Football Americana Week 14: Salt Lake hit the Revs for five

Major League Soccer's World Cup participants are back in the USA to pick up their domestic season, and made a telling contribution upon their return.

Toronto FC began the week's action, hosting Houston Dynamo in a spiky encounter north of the border on Thursday. The visitors had a goal wrongly disallowed before the hour mark, and both teams went down to ten men a couple of minutes later when Joseph Ngwenya and Nana Attakora clashed angrily and Julian de Guzman got involved to earn himself a walk down the tunnel alongside Ngwenya. A stooping header from Brian Ching gave Houston a 73rd minute lead but it lasted just 12 minutes, Dan Gargan heading the equaliser from a corner. There was another red card for TFC, though as Amadou Sanyang was dismissed in stoppage time.

A horrible second half showing from New England Revolution saw them thrashed 5-0 by Real Salt Lake. Fabian Espindola, lucky to be on the field after a headbutt, opened the scoring in style and Jamison Olave headed in the second in first half stoppage time. Alvaro Saborio grabbed the next two, prodding the first into the top corner from close range and tapping in number four. Late on, returning US international Robbie Findley made it five with a nice solo goal.

A blistering three-minute spell just before half time took Columbus Crew clear at the top of the Eastern conference. Adam Moffat made it 1-0 in the 43rd minute with the easiest goal of his career, but a comedy own goal by Frankie Hejduk drew Chicago Fire level a minute later. Just as stoppage time began, Jason Garey headed the Crew's winner to help them bag a valuable three points.

In Frisco, it took a penalty to separate FC Dallas and Kansas City Wizards. David Ferreira was hauled down in the box by Roger Espinoza and stepped up himself to stroke in an ice-cool spot kick, triggering a remarkably camp celebration.

DC United headed to California to face the San Jose Earthquakes and came away from Buck Shaw with a hard-earned 1-1 draw. Ike Opara thumped the Earthquakes' first goal past Troy Perkins after quarter of an hour, but the league's most promising player won United a point. In the second half, Stephen King's pass found 17-year-old Andy Najar flying past Bobby Convey to volley in past Jon Busch.

Another exciting youngster got on the scoresheet for Philadelphia Union against Chivas USA. Danny Mwanga's in rich scoring form at the moment and it continued with a delicious finish past Zach Thornton. It wasn't enough to win the game, and Chivas' equaliser came before the break in the form of a low drive from fellow rookie Blair Gavin.

Having lost ground to Columbus, New York Red Bulls could only gain one point back against Colorado Rapids. The Rapids' goal came from a fantastic pass from Conor Casey to Omar Cummings, who finished comfortably at the back post. Mehdi Ballouchy then had a goal disallowed slightly controversially and hilariously celebrated with the supporters before realising. The in-form Juan Pablo Angel smashed in the equaliser from close range after a poorly defended corner.

Returning USA stars Landon Donovan linked up to give LA Galaxy the lead against Seattle Sounders inside 20 minutes, Buddle heading in his tenth of the season from a Donovan corner. Few players in MLS strike a ball like Juninho, and he pulled one right out of the very top drawer to make it 2-0 just after the break, only for the Sounders to pull one back thanks to a superb goal by Steve Zakuani. A James Riley own goal made it 3-1 to bank three points for the Galaxy.

That re-establishes LA's nine-point advantage over RSL in the West, with Colorado and FCD on 22 and 21 respectively. Over in the East, the Crew have pulled two points clear of New York with nobody else in sight.

You can see those tables here and watch all the latest action here.

Football Americana Week 13: Columbus and NY race clear in the East

Major League Soccer returned from its World Cup break over the weekend with a full programme and the opening of another purpose-built stadium. PPL Park is the new home of Philadelphia and they opened it in style. Elsewhere, the top teams in the Eastern Conference picked up important wins.

San Jose Earthquakes hosted Real Salt Lake and the teams shared the spoils with a goalless draw. RSL had the better chances, and Fabian Espindola missed a golden opportunity to win the game.

Columbus Crew went back to the top of their conference with a 2-0 win over DC United but it took a blatant handball to overcome another good but toothless DC performance. Guillermo Barros Schelotto clearly handled the ball before smashing in the opening goal, and Eric Brunner sealed the points a couple of minutes from time.

Toronto FC went ahead with their home game against LA Galaxy despite security concerns across the city thanks to the usual G20 protests. The game was horribly limp, ending 0-0 and providing few moments of note. The Galaxy will be looking forward to the return of US internationals Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, but only time will tell how long Donovan will remain in Carson.

Houston Dynamo and Colorado Rapids made up for the lack of goals elsewhere with a 2-2 draw at Robertson Stadium. Danny Cruz took just 16 minutes to score the first, a long distance shot that should have been saved. The Rapids turned the game around, Conor Casey grabbing the equaliser after keeping his composure in the area and Lovel Palmer turning the ball into his own net for 2-1. Cruz hit both posts with a shot shortly afterwards, and Joseph Ngwenya fired in the Dynamo's second from 12 yards.

2010's New York Red Bulls are almost unrecognisable from 2009's, a fact illustrated by their 3-0 away win at Kansas City Wizards. All three goals came in the second half, the first coming from the head of Salou Ibrahim. Juan Pablo Angel made the game safe with two goals in the last ten minutes. On another day, the Wizards would have been 3-0 up before they conceded and would not have made the three errors that led to goals, but matters were made worse by Davy Arnaud's red card in stoppage time for a sickening two-footed tackle.

FC Dallas also banked three points on the road, overcoming Chivas USA 2-1. Ante Jazic's own goal gave FCD the lead just before half time but Osael Romero leveled the game on the hour with a clever glancing header. David Ferreira won it for the Texan team from the penalty spot just a couple of minutes later.

It was a big day for Philadelphia Union, who welcomed Seattle Sounders for the opening game at the beautiful PPL Park. Pat Noonan gave the visitors a half time lead, sliding the ball home after a lucky bounce. After the break it was all Philly, with former Sounders man Sebastien Le Toux finding the very top corner from the spot to draw the Union level and Noonan having his spot kick saved. Fred marked an uncharacteristically prominent performance with a goal, and rookie Danny Mwanga made it 3-1 with yet another late goal as he followed up his own rebound to find the net.

In the final game of the weekend, New England Revolution continued to struggle and fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Chicago Fire. Marco Pappa scored from almost 30 yards to chalk up the only goal of the match and secure three points for the Fire.

The Galaxy and RSL stay nine points apart at the top of the West, with the Rapids three points behind. In the East, the Crew and the Red Bulls are top and second on 24 points, with Toronto six points off the pace. You can see those standings here and watch all the weekend's action here.

Football Americana Week 12: Pontius hat-trick downs the Sounders

Just a quick one from me this week, with four midweek matches taking place in Major League Soccer before it takes a short break for the World Cup, where Bob Bradley's USA kick off against England tomorrow.

Chicago Fire hosted Colorado Rapids in Bridgeview, and the two battled out a thrilling 2-2 draw. Conor Casey superbly set up Omar Cummings, who took the first goal well. Marco Pappa equalised for the Fire with a cheeky low free kick halfway through the first half, and then gave them the lead on the stroke of half time. They had to settle for a point, though, because Casey got himself on the scoresheet with a glancing header past Andrew Dykstra.

The biggest news this week was from Utah, where Real Salt Lake ended LA Galaxy's unbeaten record in 2010 with a 1-0 win. Believe it or not, the match was halted early on due to lightning, which forced the players from the field. It took 80 minutes, but Javier Morales won it for RSL with a neat finish past Donovan Ricketts to make Jason Kreis' men the first team to beat LA this season.

Kansas City Wizards dismissed Philadelphia Union in the first half at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kei Kamara opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes, thumping in from the edge of the area. Graham Suzi doubled the lead with an easy finish provided by Ryan Smith, and the Union once more ruined any hope they had of a comeback by having a man sent off. Michael Orozco saw red after his second bookable offence, a very clumsy tackle on Josh Wolff.

The final game took place late on Thursday at Qwest Field, where a hat-trick described as "resourceful" by the official MLS match report only told half the story as DC United left the other Washington with three points in their back pockets. Chris Pontius' first goal was well made by a lovely dummy but deflected horribly past Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller. Keller then made two horrific errors as DC ended up with a 3-0 lead, spilling another well worked effort from Pontius over the line, and then letting the 2009 rookie's header across goal swerve in off the far post.

Stoppage time goals from James Riley, via a deflection, and Fredy Montero took the edge of a great result for United and made them sweat at the end, but they are three points gratefully received. Keller, meanwhile, said afterwards that he wants to play another year - but not if he plays like that.

You can see all that action here and the latest standings here, where you'll see that United are finally off the bottom of the East, where the Union now prop them up. Aside from that, nothing too much at the top or bottom has changed apart from RSL's win dragging them a tad closer to LA. Have a fantastic World Cup.

Football Americana Week 11: Galaxy roll on as Dynamo slump

The US soccer community might be focusing on the World Cup, but the teams in Major League Soccer welcomed a short summer break with a bumper week of action that saw LA continue their remarkable unbeaten season so far. There are four games later this week, and a mini-FA to cover all the goings-on.

The week's action got underway at Red Bull Arena, where New York Red Bulls picked up a dramatic win over Houston Dynamo. Sinisa Ubiparipovic opened the scoring after 15 minutes, taking advantage when a speculative shot from distance fell to him in the penalty area. Brian Ching's clever finish drew the Dynamo level from a possible onside position, but the Red Bulls would get their way deep, deep into stoppage time with Juan Pablo Angel's stunning free kick.

It got worse on Saturday for the Dynamo when they headed for their second game of the week against LA Galaxy, who defeated the men in orange 4-1 despite missing Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle. It was a lightning start at HDC. Jovan Kirovski took just 45 seconds to head in the opener, but Houston were level not long afterwards thanks to Cam Weaver's bravery and a mix-up between Donovan Ricketts and one of his defenders.

The Red Bulls also played twice this week, and bagged another three points as a result. This time it was a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA and Seth Stammler got the winner with less than half an hour gone, driving it low from 25 yards and finding the bottom corner. Angel had one disallowed for offside.

After that it was all Galaxy, and another neat finish from Kirovski made it two before Tristan Bowen added a third and Alex Cazumba a fourth with a low shot across Pat Onstad.

It was a quick start at Buck Shaw Stadium too. Columbus Crew took just five minutes to go ahead at San Jose Earthquakes with a tap-in by Eddie Gaven, but the Quakes were level a minute later through Arturo Alvarez's low drive. Chad Marshall put the Crew back in front with 20 minutes left, heading in superbly from a corner, but Chris Wondolowski soon earned a point for the Quakes by nodding in at the back post from a free kick by Bobby Convey.

The Earthquakes were back in action at the weekend, facing FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park. The game was won with a quick-fire second half double from FCD's Football Americana favourite Brek Shea. The first was a close range finish after good work by David Ferreira, the second a poacher's finish after he forced errors from Chris Leitch and goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

The Crew's second game saw them face Colorado Rapids, and they were beaten 1-0. A relatively uneventful game came to live 14 minutes from time, when Steven Lenhart and Pablo Mastroeni were sent off after the most pathetic spat you could hope to see. Only in the strictest sense of the law could the referee send the pair off. Minutes later, Drew Moor rose high at the back post to head in the winner for the Rapids.

There were goalless draws at both BMO Field and RFK on Saturday. Toronto FC and Kansas City Wizards did exchange red cards, though. Londoner Craig Rocastle was dismissed for a stupid second bookable offence, but his first had been very harsh and a possible attempt by the referee to even the game up after the opinion-splitting sending off of Nick Garcia in the first half.

In the capital, DC United dominated Real Salt Lake with a decent enough performance, but they were unable to create the necessary chances and, when they did, Stephen King's finishing wasn't up to scratch.

Philadelphia Union fell to another defeat, this time at the hands of Chicago Fire. Baggio Husidic continued his decent scoring season with the opener, an easy tap-in after yet another blistering run from Patrick Nyarko. Marco Pappa's easy 74th minute goal banked the three points before Philly's rookie Danny Mwanga scored another stoppage time goal by cleverly wrong-footing Andrew Dykstra for his third stoppage time goal in as many games.

After struggling to score at home lately, Seattle Sounders opened up against New England Revolution, without stricken goalkeeper Preston Burpo, with a 3-0 win. Leonardo Gonzalez made it 1-0 with a wonderful swerving left-footed rocket, and Steve Zakuani doubled the lead by cracking in an unstoppable volley in the 24th minute. Before half time, it was three. Fredy Montero finished low after cleverly beating his man on the edge of the box.

After an action-packed weekend of action (which you can see here), two consecutive wins see the Red Bulls go level on points with Columbus at the top of the East. DC's point pulls them level with Philadelphia at the bottom. In the West, the Galaxy are now 12 points clear of Real Salt Lake, who have the Rapids just one point behind. Chivas USA are propping up the conference. The latest standings can be viewed here.

Football Americana Week 10: Stoppage time success for DC and Philly

It's been a weekend to remember for some resurgent sides in Major League Soccer, as Philadelphia, DC and New England all picked up crucial victories.

The week's action began at Toyota Park, where Chicago Fire and FC Dallas split the points. David Ferreira opened the scoring for FCD inside ten minutes, taking advantage of awful defending to bend in his first of the season. The equaliser came before half time from Brian McBride who headed past a stranded Kevin Hartman.

In the battle of the two conference leaders, it was LA Galaxy who came away from Ohio with all three points against Columbus Crew. Michael Stephens thumped in the opener with less than 10 minutes gone after good work by Chris Birchall, and Tristan Bowen doubled LA's lead after Jason Garey's disallowed equaliser.

At the bottom, two of the league's worst teams also met and it was hosts DC United who bagged a much need win against Chivas USA - but they were made to wait for it. Justin Braun squeezed the ball past Bill Hamid in the 16th minute to give Chivas the lead, but ten minutes later it was a talented teenager who stole the headlines. 17-year-old Andy Najar broke the offside trap to nod it past Zach Thornton.

The match exploded in the last 15 minutes. Adam Cristman scored the easiest goal of his career to put DC 2-1 ahead, tapping in after a possible own goal rebounded off the post. Maykel Galindo equalised with ten minutes left, but United got the winner in stoppage time. Santino Quaranta was brought down by goalkeeper Thornton, who was dismissed as a result. Carey Talley calmly rolled the crucial spot kick into the corner.

It was another 3-2 home win at Gillette Stadium, where New England Revolution triumphed over New York Red Bulls in a dramatic encounter. Marko Perovic opened the scoring, drilling his shot low past Bouna Coundoul. Seth Stammler equalised with a mis-hit cross which curled in over Preston Burpo, whose evening would get much, much worse. Tim Ream's own goal put the Revs back in front in the 25th minute but they lost Burpo to an horrific broken leg before the break. Football Americana wishes him the speediest of recoveries.

After half time, Juan Pablo Angel's diving header equalised for the second time for the Red Bulls but from there on in it wasn't to be their night. Carlos Mendes picked up a second yellow card for a horrible tackle on Perovic and Roy Miller was sent off for flailing an arm. Zack Schilawski headed in the winner ten minutes from time.

Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union also shared a 3-2, but it was the Union who came out on top thanks to a stoppage time goal. The first goal arrived courtesy of Shea Salinas, the former Earthquakes man who finished brilliantly after somehow running from his own half. Brian Ching's emphatic header leveled the game on 52 minutes and seven minutes later Eddie Johnson put the Dynamo ahead with another header. But the lead lasted only ten minutes thanks to a goal from Sebastien Le Toux that was made by rookie Danny Mwanga. And it was Mwanga who won it for the Union in stoppage time after Le Toux repaid the favour.

Colorado Rapids took on the struggling Seattle Sounders at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and picked up the expected win thanks to a single goal from Conor Casey. The big man stayed strong under pressure and eventually hit a beautiful chip over Kasey Keller. The man's a wizard when it comes to chipping, it's as simple as that.

Kansas City Wizards' promising start is collapsing all around them, and matters worsened with a 4-1 defeat in Utah against Real Salt Lake. A quickfire double from Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio made it 2-0 after 35 minutes, before Josh Wolff's easy finish gave the Wizards hope at half time. Two late goals ensured that hope was unjustified, as did the sending off of Davy Arnaud who picked up a second yellow for dissent. Robbie Russell fired in after Jimmy Nielsen saved the resulting free kick, and Ned Grabavoy neatly finished the game off in stoppage time.

And there was joy for Toronto FC, who headed for Buck Shaw Stadium and defeated San Jose Earthquakes 3-1. Chad Barrett's opportunistic finish and Dwayne De Rosario's nonchalant prod made it 2-0 to the Canadian side. Ramiro Corrales pulled one back for the Quakes with a towering header, but De Rosario made sure in stoppage time by racing into an empty half and finding the net as San Jose sent all eleven men forward for a set piece.

You can see all the week ten action here and check out the latest league tables here. The Crew's lead at the top of the East is down to four points as Toronto start to click into gear. DC and Philadelphia are gaining ground on the Wizards and Chicago above them. In the West, wins for the Galaxy and RSL keep LA's lead at ten points.

Football Americana Week 9: Dynamo worsen DC dive

Fortunes are mixed over in the USA, and the two main headlines dominate the top and bottom of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer. Columbus are flying, DC are dying. If that summing up doesn't provide the detail you require, here's all the week nine action.

Columbus Crew had a big week at the top of the East, beginning with a triumphant trip to New York Red Bulls, where a 3-1 win took them top of the conference. New Jerseyite Eddie Gaven opened the scoring for the Crew with a 35th minute header. Andy Iro's goal was an emphatic header and put Columbus 2-0 ahead before Tony Tchani headed past a stranded William Hesmer to pull one back. Emilio Renteria made sure of the win with seven minutes left on the clock on a night that saw the Red Bulls hit the woodwork three times with Hesmer beaten.

In their second game of the weekend, the Crew needed another goal from Renteria to complete an exemplary week with a 1-0 win over Kansas City Wizards in a fairly uninspiring game.

Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle are Bob Bradley's property right now, so an under-strength LA Galaxy headed for Texas to play FC Dallas. MLS Cup 2009 goalscorer Mike Magee's tap-in inside 20 minutes was enough to add another three points to LA's tally and maintain their unbeaten start.

Seattle Sounders were also beaten at home by an early goal. San Jose Earthquake returned to California with another win under their belts thanks to their fourth consecutive clean sheet and Chris Wondolowski's poacher's finish in the 11th minute. The Sounders didn't play too badly but they're in desperate need of a ruthless goalscorer, and they'll be hoping Blaise Nkufo will be that man.

Toronto FC and New England Revolution got to half time goalless, and it was a solitary second half goal by Chad Barrett that gave the hosts a much-needed victory. A badly-marked Barrett rose to head in a corner on 52 minutes, and he could have bagged a couple more on the day too. Great to see Shalrie Joseph back in action for the Revs.

At Robertson Stadium, DC United's season reached crisis point. A loss to Houston Dynamo represented their eighth reverse of 2010 and left them sizing up the very real possibility of becoming the worst team since MLS began. Danny Cruz took just nine minutes to open the scoring, firing a low shot across Troy Perkins and in off the far post. Dominic Oduro made it two with an unstoppable goal in the second half, blasting in the killer goal from a cross by Luis Angel Landin.

It took a late, late winner to continue Real Salt Lake's winning run as they emerged 2-1 victors at HDC against Chivas USA. Chris Wingert put the champions ahead just before half time, blasting the ball home after Javier Morales' cross cannoned off the post. Justin Braun's 80th minute strike couldn't see Chivas through to a point, though, because Fabian Espindola broke free in the 89th minute and flicked a left-footed finish past Zach Thornton.

You can check out all of the important highlights here and view the league tables here. If you do, you'll see that LA Galaxy are now a full ten points clear of their nearest competition in the West, San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo. At the bottom, Chivas USA's ten points would put them fourth in a very weak East.

Columbus now top that conference by five points, leaving RBNY and Toronto FC in their wake. Everyone else is an also-ran, with the possible exceptions of DC and Philly who are still in the traps.

Football Americana Week 8: Shea, Montero and Mwanga light up a dull weekend

Compared to the previous one, week eight was quite low key in Major League Soccer - perhaps the players knew there would be big news off the field this week. Either way, a couple of great goals punctuated a fairly uninspiring set of matches. Here's what happened.

2009 champions Real Salt Lake got things underway with a bang, beating Houston Dynamo 3-1 in Sandy. Robbie Findley made it 1-0 in the opening three minutes, heading home to notch his first of the season. In truth he could and arguably should have done so a minute earlier. Alvaro Saborio hit a brace to seal the win, cracking in a low drive in the first half and nodding in from a free kick in the second. Brian Mullan's goal was little consolation for the Dynamo.

FC Dallas headed for Philadelphia Union with all three points in their sights and looked like securing their quarry after Brek Shea's fantastic 13th minute goal, his first in MLS, stood until the 92nd minute. The Union's Danny Mwanga, the top draft pick this season, thundered in an equaliser to earn a point for the hosts.

It was goalless at Gillette Stadium where New England Revolution again dropped points at home, this time against San Jose Earthquakes.

The same looked likely when Columbus Crew met Chivas USA in Ohio until Gino Padula's goal-line heroics paid off thanks to Guillermo Barros Schelotto's 90th minute winner from the penalty spot.

At RFK Stadium, DC United lost yet again, Colorado Rapids being this week's beneficiaries as the pressure continues to pile on top of Curt Onalfo. Mehdi Ballouchy grabbed the only goal of the game, strolling in from wide far too easily and catching Bill Hamid wrong-footed.

The big news in MLS this week is the expected signing of Thierry Henry by New York Red Bulls, and it came hot on the heels of a disappointing defeat to Seattle Sounders. The deadline wasn't broken until the tricky Colombian Fredy Montero, on as a late substitute, rolled a wonderfully taken winner through the legs of Bouna Coundoul.

Chicago Fire thought they'd done the job thanks to a 2-0 lead over Kansas City Wizards, but left with just a point. Julio Martinez rounded off a lovely Fire move by knocking in the first at the back post in the 14th minute, and Brian McBride doubled the lead with a simple finish just after the break. But Kei Kamara came to the Wizards' rescue, conjuring up a lucky pea-roller for 2-1 and an 89th minute equaliser from all of six inches. Andrew Dykstra in the Chicago goal fumbled the ball into his path in the rain and won't be pleased with himself.

LA Galaxy dropped a couple of points at home to Toronto FC after a goalless draw at HDC. Omar Gonzalez of the Galaxy was fortunate not to see red for what could have been deemed a professional foul on Chad Barrett. Toronto's Maksim Usanov body-checked Landon Donovan in stoppage time and was dismissed.

LA still sit ten points clear in the west, leading no fewer than four clubs who sit on 13 points. In the East, New York are now just one point ahead of Columbus who have a couple of games in hand. Toronto, after a stuttering start, are now third. DC United have...well, I don't want to talk about it.

You can see all the week eight action here, and check out the tables here. Enjoy.

Football Americana Week 7: Goal spree in MLS

There were goals, goals and more goals in Major League Soccer in Week 7, and they weren't all down to individual magic. Here's your weekly MLS update.

In midweek there were a total of four matches. 19-year-old DC United goalkeeper Bill Hamid made his professional debut and starred as he helped United to their first win of the season, a 2-1 victory over Kansas City Wizards. Australian Danny Allsopp opened the scoring early on, his deflected shot finding the net and giving United their first lead of the season. Allsopp was on target again before half time and made it 2-0 with a classy finish from the edge of the area. The Wizards were rattled but did pull one back thanks to Kei Kamara. Ryan Smith and Christian Castillo were probably lucky not to earn their teams a red card apiece.

New England Revolution took a good old-fashioned thrashing from Chivas USA. Jesus Padilla put the Californian side ahead in the 26th minute, pouncing on a mistake by Kevin Alston and rounding goalkeeper Preston Burpo to score. Marko Perovic was dismissed for swinging a couple of elbows a couple of minutes later, and from there on in it was a formality. Justin Braun made it 2-0 in the 33rd, and goals from Padilla and rookie Blair Gavin after the break completed a 4-0 thumping.

In Texas, FC Dallas won 1-0 against Houston Dynamo to pick up their first ever away win against their neighbours and their first of the season. Heroic last-ditch defending kept matters level until FCD's Jair Benitez was sent off controversially for a clash with Luis Angel Landin. 10-man Dallas won it 12 minutes from time with a header by Ugo Ihemelu.

It was also 1-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, where LA Galaxy continued their blistering start with a 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids. The Rapids caused real problems for the Galaxy but it was Alan Gordon who made the difference, finding the net with a diving header from Landon Donovan's free kick.

At the weekend, there were goals flying in all over the place, and LA Galaxy bagged no fewer than four of them - unanswered - on an away trip to Seattle Sounders. Jovan Kirovski gave the Galaxy a half time lead with a shot which squirmed through Kasey Keller's hands. Omar Gonzalez made it 2-0 with a thumping header off the crossbar, and Todd Dunivant stooped to take advantage of bad defending to make it three. Landon Donovan opened his 2010 account with a burst of pace in front of Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and a prod past Keller. Seattle have offered to refund tickets after their dismal showing.

Toronto FC also got four and conceded just once against Chicago Fire. Nick LaBrocca's goal was an overhit cross but TFC won't mind, and doubled their lead with a poacher's finish by O'Brian White just after the break. Logan Pause quickly pulled one back with a phenomenal strike from distance, but Toronto finished the job with a quickfire double from Chad Barrett.

In Sandy, Utah, newcomers Philadelphia Union were comfortably beaten, falling to a 3-0 defeat by Real Salt Lake. A defensive error caused problems for the Union, and RSL skipper Kyle Beckerman eventually rolled in the opener. Jamison Olave bundled in a Javier Morales free kick to make it two, and Alvaro Saborio capped the victory with a confident header 20 minutes from time.

A five-goal thriller at Columbus Crew saw New England Revolution beaten again. They took the lead with a shot by Zak Boggs which was fumbled horribly by the Crew's goalkeeper William Hesmer. Eddie Gaven equalised for Columbus, and Cory Gibbs' sliding own goal made it 2-1 to the Crew. Boggs levelled with a composed finish, but the Revs were defeated by a stoppage time winner by Robbie Rogers.

After both picking up their first wins of the season, DC United headed for Pizza Hut Park but were beaten 1-0 by FC Dallas. United were once again unlucky in front of goal and FCD took all three points despite taking just one of their own many chances. Jeff Cunningham slotted past Bill Hamid to seal the win for Dallas. United will rue shots from Clyde Simms and Kurt Morsink which hit the woodwork either side of Cunningham's goal.

High-flying New York Red Bulls came unstuck at San Jose Earthquakes, where they took a 4-0 beating after the sending off of right back Luke Sassano inside 15 minutes. Sassano saw red for an outrageous tackle on Bobby Convey, and the Earthquakes took full advantage. Ryan Johnson took his goal with excellent technique, and the Quakes added three more in the second half. Bouna Condoul allowed Joey Gjertsen's daisy cutter to go underneath him for 2-0, and Chris Wondolowski made the game safe with 14 minutes to go. Bobby Burling's header added insult to injury.

Houston Dynamo roared past Chivas USA in the space of four minutes at the beginning of their encounter at HDC. Brad Davis beat Zach Thornton with a lovely sliding lob in the fourth minute, and in the seventh Adrian Serioux doubled the lead by thundering a header home from a corner.

All of the above leaves LA absolutely flying, sitting top of the West and a full nine points clear of the Dynamo. In the other table, Columbus are catching up with New York and are now just four points behind them on 11. You can see those standings here, and watch all the action here.

Football Americana Week 6: Edson "Thatcher" Buddle smashes the Union

After one goalless match, LA Galaxy striker Edson Buddle's back in rampant form, seeing off Philly almost single-handedly. There were sendings off aplenty in Week 6, one or two surprises, a great goal for San Jose and - you guessed it - defeat for DC.

DC United slumped to yet another defeat, losing again at home. Their conquerors on this occasion were New York Red Bulls, Hans Backe's resurgent outfit. For the second time, Salou Ibrahim and Juan Pablo Angel combined to win it for the Red Bulls, rather against the run of play. Salou's finish was scrappy, Angel's routine, but toothless DC had no response. Curt Onalfo's days are surely numbered already.

At Gillette Stadium, New England Revolution split the points with FC Dallas. Zack Schilawski hit the post in the 40th minute but found the net a minute later when Kheli Dube mugged goalkeeper Dario Sala and passed the ball across the area. Dube was sent off ten minutes into the second half, ostensibly for a studs-up tackle but I think there may have been a stamp by him a split-second before. The red cost the Revs, Atiba Harris finding the net with a header from a Dax McCarty free kick with 25 minutes to play.

Joseph Niouky also saw red for the Revs thanks to an ugly tackle on Heath Pearce. Brek Shea and Jeff Cunningham both hit the crossbar as FCD failed to take advantage.

Houston Dynamo put the impressive Kansas City Wizards in their place with a 3-0 victory at Robertson Stadium. It was one-way traffic by the time Dominic Oduro set up Luis Angel Landin to dink in the Dynamo's opener, and minutes later Davy Arnaud gave the Wizards a mountain to climb by picking up a 33rd minute red card for leaving a firm foot in when challenging Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

Brian Mullan made it two when the Wizards allowed him to stretch his legs down the right hand side and head for goal far too easily, and the third came from Samuel Appiah, again assisted by Oduro, who put in a fantastic performance.

Two second half goals saw Chicago Fire and Chivas USA cancel one another out. Baggio Husidic gave the Fire an advantage at Toyota Park, with a tap-in in the 52nd minute, but Maicon Santos headed Chivas level and earned them a deserved point.

Struggling Toronto FC were beaten again on a visit to Real Salt Lake. The champions took a first half 2-0 lead thanks to goals by Jamison Olave and Andy Williams, and TFC had only a late Dwayne De Rosario penalty to show for their work in Utah.

San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids have both improved this season, but it was the Quakes who emerged triumphant from their encounter at Buck Shaw Stadium. Just one goal made the difference, Chris Wondolowski thumping the ball in off the crossbar in the 33rd minute, leaving Matt Pickens and his magnificent beard helpless.

Edson Buddle scored twice more for LA Galaxy as they swept aside Philadelphia Union with a 3-1 win. AJ De La Garza took advantage of a great pass from Buddle with under a minute gone to prod the ball in for 1-0, and the national team hopeful bagged his own brace before half time.

A scrappy 27th minute goal was supplemented by a cool finish from a one-on-one from an assist by Landon Donovan. Former Galaxy player Stefani Miglioranzi was sent off at 3-0 for an awful, late two-footed challenge, leaving the Union with littel chance of mounting a comeback. Fred put Jack McInerney's consolation goal on a plate, but Philly continue to shoot themselves in the foot with silly dismissals.

And there was no separating Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew at Qwest Field. Steve Zakuani rounded the Crew goalkeeper to open the scoring early, but Steven Lenhart equalised in first half stoppage time by heading in Danny O'Rourke's cross. O'Rourke, already on a yellow card, clumsily felled James Riley late on and was shown his second red card of 2010. Fredy Montero had a stoppage time winner disallowed for a foul on Crew's Andy Iro by Sanna Nyassi.

2010 continues to belong to the Red Bulls and the Galaxy. New York are now seven points clear of Columbus and Chicago in the East, while the Galaxy are six ahead of Colorado and Houston in the West. You can see those standings here, and watch all the highlights from Major League Soccer here.

Football Americana Week 5: Empty seats watch RBNY continue to fly

In a week of disappointing attendances, Major League Soccer still delivered all the thrills and spills as the Red Bulls opened up a lead over their Eastern Conference rivals and LA Galaxy finally dropped points for the first time in 2010.

The week's action got underway at Pizza Hut Park with Seattle Sounders visiting FC Dallas. In the 25th minute a mix-up led to Kasey Keller fouling Jeff Cunningham in the box and the Dallas striker found the bottom corner with the penalty. Steve Zakuani cut inside from the left to find the net and equalise for the Sounders, and Fredy Montero looked to have given his side all three points when his remarkable 35-yard free kick put them in front. But there was controversy deep into stoppage time, Dallas being awarded a penalty in very questionable circumstances. Cunningham stepped up once again and equalised.

New York Red Bulls earned yet another three points at a worryingly deserted RBA, this time against Philadelphia Union. Ibrahim Salou made it 1-0 with a towering 50th minute header, but Philly's Sebastien Le Toux levelled nine minutes later by turning in Alejandro Moreno's superb pass. Once again, a Juan Pablo Angel penalty turned one point into three for RBNY. A clumsy handball afforded him the opportunity which he took in style.

Far too many matches this season have been settled from the penalty spot, and there was another at Crew Stadium at the weekend. Champions Real Salt Lake were on the receiving end against Columbus Crew, who were awarded the spot kick when Robbie Rogers was tripped. Guillermo Barros Schelotto struck to give the Crew a home win. RSL had a late equaliser ruled out, perhaps a little harshly.

New England Revolution's stuttering start carried on with the visit of Colorado Rapids to Gillette Stadium. Mehdi Ballouchy opened the scoring for the Rapids in the 14th minute, but Marko Perovic quickly equalised with a vicious free kick past Matt Pickens. Pablo Mastroeni bagged the winner for the visitors with a 25-yard rocket off the post.

LA Galaxy headed to Kansas City Wizards with their 100% record intact, but left CommunityAmerica Ballpark with just one point after a goalless draw. Kei Kamara had an early goal disallowed when he used his arm to sweep in the rebound from a Davy Arnaud shot. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had to be in good form to keep the Galaxy in the game.

Chicago Fire hosted Houston Dynamo and emerged with three valuable points. Baggio Husidic headed home the Fire's opener in first half stoppage time, and the lead was doubled halfway through the second half when Peter Lowry nodded in from Patrick Nyarko's cross. The sides then exchanged red cards, Danny Cruz of the Dynamo earning a second yellow for his involvement (or otherwise, in fact) in a melee after an aerial clash, and Krzystof Krol seeing red for headbutting Luis Angel Landin. There was sad news out of Houston today, with confirmation of Geoff Cameron's season-ending injury.

An exciting encounter at HDC saw Chivas USA seal a 3-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes. Sasha Kljestan made it 1-0 from distance but Chris Wondolowski pulled the Quakes level from the penalty spot. Justin Braun's 54th minute header put Chivas back in front and Chukwudi Chijindu made sure of the win four minutes from time. Steven Beitashour's consolation goal was impressive but futile.

In the final match of the week, Toronto FC made amends for defeat against the Rapids by picking up a 2-0 home win against the Seattle Sounders. Dwayne De Rosario bent in the first and then laid on the second for O'Brian White after a gift from the Sounders defence.

Week five saw the Rapids pick up ground on LA Galaxy, cutting their lead at the top of the West to three points. The Sounders and the Dynamo are in hot pursuit, while FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake prop up the standings, which you can see here.

In the East, New York are five points clear of Kansas City, Columbus and Chicago. DC United, enjoying a weekend off, remain the only pointless side in MLS.

You can view all the week five highlights here.

Football Americana Week 4: The fall and fall of DC United

If Edson Buddle and LA Galaxy are the big story in Major League Soccer, DC United are running them close (and Seattle's new third kit running them even closer). United have lost four games out of four in 2010, turning one of the league's flagship clubs into a woefully inept outfit which shows few signs of improvement. Losing several key players to injury in the last two weeks does not bode well.

A midweek visit from Philadelphia Union provided a much-needed win for Toronto FC. Danny Califf got himself stupidly sent off after 33 minutes, hitting an awful backpass and rectifying his mistake by clotheslining onrushing TFC man Julian De Guzman as he tore through to latch on to the mistake.

The resulting free kick drew the second hilarious error in as many games by Philly goalkeeper Chris Seitz, who fumbled Dwayne De Rosario's squirming shot over his own line. But the Union went in level at the break, Jordan Harvey racing onto a great diagonal ball and finishing calmly to make it 1-1. Seitz was at fault again, felling O'Brian White in the box when he was going nowhere with ten minutes left. De Ro won it from the spot.

Kansas City Wizards have started the season in impressive fashion and it took until second half stoppage time for Seattle Sounders to prevent them taking a point home from Qwest Field. Both sides created some good chances but it was Michael Fucito, on for Steve Zakuani in the 85th minute, who banked the three points for the Sounders in the 92nd minute by beating Jimmy Nielsen at his near post.

Early goals for Geoff Cameron and Lovel Palmer set Houston Dynamo on the way to a resounding victory over Chivas USA. Cameron opened his 2010 account with a neat finish into the bottom corner and Palmer doubled the Dynamo's lead with a blockbusting 30-yard drive in the 20th minute. Dominic Oduro made it 3-0 with a 64th minute tap-in and celebrated by removing his boot and juggling it between his hands.

Just like they were in Week Two, DC United were undone by two late goals from their visitors after being devoid of quality. Marco Pappa put Chicago Fire in the lead with a shot into the roof of the net in the 79th minute and substitute Brian McBride glanced a last minute header through the hands of Troy Perkins to continue the misery for DC United and Curt Onalfo.

Midfielder Dax McCarty gave FC Dallas an early lead at Red Bull Arena with a poacher's header but a double from Juan Pablo Angel ensured a second half turnaround for New York Red Bulls. He'd already had one disallowed for a tight offside call when he tucked in the equaliser, and he could have had his second from the spot when Mac Kandji was fouled in the area. Dario Sala won that duel, but Angel got another chance after he was fouled in the last minute - no mistake second time round, and the Red Bulls got back to winning ways.

San Jose Earthquakes continued their solid early season form with a 2-0 victory over the inconsistent New England Revolution. The Quakes did most of the pressing before being rewarded by Chris Wondolowski's 57th minute goal and Ike Opara's second in as many games.

The amazing Edson Buddle story goes on and on in California. LA Galaxy came out on top in their match against Real Salt Lake and the in-form striker produced his sixth and seventh goals of the campaign to bank the points. Buddle thumped in a header from a Landon Donovan corner in the 12th minute before RSL skipper Kyle Beckerman equalised with a long distance pea-roller which should have been saved. Buddle won it for LA from the edge of the box in the 76th minute, maintaining LA's 100% record and putting himself firmly into World Cup contention. An incredible run of form for the 28-year-old.

Finally, Colorado Rapids won the battle of the penalties to seal a 3-1 victory over floundering Toronto FC. Conor Casey made it 1-0 Rapids with a trademark cheeky chip from the spot after Ty Harden handled at the feet of Omar Cummings. Dwayne De Rosario's penalty was less convincing but equalised nonetheless. It was shortlived parity for TFC, who fell behind thanks to a low free kick from Jeff Larentowicz. Five minutes from time Casey was dragged down in the area and opted for a more orthodox - but equally successful - spot kick.

You can check out all the Week Four action here and view the Eastern and Western Conference tables here. LA are flying, with 12 points won from 12 available, and lead the West ahead of Colorado, Houston and Seattle on seven. In the extremely weak East, the Red Bulls are top, three points ahead of both Kansas City and New England. DC are still pointless, and FC Dallas sit at the bottom of the West with just 2 points.

Football Americana Week 3: Hat-tricks steal headlines in chippy MLS

For the first time ever, Major League Soccer had eight games in one day at the weekend. And it was a dramatic octet of matches with no fewer than four red cards, surprising results and three goals each for Zach Schilawski and Sebastien Le Toux as the Revs and the Union bagged three points each on home soil. DC United and Toronto remain pointless, with United having played three matches already. Curt Onalfo is presumably already beginning to feel the pressure.

Le Toux's treble came in Philadelphia Union beat struggling DC United in their first ever MLS home game - if I weren't a DC fan, that would please me after my season preview acknowledged the acquisition of Le Toux to be a shrewd one. He nodded in the Union's first league goal in the fourth minute and made it 2-0 with a swaggering low finish in the 40th.

United pulled it back to 2-1 in the second half thanks to the awareness of Santino Quaranta and a tidy finish, and then equalised in controversial fashion. Chris Seitz was put off by Jaime Moreno as he prepared to kick the ball out of his hands and dropped it, allowing the Bolivian to score. Premier League fans may remember Dion Dublin scoring in similar circumstances for Coventry City, but Moreno feigned a challenge on the goalkeeper which should have constituted interference.

Union won out, though. Dejan Jakovic pulled down Alejandro Moreno - who may have fouled him - and watched on after his red card as Le Toux swept his free kick into the bottom corner. A great night for Philly.

After 30 minutes at Gillette Stadium it looked as if New England Revolution might find three points hard to come by against Toronto FC. Dwayne De Rosario headed TFC in front after the Revs wasted some chances, but Steve Nicol's side - and Schilawski in particular - were much less wasteful after the break. He poked in his first MLS goal unchallenged just after half time, and doubled his tally with a calm finish a few minutes later. 11 minutes after his first, he flicked in Kheli Dube's cross and completed his hat-trick. Sainey Nyassi added insult to injury for TFC by capitalising on some miscommunication at the back. 4-1 Revs.

Much improved New York Red Bulls lost their 100% record in LA, losing 2-0 to Chivas USA. Jesus Padilla was the hero for Chivas, "scoring" with the funniest goal you'll ever see. A weak shot from the Mexican was deflected onto the far post and back towards the grounded goalkeeper as kindly as he could even have begged for. His shonky, ham-fisted catch attempt was possibly the most awkward thing I've ever seen in football and he served only to prod the ball into his own net - clearly an own goal. Padilla doubled the advantage in stoppage time with a goal all of his own.

Unlike the Red Bulls, LA Galaxy did go three for three with a win on Saturday. A tricky trip to Houston Dynamo saw the Galaxy take the lead in the 26th minute, Edson Buddle firing in his fourth in three games from a ridiculously acute angly inside 30 minutes after a bad mix-up in the Dynamo defence. Luis Angel Landin saw red in the 43rd minute for a very ugly petulant swipe at the legs of Omar Gonzalez. His behaviour after the card could land him in hot water.

Before the break, Buddle bagged number five in his incredible start to the season. 2-0 stood through the second half and the Galaxy are flying. They haven't conceded a single goal in their three opening matches.

The Eastern Conference is topped by Kansas City Wizards despite their having only played twice. A 1-0 victory over Colorado Rapids was much closer than their win over DC, and came courtesy of a Kei Kamara header from Ryan Smith's free kick at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Colorado's Julien Baudet picked up a straight red card.

Chicago Fire's start to the season has been disappointing and continued with a home defeat at the hands of San Jose Earthquakes. Arturo Alvarez opened the scoring with a delightful chip after a mistake in the Fire defence, only for Marco Pappa to equalise with a fantastic strike into the top corner. The Quakes took home all three points, though, thanks to Ike Opara's free header.

If Opara's winner was late then the finales in the weekend's two remaining games were even more dramatic.

In Frisco, FC Dallas faced Easter Conference favourites Columbus Crew. David Ferreira was fouled in the area just before the half hour, allowing Jeff Cunningham to open his 2010 account from the spot (well, from near the spot).

But the Crew edged into the lead with goals from Adam Moffat and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who nodded in the rebound from his own penalty after Kevin Hartman's parry. Eric Avila found the bottom corner deep into stoppage time to earn a point for FCD after Crew's Danny O'Rourke had been sent off.

And it was also 2-2 in Sandy, Utah, where Real Salt Lake needed a stoppage time equaliser to avoid defeat against Seattle Sounders. Steve Zakuani slotted the ball past Nick Rimando to put the Sounders ahead in the 11th minute. In the second half, Will Johnson equalised with a diving header, but a Nat Borchers own goal gave the Sounders the advantage again in the 72nd minute. It took RSL until the 94th minute to secure a point and it came thanks to substitute Alvaro Saborio, who found the net with a header from a corner.

Only the Galaxy and the Wizards have 100% records intact, with LA leading the West with nine points and Kansas City heading up the East with six. New England and New York each have six points in the East, while the Galaxy are already five points ahead of RSL, Seattle, Colorado and Houston. You can see the full tables here and view all the highlights from Major League Soccer here.

Football Americana Week 2: Maybe it does give you wings after all

This coming weekend will see more games in one day than any other in Major League Soccer's history, but football-starved fans had to make do with a truncated week two over the Easter weekend. Only two sides emerged from the second round of fixtures with six points in their pockets; one of them might just surprise you a tad.

On Thursday night we had a chance to see how defending champions Real Salt Lake would shape up against better opposition than the Quakes, who they hammered last weekend. Houston Dynamo emerged victorious at Robertson Stadium, continuing their unbeaten record in home openers. Javier Morales continued his great start of the season by opening the scoring early on, but two second half penalties by Brad Davis gave the Dynamo all three points. Jamison Olave committed both fouls and will not be in the good books of Jason Kreis this week.

Morales is on three goals for the season and so too is LA Galaxy striker Edson Buddle, who bagged a brace to give his team a Superclasico victory over Chivas USA. He nodded in the first early on and secured the 2-0 win with a tap-in four minutes from time, but not before earning a yellow card for a scuffle with Sasha Kljestan. Maicon Santos struck the miss of the season for Chivas. It's well worth a viewing.

Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire got off to very different starts in week one, and met in week two. The points were shared thanks to a 2-2 draw at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Omar Cummings hit a superb opener in the opening exchanges, only for the Fire to equalise through MLS newcomer Collins John's first goal. The two sides then exchanged successful penalties either side of the break, with Conor Casey netting for the Rapids and Brian McBride earning a point for Chicago. In terms of refereeing decisions, the first spot kick was as clear as the second was clearly not.

Curt Onalfo's bad start at DC United became even worse when New England Revolution came to town and ruined the home opener with a quickfire double from substitute Kenny Mansally. United should have been in the lead by the time Mansally's 80th minute poacher's finish opened the scoring, and his breathtaking second sealed the deal for the Revs.

If DC are stinking out the league, New York Red Bulls are making observers sit up and take notice. After beating Chicago at RBA in week one, a tough away trip to much-fancied Seattle Sounders unexpectedly produced the same result. The impressive Macoumba Kandji fired the game's only goal in off the crossbar after the Sounders failed to clear a 21st minute corner. Bouna Condoul had to be in good form in goal to keep Seattle at bay.

If you want to keep tabs on the early running in Major League Soccer 2010, you can peruse the Eastern and Western Conference standings here. All the action from week two is available here, with a bit of digging around.

Football Americana Week 1: Seattle win prevents Philly flyer

Worry ye not, Major League Soccer fans, for the soccerball has returned for season numero 15 and there's not a work stoppage in sight. Opening weekend didn't disappoint - unless you're me, which you're not (unless you are) - and there were some cracking goals scored, some excellent debuts and several statements of intent. I'm looking at you, Salt Lake. Here's what happened during week one.

"Smash the Union" read the Seattle Sounders supporters' tifo on Thursday night at Qwest Field, and they got their wish. Debut club Philadelphia Union found themselves 2-0 down by half time.

Brad Evans slotted home neatly in the 11th minute after neat play between Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani, and the Colombian youngster doubled Seattle's lead just before half time with a stooping header from a set piece. Four minutes earlier, he'd been lying helpless on the ground after the second bookable challenge by Toni Stahl. Piotr Nowak, Philly's coach, spoke out in the aftermath against Seattle's histrionics - in truth, the Sounders were comfortable enough to do without them.

On Friday, Chivas USA hosted Colorado Rapids but could not make the most of home advantage. Chivas had their chances but were unable to beat the magnificently bearded Matt Pickens, and Omar Cummings curled in the winner ten minutes after half time. He benefited from a fortunate ricochet but finished brilliantly.

Preki's Toronto FC faced a tough trip to Columbus Crew on opening day and it was the Crew who got off to the perfect start. Guillermo Barros Schelotto set up English defender Andy Iro to head them into the lead and Schelotto made it two to secure three points against a dangerous looking TFC side.

In Texas it was Houston Dynamo who drew first blood on the Lonestar State derby against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park. An even first half hour was goalless but Mike Chabala gave the Dynamo the lead with a neat finish from the edge of the penalty area with ten minutes to go before half time. But the lead didn't last long, and Atiba Harris swept inside the full back before unleashing a wonderful shot past Pat Onstad to level the game.

FCD had a goal correctly disallowed just after the hour mark and it was the beginning of a string of opportunities for Jeff Cunningham, but his radar was just slightly off-kilter. Neither side was satisfied with the draw and both attacked with intent but no real success. 1-1 at full time, and bad news afterwards for FCD's Kyle Davies, who was confirmed to have broken his arm and dislocated his elbow during the game.

With the Union's first game out of the way, much of the weekend buzz was around the first league game at the fantastic Red Bull Arena. New York Red Bulls came out on top against Chicago Fire thanks to a blistering volley by Joel Lindpere. The Fire created chances of their own but were foiled by the woodwork.

CommunityAmerica Ballpark's five-a-side pitch is now in numbered days in MLS and played host to Kansas City Wizards versus DC United. The Wizards took just 8 minutes to break the deadlock. Londoner Ryan Smith drew two early saves from Troy Perkins, who could only parry the second for an unmarked Kei Kamara to tap it home. The wet conditions certainly didn't help his handling.

Smith was again the key in the 35th minute, controlling a long ball and laying it off to Davy Arnaud who drilled the ball past Perkins for 2-0. Smith himself bagged the third, rolling the ball in after it squirmed out of the hands of Perkins from a low cross less than ten minutes into the second half. With 20 minutes left, a Dejan Jakovic handball gave the Wizards a penalty and Jack Jewsbury ensured that a bad result became an embarrassment for DC.

Reigning champions Real Salt Lake got off to a flying start in California. Javier Morales took just 13 minutes to fire a 30-yard thunderbolt past San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Fabian Espindola doubled the lead with a lovely lob from the edge of the area, and with 52 minutes gone the Quakes lost Chris Leitch to a red card for a professional foul. Just to rub salt into the wound, Morales found the net with a world class finish from the free kick to make it 3-0.

In the final game of the weekend, New England Revolution headed for Carson to play LA Galaxy. An early Landon Donovan free kick found Edson Buddle who stood firm under pressure to head home the only goal of the game.

There's not too much to worry about in terms of the league table(s) at this stage, but there were some special goals scored Stateside at the weekend and you can see them all here.

Football Americana's Major League Soccer 2010 Season Preview

It's been an intriguing close-season in the USA and that's more to do with non-playing matters than drafts, trades or coaching changes. USSF settled a fiery dispute between USL-1 and the "returning" NASL, sanctioning a hybrid second division. From SPAOTP Towers it seems inevitable that NASL will become the nation's de facto second division. And then, as they say on da streetz, it's on. Major League Soccer could face a significant challenge in the next ten years.

Not that it's been breezing through its own business even in 2010. The league's collective bargaining agreement with its players, signed in 2004, expired on January 31st before two extensions allowed negotiations to continue and blocked the very real possibility of a lockout. The players returned to work in early February and the pre-season began in enthusiastic fashion. But even into the middle of the month the deal hadn't been thrashed out and the threat of a delayed season loomed large.

But Football Americana is a slave to no labour dispute, and has been working feverishly reading a bit since Real Salt Lake's MLS Cup victory in November in order to bring you its 2010 season preview for Major League Soccer. Play ball! Sorry... that was condescending.

Collective Bargaining Agreement dispute threatens 2010 season

The deadline for CBA renewal passed on 31st January and was extended to 12th February and then again to the final week of the month. From the information leaked into the soccerball community, it was clear that the three main sticking points were the level of the league's salary cap and the negotiations over free agency and guaranteed contracts for players. We talk a lot about player power in Europe, but it's a term which carries less weight in MLS. Players aren't especially well paid and the lack of guaranteed contracts and free agency in the 2004 CBA essentially gave clubs the right to cut players loose at the drop of a hat, or control their registration even after the end of their contracts.

The negotiations entered mediation in the second week of March but no agreement was made and talk of a strike began to dominate the MLS headlines. Having authorised a strike should agreement not be reached by Monday 22nd March, the players finally came to an agreement with the owners last Saturday. The conference call which announced the deal revealed few details, but it's clear that concessions were made by both parties. The new CBA will expire on December 31st 2014 and supporters will be hoping for a speedier resolution on that occasion, but for now it appears that the players will at least have better salaries - some will have guaranteed contracts.

They may also benefit from a re-entry draft, which should prevent out-of-contract players from being controlled by their club even after expiry. It's not freedom of movement, exactly, but it will help players back onto the field more easily.

Talking points

Defending MLS Cup this year, reigning champions Real Salt Lake will have their work cut out. They snuck into the 2009 play-offs with a sub .500 record - the first team to do so - thanks to a late, late goal conceded by DC United on a bizarre final weekend of the regular season. But they suddenly became indestructible, seeing off Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire before triumphing over LA Galaxy in an epic battle of wills in Seattle in November. A repeat of RSL's remarkable success under Jason Kreis in 2009 is impossible to imagine as the new season gets underway, but the beauty of MLS is that whoever gets into the playoffs has a chance. RSL grabbed it with both hands.

It won't be quite so easy to get to those playoffs in 2010. Whereas 2009 saw eight out of 15 teams progress to the post-season, half of a league of 16 will fail to do so in 2010. The expansion club this year is Philadelphia Union, a franchise established with no little help from a supporters' group which existed even without a team. Experienced MLS coach Peter Nowak's off-season business for the Union, most notably in the expansion draft, has been wily rather than spectacular.

Stefani Miglioranzi (LA Galaxy), Alejandro Moreno (Columbus Crew) and Sebastian Le Toux (Seattle Sounders) are particularly astute signings, while the likes of Andrew Jacobson (DC United) and Shea Salinas (San Jose Earthquakes) have their best years ahead of them but plenty to prove. It should be a hungry squad, and if the 2010 rookie class is anything like as good as 2009's, Nowak will benefit - he picked up the highly-rated Oregon State University prospect Danny Mwanga with the overall first pick in the 2010 Superdraft. It's highly unlikely that Philly will have anything like the impact made by Seattle last year, but if they have a great first season they might well trouble the playoff positions.

Many of the existing clubs will be looking for a significant change in fortunes in 2010, none more than New York Red Bulls. They were abject in 2009, but 2010 should be a new start. The purpose-built Red Bull Arena opened last week and looks like a fantastic facility (and that's from a DC United fan, so it's difficult to congratulate them), and new coach Hans Backe will be looking to install a more positive atmosphere in Juan Carlos Osorio's absence. The only way is up for RBNY, so any kind of playoff challenge into late August or early September would probably be sufficient.

Of course, there will be downward mobility too. LA Galaxy will be without the injured David Beckham but Landon Donovan will remain at the club because of Everton's relatively meagre finances. More at risk of a hefty fall are Houston Dynamo. Although they're a solid team with a fantastic coach and a reliable game plan, their heart has been torn out. Eintracht Frankfurt's Ricardo Clark and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden are international quality midfielders and really made the Dynamo side tick.

Any team in MLS would find replacing them difficult. Having said that, Dominic Kinnear is no slouch and is more than capable of revitalising his midfield. Keep an eye on Geoff Cameron, who might be important there this season.

First Kick Fixtures

With the CBA sealed, we've got an exciting week of fixtures ahead of us. The league's two newest clubs kick off the season on Thursday, with Philly visiting Seattle for a noisy baptism into Major League Soccer. Colorado Rapids head to LA to face Chivas USA on Friday, before the action really gets underway on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Red Bull Arena debuts as the Red Bulls host Chicago Fire, while FC Dallas are at home to neighbours Houston Dynamo. Elsewhere, Toronto FC visit Columbus Crew, Kansas City Wizards are at home against DC United, the champions Real Salt Lake travel to San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy play New England Revolution at the Home Depot Center.

Predictions for 2010

I've made one or two bold predictions in this preview but I've decided to refrain from making a ridiculously ambitious prediction about the winners of MLS Cup 2010. I'll only end up with egg on my face when my pick fails to finish in the top half. My one wager is one of blind faith and misplaced optimism: I think DC United will make the playoffs.

But for now, what we really want is your 2010 MLS predictions... go.

Football Americana: Glory for Real Salt Lake

Ladies, lords and gentleman, it's time for the last Football Americana of 2009. Thanks to the Collective Bargaining Agreement dispute and the return of the NASL name (now attached to a USL breakaway league which could begin life next year) we're sure to have a fun-filled off-season, but for now the action on the field of play is over - and it ended in suitably dramatic fashion.

Emerging victorious from Sunday evening's showpiece MLS Cup Final game at Seattle's Qwest Field were not, as so many of us predicted, LA Galaxy, but Real Salt Lake. Jason Kreis and his team went down in league history, Kreis as the youngest ever coach to win Major League Soccer and RSL as the first team to win the title after posting a sub-.500 regular season record. We also, sadly, saw the first ever goalkeeper substituted in the Final, as LA Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts was unable to continue after injuring his hand.

And it was substitutions that gave the game much of its drama within the regulation 90 minutes. LA started David Beckham despite a foot injury which kept him out of training until Friday, but he made it through 120 minutes with a little help from painkilling injections. Not so lucky was RSL's Javier Morales, who left the field in tears after a "robust" first half foul by the man they call D-Bec ended his participation in the evening. Kreis had to make another unplanned substitution at half time, Will Johnson suffering with illness having recovered from food poisoning in time to start the match.

The Galaxy took the lead just before half time. Salt Lake's football was neat and tidy but very predictable, while LA's urgency was inefficient but finally paid off with the opening goal. Beckham played a through ball to Landon Donovan in the channel and he picked out Mike Magee with an irresistable cross to the far post. Magee kept his knee over the ball and controlled his finish into the bottom corner to give Bruce Arena's side a half time lead, and it was just about deserved. For all RSL's good quality play, they'd created next to nothing.

Robbie Findley was Salt Lake's hero in the second half. After he and Yura Movsisyan had created havoc in the Galaxy penalty area, the ball fell handily at his feet and he easily stroked home past the injured Ricketts, who was replaced by Josh Saunders after the goal. Saunders did well, keeping RSL at bay throughout the rest of the game despite appearing to be playing in pyjamas. LA had their chances to win it too, but the sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of play and after the draining experience of extra time, MLS Cup 2009 went to penalty kicks.

And from the spot, Real Salt Lake triumphed. Beckham kicked it all off with a goal but misses by Jovan Kirovski and Donovan (LA) and Kyle Beckerman and Andy Williams (RSL) saw the shoot out go into sudden death at 3-3. Chris Klein and Chris Wingert took it to 4-4 before LA's Edson Buddle had his kick saved by MLS Cup MVP 2009 Nick Rimando, whose heroics were set in stone by Robbie Russell, who stepped up to score the winner and trigger the team sprint from the half way line which must be one of the best feelings in football.

So, too, must be lifting the cup after winning the title - just ask Beckerman. Congratulations to Real Salt Lake, MLS Cup Winners 2009. Football Americana will be back in 2010, unless something happens that's so dramatic it either pops in during the off-season or isn't necessary at all. See you next year.

...and our thanks go to Chris Nee for reporting on MLS matters for Some People Are On The Pitch since June of this year. To read more of Chris' great football writing, visit TwoFootedTackle.com.

Football Americana: Galaxy and RSL reach MLS Cup Final

Major League Soccer is now just one game away from the end of the season, and this weekend the two conference Finals were played to determine the two MLS Cup finalists. The two matches were devoid of goals over 90 minutes, and while the Western winners managed to conjure up a couple in extra time, a team from the West took it all the way to penalties in the Eastern final. Intrigue and excitement abounded, but tension ruled the roost.

On Friday night, Houston Dynamo travelled to Home Depot Center amid a whirlwind of expectation. But it was LA Galaxy who marched on, giving David Beckham his first appearance in MLS Cup Final. But it wasn't smooth sailing - the Dynamo again took their opponents to extra time, but this time the result went against them.

At the end of the 18th minute...well, I'd like to say something happened but it was difficult to see because the floodlights went out. But they weren't out for long and...oh, they went out again in the 51st minute with Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts clutching his head after a clash with Brian Ching.

With the ball in play, both teams created chances but few were clear cut. Ricketts made some excellent saves when the Dynamo did carve out something meaningful, but in the 80th minute he could do nothing as Andrew Hainault found the net. The goal was disallowed for a foul by Ching but the decision will be subject to much discussion this week.

And so it went to extra time, and just before half time David Beckham floated in a long free kick and Gregg Berhalter tapped in after the knockdown to put LA one up. And just after half time Ricardo Clark tripped Alan Gordon in the penalty area and Landon Donovan confidently fired in the penalty to become the all-time leading playoff goalscorer and win the Western Conference title for the Galaxy.

Toyota Park hosted the Eastern final on Saturday evening, where the visitors were Real Salt Lake. Salt Lake snuck into the playoffs on the final day and then upset Columbus Crew to set up Saturday's tie against Chicago Fire. Robbie Findley and Yura Movsisyan carved out the first clear chance of the night for RSL but Jon Busch was equal to it, and Chicago could only hit the crossbar in reply.

Busch and his counterpart Nick Rimando had to be on solid form to keep their sheets clean but in truth had few top classes saves to make. The game grew frantic in the second half but, like Friday's match, was destined to reach 90 minutes without a goal. Chicago's shooting was very poor, and they fired chance after chance wide of goal.

As the flares were lit in the stands, extra time began. Salt Lake hung on for their lives as the Fire went in search of the winner and earned a penalty shoot out.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco took the first, running up from fully 25 yards and blasting in off the bar to give the Fire an early advantage. Javier Morales of RSL was the first to miss but it was a false dawn for Chicago as John Thorrington's kick was saved by Rimando and Logan Pause suffered the same fate. Fabian Espindola missed the chance to win it for RSL, but when Brandon Prideaux's spot kick drew Rimando's third save, it fell to Ned Grabavoy to fire home and he did - just. A stronger hand from Busch would have kept the ball out. On penalties, Real Salt Lake win 5-4.

So next weekend's MLS Cup Final will take place between LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake at Seattle's Qwest Field. Five months ago, few would have predicted the Galaxy would make it. Two weeks ago, the same could be said of RSL. Congratulations to both on their big conference wins, and next Sunday should be a great final. Will it be Landon Donovan or Kyle Beckerman lifting the trophy?

Football Americana: Conference semi-finals, second leg

The second batch of Major League Soccer playoff games saw some tense football, great goals and short tempers. At the end of it, four teams progressed to the two conference finals. But did David Beckham and Cuauhtemoc Blanco make it?

On the 5th November, the King was dead. Columbus Crew were behind 1-0 on aggregate against Real Salt Lake and, despite quickly setting about overturning the deficit, the champions were ejected from the playoffs at the first hurdle.

By the 35th minute, a double from Guillermo Barros Schelotto had turned the series on its head. The first came from a 50-yard free kick which bounced in at the far post, the second from a much crisper strike into the bottom corner.

From there on in, it was all RSL. Javier Morales poked in the aggregate equaliser just a minute after Schelotto's second and Robbie Findley's spot kick levelled matters on the night in first half stoppage time. Andy Williams gave Schelotto a taste of his own medicine, firing in a low cross which found the net to put the game beyond the Crew with quarter of an hour remaining. Real Salt Lake advance.

New England Revolution took a 2-1 advantage to Toyota Park where they faced Chicago Fire on Saturday. Edgaras Jankauskas hit the crossbar for the Revs but it was Chicago's John Thorrington who opening the scoring in the 34th minute, finishing neatly after Marco Pappa's pull-back.

The Fire really took the game to New England and got a deserved winner with a little over five minutes remaining. Almost inevitably, it was Cuauhtemoc Blanco who secured himself at least another MLS game before his return to Veracruz. Having hit the crossbar minutes earlier, Blanco kept his composure in the area and found the top corner to send the Fire into the Eastern final.

Referee Alex Bruce courted controversy with 20 minutes remaining, failing to punish Revolution sub Mauricio Castro after he appeared to blast the ball into the crowd having been asked to leave the field to deal with a cut. Chicago Fire advance.

The tension was apparent at Robertson Stadium on Sunday, where Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders reached the 180-minute mark without a goal between them.

But it didn't take long once extra time had begun. Mike Chabala had been running up and down the left flank all day and it paid off when Brian Mullan kept his deep cross alive at the back post, allowing Brian Ching to crack in a brilliant volley.

James Riley of the Sounders was red carded in the last minute for a dangerous tackle but in truth Seattle had not looked like scoring the crucial equaliser regardless. Houston Dynamo advance.

After witnessing the circus-like defending in the first leg, supporters will have been forgiven for expecting a goalfest in the Superclasico at Home Depot Center. But one goal was enough to see LA Galaxy safely through to the Western Final and send Chivas USA crashing out.

The nervy defending still revealed itself on occasion, but thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping from both Zach Thornton and Donovan Ricketts it was a penalty which won the game for LA.

Mike Magee was fouled after a quick move featuring breathtaking passes from David Beckham and Landon Donovan, and it was Donovan who stepped up, gave mindgame-playing goalkeeper Thornton the eyes and won it from the spot. The end of the match was marred by an ugly confrontation which appeared to be sparked when Chivas coach Preki headed towards Dema Kovalenko at the final whistle. LA Galaxy advance.

So the conference Finals are set, and in the West we have a right old humdinger. On Friday, Houston Dynamo travel to Carson to face LA Galaxy at Home Depot Center. And in the East, Chicago Fire host Western side Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

The two finals will be played over one leg only, and the winners will play for MLS Cup on November 22nd in Seattle. My money remains on the Galaxy.

For more great writing by Chris Nee, visit TwoFootedTackle.com.

Football Americana: Conference semi-finals, first leg

The regular season is over and the playoffs are the order of the day in Major League Soccer. Surprise qualifiers Real Salt Lake made themselves known in the first leg of their tie with Supporters Shield winners Columbus Crew, while all four conference semi-finals were even matches with little to separate the sides. Excitement was not in short supply.

The 2009 post-season got underway at Qwest Field, where expansion club Seattle Sounders could only secure a goalless draw with Houston Dynamo. Houston had some great early chances but had Brian Mullan to thank for clearing off his own line in the 14th minute. Shortly afterwards, Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad chest-barged Fredy Montero and the Colombian went to ground in embarrassing fashion. Both were cautioned for their efforts.

Montero's better side emerged in the second half and he created some space for himself on the hour only to fire wide. The stars of the evening were the goalkeepers, Onstad and Kasey Keller, who kept the ball out with the exception of Nate Jaqua's disallowed goal in the 77th minute. Onstad had stopped after hearing a whistle, but the advantage should certainly have been played.

Only a late goal could separate the teams at Rio Tinto, Real Salt Lake gaining the edge over Columbus Crew. The Crew created lots of chances but most were struck right down the throat of RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, and Robbie Findley's sliding finish made them pay.

Gritty New England Revolution looked in trouble at Gillette Stadium against Chicago Fire. Chris Rolfe pounced on an error by Matt Reis to put the Fire in front in the 17th minute, but the Revs came from behind to win 2-1. Emmanuel Osei flicked in a header to equalise in first half stoppage time and the talismanic Shalrie Joseph got the winner 15 minutes from the end, prodding in to end a goalmouth scramble. Both teams hit the woodwork but New England take a slight advantage into the second leg.

The most promising game of the weekend delivered the goods, providing four goals in the Carson superclasico. Chivas USA opened the scoring far too easily in the fourth minute, Maicon Santos finding the corner past a flailing Donovan Ricketts. Mike Magee equalised for LA Galaxy ten minutes later, again beating the goalkeeper too easily after pouncing on terrible defending. Landon Donovan put the Galaxy in front thanks to hilariously shambolic defending by Chivas, but Chivas got the all-important leveller. Maykel Galindo raced onto a stray backpass to secure parity for Chivas.

At the halway point, it's advantage Houston, RSL and New England, but only very slightly. Each game remains in the balance and the second legs should be absolute crackers. I think Houston will have a little too much nous for Seattle but I think RSL might cause Columbus some problems. New England will fancy their chances at Toyota Park and I think LA Galaxy have a superb opportunity to win the MLS Cup. They will beat Chivas if they're on their game, but it won't be easy.