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MLS Round-up: No Drogba, no problem for Montreal, as Giovinco helps Toronto to make history

MLS Round-up: No Drogba, no problem for Montreal, as Giovinco helps Toronto to make history

Emmanuel Boateng on form as Real Salt Lake reach the end of an era.

As one career begins, another turns towards an end. Emmanuel Boateng still has the autograph Landon Donovan gave him in 2012. “To Ema, look forward to playing with you soon!” Donovan wrote.

Fast forward four years, and the pair were reunited after Donovan emerged from retirement to give LA Galaxy a veteran presence. On Wednesday his biggest asset was his defensive output and tracking back, meanwhile Boateng was the man running Real Salt Lake ragged. Completing more dribbles than any other player on the pitch, two of his three successful take ons resulted in Galaxy goals.

Shifted from left wing to right wing midway through the first half, he tormented Demar Phillips with his aggressive, incisive running. That in turn added another layer to an already devastating LA Galaxy attack. Credit to RSL, they did rally. A penalty from Joao Plata represented a brief fight-back, but ultimately there are questions being raised about many of the team’s key players.

Coach Jeff Cassar looks far from guaranteed to return, while veterans like Nick Rimando, Javier Morales, and Kyle Beckerman are all starting to show signs of age. Totalling a combined age of 107, it would be a major surprise if all three are protected during the upcoming Expansion Draft with Atlanta and Minnesota United.

All told, it pushes RSL into a position of overhaul. The success of 2010 is now firmly in the rearview mirror, and while there may be optimism surrounding the permanent signing of Yura Movsisyan, even his performance has not been up to expectation.

The same of course cannot be said for the Galaxy. Easing themselves into the next round of the playoffs, they represent a frightening prospect to their rivals in the Western Conference. Scoring with every shot on target, they do still hold frailties. Susceptible to the counter-attack, it is something that coach Bruce Arena will have to guard against in the coming weeks. Assuming they can negate that though, the LA Galaxy look a strong shout to win their race to six MLS Cups.

Toronto FC see rich reward for their long playoff wait

The Toronto Sun said it best. “At last,” read the headline. The Reds had waited a long time to host an MLS playoff game – 11 years to be exactly – and when it finally arrived they were richly rewarded.

Taking an early lead through Sebastian Giovinco, the team’s talisman helped calm down what seemed a nervy Toronto outfit. This was after all a moment of history, and one that required a player of his calibre. The Italian has contributed to 70 of the 107 goals Toronto have scored since his arrival, and perhaps unsurprisingly he had an influence on their second. Whipping in a corner that was eventually converted by Toronto local Jonathan Osorio, it capped off what has been an impressive few weeks for Osorio.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Union looked shell-shocked. Out worked, out fought, they also lacked production from their Designated Players. Outside of a late consolation goal Alejandro Bedoya was anonymous, and Tranquillo Barnetta ended his MLS career in fairly meek fashion. Conceding a third goal to Jozy Altidore late on, the Union will represent arguably the easiest opposition Toronto will face. Next up is Patrick Vieria’s New York City FC. A far more dangerous proposition, it shouldn’t stop TFC and their fans from enjoying what is a momentous occasion in the club’s history. “It was amazing. It almost feels like soccer was reborn again in Toronto,” Altidore said afterwards.

Montreal Impact blows D.C. United away with classic counter-attacking performance

Even when he isn’t playing Didier Drogba makes headlines. The former Chelsea legend refused to sit on the bench for Montreal’s last game of the regular season, and had reportedly not travelled with the squad to face D.C. United.

That was proven incorrect when a bespectacled Drogba was pictured on the sidelines, and although he cheered his teammates to victory he may not have been delighted with what he saw. Mauro Biello was brave in benching Drogba, but did so in part to facilitate the team’s counter-attacking style. Rewarded after just three minutes when Laurent Ciman converted, things only got better for Montreal there after.

The Canadians remained narrow and compact as a team, choosing to unsettle United by disrupting their flow, rather than outplaying them. Manifesting in the form of numerous small fouls, it stopped Ben Olsen’s playmakers generating a rhythm, and as the home side overstretched Montreal used their pace and ability to launch devastating counters. Blessed with a second just before half-time through Matteo Mancosu, he would add a second later on before also assisting Ignacio Piatti for Montreal’s fourth.

Credit to United, they rallied for two very well-taken consolation goals, but ultimately fell at the first hurdle. Ben Olsen has done little to destroy the idea he is more motivator than tactician, although blame must also go to the players. Key figures such as Patrick Mullins, Steve Birnbaum and Lloyd Sam did not perform, with Mullins well marshalled by Ciman and Victor Cabrera.

Setting up an exciting clash between Montreal and the New York Red Bulls in the next round, there is certainly a chance that the Canadians could cause a shock in the Eastern Conference, and without Drogba’s influence. An outcome that seemed unthinkable a year ago, it is testament to Biello and his sharp management.

Seattle ride their luck to secure a vital win via an unlikely hero

Nelson Valdez had to wait for his first goal in rave green. The Paraguayan had played over 900 minutes, stretched across 24 games, before he saw an attempt at goal end up in the net.

It is unlikely he knew much about the effort that broke his duck. Arriving in the 88th minute, Valdez connected his head to a venomous cross and relief ensued. As the full-time whistle blew the former Borussia Dortmund man fell to his knees, a release of pent up frustration as his teammates swarmed around him.

In stark contrast to his joy was incredulity from Benny Feilhaber. Locked in an aggressive dialogue with the referee, you didn’t need to be pitch side to hear what he was saying. Feilhaber’s issue lay in the decision to call Matt Besler’s 53rd minute header offside, when replays suggested he was in fact onside. Compounding their misery further, there was a case to be made that Valdez was marginally ahead of the Sporting defensive line.

For Seattle fans it reaffirms the belief that this is their year. A pre-game tifo displayed a phoenix rising above the playoff qualification line, and is hard to contest that comparison after a dramatic mid-season turnaround. Founded on effort, energy, and the odd-slice of good fortune, they will now face FC Dallas with a belief they can achieve more.

Meanwhile Sporting can be frustrated. Denied a legal goal, they managed to fashion some solid chances and it is easy to see why Feilhaber was so frustrated. The midfielder may face further punishment, but it will be of little consequence if – as reports claim – he is close to leaving MLS for Europe. A duality of very intense emotions, this is why we love the playoffs, and this is why we love MLS.

Results

Toronto FC 3-1 Philadelphia Union

LA Galaxy 3-1 Real Salt Lake

D.C. United 2-4 Montreal Impact

Seattle Sounders 1-0 Sporting KC