MLS Round-up: Landon back with a bang, as Tim Howard

Jordan Morris keeps Seattle’s playoff hopes alive, for now

When Jordan Morris signed for the Seattle Sounders in January he was instantly placed under the magnifying glass. Seen as the hottest soccer prospect in the United States, his acquisition was supposed to push the Sounders closer towards their first ever MLS Cup.

Fast forward eight months, and Morris is seeing his game dissected with each passing week. Ostensibly viewed as a fast, channel running forward, his glaring weakness remains an unwillingness to use his left foot.

That weakness has not been eradicated this season, however, that hasn’t stopped Morris developing as a forward. Now playing in front of a dedicated playmaker in Nicolas Lodeiro, it has changed the type of opportunities he has to score. On Saturday, his diving header displayed a keen sense of positioning and movement as he evaded Jordan Smith to nod home Lodeiro’s cross. “I told [Morris] before the game that he was going to score a goal,” Lodeiro said afterwards.

Proving to be the only goal of the game, it allowed Seattle to maintain their playoff hopes. The uncertain future of Clint Dempsey due to health concerns leaves Morris as the only fit (and firing) striker on the roster. Such pressure could be destructive to a rookie’s mentality, but Morris is not like most rookies. Saturday saw him record his tenth goal of the season, with half of those being game-winning goals, (a record for a rookie in MLS and tied for the most this season).

The kind of output Seattle expected when they signed Morris, the striker has battled against the early pressure and emerged a better striker. The sort of struggle that can be the making of a player, it is also helping keep Seattle’s playoff hopes alive, for now.

Tim Howard is the latest veteran to show class is permanent

The early season narrative for 2016 involved whether MLS was right to keep targeting aging stars from Europe. Frank Lampard represented the greatest example, with some even deeming the former Chelsea man ‘the worst signing in MLS history’.

It would not have been unfair to consider Tim Howard in a similar way. The veteran goalkeeper enjoyed a sensational World Cup in 2014, earning the nickname ‘The Secretary of Defence’. However, upon returning to Everton things changed. Howard was no longer the reliable shot stopper, with most fans blaming the American for the goals the team conceded. Respectful towards a player that had given years of valuable service, they were happy for the player and Everton to part ways at the end of the Premier League season in May.

Subsequently joining the Colorado Rapids, there was uncertainty as to whether Howard was simply in bad form or on the decline. Now in his second spell with MLS, the veteran goalkeeper has kept six clean sheets in eleven games. That remains the best clean sheet percentage among goalkeepers with a minimum of five league starts.

If there was any doubt over Howard’s contribution, then they just need look at Saturday’s performance against the San Jose Earthquakes. Producing a handful of fine saves, his best came late in the first half. Denying Simon Dawkins from close range with his feet, it was the kind of clutch moment the Rapids bought Howard for.

When Howard signed for the club, VP of soccer operations and technical director Paul Bravo described him as ‘the best player in his position in MLS’. A bold claim at the time, it’s hard to argue with that as each week passes and Howard produces another fine showing.

Landon Donovan silences any critics with cameo against Sporting KC

Ten days ago, Landon Donovan was retired. Then a former US International and LA Galaxy legend, it appeared that Donovan had hung up for his boots for good after retiring in late 2014.

His return was as much a shock as it was a pleasant surprise. Donovan had undergone a brief sabbatical during his career, and a transition to retirement seemed easier for someone that had dedicated so much of his life to the game. Then, after 21 months away, Donovan returned. Beginning with a short appearance against Orlando City, it continued on Sunday against Sporting KC.

“I only look at it from a competitive perspective. It’s another piece for them, which makes them even more dangerous to play against,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said midweek.

The former Everton and Bayern Munich forward was the league’s all-time leading goal-scorer when he rode off into the sunset in 2014. Returning last week for a seven minute substitute appearance, the first goal of his comeback arrived just moments into his second cameo for the Galaxy against Sporting KC on Sunday.

A perfectly executed finish that helped tie the game for the Galaxy, it calmed any concerns about whether Donovan could still perform at the highest level. Upon hearing of the news of Donovan’s return, Sporting defender Kevin Ellis said, “As a soccer fan, I was just really excited.”

A feeling that was likely shared by a number of players across the league. That excitement may turn to fear if they are forced to come up against the Galaxy and Donovan. A second spell that may end after this season, or go on even longer, it seems that Donovan is deciding how his story in professional soccer ends, and rightly so.

Frantic meeting between Dallas and NYCFC bodes well for the playoffs

There was a time when Oscar Pareja’s players would have celebrated a draw against a team near the top of the Eastern Conference.

However, with the team now US Open Cup champions and challenging for the Supporters’ Shield, things have changed. “The mentality for this group has been growing tremendously,” Pareja said. “When I walked inside of the locker room, I saw people upset because they wanted three points after such a great achievement they had during the week. In the middle of the week they had to compete for a final.”

For three quarters of the game, the Dallas game plan worked perfectly. Using high intensity pressure in the first period, they consistently forced NYCFC to turn the ball over in their own half. Moving into the second period, with the scores tied 1-1, they adopted a more counter-attacking approach.

FCD bounced back to take a 2-1 lead before seeing Khiry Shelton come off the substitute’s bench to score the equalizer in the 78th minute. Pareja admitted afterwards that he pleaded with his players to settle for a draw, but their ambitious mentality forced them to try for a third goal.

“It was, for me, difficult for me to stop my players, I have to be honest with you,” Pareja said. “I was asking them just to close the game seven minutes before the end and they wanted more.”
Neither side were able to find the winning goal, despite both squandering good chances late on. Allowing the Supporters’ Shield race to take another twist, Pareja could not help appreciate what a spectacle the two sides had put on for neutrals.

“It was a great night for Major League Soccer,” Pareja said. “I thought we saw two very good teams playing and giving all they have and creating a lot of entertainment for the people with a lot of intensity, desire and passion. I think it’s one step forward for the image we can give to the world.”

Results

Friday

Chicago Fire 2-2 D.C. United

Saturday

Seattle Sounders 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

Portland Timbers 2-1 Philadelphia Union

New York City FC 2-2 FC Dallas

Montreal Impact 1-3 New England Revolution

Orlando City 1-4 Columbus Crew SC

Colorado Rapids 0-0 San Jose Earthquakes

Real Salt Lake 0-1 Houston Dynamo

Sunday

Sporting KC 2-2 LA Galaxy

Toronto FC 3-3 New York Red Bulls