MLS

MLS News and Notes – Week 7

Montreal’s victory over the Crew and a late Kaku red card for the Red Bulls in Kansas City highlighted action in MLS Week 7.

This was the double game week of the 2019 MLS season. DC United, Colorado Rapids, Montreal Impact and the Seattle Sounders were all set to play during the week and again on the weekend. DC United and the Impact played to a 0-0 draw, in a pretty lifeless match at Audi Field. The match lacked goals and star power, as Wayne Rooney and Ignacio Piatti were not involved due to suspension and injury. Both clubs rebounded on the weekend, scoring victories in their respective matches. Montreal stunned the first place Columbus Crew, with a 1-0 victory, through a goal from Harry Novillo. The Impact haven’t conceded a goal in three matches after suffering that 7-1 pummeling at the hands of Sporting Kansas City.

Weather was the name of the game in regards to the other midweek match. The Seattle Sounders were set to visit the Colorado Rapids. The match was postponed due to a blizzard that smoked the Rocky Mountains and the Midwestern United States. That same storm system almost ruined the opening of Allianz Field in Minnesota. The Loons opened up the amazing Allianz Field with a thrilling 3-3 draw with New York City FC. Osvaldo Alonso scored the first goal in the history of the new stadium, giving the Loons an early advantage just 13 minutes in. The game was back and forth, with both clubs coming away with a point.

Atlanta United, who have struggled all season, finally got into the win column with a 2-0 road victory over the New England Revolution. Ezequiel Barco scored both goals for the defending champions. Barco, who at one point was the most expensive transfer in MLS history, came on in the 15th minute after an injury to Eric Remedi. The victory puts Atlanta United just three points behind FC Cincinnati for seventh in the east.

There are four winless clubs currently in league, with three of those residing out west. Two of those clubs, Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Red Bulls, secured at least a point with a draw. The other two winless clubs, the Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids, once again fell short of their first victory of the 2019 season. FC Dallas continued to stay hot, as it knocked off the hapless Timbers. Portland is halfway through their 12 match road trip while Providence Park is being renovated.

The biggest moment of the weekend took place in the final game. The New York Red Bulls battled to a 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City. However, it was the actions of NYRB midfielder/forward Kaku in the dying moments of the match that grabbed all of the headlines. Kaku, in a moment of frustration, blasted a ball into the front row, hitting a fan and earning him a red card and possibly a suspension. The moment overshadowed what was a solid match.

Sporting Kansas City rebounded after a tough midweek where it crashed out of the Concacaf Champions League. Monterrey cruised to a 10-2 aggregate win. Sporting Kansas City were the last hope for MLS and their hopes for winning the Champions League. In both matches, Peter Vermes fielded a strong lineup.

Below is the schedule for MLS clubs in action this week.

Upcoming schedule

Wednesday

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Los Angeles FC – 10 p.m.

Friday

FC Cincinnati vs. Real Salt Lake – 7:30 p.m.
Toronto FC vs. Minnesota United – 8 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo – 11 p.m.

Saturday

Chicago Fire vs. Colorado Rapids – 1 p.m.
Philadelphia Union vs. Montreal Impact – 1 p.m.
Orlando City SC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 3 p.m.
Atlanta United vs. FC Dallas – 4 p.m.
Columbus Crew SC vs. Portland Timbers – 7:30 p.m.
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls – 7:30 p.m.
San Jose Quakes vs. Sporting Kansas City – 10 p.m.

Sunday

DC United vs. New York City FC – 7 p.m. (ESPN)
LAFC vs. Seattle Sunders – 7 p.m. (FS1)

As always, stay tuned to Cincinnati Soccer Talk for all things FC Cincinnati when it heads west to take on the red hot LAFC.

@iamchrisasbrock for @CincySoccerTalk

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