MLS Week 6 Review: or how Toronto got its groove back

By: Daryl | May 13th, 2007

Dichio gets two firsts Genuinely pleased to mark a week of firsts for expansion franchise Toronto FC. First goal, courtesy of Dani Dichio (pictured.) First red card, courtesy of Dani “the brawler” Dichio (pictured.) Last but not least: first win, courtesy of Chicago Fire.

It’s great that it all finally happened for the Canadians, as we were all starting to worry they’d never score, never win and never start a big North American ruckus. But who needs Guevara or De Rosario when you’ve got double D?

Maybe he is good after all: Freddy Adu
Little Freddy had a great first half for Real Salt Lake in yet another Rocky Mountain Cup against Colorado Rapids. In the first half especially he did what he does best and ran at defenders, even sort of scoring for RSL by “assisting” goal Pablo Mastroeni’s own goal. Seems rookie coach Jason Kreis might know what he’s doing with the lad. With RSL also conceding an OG, the game finished 1-1.

Who needs Clint Dempsey? Not the New England Revs
While Clint’s been busy guaranteeing Premiership survival for Fulham, Taylor Twellman has been banging in goals for the Revs. After another two in the 3-2 win over LA Galaxy, including a late matchwinner immediately after Galaxy had equalized. Twellman is MLS top scorer with 6 and the Revs are top of the Eastern Conference.

Best slide tackle by a goalkeeper in the oppostion half: Joe Cannon
The LA Galaxy keeper, chasing the game in the final few minutes found himself slide tackling the Rev’s Shalrie Joseph in a 1970 Bobby Moore on Pele style. It’s right at the end of the complete match highlights, which are worth watching anyway (Windows Media Player required.) Great game.

Best goalkeeping performance: Dario Sala
Despite Cannon’s fearsome slide tackling, he still conceded three goals. FC Dallas’ Dario Sala on the other hand, only conceded one after keeping Kansas City Wizards at bay for 90 minutes with a string of saves - including one from Davy Arnaud that seemed to strike him in the bits you hold when you stand in the wall - until finally conceding in stoppage time. Dallas won 2-1 with goals from Kenny Cooper and Juan Toja.

Best Becks impression: Ante Razov
He struck a sweet left footed 2nd minute free kick for Chivas USA that bent over the wall and into the top corner. Ned Grabavoy equalized for Columbus Crew in the 18th, and then things calmed down and it finished 1-1.

Last unbeaten team to fall: New York Red Bull
It’s looking like being a fairly open season in MLS, and there are no unbeaten teams left after NYRB (or is it RBNY?) fell 1-0 to Colorado Rapids, finally surrendering their unbeaten league record. New DP Juan Pablo Angel couldn’t score on his league debut, though he did play most of the game on his own up top with Jozy Altidore only playing the last 13 minutes. I’m looking forward to seeing those guys pair up, and I’m sure Red Bull fans are too. Good match report here.