaching in their game this weekend against San Jose.
Up Next: Some tough games coming up for the Union these next few weeks. Can they upset San Jose this weekend???…a part of me really hopes they do.
Montreal Impact (1-5-2)
Squad Report: Montreal has had a two week break which could pay dividends for this team. They play 6 games in 25 plays with two games home and away against Toronto FC in the Amway Canadian Championship….It’s spooky that one of these teams with a combined record of 1-11-2 could qualify for Canada’s spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. The schedule also wont be as kind to Montreal as they take on SKC, New York, Galaxy and Rapids in May…if I were Montreal, I would only focus on the Canadian Championship.
Up Next: The last winnable game for the foreseeable future is when they take on the Timbers
