MLS Week 8 Review: Poor Alecko Eskandarian

By: Daryl | May 27th, 2007

Alecko Eskandarian with headband Can’t help but like Alecko Eskandarian. Maybe it’s sympathy for the head injury thing, and that he made headgear fashionable long before Petr Cech. Maybe it’s the Red Bull spitting incident (mature? no, but funny? yes.) I felt for the guy when DC traded him to Toronto, a move he didn’t want to make. But at least he scored his first goal for TFC against his old team last week.

That momentary high gave way to another low as Eskandarian was traded once again to Real Salt Lake, and just as his furniture was finally arriving in Canada. It’s one thing to be shunted around the United States (not exactly a small patch of land) for the megamillions that NBA or NFL players get, but for a relatively modest MLS salary it must be hard to take.

Least goals in a game: RSL 0-0 Chicago Fire
Eskandarians debut reteamed him with little Freddy Adu but produced no goals for either team. Jason Kreis must be starting to worry about his new job situation and Chicago fans will be expecting an improvement quicksharp.

Most goals in a game: Kansas City Wizards 4-3 New England Revs
Seven goals in this game, and three of them – including the 82nd minute winner – scored by in-form Eddie Johnson.

Best Canadian Franchise: Toronto FC (again)
More goals and more points for TFC, as they drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew. Crew had two goals from Andy Herron on his return from suspension, but Dannie Dichio and Jim Brennan scored an equalizer each.

Three game losing streak: Houston Dynamo
The 2006 champions aren’t looking so hot, chalking up their third straight L, this time to DC United. Christian Gomez and nice guy Ben Olsen got the United goals. But the great thing about MLS is that it doesn’t matter because the play-offs are still ages away.

Most effective player Herculez Gomez
Colorado Rapids beat LA Galaxy 1-0, mostly thanks to former Herculez Gomez. The former Galaxy player had an “altercation” with Kyle Martino, resulting in a yellow for the former but a red for the latter. Gomez then headed a home a 71st minute winner past former Rapids keeper Joe Cannon. The other great thing about MLS is that there’s nearly always someone playing against their former clubs and out to prove a point.

Most careless goalkeeping:
Dallas keeper Dario Sala recently made a great tackle in midfield after he’d pushed up to join the attack. But it backfired when he tried the same against Chivas USA while chasing an injury time equalizer, leaving Ante Razov free to score Chivas’ second goal from the halfway line. Win some, lose some I guess.

Early MVP favourite: Juan Pablo Angel
Juan Pablo Angel looked the business for New York, scoring two and making one for Jozy Altidore to beat Chicago 3-0. Both goals showed a bit of class, but his second – where he faked to shoot first time before simply tapping home – showed why New York made him their Designated Player.