The Week That Was - September 3rd

Here are the updated standings:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3qPRqJFXHoRMkM0Z2xQWjZuR2c/edit

Toronto FC

So a week passes but the result is the same a 1-1 draw with New England Revolution.  New England started the game off quickly with a goal in the 2^nd minute after an unfortunate bounce off a Richard Eckersley blocked shot.  But after the initial 10-15 minutes of possession domination by New England and a huge save by Bendik that kept it 1-0, Toronto started getting back in the game and had sustained pressure that was deserving of a goal in the last 10 minutes of the first half. It was finally rewarded in injury time with an Andrew Weideman goal after the ball pinballed around the 18 yard box with two possible handball calls.  The game continued on with both teams going at each other with no success until the 88^th minute when a cross was put into the back of the net by a Steven Caldwell header but was disallowed because of a phantom pushing foul call by the ref.

For the last 8 games of the season, with little chance of making the playoffs, Nelson should start playing the new additions of Alvaro Rey and Maximiliano Urruti, who supposedly are not completely match fit.  But as professional soccer players 24, and 22 years, you would think they would be able to play more than, 3 and 12 minutes respectively even without having had a regular preseason.  These last eight games can serve as an introduction to the league for them and they will be more prepared for when it really matters, next season.

Movers of the Week

In the Western Conference Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy, and Seattle Sounders all were the biggest gainers of the week after each winning their respective game and with Vancouver’s tie saw all three get 5 points closer to clinching a playoff spot.  While the biggest drop that happened was by the San Jose Earthquakes who through the combination of their loss and the 5^th place team’s point total increasing dropped 5 points closer to being eliminated.  New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City tied for being the biggest gainers, through their teams’ win and Houston Dynamo’s draw, moving 5 points closer to clinching.  While Columbus Crew and DC United were the biggest losers dropping 4 points through a loss and the 5^th place team point’s total going up by 1.  The under 20 points till eliminated club of DC United at 2, Chivas USA at 8, Toronto FC at 10, now as predicted includes San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew both at 17.

Predictions

Last Week

New England Revolution @ Toronto FC	TFC Win	Wrong Draw 1-1
Portland Timbers @ Real Salt Lake	RSL Win	Correct RSL Win 4-2
Seattle Sounders @ Columbus Crew	SEA Win	Correct SEA Win 1-0
Montreal Impact @ Philadelphia Union	MTL Win	Wrong Draw 0-0
DC United @ New York Red Bulls	NY Win	Correct NY Win 2-1
Colorado Rapids @ Sporting Kansas City	SKC Win	Correct SKC Win 2-1
San Jose Earthquakes @ LA Galaxy	LA Win	Correct LA Win 3-0
Houston Dynamo @ Chicago Fire	Draw	Correct Draw 1-1
Chivas USA @ Vancouver Whitecaps	VAN Win	Wrong Draw 2-2

Last Week’s Prediction Record	6-3
All Time Record	26-28

This Week

Houston Dynamo @ Columbus Crew	CLB Win
Chivas USA @ Seattle Sounders	SEA Win
Vancouver Whitecaps @ FC Dallas	FCD Win
Columbus Crew @ Sporting Kansas City	SKC Win
Chicago Fire @ Seattle Sounders	SEA Win
Colorado Rapids @ LA Galaxy	LA Win
Toronto FC @ Portland Timbers	POR Win
New York Red Bulls @ Houston Dynamo	Draw
Montreal Impact @ New England Revolution	MTL Win
DC United @ Chivas USA	CHV Win
Philadelphia Union @ San Jose Earthquakes	PHI Win