MLS Conference Semifinal First Leg [R]

[Cosmos Factory]

10/21 Invesco Field at Mile High

Colorado Rapids 1
FC Dallas 2

Scoring:
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (Chris Gbandi) 15
COL -- Terry Cooke (unassisted) 23
DAL -- Abe Thompson (Ronnie O'Brien 1) 55
Discipline:
COL -- Dan Gargan (caution; Reckless Foul) 57
COL -- Kyle Beckerman (caution; Dissent) 86
COL -- Thiago Martins (ejection; Serious Foul Play) 88
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (caution; Reckless Foul) 90


New York Red Bulls 0
D.C. United 1

Scoring:
DC -- Christian Gomez (Jaime Moreno) 77
Discipline:
DC -- Christian Gomez (caution; Pushing, Holding) 73
DC -- Bryan Namoff (caution; Pushing, Holding) 75
NY -- Carlos Mendes (caution; Pushing, Holding) 76
NY -- Amado Guevara (caution; Tackle from Behind) 92+

[p***@yahoo.com]

Post by Cosmos Factory
Colorado Rapids 1
FC Dallas 2
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (Chris Gbandi) 15
COL -- Terry Cooke (unassisted) 23
DAL -- Abe Thompson (Ronnie O'Brien 1) 55
New York Red Bulls 0
D.C. United 1
DC -- Christian Gomez (Jaime Moreno) 77

Funny how often the cream rises in the playoffs ... Ruiz, Cooke,
O'Brien, Gomez, and Moreno are pretty much exactly the names you'd
expect to see on the scoresheet. As for the other two who made it, they
were both a little lucky. Thompson set up his finish with a tremendous
first touch, but he appeared to have been narrowly offside, while
Gbandi's throw-in was a soft assist.

Incidentally, if the Rapids could head a ball downwards, they would've
won yesterday.

P

[Cosmos Factory]

Post by p***@yahoo.com
Funny how often the cream rises in the playoffs ... Ruiz, Cooke,
O'Brien, Gomez, and Moreno are pretty much exactly the names you'd
expect to see on the scoresheet. As for the other two who made it, they
were both a little lucky. Thompson set up his finish with a tremendous
first touch, but he appeared to have been narrowly offside, while
Gbandi's throw-in was a soft assist.
Incidentally, if the Rapids could head a ball downwards, they would've
won yesterday.
P

Mapp, Razov, Palencia, Kljestan, Mullan and Ching.

Matt Pickens and Brad Guzan had lots of saves.

Clint Demspey had a rough day in front of (according to goal.com)
scouts from Fulham, Athletico Madrid, Celtic and Charlton. While he now
shows some flair (getting the yanks-abroad types moist) his game is
still fairly direct and he just didn't have the speed to take Dasan
Robinson. His game doesn't provide for much tactical flexibility. A
pure two way mid that lacks the pace to play wide. It will be
interesting to see where he ends up and how it works out.

[p***@yahoo.com]

Post by Cosmos Factory
Clint Demspey had a rough day in front of (according to goal.com)
scouts from Fulham, Athletico Madrid, Celtic and Charlton.

Must've been painful to travel 4000 miles for that game ... both sides
seemed to be expending all their energy disrupting their opponent,
rather than establishing a flow.

All the same, it's easy to imagine that Avery John's head wasn't the
only one Mapp turned.

P

[Cosmos Factory]

Post by p***@yahoo.com

Post by Cosmos Factory
Clint Demspey had a rough day in front of (according to goal.com)
scouts from Fulham, Athletico Madrid, Celtic and Charlton.

Must've been painful to travel 4000 miles for that game ... both sides
seemed to be expending all their energy disrupting their opponent,
rather than establishing a flow.
All the same, it's easy to imagine that Avery John's head wasn't the
only one Mapp turned.
P

True that. Though Mapp hasn't struck me as a big Euro-fever guy like
"Duece". I'd go after guys like Doorman, Pickens(both @ $30K) or
Robinson($12K). I understand MLS has it's fiscal priorities but boy
that first contract for non first rounders needs incentives for those
who play their way into the first XI.

[Cosmos Factory]

Post by Cosmos Factory
10/21 Invesco Field at Mile High
Colorado Rapids 1
FC Dallas 2
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (Chris Gbandi) 15
COL -- Terry Cooke (unassisted) 23
DAL -- Abe Thompson (Ronnie O'Brien 1) 55
COL -- Dan Gargan (caution; Reckless Foul) 57
COL -- Kyle Beckerman (caution; Dissent) 86
COL -- Thiago Martins (ejection; Serious Foul Play) 88
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (caution; Reckless Foul) 90
New York Red Bulls 0
D.C. United 1
DC -- Christian Gomez (Jaime Moreno) 77
DC -- Christian Gomez (caution; Pushing, Holding) 73
DC -- Bryan Namoff (caution; Pushing, Holding) 75
NY -- Carlos Mendes (caution; Pushing, Holding) 76
NY -- Amado Guevara (caution; Tackle from Behind) 92+

0/22 Toyota Park

Chicago Fire 1
New England Revolution 0

Scoring:
CHI -- Justin Mapp (unassisted) 35
Discipline:
CHI -- Andy Herron (caution; Reckless Foul) 16
NE -- Jay Heaps (caution; Professional Foul) 34
NE -- Avery John (caution; Tackle from Behind) 37
NE -- Shalrie Joseph (caution; Reckless Foul) 57
CHI -- Dasan Robinson (caution; Reckless Foul) 61

Home Depot Center

Chivas USA 2
Houston Dynamo 1

Scoring:
CHV -- Ante Razov (unassisted) 45
CHV -- Juan Francisco Palencia (Sacha Kljestan) 68
HOU -- Brian Ching (Brian Mullan, Craig Waibel) 75
Discipline:
HOU -- Dwayne De Rosario (caution; Reckless Foul) 37
CHV -- Francisco Mendoza (caution; Reckless Foul) 38
HOU -- Pat Onstad (caution; Dissent) 46+

[Lucky Devin]

Post by Cosmos Factory
Home Depot Center
Chivas USA 2
Houston Dynamo 1
CHV -- Ante Razov (unassisted) 45
CHV -- Juan Francisco Palencia (Sacha Kljestan) 68
HOU -- Brian Ching (Brian Mullan, Craig Waibel) 75
HOU -- Dwayne De Rosario (caution; Reckless Foul) 37
CHV -- Francisco Mendoza (caution; Reckless Foul) 38
HOU -- Pat Onstad (caution; Dissent) 46+

Thanks for doing all of these recaps on MLS, it's much appreciated.

I watched this game between Dynamo and Chivas, quite a good game. The
were quite a few fans dressed up as stadium bleachers, but it's ok.
Razov's PK goal was absolutely beautiful. he seems to be in great form
right now.

--
Neighborhood Superstar,

Devin Tregre
"I've been gone for a minute now I'm back for a while..."

[Perugina]

Post by Lucky Devin

Post by Cosmos Factory
Home Depot Center
Chivas USA 2
Houston Dynamo 1
CHV -- Ante Razov (unassisted) 45
CHV -- Juan Francisco Palencia (Sacha Kljestan) 68
HOU -- Brian Ching (Brian Mullan, Craig Waibel) 75
HOU -- Dwayne De Rosario (caution; Reckless Foul) 37
CHV -- Francisco Mendoza (caution; Reckless Foul) 38
HOU -- Pat Onstad (caution; Dissent) 46+

Thanks for doing all of these recaps on MLS, it's much appreciated.
I watched this game between Dynamo and Chivas, quite a good game. The
were quite a few fans dressed up as stadium bleachers, but it's ok.
Razov's PK goal was absolutely beautiful. he seems to be in great form
right now.
--
Neighborhood Superstar,
Devin Tregre
"I've been gone for a minute now I'm back for a while..."

Yeah, great match, but I think the refs favored the home team a bit...

[Cosmos Factory]

New England Revolution(0)(2) 2
Chicago Fire (1)(1) 2

120:00

Revolution win on penalty kicks 4-2

Scoring:
CHI -- Nate Jaqua 1 (Justin Mapp 1) 18
NE -- Taylor Twellman 1 (Joe Franchino 1, Andy Dorman 1) 41
NE -- Pat Noonan 1 (unassisted) 58
Penalty-kick shootout:
CHI -- Thiago (Saved)
NE -- Jose Cancela (Goal)
CHI -- Diego Gutierrez (Goal)
NE -- Matt Reis (Goal)
CHI -- Andy Herron (Goal)
NE -- Pat Noonan (Goal)
CHI -- Ivan Guerrero (Saved)
NE -- Taylor Twellman (Goal)

Colorado (1)(3) 4
FC Dallas (2) (2) 4

Scoring:
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz 2 (Ronnie O'Brien 2, Greg Vanney 1) 48
COL -- Nicolas Hernandez 1 (Kyle Beckerman 1) 57
COL -- Nicolas Hernandez 2 (Jovan Kirovski 1, Kyle Beckerman 2) 83
DAL -- Clarence Goodson 1 (Greg Vanney 2) 92
COL -- Clint Mathis 1 (unassisted) 114

Penalty-kick shootout:
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (Goal)
COL -- Clint Mathis (Goal)
DAL -- Ronnie O'Brien (Goal)
COL -- Nicolas Hernandez (Goal)
DAL -- Richard Mulrooney (Goal)
COL -- Jovan Kirovski (Goal)
DAL -- Greg Vanney (Left Post)
COL -- Kyle Beckerman (Goal)
DAL -- Simo Valakari (Goal)
COL -- Aitor Karanka (Saved)
DAL -- Dario Sala (Saved)
COL -- Pablo Mastroeni (Goal)

[Cosmos Factory]

Post by Cosmos Factory
New England Revolution(0)(2) 2
Chicago Fire (1)(1) 2
120:00
Revolution win on penalty kicks 4-2
CHI -- Nate Jaqua 1 (Justin Mapp 1) 18
NE -- Taylor Twellman 1 (Joe Franchino 1, Andy Dorman 1) 41
NE -- Pat Noonan 1 (unassisted) 58
CHI -- Thiago (Saved)
NE -- Jose Cancela (Goal)
CHI -- Diego Gutierrez (Goal)
NE -- Matt Reis (Goal)
CHI -- Andy Herron (Goal)
NE -- Pat Noonan (Goal)
CHI -- Ivan Guerrero (Saved)
NE -- Taylor Twellman (Goal)
Colorado (1)(3) 4
FC Dallas (2) (2) 4
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz 2 (Ronnie O'Brien 2, Greg Vanney 1) 48
COL -- Nicolas Hernandez 1 (Kyle Beckerman 1) 57
COL -- Nicolas Hernandez 2 (Jovan Kirovski 1, Kyle Beckerman 2) 83
DAL -- Clarence Goodson 1 (Greg Vanney 2) 92
COL -- Clint Mathis 1 (unassisted) 114
DAL -- Carlos Ruiz (Goal)
COL -- Clint Mathis (Goal)
DAL -- Ronnie O'Brien (Goal)
COL -- Nicolas Hernandez (Goal)
DAL -- Richard Mulrooney (Goal)
COL -- Jovan Kirovski (Goal)
DAL -- Greg Vanney (Left Post)
COL -- Kyle Beckerman (Goal)
DAL -- Simo Valakari (Goal)
COL -- Aitor Karanka (Saved)
DAL -- Dario Sala (Saved)
COL -- Pablo Mastroeni (Goal)

D.C. United (1) (1) 2
New York Red Bulls (0) (1) 1

Scoring:
NY -- Josmer Altidore 1 (Amado Guevara 1) 70
DC -- Christian Gomez 2 (Joshua Gros 1) 86


Houston Dynamo (1)(2) 3
Chivas USA (2) (0) 2

Scoring:
HOU -- Brad Davis 1 (penalty kick) 64
HOU -- Brian Ching 2 (Dwayne De Rosario 1, Eddie Robinson 1) 93+
Discipline:
CHV -- Juan Francisco Palencia (ejection; Violent Conduct) 58

[p***@yahoo.com]

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New England Revolution(0)(2) 2
Chicago Fire (1)(1) 2
Colorado (1)(3) 4
FC Dallas (2) (2) 4

D.C. United (1) (1) 2
New York Red Bulls (0) (1) 1
Houston Dynamo (1)(2) 3
Chivas USA (2) (0) 2

Terrific drama ... at halftime of every second leg, one team was ahead,
only to fall back into a tie; on top of that, there were two late
game-winners, two overtime goals, two shootouts, and two post-game
brawls.

The most impressive goal was Clint Mathis' overtime strike with his
weak foot. Coincidentally, it came from almost the exact same spot as
Pando Ramirez' overtime strike in last year's MLS Cup. (Is someone
buried under that patch of turf?)

Also, even though I'm not a big fan of Brian Mullan (great work rate
and ungodly quickness, but not much else), he made a really smart
decision yesterday. In minute 92, most players would've lumped the ball
forward into the box, but he cut it back to Davis, who in turn found
DeRosario in a one-on-one situation on the left flank. DeRosario took
the ball to the end line and put in a good left-footed cross, and that
set up the gamewinner.

With Noonan, Joseph, and Dempsey back, do the Revs become favorites?

P

[Cosmos Factory]

Post by p***@yahoo.com

Post by Cosmos Factory

Post by Cosmos Factory
New England Revolution(0)(2) 2
Chicago Fire (1)(1) 2
Colorado (1)(3) 4
FC Dallas (2) (2) 4

D.C. United (1) (1) 2
New York Red Bulls (0) (1) 1
Houston Dynamo (1)(2) 3
Chivas USA (2) (0) 2

Terrific drama ... at halftime of every second leg, one team was ahead,
only to fall back into a tie; on top of that, there were two late
game-winners, two overtime goals, two shootouts, and two post-game
brawls.

I thought it was really fun stuff. (Well except the part where the Fire
lost.)

Post by p***@yahoo.com
With Noonan, Joseph, and Dempsey back, do the Revs become favorites?

They looked pretty banged up. It might be better for them to be playing
in DC where it won't be so frigid. IMO Noonan is the key player. If he
can go, they have a chance.

All Bruce Arena has to do is keep the Red Bulls from moving their young
talent and have a couple of good drafts. Joze Altidore could be
something really special. The goal was nice but the play he made along
the endline damn near won the game. Marvel Wynne just blew through DC
defenders.

[p***@yahoo.com]

Post by Cosmos Factory

Post by p***@yahoo.com
With Noonan, Joseph, and Dempsey back, do the Revs become favorites?

They looked pretty banged up. It might be better for them to be playing
in DC where it won't be so frigid. IMO Noonan is the key player. If he
can go, they have a chance.

Good points. Just to add, I'm also a fan of the Revs' combination play,
so I think that they'll benefit if they can avoid fielding weak links
offensively, such as Khano and Abundis (who may be a decent player but
hasn't shown good form).

Post by Cosmos Factory
All Bruce Arena has to do is keep the Red Bulls from moving their young
talent and have a couple of good drafts. Joze Altidore could be
something really special. The goal was nice but the play he made along
the endline damn near won the game. Marvel Wynne just blew through DC
defenders.

I agree that the Red Bulls *could* build a winner that way; however, my
guess is that they'll be allowed to buy their way to success.

P