As Fredy Montero goes, so go the Seattle Sounders and manager Sigi Schmid knows it.
After the 1-0 home loss to FC Dallas last night, Schmid had some words reserved for his Designated Player: "He needs to score. End of story. … That's what he's paid to do. He needs to score.”
Schmid subbed Montero off with 15 minutes remaining but the Colombian star says, “There were no opportunities” which leaves him a “bit sad, a little bit annoyed.”
For more reaction from Sounders camp, here’s a series of post-game interviews. (VIDEO)
Meanwhile FC Dallas continue to shoot up the league standings without MVP David Ferreira, extending their shutout streak which now stands at a club-record 489 minutes. Credit the central defenders says manager Schellas Hyndman. On his birthday, Kevin Hartman came away with a few fine saves himself.
The 2-2 home draw against the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night is concerning for New York defender Tim Ream, who points out that in the Western Conference, “The fourth-place team has as many points as we do.”
Red Bulls star forward Thierry Henry is regretting taking the field against Colorado, stating that he couldn’t shoot properly because of his bum right knee. He was seen limping after the match and it doesn’t sound too good for the trip to Vancouver.
RBNY were another team complaining about a penalty kick awarded against them last night. Dwayne De Rosario called it a “rash decision” and Henry says “it was not a penalty.” Watch it here for yourself. (VIDEO)
But whatever the story on the PK, the Red Bulls have been disappointing at defending set pieces of late. It’s the reason Henry calls the Rapids’ strikes “cheap goals” while he says RBNY “scored football goals” in the 2-2 draw.
What did Arsenal stars Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie think of the plays? They were right there taking in all the action on Wednesday night.
It was a much simpler story for the LA Galaxy, who merely needed a penalty kick goal and some solid defending to take all three points at home against a Houston Dynamo team that was none too dangerous.
The game plan was fairly simple for Bruce Arena: “Stop [Brad] Davis getting on the ball” and LA's Chris Birchall and Sean Franklin accomplished the task.
The Dynamo were credited with just one shot on goal for the entire match and that came in the 82nd minute. From the standpoint of LA goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts: "I like these nights. … Easy work, easy money."
Nothing easy about playing the Nutrilite Canadian Championship second leg in Toronto last night. Lightning and unplayable field conditions led to the game being suspended with Vancouver up 1-0 in the 63rd minute and on the verge of winning the title. Tournament rules state that the game has to be replayed in its entirety. The match has been rescheduled for July 2.
Whitecaps manager Teitur Thordarson feels, “It’s very unfair, but that’s how it is.” Toronto FC manager Aron Winter says: “It’s not fair but I'm following the rules and, at this moment, the rules are good for us.''
Fans at the Sporting Kansas City vs. New England Revolution US Open Cup play-in match also had to brave the elements but they were rewarded with a 5-0 win by Sporting and a berth into the Round of 16.
Amid all the forward combinations available to Sporting manager Peter Vermes, who would have thought that forward-turned-right-back-turned-back-to-forward, Chance Myers, would feature alongside Omar Bravo in the rout. Myers had been coming on strong at the position in recent reserve team matches.
The Portland Timbers got a dose of Total Football in the 2-0 loss to Ajax Amsterdam in a friendly at JELD-WEN Field. Manager John Spencer called the Dutch squad “exhilarating at times” and that he was “almost clapping” for the other team during the exhibition.
The Columbus Crew, who lost to Portland last weekend at JELD-WEN, have brought in a Nigerian attacking midfielder on trial. He’ll dress for the reserve side on Monday.
The Crew and FC Dallas have been linked with the potential signing of Costa Rican defender Derrick Jhonson — no typo here — who just saw his move fall through to Guatemalan side Comunicaciones. (SPANISH)
The Philadelphia Union have reportedly made another signing, with this article citing a tweet which indicates that Serbian forward Veljko Paunovic is now a member of the club.
Today’s a big day for USMNT Gold Cup call-up Freddy Adu and his club Rizespor, who face the tall task of coming back from a 4-0 deficit in a Turkish promotion playoff semifinal second leg. If they do, a single elimination match for the right to be part of the Turkish top-flight awaits.
Lastly, it’s good to be named Bunbury. Sporting Kansas City’s Teal Bunbury has an older sister who is starring in a Disney production in Hollywood. Find out more about Kylie Bunbury.
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
Gold Cup snub proves to be a blow to D.C. United midfielder Andy Najar
American Clarence Goodson scores and Michael Parkhurst plays a new position in Europe
Pappa’s Gold Cup duties opens door for new midfield candidates with the Chicago Fire
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