MLS Roundup: Vancouver goes top as Colorado slump continues

Orlando City 0, D.C. United 1

Heartbreaking home woes continued for Orlando City for the second straight week. Despite dominating possession, and putting four shots in the box on target, the purple laden Lions could not find the back of the net. Nearly 33,000 spectators were left shocked in stoppage time once again. Making his season debut, D.C. midfielder Luis Silva stepped up and struck a free kick from a few yards outside the box, forcing Orlando keeper Donovan Ricketts to dive to his right with no avail. The win put United atop the eastern conference with 9 points through 4 games. Orlando would finish the weekend in 6^th place with 5 points.

Chicago Fire 3, Toronto FC 2

See recap. Three goals, three points! How about it, eh?

Colorado Rapids 0, New England Revolution 2

Here’s an idea for the next giveaway idea at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park: pillows. It’s perfect. When the team lulls its fans to sleep with their boring, uninspired play, everyone can just take a nap on their new pillow. One zero did get whipped away for the Rapids, but unfortunately for them it was in the goals allowed column. As for New England, their first goal came in the 18^th minute off of some hard work by Kelyn Rowe. After dispossessing Sam Cronin, Rowe sent a long arching pass into the box that found Juan Agudelo, who then scored with a perfectly placed shot. In minute 54, Charlie Davies fell over a little too easily, and was awarded a penalty. Lee Nguyen had no problem sending Clint Irwin the wrong way on the ensuing penalty kick, and that was all she wrote at 2-0. New England put themselves in 3rd place on 7 points. Colorado is rooted to the bottom of the western conference on 3 points.

Seattle Sounders 1, Houston Dynamo 0

Seattle were back to their winning ways, with help from none other than Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins. To be fair, it was about 95% Martins. In the 38^th minute, he accepted the Dempsey pass with ease, did a 360 spin passed his defender and slotted home through a mesmerized Tyler Deric. Despite holding a majority of possession the Dynamo only had one solid chance at a goal. Three of their players went into the book with yellow cards but the lowlight came via Seattle. Gonzalo Pineda received a deserved straight red in the 56^th minute after a high kick into the chest of Ricardo Clark. With a man advantage for over 30 minutes, Houston still could not muster an equalizer. Seattle earned points 5, 6 and 7 putting them in third, while the Dynamo hold the seventh spot as of Saturday night with 5 points.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2, LA Galaxy 0

Vancouver put in their first performance that may have truly silenced any doubters up to this point. Straight out of the gate, the home side took control and maintained possession through much of the game. In minute 56, Kekuta Manneh received a lovely pass from Pedro Morales, continued to glide in from the left channel until he was central in the box and unleashed his shot passed a hopeless Jaime Penedo. Ten minutes later, more of the beautiful game flowed through the buildup to Octavio Rivero’s icing on the cake. Some close-quarters passing between Rivero and Nicolas Mezquida, led to a deflected shot off Penedo, for Rivero to poach home. LA looked largely flat throughout most of the game, but early season woes have been typical of Bruce Arena led teams in recent years. At the end of Saturday’s games, LA occupied the 8^th spot in the standings on 5 points. With 12 points, Vancouver is atop not only the west at the moment but the Supporter’s Shield standings as well.

Portland Timbers 3, FC Dallas 1

A jam packed Providence Park was hoping to see their Timbers earn their first win of the young season. On paper, it wasn’t going to be easy against an FC Dallas team that took maximum points from 3 out of their 4 games. Good thing Timbers players disregarded said paper. It only took 23 minutes for everyone’s new favorite bearded Portland player Nat Borchers to head home the lead. Minutes later, Tesho Akindele put away an Atiba Harris header to level the score. The Timbers would have to wait until the 62^nd minute before regaining the lead. Darlington Nagbe would find Dairon Asprilla down the right side. Asprilla then launched a hard cross straight to Maximiliano Urruti – who despite practically standing right next to Dallas goal keeper Chris Seitz – was able to flick it home. Diego Chara removed any doubts over maximum points in the 87^th minute. Fanendo Adi did well to find the seam and deliver a gorgeous pass into Chara’s path. The birthday boy finished clinically through the legs of an exasperated Seitz.