MLS Round-up: Red Bulls break their bad streak, as Toronto FC continue to impress

Follow Kristan Heneage on Twitter: @Kheneage

Lift off! BWP & the Red Bulls find success after difficult run of form
After 3 minutes at Red Bull Arena that sinking feeling returned to the home support. Orlando City’s Cyle Larin had scored, and the hosts were down a goal again.

At least able to name a back line containing four defenders, the Red Bulls have mystified statisticians with their run this season that had seen just one win prior to Sunday night’s game. Every piece of conventional wisdom suggested the team should be scoring more goals and finding more success, but they simply haven’t.

Typified by individual struggles of Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sunday saw the spotlight on him once more. The former Man City youngster had failed to find the net this season, and the pressure of expectation was starting to weigh heavy. The 31-year-old had previously stated he would not change the way he played during his drought, a statement of self confidence if nothing else.

Then in the 69th minute, with the scores tied at 1-1, the Red Bulls’ number 99 poked home a Mike Grella chip that already looked destined for the goal, “He owes me dinner or something like that,” Grella joked afterwards. “I’ll go over there and bargain something with him, but I’m so pleased for him. I was just putting it in to the back post for someone to put in, and it gave us the 2-1 lead so I’m pleased for him.”

A little while later the forward had his second, a trademark poachers finish in the penalty box. From the first goal to the third, it was clear to see the hosts grow in confidence. A nervy performance was overtaken by a group that looked worthy of the Supporters’ Shield they collected last season. Forced to endure a tense finish after conceding an own goal, they eventually secured a 3-2 win to end their poor run.

An important win for the Red Bulls, it must now serve as the spring board to the future. With the New York derby slowly creeping around the corner the time to build form is now, even if the old cliche suggests it will only go out the window.

Toronto FC are the most exciting team in Canada right now

Sebastian Giovinco did not come to MLS to be a poster boy, even if he is rapidly becoming one, “I don’t really care if I’m the face or the image of MLS or not,” he told the Guardian this week.

Notching his fifth and sixth goals of the season in a 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact, the Italian is now tied with Dwayne De Rosario in TFC’s all time goal-scorers list. An impressive feat on its own, it is worth noting the Italian has not only done it in 36 fewer games, but also helped the club to participate in the playoffs for the first time in their history.

However, while Giovinco’s name adorned the score-sheet, it was the supporting cast that made the difference for TFC over Montreal. A game that was won in the heart of midfield, Michael Bradley and Will Johnson dominated the ball and connected with a combined 100 out of 111 passes (90%).

Equally as impressive on a defensive end, the duo produced 18 recoveries 9 tackles, and 8 interceptions. Consequently disrupting the passing lanes of Montreal, it stopped the likes of Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti from influencing things in the final third. Piatti in particular endured a tough afternoon, failing to register either a key pass or a shot on target during his 90 minutes on the field.

A disappointing way for Montreal to lose top spot in the Eastern Conference, they will not feel they were hard done by. Toronto were not just defensively sound, but also incredibly hard working. Their industry was typified by Jozy Altidore, with the former AZ man running hard for his team, and winning the penalty which Giovinco converted.

Overall a performance that was as much about work ethic as it was individual brilliance, Toronto are looking a more cohesive team with each passing week. Although that shouldn’t just scare their rivals in Canada, but also the Eastern Conference.

Vancouver end their goalless run with an emphatic win

The Vancouver Whitecaps surprised league leaders FC Dallas to end their own run of three scoreless games. Forced to wait a total of 337 minutes for the breakthrough, it arrived through an own goal by Dallas’ defender Maynor Figueroa.

Somewhat against the run of play, it took some inspired goalkeeping from David Ousted to maintain Vancouver’s clean-sheet, with the Dane denying Max Urruti from distance. Equally as impressive in the second period, Ousted then produced a great reaction save to give his side a much needed confidence boost.

Now growing into the match, the Whitecaps eventually doubled their lead through Jordan Harvey. Adding a third via the dangerous Kekutah Manneh, it surprisingly represented the Whitecaps first goal from open play this season.

Underlying their problems in front of goal, the continued struggles of Octavio Rivero will be of concern. Still a vital win for Carl Robinson, earned in part due to some poor finishing from Dallas, it could represent the start of a turnaround.

The Whitecaps now have four home games in their next five, and with a confidence boosting win in their locker, the fine margins that have seen the team struggle this year could now start to go in their favour, and not a moment too soon.

Galaxy silence critics with emphatic win over RSL
The 400th MLS game of Nick Rimando’s career will not be one he re-watches anytime soon, despite starting well. The veteran goalkeeper denied Steven Gerrard from the penalty spot to enhance his own legend from 12 yards out (he currently has stopped 18 of the 45 penalties he has faced in MLS).

Arriving just before RSL took the lead through Juan Manuel Martinez, the Galaxy used the deficit to spark into life, just as they had the previous week against the Houston Dynamo. Going one better than they did in Texas, Giovanni Dos Santos again showed his class in front of goal with a delightful chip over Rimando that sparked memories of his finish in the 2011 Gold Cup.

However, arguably more impressive was the performance of Emmanuel Boateng. The Ghanian arrived quietly in the off-season and notched his first goal and assist of the campaign on Saturday. A fast and dangerous outlet, it wasn’t just Boateng that silenced his critics though.

Many have questioned if the club had gone too far in selling key pieces like Omar Gonzalez and Juninho. A tough start to the season, (including a poor showing in the Champions League) had many questioning Bruce Arena’s methods.

Requiring a period of transition, LA now look like the team that can add to their 5 MLS Cups. Finishing off the day with a smart goal from Steven Gerrard, the Galaxy are proving they should never be counted out when it comes to MLS, even when times look tough.

Luciano Acosta may prove to be the best super sub in MLS this season

D.C. United may have been without their manager on Saturday, but it did not stop them finding success over the New England Revolution.

A match which saw coach Ben Olsen serve a one-game suspension for entering the field to retrieve a loose ball against Toronto, he was forced to nervously watch from the stands as his team took on the Revs.

However his men did not let him down, and managed to produce just their second win of the season. Snatching the lead via a Lamar Neagle from penalty, the game had been somewhat quiet prior to the opener.

Things then kicked into high gear when Luciano Acosta entered the field in the second half. The diminutive Argentine arrived on loan from Boca Juniors in the off-season, and was tasked with adding a creative spark to the team’s attack.

Small, fast, and tricky, Acosta has already shown flickers of his ability, but Saturday saw him conjure a moment of brilliance to double D.C.’s lead. Collecting the ball inside the Revs half, Acosta then lofted a delightful chip over Bobby Shuttleworth, much to the surprise of his teammates.

Adding a third through Alvaro Saborio, the Costa Rican is beginning to forget a solid partnership with Acosta, and add a dynamic edge to the United attack. The kind of result the home side, Acosta’s performance raises questions over how he fits into this side though.

Cementing his role as an impact sub with each impressive cameo, he is unlikely to relish the role long-term. Olsen has preached patience when asked in public, but that may prove impossible for Acosta if he continues to produce such moments of magic.

Results - Week 8

Saturday

Montreal Impact 0-2 Toronto FC

Philadelphia 2-0 New York City FC

D.C. United 3-0 New England Revolution

Columbus Crew SC 1-0 Houston Dynamo

Colorado Rapids 3-1 Seattle Sounders

Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 FC Dallas

LA Galaxy 5-2 Real Salt Lake

Sunday

San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Sporting KC

New York Red Bulls 3-2 Orlando City