Match Thoughts: FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution

Ugo Ihemelu of FC Dallas scored the winner in stoppage time. (Getty Images)

Well this wasn't the most scintillating soccer game you could ask for, but watching MLS is never a bad way to spend a quiet Thursday evening and viewers were treated to a surprise finish.  Coming into the match, the two squads seemed to be heading in different directions.  Dallas got drilled 4-1 at DC last week and the New England Revolution were coming off of back to back wins for the first time since 2009.  Their last game was a 3-1 thumping of the Galaxy in LA.

One could tell right off the bat that there wasn't going to be 4 or 5 goals score in this one.  You'd like to think it was going to come down to a defensive battle, but the word of the day wasn't defense, it was "sloppy."  Neither team seemed to be willing to take any risks, and the simple possession passing wasn't really precise for either side either.  There wasn't even a quality chance until the 20th minute, when FC Dallas nearly took the lead.  Blas Perez worked himself into space in the New England area and shot toward the far post.  Revs 'keeper Matt Reis made himself just big enough to ruin the angle and force Perez to send it just wide.  Brek Shea would force a save out of Reis on 34 minutes, but that was about all of the offensive action for either side in the first half.

The second half was a little different story as New England came out with a lot more energy, and tried to hem the Hoops in against their own goal.  However, despite some good possession, the best they could really manage was a shot by Saer Sene in the 57th minute that was fairly easily tracked down by Kevin Hartman.  Lee Nguyen sent a rocket toward the goal in the 67th minute, and it caught Dallas defender George John square in the face.  He was down for a couple of minutes, but eventually walked off and looked ok.  He did not return to the match though.  Ricardo Villar also left this one early with an injury for the Hoops after a rough tackle from Shalrie Joseph in the 63rd.  Joseph received a yellow card for the play.

The game went into stoppage time and it looked like both teams were going to settle for a 0-0 draw, but then the Revs messed up.  On what was surely the last attack of the match, A.J. Soares fouled Blas Perez right outside the Revs' 18.  Zach Lloyd sent the ensuing free kick into the six, where it found the head of Dallas's Ugo Ihemelu.  The center back calmly headed the ball past Reis into the back of the net for the game winning goal, handing Dallas 3 points by virtue of the 1-0 victory.

It might be tempting to speculate that the Revs were a little hard done by.  Certainly they were better than Dallas for long stretches in the second half, but their demise was of their own making.  Prior to the last foul on Perez, the Revs could have played the ball into touch, but didn't, allowing the Dallas attack.  The foul by Soares was just foolish, especially since he had a pretty good match up until that point.  Plus, allowing Ihemelu into the six virtually unmarked on a play like that is just asking for trouble.  I'd also say the Revs need to do some work up top.  Sene seemed to be surprised by the physicality of Dallas from time to time, and even the Revs commentators mentioned that his work rate was fairly poor, just wanting the ball played into him where he stood.  For the most part Dallas handled him very easily.

For the Hoops it's a big three points that might help them get on track.  They were riddled with injuries and suspensions coming into this one, and Brek Shea isn't on form yet, but they have to feel better after this.  We'll see how they hold up over the course of the season.

Match Thoughts: Real Salt Lake vs. Montreal Impact

RSL's Alvaro Saborio and Montreal's Matteo Ferrari (Getty Images)

I was really hoping the Montreal Impact would get their first win against the New York Red Bulls, so RSL wouldn't have to risk being the answer to that little bit of trivia.  Luckily for us, the RSL boys took care of business last night, in a hard fought, ugly win over the Impact at Rio Tinto Stadium.

RSL controlled much of the first half, not allowing a Montreal shot on net in the first 45.  The offense did have some punch, but not as much possession as RSL fans are used to seeing.  In the 12th minute, Montreal's Justin Braun was hit with a handball in the box and conceded a PK to RSL.  Paulo Jr. calmly slotted the spot kick inside the right post to give the Claret and Cobalt the 1-0 lead.

It would prove to be the only goal of the match.

However Montreal picked it up a little bit in the second half.  Justin Mapp was certainly their danger man.  Every time I watch this guy play I wonder why the Union let him go.  Javier Morales went off late in the match with a hamstring pull, and with RSL out of subs, they were down to ten men.  Nick Rimando and the defense came home heroes, withstanding a late Montreal surge to secure the 1-0 win and a precious three points for RSL.

Now for a couple of thoughts: first about the Impact.  This is a better team than the record indicates.  The MLS schedule makers did them no favors by having them play at New York and then at Salt Lake a few days later.  Their attack caused the RSL defense some heartburn at various times during the match, and if they just had a striker that could finish, they'd be another step ahead.  Why aren't they playing Fucito?  I've never been thrilled with Justin Braun, sorry.  Plus, they can defend.  Matteo Ferrari in particular is excellent and has experience in Serie A with Inter Milan, Genoa, Parma, and Roma.   He also has some international experience as well, earning 11 caps for Italy.  Also, Donovan Ricketts is a hell of 'keeper, and made at least two world class saves in this one.

So about RSL.  I'm a Chelsea supporter.  I know what it's like to be part of a fickle fan base.  That being said, I was shocked at the amount of complaining that went on during the post game last night.  Yes, RSL played sloppy.  Yes, if they play like that against better teams, they'll get beat.  Coach Kreis and the players admitted this much after the match.  I like the fact that our fan base is becoming more soccer educated and that the team has set a high standard, but let's get back to reality.  They have 3 games in 8 days.  There's travel involved.  In a 50 some odd game season across all competitions, you're not gonna be on form every game.  Manchester United have 19 League titles in England, probably on their way to 20, and they grind out results like this every year.  Teams like Manchester City, and sadly to say, Chelsea, lose these games.  Champions are forged in games like this where you're not at your best, but you find a way to win.  Period.  Besides, if Donovan Ricketts doesn't make a couple of world class saves, the final is 3-0 and everyone calls up the post game show talking about how we destroyed Montreal.

Yes, there are flaws, but even the best, hardest diamonds have flaws.

UCL Quarters: Barcelona vs. AC Milan

Lionel Messi converts his first PK of the match. (Getty Images)

Coming into today's UCL quarterfinal match between Barcelona and AC Milan, the Italians seemed to be a trendy to pick to upset the defending European Champs.  It is true that Milan could have gone through had they duplicated their 2-2 effort at Barca in the group stage, but I for one wasn't buying it.

Part of Milan's success last week at the San Siro was because they could pretty much defend most of the space on that pitch.  That wasn't going to happen on the wide expanses of Camp Nou, and it was obvious from the early moments.  In the 3rd minute Andres Iniesta had Barca's first chance, but put it wide.  In the 7th minute Lionel Messi looked to have a golden chance right in front of net but inexplicably put his shot wide as well. 

Maybe the Italians could live a charmed life in this one, but probably not.

Milan's day turned to shambles early on in the 10th minute when Philippe Mexes mishandled the ball just inside his own half.  Messi grabbed it and dashed in on goal.  He centered back to a trailing Xavi, but he wasn't quite ready for it, and bobbled it around the six.  It looked like Milan were going to escape, but the ball fell back to Messi and Luca Antonini made a dumb slide tackle on the little genius to concede a PK.    On the actual spot kick, Milan 'keeper Christian Abbiati guessed right, but couldn't get down on Messi's shot quick enough and Barca took the 1-0 lead.

After the goal, you could just feel the stadium relax.  Barca kept the possession for the most part, and it really didn't seem like Milan had much for them.  However, all that changed in the 33rd minute.  The Spaniards' defense went to sleep and Ibrahimovic found Antonio Nocerino running into the area.  He slid him the ball and Nocerino let loose a shot that Victor Valdes took an unconvincing swipe at before it went into the back of the net to make it 1-1.  That result would see Milan through on away goals.

Of course that would entail making sure Barca didn't score again, and that fable didn't last long.  Barca earned another PK in the 40th minute.  This one was a bit more controversial.  While setting up for a Barcelona corner, Alessandro Nesta got a couple of fistfuls of Sergio Busquets jersey.  Puyol set a pick on him and as they fought around it, Busquets went to the floor rather theatrically, drawing the penalty.  Now, it probably was a foul, but you could probably call this type of foul on 85% of corner kick in routines in pro soccer.  I'm sure Italian defenders defend corners like this every week.  Busquets flailed his arms before going down like the proverbial ton of bricks, making sure the referee saw it, and called it.  I'm sorry, it probably was a foul, but it was almost surely a premeditated dive by Busquets, and it's exactly that kind of play that makes people turn off soccer matches.  At any rate, Messi scored his second PK of the day and sent Barca to the half leading 2-1.

Milan never really got it going in the second half, and Barca put it away rather early.  In the 53rd minute, Messi let loose a shot that was blocked but the ball fell to Iniesta, who slapped it just inside the far post to make it 3-1 to Barca and kill the game off.  It also made neutrals like myself feel a little bit better about the impending result after the stench of the soft PK.

Milan never really threatened the Barca net for the rest of the match, and the Spaniards held on for the 3-1 win.  Now, I don't mean to imply that the second penalty was the reason Barca won.  I'm sure they would have won anyway.  I also don't want to imply that Barcelona didn't deserve to go through.  Of course they did, they were obviously the better team over two legs.  It's just unfortunate that a team as good as they are has to have something like a Busquets dive mar a pretty good performance.  You don't see Lionel Messi pulling that stuff.

As for Barcelona, they await the winner of Chelsea vs. Benfica in the Champions League semifinals.

Big Injury News for Colorado and FC Dallas

The news on the MLS injury front is not good for two teams from the Western Conference this morning. 

The Colorado Rapids will be without captain Pablo Mastroeni for at least 6 more weeks.  The midfielder has been experiencing symptoms related to a concussion.  Mastroeni, who has been very concerned about his health in recent weeks, traces his symptoms back to a collision with RSL's Jamison Olave late last year.  He also took a shot in the head in a preseason friendly match in Hawaii versus Australian side Melbourne Heart.  He was subbed out just afterward in that match.

The news isn't any better for FC Dallas.  The return of former MLS MVP David Ferreira has been set back at least another 6-8 weeks.  He will have surgery on Tuesday to repair a small fracture in his foot that he suffered during a training match in Florida.  Ferreria missed almost all of last season after breaking his ankle against the Vancouver Whitecaps.  FC Dallas says that injury is fully healed and the two are not related.

Both of these guys are stellar players and add a lot to their teams and MLS as a whole.  Personally I wish them both a speedy recovery.

Puddle's Goal of the Weekend: Maicon Santos vs. FC Dallas

I REALLY wanted to give my goal of the weekend to RSL captain Kyle Beckerman for his game winner at Portland, but I just can't get over this strike from DC United's Maicon Santos. This GOLAZO put DC up over Dallas 1-0, and they would go on to win the match 4-1.

EPL: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea

Fernando Torres celebrates his goal at Aston Villa (PremierLeague.com)

The wait is over, Chelsea fans, it's happened.  Fernando Torres got a league goal against Aston Villa.  It's great to see.  The Spaniard has looked to be resurrecting his form somewhat of late, and it was nice to see it payoff with the ball in the back of the net.  It didn't really tell the story of the match though.

Villa came into the match just riddled with injuries.  They were fielding their youngest Premier League side in 4 years.  It looked like Chelsea was going to be in a good position to pick up some valuable points on the road, and the early minutes bore that theory out.  The Blues stroked the ball around like a training exercise and they zeroed in on the Villa goal. 

Torres got his first look in the 6th minute after a gorgeous through ball from David Luiz.  Unfortunately some good goal keeping from Shay Given snuffed out his chance to keep it level.  In the 9th minute, Torres again let loose right in front of goal.  Given again blocked his shot, but it fell right to Daniel Sturridge, who banged the ball into the net from about 5 yards out to give Chelsea the 0-1 lead.

After that Chelsea went on cruise control for much of the rest of the half.  Villa didn't put up any fight on offense, and barely pressed the Blues when they were on the ball.  However, the longer the score stayed at 0-1, the more Villa figured out that Chelsea wasn't going to destroy them.  They came up with a couple of decent chances late in the half, but couldn't find the net, and the half ended at 0-1.

Chelsea looked like they put the final stamp on the match early in the 2nd half.  In the 51st minute they took advantage of a corner kick, which has been one of Villa's weaknesses all year.  Juan Mata sent in the corner and Branislav Ivanovic picked out the ball and smacked it into the top of the net to make it 0-2 to Chelsea.

Then the Blues went on cruise control again, and it cost them.

Coming into the last 15 minutes of the match, it looked like Villa was just toast, but then they woke up.  In the 77th minute American Eric Lichaj put a long throw into the area, and James Collins came in, totally unmarked, and headed past Petr Cech to make it 1-2.  Then just three minutes later, Lichaj himself equalized at 2-2 when he knocked in a cross from Marc Albrighton.  Chelsea was stunned.

They woke up and kicked it into another gear though.  In fact, the tie lasted just 3 minutes, until the next Chelsea corner.  In the 83rd, Torres flicked on the corner to Ivanovic, who headed it in for his second goal of the day to make it 2-3.  Finally the Blues sealed it in the second minute of stoppage as Sturridge slipped a ball to Torres, who clinically knocked it past Given to hand the Blues the 2-4 win.

In the end, it was a lot harder than it should have been for Chelsea, and you have to give the young Aston Villa side a lot of credit for fighting back.  The Blues were just too much when they had their heads in the game.  Hopefully Torres has now turned the corner.  We shall see.

Match Thoughts: Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose's Chris Wondolowski during Saturday's match (Getty Images)

Yes I'll admit that given Seattle's form to start the season, I really didn't give the Quakes much of a shot coming into Century Link Field last night.  They proved me wrong though.  Whether or not they got a little extra help from the ref...well, I imagine your opinion on that will vary whether you're a Sounders or Quakes supporter.  More on that later.

The Sounders came out and started brightly enough, but I got the feeling early on that they might not be as sharp as they needed to be.  While they did press into the San Jose area, the final ball just really wasn't there for Seattle for much of the evening.  For the Quakes part, they defended stoutly and weren't intimidated by Seattle or their crowd in the slightest.

Of course, what eventually cost the Sounders was the fact that they let Steven Lenhart, that's right the guy with the Sideshow Bob haircut, get into their heads.  Now, I like Lenhart, in a way.  He does his thing.  He tries early and often to get into your head.  Often, it works.  I wouldn't mind having him on my team, but he's rough to play against.

Lenhart was in the heads of the Seattle defenders all night, particularly in the head of Marc Burch.  In the 24th minute, the Quakes set up for a corner kick.  During the regular pushing and shoving, Lenhart got into Burch and the Seattle man gave him a little cynical shove with his side and his leg.  Lenhart went down immediately, earning San Jose a penalty kick.  Obviously Wondo is probably going to convert the spot kick, and he did, giving the Quakes the 0-1 lead.  It would end up being the game winner.  Seattle did have a few decent chances in the second half, but Jon Busch came up big in goal for San Jose.

So, about the penalty.  There was definitely contact from Burch on Lenhart.  I can see it as a foul.  Of course, there is this kind of contact on many corner kicks in professional soccer, but Lenhart went down.  Could he have stayed up?  Maybe.  However, those of us that watch soccer say all the time: he made the referee make a decision.  Once that happens, it's 50/50.  Unfortunately for Burch and Seattle last night, they found out that the mental part of the game, the frustration can really hurt you too.

Last thing I'll say on this match and this issue is this: Seattle fans, you have to know that if the shoe was on the other foot, and one of your players went down like that, you'd be wailing for a penalty.  Just sayin.  Sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don't.  Also, Seattle had 65 minutes to score after the PK, so a lot of credit goes to the Quakes as well.