Sanna Nyassi scores hat trick as Rapids trounce New York 4-1.
The Los Angeles Galaxy may not always make it look pretty, but they keep finding ways to get results. Their latest, a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew, runs their unbeaten streak to 13 games and leaves them four points ahead of their closest competitor in the Western Conference.
This time, they got a goal from a rather unexpected place, as Sean Franklin scored his first career goal in the 70th minute. The goal came after a David Beckham free kick deflected off the wall. Franklin, who was in a safety valve position, collected the deflection about 22 yards out and ripped a shot that hit off a Crew defender and past goalkeeper Will Hesmer.
The Crew had a chance to move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference with a victory, but instead find themselves still stuck in third. They played reasonably well, forcing Josh Saunders into six saves, but were shut out for the eighth time this season and for the third time in the past four matches.
Fresh off news that Conor Casey was lost for the season, the Colorado Rapids turned in their best performance in quite some time. Sanna Nyassi scored a hat trick, the Rapids jumped out to a 4-0 lead and eventually beat the New York Red Bulls 4-1. It was the Rapids' fourth win since starting the season 3-0-0.
Nyassi, who entered the game with just two career MLS goals, got the Rapids off to a fast start when he scored in the 2nd minute. It was the second straight game in which the Rapids had scored in the game's first two minutes. But unlike last week's 4-3 loss to the Seattle Sounders, this time they were able to maintain that momentum. Well Thompson doubled the lead in the 26th minute and Nyassi added his second goal in the 31st minute to send the Rapids into halftime up 3-0. Nyassi finished off the hat trick with a goal in the 61st minute.
All of the Rapids' goals came against newly signed Designated Player Frank Rost, who had been brought aboard in an effort to shore up the Red Bulls' goalkeeping. He ended the match saving just three of the seven shots that were put on goal.
The one bright spot for the Red Bulls was Thierry Henry scoring his league-leading 10th goal. But it came in the 67th minute and proved to be far too little, far too late.
The Toronto FC team that takes the field against FC Dallas will bare only a passing resemblance to the team that lost 2-0 to the Houston Dynamon on July 9. Recently signed Designated Players Danny Koevermans and Torsten Frings should both be available, as should recent trade acquisitions Andy Iro, Danleigh Borman and Ryan Johnson. Waking the Red, SB Nation's TFC blog, thinks three or four of those players could be in Wednesday's starting lineup.
It's hard to imagine TFC could be any worse off either way. Their -19 goal difference is by far the worst in the league and they've been outscored 11-2 in their past five matches.
FC Dallas, meanwhile, continues to play like one of the best teams in the league. Although they've now gone winless in their past two matches, they still have the fourth most points in MLS and the third best points per match. They should be close to full strength.
Pick: FC Dallas 2-1.
DC United vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
Even after five straight matches without a loss, United are still very much on the playoff bubble. Their tie against FC Dallas last week was definitely a step in the right direction, and Dwayne DeRosario appears to be fitting in nicely with them. A win over an awful Revolution team is almost a must if we are to take their playoff chances seriously. Pick: United 2-0.
Colorado Rapids vs. New York Red Bulls, 9:30 p.m.
The injury bug keeps biting the Rapids, who just lost Conor Casey for the season after he tore his Achilles in last week's loss to the Seattle Sounders. That probably means Caleb Folan will start up top alongside Omar Cummings, who himself has been battling injuries. Both teams need wins, if not to stay viable in the playoff race, but just for their collective psyches. The Red Bulls' only two wins since April are over the Revolution and TFC, while the Rapids have just one three of their past 18. Pick: Red Bulls 2-1.
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew, 10:30 p.m.
The result of this game will likely be overshadowed by what is expected to be a major sponsorship announcement for the Galaxy, but this should be an interesting game. The Crew have quietly moved to within three points of the Eastern Conference lead, and the Galaxy could use a win to create some space between them and the trio of teams hot on their tails in the West. The Galaxy have yet to lose at home, while the Crew have just two wins on the road. A Crew win would be a huge statement, but that seems a bit much to ask. Pick: Tied 1-1.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 p.m.
If the Whitecaps ever hope to make any sort of run at the playoffs, this is the exact kind of game in which they'll need a result. Newly minted DP Mustapha Jarju could make his debut against a Earthquakes team that has undergone a bit of a transformation themselves. The Quakes are on a six-match winless streak, while the Whitecaps have lost four in a row. Might not be the prettiest match. Pick: Tied 0-0.
VIDEO: Brek Shea Does It Again
by Jeremiah Oshan
Brek Shea is really, really good and it's time we just openly acknowledge that. In case you needed another piece of evidence, check out his goal in FC Dallas' 1-0 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday:
Not only does he hit an absolute laser from about 30 yards out on a dead run, but he also won the ball at midfield that got that particular counter-strike going. If you're keeping score at home, that's nine goals this season, five of which have come in his past seven matches.
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Jul 21 4:01p