MLS Week 7 Review: All Heil Jaime

By: Daryl | May 20th, 2007

All hail Jaime Moreno Jaime Moreno is now joint leading MLS scorer, ever. A 79th minute penalty against Toronto won the game 2-1 for DC United but also brought Jaime level with Jason Kreis (now Coach Kreis to you) on 108 goals. What’s most impressive about the Bolivian isn’t just his goal haul, but the way he bounced back after it seemed his best days were behind him.

He had a fair few injuries between 2001 and 2004, but since returning to DC United after a pretty poor spell with the New York/New Jersey Metrostars (and now you see that name again, New York Red Bulls doesn’t seem so bad by comparison) he’s been - if not quite his old self- then at least a striker to fear again. After long service to MLS (he’s been plying his trade there since 1996) Moreno will deserve all the plaudits when he puts away number 109.

Worst landing: Chris Albright
The LA Galaxy right back attempted a defensive header in the 15th minute of the Super Clasico against Chivas USA and landed with what looked like every limb in the wrong place. He subbed out for Nathan Sturgis and was later spotted on the sideline using crutches. Hope he’s OK. Runner up is Laurent Merlin, whose rubbish penalty pleading dive for Chivas fooled no one. The game finished 1-1.

Best Canadian franchise: first win with a second win by beating MLS Cup holders Houston 1-0 at the BMO Field on Wednesday. Finally the results are starting to match their fantastic fans. They also lost 2-1 to DC United on Saturday, but at least Eskandarian got a small slice of revenge with a goal against his former employers.

Best excuse for missing a match: Jozy Altidore
The stocky little striker missed New York Red Bulls game against Columbus Crew because it was his high school prom. Awesome. It was also because he needed some rest after playing for USA U-20s, but I like the story better if you leave that. Either way Bruce Arena’s men were back to winning ways and trounced CC 4-0, with a debut goal from Juan Pablo Angel that will likely be the first of many.

Most consistent team of the week: Houston Dynamo
Unfortunately they followed up Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to TFC with Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New England Revs, who get a small slice of revenge for last seasons MLS Cup final.

Least lucky stadium: Dick’s Sporting Goods
The Colorado Rapids opened the season with a win in their new soccer specific (to use the MLS buzzword) stadium, but have yet to repeat that trick. A 1-1 draw with Kansas City Wizards is nothing to be ashamed of, but they need that sophomore Sporting Goods win.

Most unfair rivalry: The Brimstone Cup
This series was started because the Chicago and Dallas teams were known as Fire and Burn respectively, so it seems unfair that Dallas continue to dominate it even after dropping the Burn in favour of the FC. But so it goes. Goals from Kenny Cooper (who I’m backing to make his mark in either the Gold Cup or the Copa America this summer) and Juan Toja gave Dallas a 2-1 win, strengthening their grip on the trophy they’ve held since 2002.

Goal of the week: Chris Gbandi
Gbandi gave FC Dallas a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake with a sweet long range strike. He was outside the area, though not all that far out, and was given a lot of space, but what’s exceptional about this goal is the accuracy. He struck it left footed into the upper right corner as perfectly as is humanly possible, with the ball just kissing the inside of the right hand post on the way. Highlights here (Windows Media Player needed.)

My sympathies: Jason Kreis
Tough week for the RSL coach. He lost his grip on the leading MLS goalscorer title (or at least has to start sharing it) as well as losing his first game as a coach. Here’s hoping RSL gift Coach Kreis his first win asap, or if not then maybe Jaime Moreno will score an own goal, bringing his tally back down to 107 (that is how it works, right?)