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MLS Weekend Review

Red Bulls, Montreal, D.C. United Continue to Prosper

Major League Soccer is on a roll thanks to some big-name signings and high-scoring matches—and yes, it doesn't hurt that American soccer fans are hungry for good games after a disappointing Gold Cup.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
August 03, 2015
7:45 PM

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ENJOYED ANOTHER high-scoring weekend as the North American top flight featured 41 goals over 10 games. There were some impressive moments but also some poor defending and questionable decision making. Overall, it was entertaining weekend for Don Garber and Co. And the average attendance of 23,658 surely brought a smile to owners' faces.

Team of the Week: Montreal Impact

In a matchup that will go a long way toward determining the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Montreal Impact came to the Bronx and kicked some ass, defeating a New York City FC team that featured Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Mix Diskerud—all on the field at the same time for the first time.

The two teams opened the contest tied for the sixth and final playoff spot but Montreal had three games in hand. The Impact's 2-1 victory gives the club some breathing room and a clear path to the postseason.

After a league-worst performance in 2014, Montreal has rebounded nicely this season with solid defense and an offense that will only improve with the addition of Didier Drogba. This was a statement win that should only build confidence, and a reminder to NYCFC's stars that they have more work to do.

Player of the Week: Pa Modou Kah

The Gambian defender easily takes home the award for player of the week after scoring two fantastic goals against a badly slumping Seattle Sounders team. He also was part of a defensive unit that helped preserve a clear sheet.

His first goal.

And his second:

Goal of the Week: Taylor Kemp

In D.C. United's wild 6-4 win over Real Salt Lake, Taylor Kemp hit this absolutely remarkable shot in the 59th minute to give Beltway Insiders a 3-2 lead. Just sit back and enjoy it.

 “I mean we were pushing high and I think [Chris] Rolfe got a ball in,” Kemp said afterward. “They cleared it and it was kind of bouncing around. There was a guy coming pretty fast so I didn’t want to take a touch or anything so I thought: Why not? It came out well and I was happy to get a goal."

Game of the Week: D.C. United vs. RSL

The game featured 10 goals and end-to-end action. Sometimes it was pretty, other times it wasn't. Sometimes the goals were great, other times it was simply an example of bad defense. But let's be clear about one thing—it was entertaining. 

Last weekend, D.C. United fell behind Philadelphia 2-0 but managed to win. This weekend was yet another comeback for D.C. United after conceding the opening two goals.

Clunker of the Week, Pt. 1: Jozy Altidore

A bad summer has gotten worse for the U.S. national team striker. Jurgen Klinsmann and national team fans everywhere can only hope this was rock bottom and that Altidore can start moving in the right direction again. After all, it is hard to think of how much lower it can get.

After he was cut from the national team following the group stages of the Gold Cup, Klinsmann said Altidore needed to go back to Toronto and start scoring goals. Instead, the striker picks up a blatant red card out of frustration. He hurt his team and he showed to everyone that his head is just not in the right place at the moment.

Is he reliable? Can he be trusted?

This isn’t the first time Altidore has let his teammates down this year. In March he was part of another dumb red card while playing for the national team against Switzerland.

He doesn't have much time left to prove that he is going to contribute to the playoff push for Toronto or the big games ahead for the national team. 

Clunker of the Week, Pt. 2: Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew held second place in the East coming into the weekend and many figured its visit into Orlando on Saturday would have been a good test. Instead it was a romp and Orlando completely played the Crew off the field in a 5-2 rout.

“Disappointing,” Crew head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “I felt that we just rolled over. That's not the type of team we pride ourselves on being. Tonight we were an easy team to beat. This time was way below average.

“I think there needs to be some changes,” he added. “I honestly do. If we're not carrying our weight, we need to make changes. It's a pride thing. It's about going out and competition and understanding how difficult it is go out and win games on the road—and embracing that.”

Colorado has nothing going for it

If it wasn't clear before today, Colorado isn't just the worst team in MLS this season—it's the most depressing team to support in recent MLS history.

It is a team going nowhere. Remember when it was a team that was losing but at least had young and up-and-coming players? Now it is losing with players with little potential. On Saturday, not only did Colorado squander a lead against the Galaxy, it did so with an old and uninspired starting lineup.

If you’re going to lose, why not lose with youth and build for a better tomorrow?

The starting lineup against the Galaxy featured: Moore, 31; Burling, 30; Riley, 32; Sarvas, 33; Cronin 29; Doyle, 31; and Sanchez, 35. Meanwhile, U.S. U-23 midfielder Dilon Serna was an unused substitute.

There isn't anything the team's fans can point to right now be optimistic or thankful about. 

Airport Updates: Dos Santos vs. Drogba

In something more typical of visiting pop stars, this week MLS saw not one but two crazy airport greetings for new players. Who wins—Didier Drogba or Giovani dos Santos?
Who had the better one?

 

The Wright-Phillipses

Shaun Wright-Phillips' now plays professional soccer with his brother, New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips got off to a fantastic start over the weekend, with the elder assisting his younger brother.

“To be honest, when the ball came down, first of all I was just thinking about making some space to try and get an assist and put somebody on the end of it and it worked out perfectly,” Shaun said. “I just know from playing that, when you hit the byline, try to cut it back rather than go across the face of goal and luckily my brother, someone was there.

 “It’s always going to have meaning if you can help your brother achieve his targets,” he added. “But I think the most meaningful part is we got three points on the road and we just have to carry on to the next game.”

The Red Bulls didn't play particularly well, but so far everything seems to be going right for the franchise.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.

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