Major League Soccer burned with drama and debate in a busy final week before the June international break. Here's a few top talking points to ponder:
Don’t DV8 from the norm
As many weapons as the Portland Timbers have accumulated this season, the squad just isn’t quite itself without an in-form Diego Valeri. After several weeks of injury and a subsequent search for rhythm, the Argentine maestro hit his stride on Friday night, scoring both of PTFC’s goals in a timely 2-0 win over 10-man San Jose. A fun Timbers subplot: Watching Valeri and teammate Fanendo Adi race one another into unprecedented territory atop the club’s all-time scoring chart.
A brace and a clean sheet.Relive the victory with the full highlights here: https://t.co/yaWpMgTNeY#RCTID#PORvSJpic.twitter.com/iocDADXB2P
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) June 3, 2017
Not-so-sweet release
While RSL were suffering down south, the US national team got tested by Venezuela in a 1-1 friendly draw at their Rio Tinto Stadium home. It was an uneven performance from the Yanks as they prep for two crucial World Cup qualifiers in the week ahead.
Intrigue abounded regarding one player who wasn’t at the Riot, however.
Matt Besler was cleared to leave USMNT camp and rejoin Sporting KC to patch their shortage of defenders vs. Minnesota, a move that reportedly raised some eyebrows around MLS.
Revs rock out
Don’t look now, but the enigmatic Revolution are 3-1-1 in their last five games after two big results this week. First Kelyn Rowe produced an utterly lovely piece of individual skill to set up Xavier Kouassi’s dramatic late equalizer at NYCFC…
"You know what's perfect about this goal? The cross." #NYCvNEpic.twitter.com/sjownYH6BM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2017
Then the Revs headed home to Gillette Stadium and ambushed Toronto FC with an emphatic 3-0 win that ended TFC’s eight-game unbeaten run. It’s just the second league loss of the year for the Reds.
Down in D.C.
D.C. United took just one point from their double-game week and are languishing in last place in the Eastern Conference – and home form is a big reason why.
The Black-and-Red are just 2-4-2 at their RFK Stadium digs this season, and have gone goalless in their last four home games, including Saturday’s 0-0 draw with the LA Galaxy. This is United’s last season at grand old RFK, but they’re not exactly going out with a bang thus far.
Bat it like Bendik
Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik was one of several intriguing MLS names included in the USMNT’s 40-man preliminary Gold Cup roster, which dropped late Saturday night. It’s as good an excuse as any to close out this edition of WYM with a shoutout to the stupefying play Bendik made to rob D.C.’s Sebastian Le Toux of a sure goal on Wednesday night...
