After another two-match week, FC Cincinnati finally gets a weekend off.
But they will do it having extended their Open Cup run, and getting a disappointing, but respectable draw against Vancouver. So while we all take a breath before the next MLS game starts, let’s look ahead to what the upcoming opponents did this weekend.
Upcoming Schedule
At Bat: June 21st v Toronto FC; 19 pts, 12th in the East: Toronto pulled out another positive result after a big goal from Lorenzo Insigne allowed them to pull out a 1-1 draw against Nashville.
With this, Toronto has had four consecutive games with positive results, all coming on the heels of a big locker room blow-up. These results have been largely tied to an upturn in form from Insigne, who has had two goals and two assists in that time period. Overall, the team looks more connected and like it’s following manager Bob Bradley’s instructions, with Federico Bernedeschi creating several other chances in the box that weren’t able to be turned in.
There are still concerns about the back half of the team as they have given up goals in the second half of three of those games, but they may be able to overcome some tired legs with a ten-day break before heading down to the Queen City.
On Deck: June 24th @ DC United; 23 pts, 8th in the East: DC United’s mixed bag of results continued with a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United. They have gone 2-2-2 in their last six games, but have been 1-0-2 at home in that time.
For Wayne Rooney and the squad, they will be encouraged that they haven’t been shut out in their last 5 games, but have given up multiple goals in each of their losses. Still sitting above the playoff line, they will hope that Christian Benteke can continue his goal scoring record, as he has eight goals thus far this season.
In the Hole: July 1st v New England Revolution; 30 pts, 4th in the East: After giving up multiple goals in each of their games in May, the Revs defense has turned a bit of a corner, only giving up a late PK against Inter Miami in their game over the weekend.
While he isn’t involved in the club of his choice, Bruce Arena was asked about Lionel Messi choosing to play for Inter Miami and what it means for rosters and the league. I thought his answers were quite insightful especially as he was the coach when the LA Galaxy had the most success with David Beckham.
Checking in on the West
Thank you Portland and Dallas for scheduling your game for 10 p.m. on Sunday evening and then playing to a very boring 1-0 win for Portland. It allowed for me to have something nice to listen to and lull me to sleep after staying up for the Vancouver match.
However, FCC wasn’t the only Eastern team to have a cross-conference opponent this weekend. They were one of 6 teams to play a Western opponent and the East kept up its streak of no losses againt the West, now at 2-1-3. The lone Western Conference win was San Jose with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. This has lead to a closing up of the teams at the top of the West as there are now five teams within three points of St. Louis at the Top.
LAFC still has some games in hand and can build a lead against their Western Conference opposition, but they squandered a chance this weekend as they were on the receiving end of a 4-0 drubbing from the Houston Dynamo.
Best of the Weekend
This past weekend was filled with some bangers!!! I’m talking about ten goals that would be considered Goals of the Season. But you can’t rely on the public to know which goals are the best, which is why I have created a Very Scientific Formula to Power Rank this week’s goals. However, no one wants to see a list of every goal, so I will only do the top five goals.
OLI (Outside Looking In) – Alvaro Barreal
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a spot for this goal in the Top Five, as it was docked points for not occuring during the weekend. However, the Very Scientific Formula wanted to note it was the Top Goal.
#5 Raul Ruidiaz – Seattle Sounders
There were several goals occurring from about the same spot on the field, so the VSF took in additional information and determined this was the best one as it did not rely on a deflected pass, and required more moves to get into the shooting position. Bravo Ruidiaz!
#4 Nicholas Gioacchini – St. Louis City SC
During the late Sunday game, Gioacchini was able to flick a bouncing pass over his head into the goal. While the skill is undeniable, the VSF determined it was more luck than skill, and had to deduct points from its overall score.
#3 Miguel Trauco – San Jose Earthquakes
Any goal that is scored by a nontraditional scorer will always get a bump over the average goal. But when it’s a nontraditional scorer hitting a worldie, you get to jump near the top of the line.
#2 Franco Escobar – Houston Dynamo
A ball off the chest to volley from 30 yards out will surely be top of the list? Not this weekend. The VSF loved this goal, but could not add any extra points due to coming at home and against an opponent that has lost four of its last five matches.
#1 Lucho Acosta – FC Cincinnati
I mean. What do I have to say? It’s a perfect goal! Just watch it with your eyes!
For SEO purposes: Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi to Miami, Messi to Miami, Messi to MLS
After another two-match week, FC Cincinnati finally gets a weekend off.
But they will do it having extended their Open Cup run, and getting a disappointing, but respectable draw against Vancouver. So while we all take a breath before the next MLS game starts, let’s look ahead to what the upcoming opponents did this weekend.
Upcoming Schedule
At Bat: June 21st v Toronto FC; 19 pts, 12th in the East: Toronto pulled out another positive result after a big goal from Lorenzo Insigne allowed them to pull out a 1-1 draw against Nashville.
With this, Toronto has had four consecutive games with positive results, all coming on the heels of a big locker room blow-up. These results have been largely tied to an upturn in form from Insigne, who has had two goals and two assists in that time period. Overall, the team looks more connected and like it’s following manager Bob Bradley’s instructions, with Federico Bernedeschi creating several other chances in the box that weren’t able to be turned in.
There are still concerns about the back half of the team as they have given up goals in the second half of three of those games, but they may be able to overcome some tired legs with a ten-day break before heading down to the Queen City.
On Deck: June 24th @ DC United; 23 pts, 8th in the East: DC United’s mixed bag of results continued with a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United. They have gone 2-2-2 in their last six games, but have been 1-0-2 at home in that time.
For Wayne Rooney and the squad, they will be encouraged that they haven’t been shut out in their last 5 games, but have given up multiple goals in each of their losses. Still sitting above the playoff line, they will hope that Christian Benteke can continue his goal scoring record, as he has eight goals thus far this season.
In the Hole: July 1st v New England Revolution; 30 pts, 4th in the East: After giving up multiple goals in each of their games in May, the Revs defense has turned a bit of a corner, only giving up a late PK against Inter Miami in their game over the weekend.
While he isn’t involved in the club of his choice, Bruce Arena was asked about Lionel Messi choosing to play for Inter Miami and what it means for rosters and the league. I thought his answers were quite insightful especially as he was the coach when the LA Galaxy had the most success with David Beckham.
Checking in on the West
Thank you Portland and Dallas for scheduling your game for 10 p.m. on Sunday evening and then playing to a very boring 1-0 win for Portland. It allowed for me to have something nice to listen to and lull me to sleep after staying up for the Vancouver match.
However, FCC wasn’t the only Eastern team to have a cross-conference opponent this weekend. They were one of 6 teams to play a Western opponent and the East kept up its streak of no losses againt the West, now at 2-1-3. The lone Western Conference win was San Jose with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. This has lead to a closing up of the teams at the top of the West as there are now five teams within three points of St. Louis at the Top.
LAFC still has some games in hand and can build a lead against their Western Conference opposition, but they squandered a chance this weekend as they were on the receiving end of a 4-0 drubbing from the Houston Dynamo.
Best of the Weekend
This past weekend was filled with some bangers!!! I’m talking about ten goals that would be considered Goals of the Season. But you can’t rely on the public to know which goals are the best, which is why I have created a Very Scientific Formula to Power Rank this week’s goals. However, no one wants to see a list of every goal, so I will only do the top five goals.
OLI (Outside Looking In) – Alvaro Barreal
Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a spot for this goal in the Top Five, as it was docked points for not occuring during the weekend. However, the Very Scientific Formula wanted to note it was the Top Goal.
#5 Raul Ruidiaz – Seattle Sounders
There were several goals occurring from about the same spot on the field, so the VSF took in additional information and determined this was the best one as it did not rely on a deflected pass, and required more moves to get into the shooting position. Bravo Ruidiaz!
#4 Nicholas Gioacchini – St. Louis City SC
During the late Sunday game, Gioacchini was able to flick a bouncing pass over his head into the goal. While the skill is undeniable, the VSF determined it was more luck than skill, and had to deduct points from its overall score.
#3 Miguel Trauco – San Jose Earthquakes
Any goal that is scored by a nontraditional scorer will always get a bump over the average goal. But when it’s a nontraditional scorer hitting a worldie, you get to jump near the top of the line.
#2 Franco Escobar – Houston Dynamo
A ball off the chest to volley from 30 yards out will surely be top of the list? Not this weekend. The VSF loved this goal, but could not add any extra points due to coming at home and against an opponent that has lost four of its last five matches.
#1 Lucho Acosta – FC Cincinnati
I mean. What do I have to say? It’s a perfect goal! Just watch it with your eyes!
For SEO purposes: Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi to Miami, Messi to Miami, Messi to MLS
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