New York City make home advantage count
NYCFC aren't supposed to be very good at home. And while the Colorado Rapids aren't very good on the road, either, they at least have the capability to make things tough for any opponent they face. Colorado's surprising turn into one of the league's top teams this season is built on a ground-and-pound mentality that is as much about keeping their sheets clean as it is about getting their key attacking weapons forwards.
So much for making it difficult on the home side: NYCFC had their way with the Rapids on Saturday in the Bronx via a 5-1 decision. Frank Lampard scored three of those goals, continuing an upward trend for one of the most maligned Designated Player signings in recent MLS memory. The win is also a nice comeback effort for the New Yorkers, who were humbled in the heat of the Red Bull Arena against their chief rivals last week. At the same time, it brought an ignominious end to Colorado's 15-game unbeaten streak.
The win was heartening for the home side for a number of reasons. One, it showed that NYCFC can in fact win at home with the right setup. Two, it showed NYCFC can win -- and score big -- without David Villa. The Spanish forward was suspended due to yellow card accumulation but Tony Taylor, Jack Harrison and Tommy McNamara all stepped up in his absence.
Seattle was well on its way to a massive three points and a feeling of rejuvenation after the surprising and painful parting of ways with Sigi Schmid. But whatever it is that 2016 has been for the Sounders, it decided to pop up again. The home team dominated proceedings most of the way against the visiting Galaxy, thanks in part to Seattle debutant Nicolas Lodeiro, who just so happened to arrive in the Pacific Northwest on the same day that Schmid received his walking papers.
LA's equaliser came through Sebastian Lletget, who got a gift of a cross at the back post when Seattle's Brad Evans mistakenly thought his goalkeeper was going to claim the ball. It was just the kind of moment that sums up everything that has gone wrong for the Sounders this season; so much of what has happened defies explanation. For every dud of a game -- like the one in Kansas City that ultimately cost Schmid his job -- the Sounders have also produced good performances only to see the points slip away.
A review of their chances on Sunday shows that Seattle ran into bad luck (or poor placement for those that don't believe in luck) over and over again. For example, if Jordan Morris makes the simple pass to Clint Dempsey on his gilt edge chance in the 70th minute, the win would have been all but in the bag.
So while the Sounders have turned no corners, there is reason for hope in the form of Lodeiro and in the much better showing the team put in this week.
In the first half of their tilt against Portland at Children's Mercy Park, Sporting Kansas City produced very little. Portland's defense shut down Sporting's attack on the road so while the Timbers didn't have much to show for their forays forwards; everything was lining up for the defending MLS Cup champs to grab a big point on the road.
But then Sporting came out of the tunnel at half-time looking like a different team. Suddenly, the attacked clicked in, with a goal from Jacob Peterson putting Sporting ahead, and the home team proceeded to pepper the Timbers goal with a couple of shots. If not for an excellent performance by Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson, the champs might have taken a beating. Instead, KC finished 1-0 winners.
Peterson's performance was more than just his goal, though that seemed like the appropriate place for focus. The midfield man nearly left the game in the first half after taking a nasty knock at midfield. But he persevered and remained in the game, ultimately leading to his goal and a big win for Sporting. The two clubs are hovering around the bottom of the playoff places in the Western Conference, so every game between the two is a six-pointer-type affair.
Which is an important thing to note since they'll be playing against next weekend, this time in Portland.
A word about Nick Rimando, a man who continues to wow us with his insane goal-saving abilities for Real Salt Lake at 37 years old. Rimando came up huge in RSL's 2-1 win in Philadelphia on Sunday with a spectacular double save. Without Rimando in goal, the winless streak Jeff Cassar's team had suffered for a month might have continued.
Here's the reality about Rimando: If he was six inches taller than his listed 5-foot-10 height, he arguably wouldn't have had the long and storied MLS career he's had. Instead, he would have been in Europe, likely starring for a team in a top-five league. Rimando's shot-stopping ability is the marquee talent, but he's also one of the best distributors of the ball from his position. He's fantastic stopping penalties and he obviously has excellent leadership skills.
It's hard to say how much longer Rimando plans to grace us with his abilities on the field, but don't take it for granted. On one hand, it's unfortunate that the wider world (and USMNT coaches) haven't seen past his height. On the other hand, MLS fans get to watch him week in and week out.
Jason Kreis's return to the sidelines with Orlando City on Sunday represented a comeback for a coach who was unceremoniously dumped by NYCFC after one season.
It just so happened that his new team obliged the narrative with a comeback of their own.
Down a goal at home against the New England Revolution, the Lions roared back -- largely thanks to the efforts of Kevin Molino -- to give Kreis a win in his first game. Whether it's a bump of energy from the hiring of a new boss or something Kreis did specifically almost doesn't matter on day one. Orlando now has something to build on -- the question is whether they can keep it going.
As expected, NYC FC's hat-trick hero anchors the midfield while Seattle's new signing fits in seamlessly on the right.
Jason Davis covers Major League Soccer and the United States national team for ESPN FC. Twitter: @davisjsn.
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