Tag: Soccer

MLS Daily: Big wins for New York City FC and Atlanta United.

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The two sides scored a whopping ten goals between them!

It was goals, goals, goals on Sunday in the MLS, with both New York City FC and Atlanta United recording huge wins after their opening round defeats.

NYCFC, who were beaten 1-0 in Orlando last week, thumped DC United 4-0 at Yankee Stadium.

Captain David Villa netted a brace, with Rodney Wallace and Maxi Moralez both scoring their first goals for New York respectively.

It was a commanding performance from Patrick Vieira’s men, who are looking to once again challenge in the end of season Play-Offs.

The former-Arsenal skipper has been in the New York job for just over a year, and the Frenchman insists his team will only get better.

“It was a great team performance,” he told the press after the match.

“It was important to win our first home match and we did that really well.

“After the Orlando game, I told the players to play the same way because we did create chances but didn’t take them. Today we did take our changes, and we will go and celebrate what was a very good win.”

Moralez, who also got two assists as well as the goal, echoed his manager’s thoughts. He told @NYCFC after the game: “We must carry on playing like this throughout the season.

“I am very happy to have scored the goal but also to have played my debut in front of the supporters and get the win.”

It was also a day to remember for Atlanta, who recorded their first ever MLS win with a 6-1 demolition of fellow new boys Minnesota United.

Despite the freezing cold weather, Atlanta were in red hot form. Josef Martinez racked up the first MLS hat-trick of the season, with Miguel Almiron scoring twice and Jacob Peterson also finding the net for Tito Martino’s team.

After their heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to New York Red Bulls last week, Atlanta showed the world their true potential as they aim to claim a stake for one of the Eastern Conference’s play-off spots.

Martinez told the Atlanta Journal Constitution after the game: “It’s always nice to score, even more so when it’s three, but the most important thing is that the team got the win tonight and it feels really good to get the first in in team history.”

Head coach Martino admitted he had never managed a game in the snow before, and said after the match:  “Above all, we played a simple game and avoided problems overall.

“I think if it wasn’t so snowy, we would’ve been able to play more like we did in the first 15 minutes.

“We would’ve liked to have had our first win in the first game, but we’re happy with the first win as a team.”

Elsewhere, Portland kept up their 100% start to the new season with a 1-0 win at LA Galaxy, who themselves are yet to register a single point this campaign.

MLS Daily: Late Will Bruin strike rescues Sounders in Montreal.

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The defending champions are still without a win this season. 

The ability to claw back results from the face of defeat is a trait of champions, and that’s exactly what Seattle Sounders did at Montreal Impact last night.

Will Bruin, one of the club’s newest signings, netted deep into stoppage time as the defending MLS Cup champions produced a fine comeback at the Olympic Stadium.

For the second consecutive week, Sounders started slowly, and found themselves 2-0 down thanks to goals from Matteo Mancosu and Ignacio Piatti.

Montreal were cruising at that point, before Nicolas Lodeiro converted a penalty on 83 minutes for the away side

Bruin, a late substitute, proved why he was a worthy acquisition as he was in the right place at the right time to slot home a 94th minute leveller.

The goalscorer told Sounders after the match: “It’s a monkey off my back to score my first goal.

“Hopefully the floodgates will open and I will get plenty more.

This was the second consecutive match that the ex-Houston forward came off the bench, but the striker isn’t too fussed about his position just yet.

“I don’t expect to be an instant starter,” he admitted.

“But I’m hoping to take every opportunity with both hands and give the coach a selection headache.”

But Seattle have now produced two poor performances. One could be excused had they thought Clint Dempsey  wasn’t playing. The American was hardly involved last night, and when he isn’t firing at full cylinders, the Sounders look less like the team that went on to win the MLS Cup last October.

Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said after the match: “We need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.

“We don’t want to chasing down one goal, two goals. We played the game we wanted too.

“Every team makes mistakes, we are going to make mistakes. We are trying to get the season up and running. We will get better. We will resolve the defensive issues.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, New York Red Bulls made it two wins out of two after defeating Colorado Rapids 2-0. It’s now 18 games unbeaten at the Red Bull Arena for Jesse Marsch’s side.

Sebastian Giovinco went off injured as Toronto drew 2-2 at Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes won 3-2 at home to ten-man Vancouver Whitecaps and Chicago Fire won 2-0 to end Real Salt Lake’s six match unbeaten record at Toyota Park.

Houston Dynamo won for the second week in a row. They beat Columbus Crew 3-1, whilst FC Dallas drew 0-0 at Sporting KC.

New England Revolution and Orlando City will play their match on September 2nd after their game was postponed due to the weather.

 

MLS Daily: FC Dallas show their intent after overdue victory at LA Galaxy.

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It was their first win at the StubHub Centre since 2009. 

FC Dallas could once again be a force to be reckoned with this year.

Yes it’s very early days, but the 2016 Supporters Shield and US Open Cup winners will only have gained more confidence after their impressive 2-1 away win at LA Galaxy last Saturday.

It’s been a long eight years since they last tasted success in the Californian city, but the current crop of Dallas players finally managed to provide that elusive Hollywood performance to take all three points with them back to Texas.

Maximiliano Urruti and Kellyn Acosta were the Dallas heroes with two quality goals on the day. The latter’s strike was assisted by new signing Roland Lamah, and the winger told FC Dallas’ On the Record: “LA are a strong time, but it was important for us to take something there.”

“Thankfully, we took all three points.”

The Belgian midfielder has travelled all over Europe during his playing career, but he has now embarked on a new challenge in the MLS, something he is really excited about.

“I feel great here, it feels like family. Maybe some cowboy boots and hat are next on the agenda!” the 29-year-old joked.

“Dallas is nice. I knew the moment I stepped into the dressing room that I was in a good place.”

Oscar Pareja, Head Coach of FC Dallas, has done the vital job of keeping together the majority of his double-winning squad from last term, with the addition of some excellent individuals.

Forward Cristian Colman joins from Paraguayan side Nacional, whilst MLS veteran Javier Morales also signed across the dotted line. Both are excellent acquisitions which ultimately makes the side look even more stronger on paper.

With the added squad depth, and a good backing from the supporters, Dallas will no doubt be on the hunt for that first ever MLS Cup victory.

They also now have the capability to go on a strong cup run, as well as challenge for the domestic title, something they may have lacked last season.

Currently, they are still in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they play Mexican side Pachuca in the semi-finals, and it’s a competition again where they could go all the way.

Winning trophies is like lust, once you get into motion, you just don’t want to stop. 

Dallas have a winning formula, and should they stay injury free, you can bet they will continue to add to their trophy cabinet this year.