MLS Five Points: FC Dallas executes impeccably to defeat Crew SC
Impeccable plan leads FC Dallas to victory at Columbus
The presence of five Homegrown players in the FC Dallas lineup on Sunday reflected the tattered squad at Oscar Pareja’s disposal during the international break. Pareja responded with a dose of pragmatism and set out his stall accordingly. FCD sat back, soaked up pressure and waited for the opportunity to counter against a Columbus side prone to losing its shape in pursuit of the game. The plan worked like a charm. Atiba Harris’ goal inside the opening half-hour provided a foothold. Crew SC lacked the necessary variation in its approach play without Kei Kamara and the required patience to break down FCD. And Michael Barrios provided the desired outlet on the break to punish Crew SC for a lack of balance. The eventual 3-0 victory justified the plan in place and underscored the enduring threat posed by FCD when given the opportunity to operate in transition.
Drogba exposes basic weaknesses in Chicago defense
Montréal waited for most of the summer for Didier Drogba to make his mark. His natural hat trick -- fueled by his own precision and the intelligence of Ignacio Piatti behind him -- certainly fell into that category. Chicago offered no reasonable solution to Drogba’s direct, robust work up front. Drogba basically did as he pleased. His goals -- including one from a quick set piece and another on a header from six inches -- reflected the Fire’s utter lack of answers. Three goals should prove more than enough to win away from home. The eventual 4-3 defeat left Frank Yallop incredulous in its wake. “I don’t know where to start,” Yallop told reporters. At this point, a hard look at the defense seems like the best spot.
Movement fuels Revolution triumph over Orlando City
When New England hits full flight, opposing teams flounder in their attempts to control the mobile front four and track the movement in the attacking third. Orlando City relied on Tally Hall and a defiant shape for most of the first half before eventually crumbling. The expansion side -- perpetually plagued by pervasive defensive issues over the past couple of months -- eventually succumbed to a flurry of movement from the host of clever attacking weapons. Lee Nguyen claimed the match ball by playing a part in all three goals, but his influence stemmed from a combination of his vision and the darting runs around him. The cadence and the work rate off the ball paved the way to a comfortable 3-0 victory and underscored the enduring threat posed by the Revs when they interchange so quickly.
Dempsey boosts Sounders on Saturday … and Sunday
Seattle spent much of the summer waiting for Clint Dempsey to return to his best. Dempsey finally recovered from a lingering hamstring complaint to deliver in a critical game against Toronto FC on Saturday. The proof arrived on the score sheet: Dempsey prompted Obafemi Martins’ opener and swept home the late winner from a rebound to secure the 2-1 victory. His presence galvanized a Sounders team in need of his goals and his ruthless partnership with Martins to mask issues elsewhere (particularly with set piece defending). Dempsey further bolstered his side on Sunday by remaining with the club instead of joining up with the United States ahead of the friendly against Brazil on Tuesday. Neither club nor country can afford Dempsey to suffer a setback as he works his way back toward full fitness. The decision to spare him the cross-country trip bodes well for all parties if Dempsey can continue to summon the sort of sharpness he showed on Saturday.
San Jose must respond quickly to Union defeat
All of the good work carried out over the past few weeks frittered away from San Jose on Saturday. This home fixture against Philadelphia lurked as a manageable opportunity to increase the congestion in the Western Conference playoff race. The home side eventually squandered the chance to collect maximum points with a 2-1 defeat on Saturday with a lack of crispness across the board. Conor Casey eventually clambered off the bench to punish the Earthquakes for the inability to conjure the same sort of sharpness required to pose a threat. There is a silver lining, at least: The Earthquakes host Seattle -- a team the Earthquakes have owned recently -- at Ayava Stadium with the knowledge that a victory would vault them back into the playoff places.
