Plenty of controversy surrounded MLS matches over the weekend as the playoff pressure grows more intense.
In Toronto, Dwayne De Rosario’s goal-scoring celebration made more news than the fact that Toronto FC missed a golden opportunity to make a last-gasp push for the playoffs after losing 3-2 to San Jose.
Real Salt Lake are still not clear why a penalty-kick call was rescinded after the referee had awarded it late in Saturday’s match against the Colorado Rapids. They still earned 1-1 tie without the call.
The defending MLS Cup champs were able to extend their record unbeaten run at Rio Tinto Stadium to 24 straight matches, while resting several starters.
One of the most discussed plays of the weekend involved the ejection of both head coaches in the D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo match for what they’re calling a gesture of sportsmanship.
The Columbus Dispatch criticizes the Crew for not going for the win in the final minutes of the match against the Revolution and the reporter points to a sub and a play by one of the team’s veterans as the telltale signs.
Martin Vasquez calls his Chivas USA team “soft” after a 3-0 shutout loss at the Philadelphia Union.
Meanwhile the Chicago Fire haven’t scored a goal in the run of play in more than a month. Their playoff hopes are as bleak as their scoring record.
At least they have Section 8 at Toyota Park, with the supporters section featuring a Super Mario Bros. theme on Saturday.
David Beckham took to Trinidad and Tobago to forget about the Galaxy’s 2-0 home loss to the Red Bulls and help England earn a World Cup bid.
In Division 2, next year’s MLS expansion side, the Vancouver Whitecaps, are raving about their recent signing of a Juventus-bred midfielder.
The president of the Chilean soccer federation says the US could be an opponent in January 2011 in Los Angeles. But there are doubts whether Marcelo Bielsa will be there given the CONMEBOL U-20 championship happening at the same time.
The WPS championship takes on a tinge of gold as the Gold Pride from the Bay Area won the title in a rout of Philadelphia.
Recapping two of the most important stories in international soccer from the weekend, is Gabriele Marcotti in The Wall Street Journal.
Former English great and D.C. United target Paul Gascoigne has a new lease on life after he was given a job as a manager.
Lastly, and also from England, Brad Friedel and Marcus Hahnemann engaged in a memorable EPL battle while Benny Feilhaber, Steve Cherundolo and Maurice Edu shined in Sunday action in Europe.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads
Frustrated Dwayne De Rosario says he wants Toronto FC to show him the money
Revolution haunted by same ghost from Pizza Hut Park
Rapids send message to rest of the league with draw at Real Salt Lake
Ben Olsen says D.C. United let themselves down after losing another lead
Commentary: Three things to fix at Chivas USA
