9215_isi_amarikwa_gerrard_mlsdb08282015136 David Bernal/isiphotos.com
MLS Weekend Review

Surprising Results, National Team Invites Spark MLS

Front-running MLS squads had a chance to pull away but failed to do so over the weekend, which could lead to some exciting playoff races as we approach the regular season homestretch.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
September 02, 2015
10:15 AM

Team of the Week: FC Dallas

After losing three straight contests, FC Dallas returned home and took the game to Real Salt Lake in a key 2-0 win. Oscar Pareja’s young team delivered a very impressive performance in a deserved win.

Dallas was a bit lucky when RSL’s Javier Morales missed a second-half penalty, but the home side still created the best chances on the night.

"It was a disciplined night for the team," Pareja said. "I thought we'd get back to some organization. Due to the energy and the willingness to make [a win] happen right away, we lost that organization in the last couple of games and finished with results that looked a little bit unfair.

“Today we were reminded in the game that we have to be complete and we have to be organized. When the boys go back to those roots and fundamentals, they do well.”

With the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps both losing, Dallas gained valuable ground in the Western Conference and is now within striking distance of both and just five points out of first.

Goal of the Week

This was simply great teamwork from the Red Bulls and an excellent finish from the Englishman.

D.C. United Disappoints

Sunday night's game was supposed to be the big game of the weekend in MLS. Instead, it was a complete dud. Yes, the Red Bulls played very well but the Eastern Conference frontrunners didn't even put up a fight in a lopsided 3-0 loss. If not for some very nice saves from Bill Hamid, this game could have been 5-0 or worse.

D.C. United will make the playoffs but are likely to lose its grip on first place sooner rather than later. If Ben Olsen can’t turn things around it looks like it could be a quick exit in the postseason.

Player of the Week: BWP

The New York Red Bulls produced two goals and one assist against D.C. and has officially debunked doubters who thought that he was a so-so striker benefitting from playing alongside Thierry Henry.

When Wright-Phillips is playing well, the Red Bulls are an awfully tough team to beat. After Sunday’s match it feels like it’s only a matter of time before the Red Bulls move into first place.

The Galaxy are beatable

Thanks to its savvy front office, experienced coach, and loaded roster, the defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy are still the team to beat in MLS.

But the Galaxy aren’t invincible.

The San Jose Earthquakes proved that Saturday when it jumped out ahead of Bruce Arena’s team, took advantage of a dubious red card against Leonardo early in the second half, and kept Robbie Keane and Giovani Dos Santos in check during a 1-0 home win.

Los Angeles tends to start slow—something Arena will have to remedy before the playoffs begin.

Frank Klopas Gets Axed

The Montreal Impact fired Frank Klopas Sunday—the first MLS coach to lose his job in 2015. The 49-year-old former U.S. international led Montreal to the CONCACAF Champions League final and has kept his team in the mix for a playoff spot, but a three-game losing streak proved to be his undoing.

Assistant coach Mauro Biello will replace Klopas on an interim basis.

Foreign National Team Call-ups

In an encouraging sign for Major League Soccer, several of its top foreign stars earned call-ups to top national teams.

MVP candidate Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC) and Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC) both received invites from Italy, although Giovinco will miss out on the Azzurri’s Euro 2016 qualifiers due to an abductor injury.

Orlando City’s Kaka will join Brazil; Montreal’s Laurent Ciman will play for Belgium in upcoming European qualifiers; and FC Dallas attacker Fabian Castillo, a young player who established his career in MLS, is set to make his debut for Colombia’s national team.

FC Dallas coach Oscar Pareja believes that Castillo’s call-up helps validate Major League Soccer, adding that Colombia coach Jose Pekerman mentioned that the “league has grown tremendously.”

“That made me feel better for the player and for” Major League Soccer,” Pareja said. “This shows that the perception [about Major League Soccer] is changing and that everyone is talking highly about the level here. Calling this young man to a national team that is in good stance should make our country very proud."

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