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MLS Round-up: Brilliant BWP, Kamara replaces Kamara, and Lampard continues to struggle

MLS Round-up: Brilliant BWP, Kamara replaces Kamara, and Lampard continues to struggle

BWP makes up for lost time with first half hat-trick against Toronto FC
Bradley Wright-Phillips waited 653 minutes for his first goal of the 2016 Major League Soccer season. On Saturday night it took him just 27 minutes to score three times, meaning he could have netted 24 hat-tricks in the time it took him to find his first of the campaign.

The fastest hat-trick in MLS history, it was a fantastic achievement that highlighted why BWP has been such a sensation in MLS. A traditional poacher that can score from a variety of positions, he has proven a shrewd piece of business by the club. However, the former Manchester City youngster was quick to acknowledge the work of his teammates after the 3-0 victory over Toronto, “I feel like it’s the midfield,” he told the club’s official website. “It starts with the three in the midfield they’re unbelievable these last few games. When they’re good, we’re good.”

The forward’s evaluation of his team is correct. One of the standout elements of the Red Bulls last season was their balance in midfield. The running and defensive work of Dax McCarty and Felipe was often complimented by the beauty of Sacha Kljestan’s play-making. The former Anderlecht midfielder currently sits top of the league for assists this season with 10. Perhaps more impressively, Kljestan has produced more game winning assists than any other midfielder in MLS this season.

However, the Red Bulls have never been about individuals. Although the names of Kljestan and BWP may adorn the headlines, this Red Bulls’ success is founded on togetherness. An aspect of the team that was rocked following their slow start to the campaign, it seems to have been galvanised by those struggles.

Typified by last week’s win over rivals New York City FC, the confidence and verve is back with Jesse Marsch’s side. A win dampened slightly by the dismissal of Gonzalo Veron, it should not derail the Red Bulls. A team that has had to be patient for success this season, they are giving validation to the idea the club, (and Ali Curtis) have a detailed and organised plan of action.

Kamara’s replacement breaks his duck in style
The Kamara is dead, long live the Kamara. Kei has departed Columbus, but Ola has now taken up residence, with the 26-year-old forward temporarily silencing anyone who doubted he could fill the boots of his departed namesake.

A first ever hat-trick for a Norwegian in MLS, it was somewhat ironic that one of his first major acts was to produce something his predecessor narrowly failed to do. As if only serving to further drive the knife in, Kamara’s hat-trick goal was assisted by the man Kei’s penalty fight began with: Federico Higuain.

“It was a weight off my shoulders,” Kamara said afterwards. “I felt really good before the game, like I was going to score. I got the hat trick and that’s unbelievable.”

‘Unbelievable’ is a good way to describe the game in general. Lightning in the area forced the match to be delayed by over 90 minutes, which seemed to hamper Crew SC early on. Falling behind to a smart strike by Luke Mulholland, they then scored 4 unanswered goals. However, unlike the last time the Crew SC scored 4 goals, RSL could not mount a brilliant comeback.

Forced instead to settle for a 4-3 defeat, they would have earned a point but for a brilliant penalty stop by Steve Clark in injury time. Allowing the home fans to breathe easy, the win was overtaken by the performance of Kamara. The striker not only found the net but linked well with his teammates, which was often an issue for the Sierra Leone international.

Consequently, the result gave some weight to the idea that trading Kei to the New England Revolution was not a terrible idea. A talented forward, his fit with the team was clearly not as smooth as it could be. The penalty eruption was a breaking point, and while on the surface the team were trading away a striker with a 1 in 2 record this season, it is clear that they did so for a reason. A player that will always be appreciated in Columbus, it would seem that he is not yet being missed.

Didier Drogba continues to decide games for Montreal
As Brian Rowe and Evan Bush departed the field on Saturday, they will likely have shared a joke about the perils of being a goalkeeper. Neither man covered themselves in glory, with first Bush and then Rowe producing a goalkeeping howler.

For Bush, the issue was a lack of communication with Maxim Tissot. The defender heard Bush’s call and ducked out of a header, only for it to bounce off his back and fall neatly into the path of Giovani Dos Santos - 1-0 Galaxy.

Fast forward to the 94th minute, with the score tied at 2-2, Rowe was tasked with saving a routine Didier Drogba free-kick. Dipping fast, what appeared an easy catch mercilessly slipped through his gloves and into the goal, “From that distance there’s no way that a direct shot should find it’s way into the back of the net, and there’s nothing you can do about that,” Cobi Jones said on commentary. “That’s all the goalkeeper’s fault.”

The former Galaxy favourite was right, although Rowe already knew that. With the full-time whistle sounding seconds later, it was a crushing moment for the visitors, but a relief filled one for the hosts. Ending Montreal’s winless run of six games, it also snapped the Galaxy’s streak of 9 games without defeat - stretching back to mid-March.

“This was an important win,” head coach Mauro Biello said afterwards. “We went through a lot of emotions during that game, but in the end, we’re relieved. We didn’t start well, but we calmed down, and we started creating chances. It was a close game, but Didier scored a great goal.”

Although it’s questionable whether Drogba did score a ‘great’ goal, what cannot be debated is his influence. The Ivorian was sensational last season, and helped elevate the Impact into the play-off positions. Netting 4 game winning goals in 11 games, that was only three behind the league’s leaders, all of whom played over 30 games.

Many questioned whether he could maintain that stellar form in 2016, and the early signs are suggesting he can. Drogba now has 5 goals in 6 starts, with his physical play the perfect compliment to the likes of Dominic Oduro and Lucas Ontivero. A dangerous prospect on their day, Montreal have the ability to turn a game in an instant, and they can thank their veteran forward for that.

NYCFC fail to bury the ghosts of derby day defeat
The message from the New York City FC fans was clear for all to see, “No excuses. Fall down, get up again,” read a large banner in the stadium, referencing the 7-0 humiliation to rivals New York Red Bulls last weekend.

For 92 minutes, it seemed that message had been understood. Two goals up after 66 minutes, their second was a beautiful combination between Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, with the latter delicately lobbing the ball over Joe Bendik. However, as has so often been the case for NYCFC this season they simply could not hold onto a lead. Conceding 6 minutes after Villa’s goal, the Spaniard then missed a penalty to further set doubt amongst the home supporters.

Instigating a nervous tension around Yankee Stadium, their fears were confirmed in stoppage time when Kevin Molino headed home. The fact Frank Lampard was also booed when introduced during the second half only further compounded what has been a mentally draining week for the team, “Criticism [from fans and media] is part of our job,” Patrick Vieira said afterwards. “What we really need… is to be a little bit more ruthless in the 18 yard box on the offensive and defensive side.”

Humbled by their fiercest rivals, the Orlando game was a chance to restore some credibility amongst the team. Instead it has further highlighted their defensive issues and lack of harmony as a group. A team that looked at rock bottom last week after they trudged off the field, Vieira promised a better performance this week against Orlando, a feat they somewhat achieved by not being beaten by 7 goals.

Results Game Week 12

Friday
Sporting KC 0-1 D.C. United

Saturday
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Houston Dynamo
New York Red Bulls 3-0 Toronto FC
New England Revolution 2-1 Seattle Sounders
Columbus Crew SC 4-3 Real Salt Lake
Montreal Impact 3-2 LA Galaxy
Chicago Fire 1-1 Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids 1-1 Philadelphia Union
San jose Earthquakes 0-0 FC Dallas

Sunday
New York City FC 2-2 Orlando City