Armchair Analyst: Which teams played the right cards?

It was a pretty bad weekend for the home teams in the first leg of the Conference Semifinals. The notable exception was Real Salt Lake, who dominated the Sounders on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead into Seattle on Wednesday. We’ll start there for some quickshot tactical analysis of what went right and what went wrong in each of the weekend’s contests: Real Salt Lake 3, Seattle Sounders 0 The Opta numbers break it down pretty well, with RSL showing a clear advantage in total possession and completion percentage. But the reasons behind those numbers are what tell the story. RSL were able to push Seattle into playing more vertically than the Sounders generally want to, forcing the back four into long-distance passing and generally neutralizing Osvaldo Alonso. Sigi Schmid said it was one of the worst games Alonso’s had in the defensive midfielder’s three years in MLS, and it’s hard to disagree. WATCH: Wingert tees up Saborio While that made for a stretched and disorganized Seattle side that couldn’t string passes together until the last 15 minutes (at which point RSL began to play more conservatively in an effort to protect their 2-0 lead), it also created lanes for RSL to exploit when moving forward. The positioning of Will Johnson in particular provided a dilemma for right back James Riley. Johnson stayed very deep on the night, leaving room in the left-center channel for playmaker Javier Morales to use (and use it he did – that’s where the first goal came from). Alonso frequently followed Morales with and without the ball, which left Riley to choose between pushing up and harassing the Canadian international, and thus vacating the flank for a counterattack, or staying back and letting Johnson act as a safety-valve when Real had possession. It ended up being the latter more often than not, and Johnson’s ability to switch play and keep the ball moving is one of the underrated reasons his side bossed the game. Philadelphia Union 1, Houston Dynamo 2 It seems unlikely Peter Nowak will trot out the five-man back line that played the first 45 minutes on Sunday. It also seems highly unlikely – or it should be, anyway – that he’ll go with the dual d-mid formation that’s been more hindrance than help for his team this year. WATCH: Hainault puts Dynamo up 1-0 The choice to defend deep was a baffling one for several reasons, the biggest being that you’re almost certain to concede set pieces if you play that game. Against a team with Brad Davis whipping balls into Brian Ching, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell and Geoff Cameron, that’s suicide. The 4-1-3-2 should be the order of the day. Figuring out who to play alongside (or just underneath) Sébastien Le Toux is the biggest decision, but it’s clear that the Frenchman should be used as a true No. 9, pushing the Dynamo back four. Defensively, the Union have two mandates: Stop giving up set pieces and stop giving Davis chances to cross the ball. The midfielder had 10 on the day, and Philly were lucky only one turned into a goal. On the Houston side, it couldn’t have gone much better, with the one blemish being Cameron’s ill-advised, poorly timed challenge that freed Justin Mapp up to start the sequence leading to the first goal. Otherwise, Cory Ashe did a very good job of staying wide to neutralize Sheannon Williams on the overlap, while Hainault and Danny Cruz did well to take the space down the right side, largely eliminating Gabe Farfan’s overlapping threat. New York Red Bulls 0, LA Galaxy 1 Over the past several years, one of the more reliable predictors of playoff success is choosing whichever team has played fewer games to advance. Teams with extended US Open Cup or CONCACAF Champions League runs simply haven’t had the legs to compete come the postseason. WATCH: Magee beats the trap That fed into LA’s plan in New York, a game in which they pressed for the first 30 minutes then spend the rest of the game conserving energy while looking for a counterattack. Obviously the pressure paid off – Mike Magee’s 18th-minute goal came at a point in the game when the Galaxy had RBNY scrambling to put out fires all over the pitch – and the decision to counter would have paid as well, had Robbie Keane or Landon Donovan been able to finish open chances in the box. LA will take the 1-0, of course, but Hans Backe and RBNY have some serious decisions to make. The Galaxy were able to neutralize Thierry Henry by leaving Juninho deep (a role likely given to Chris Birchall for the second leg since the Brazilian is suspended), putting the Frenchman in a situation where, when he received the ball, he was almost always moving away from his own net. As it turns out, Henry’s best pass of the night was a blind, overhead kick into space for Luke Rodgers. Not exactly textbook attacking soccer, that. Colorado Rapids 0, Sporting KC 2 The Rapids were spent by September and have been holding on by a thread. Factor in the injuries they suffered, the red card, and Sporting’s young legs and good health, and the 2-0 result was probably, in retrospect, predictable. WATCH: Zusi puts Bunbury through It actually obscures the fact that Colorado played fairly well through the first 45 minutes, giving few chances to counter and daring KC to beat them by stringing together passes in the attacking zone. On the few times Sporting attempted the latter, Jeff Larentowicz was usually there to clean up the threat. Of course, it was a turnover and counterattack that gave Sporting the lead just a few minutes into the second half. So the good form didn’t last nearly long enough. The real problem, though, occurred when Graham Zusi stepped into the red zone just between the defense and midfield. It’s well understood by now that anything within 30 yards means Zusi can have a rip on goal, so when Larentowicz stepped up to snuff out that option, it gave the enganche the lane to slip Teal Bunbury through and draw a red card on Tyrone Marshall. In other words, Colorado made the right play; Zusi simply made a better one.

Recap: RSL take big 3-0 lead vs. Sounders in West semifinal

SANDY, Utah — RSL looked nothing like a team that hadn’t won in more than a month. With Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, and Javier Morales all back in the starting lineup, the Claret-and-Cobalt controlled the tempo from the outset en route to a dominating 3-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of their Western Conference semifinal matchup at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday night. Álvaro Saborío scored two goals and Ned Grabavoy added the third as RSL took a commanding lead heading into the return match on Wednesday night at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field (10 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com; live chat on MLSsoccer.com). Seattle will need to regroup after managing no shots on goal against a masterful Real Salt Lake defense. Kasey Keller kept the series from getting out of hand with eight saves. Morales contributed two assists for the home side. RSL started off strongly, with Fabián Espíndola among the standout performers in the first stanza. His strike partner Saborío just missed scoring in the eighth minute, while Keller had to dive to deny Will Johnson in the 20th. Keller once again came up big in the 24th minute, stretching to his left to deny Andy Williams when it looked like the RSL midfielder would score. Kreis was forced to use a substitute in the 31st minute, bringing on Chris Schuler for Jámison Olave (right quad strain). The move didn’t slow RSL’s tempo, as the team finally broke through in the 41st. Saborío provided the final touch to a lovely maneuver as Javier Morales and Chris Wingert advanced down RSL’s left side against Seattle's James Riley. The overlapping Wingert’s cross was headed for the net, but Saborío tapped it in on the goal line. After conferring with the assistant referee about a possible offside call against Saborío, match referee Mark Geiger ruled it a good goal.

Galaxy Notebook: LA may try to exploit absent Solli's spot

CARSON, Calif. – Jan Gunnar Solli has caused a load of problems for opposing clubs this season, but the LA Galaxy won’t have to worry about New York's regular right back on Sunday in the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal series (3 pm ET, ESPN/ESPN Deportes, live chat on MLSsoccer.com). The Norwegian was sent off in New York’s 2-0 wild card win at FC Dallas on Wednesday and will have to sit out the first leg of the Red Bulls’ series against the Galaxy. A stalwart on the right side of the defense, Galaxy forwards are relishing the opportunity to not worry about him. "It’s a huge loss for them," Chad Barrett said. "They’ll have to fill the gap there on the right side with someone who hasn’t really played. They’re a team who hasn’t really shuffled in a whole lot of players and when they have, they haven’t done great like our team has." Solli was in fine form throughout 2011, playing in 31 games and notching seven assists, tying Chivas USA's Ante Jazic for most assists from a defender. Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe told reporters on Friday that he'll fill the void with Carlos Mendes. And while the Red Bulls veteran has played in 18 games this season and has logged 146 career MLS matches, there is a drop-off in terms of offensive production without Solli in the lineup. "There’s a huge gap there of course and it’s probably something we’ll look to exploit," Barrett said. Dodging Rodgers? While Solli is definitely out on Sunday, a player who the Galaxy may do well to avoid altogether is forward Luke Rodgers. The striker scored nine goals in 23 games despite being hampered with injuries through much of the latter half of the season. He already showed the Galaxy firsthand what he’s capable of, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win over LA at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 4. "Rodgers is the guy who makes their team tick, and if he’s not on the field, it’s certainly helpful for us," Galaxy captain Landon Donovan said. "My guess is they’re going to find a way to get him ready." The Englishman does well to put himself in good positions in front of the goal. "He’s a true goal-poacher," Barrett said. "He works hard and likes to stretch the field for them. Thierry Henry is the guy they like to play to into his feet. He likes to get it, he likes to combine, he’s a great playmaker and he likes to go deep for them." Rodgers gives New York a strong weapon that makes the Red Bulls frontline one of the most productive forward units in the league. With Henry’s 14 goals and Juan Agudelo’s six tallies, the Red Bulls got 29 goals from that trio alone. Still, despite those statistics, Galaxy players are not exactly picking their jaws off the ground. "Their attack [are] all great players, but it’s nothing that we haven’t seen before," Barrett said. Magee: Don't underestimate RBNY After their midseason collapse and struggle to just reach the playoffs, many observers seemingly overlooked the New York Red Bulls as true MLS Cup contenders. But at least one Galaxy player knows what happens when the Red Bulls are overlooked in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Mike Magee was on the 2008 Red Bulls side that reached the club’s one and only MLS Cup final. And while New York are the LA Galaxy’s Western Conference foe now, Magee is one of the few who does not find that situation out of the ordinary. "When I played with New York, we won the Western Conference, so it’s not too bizarre for me," he said at training on Thursday. "Every team that’s moved over to a different conference has won so we definitely have to be careful." New York were the Western Conference champions in 2008, ousting heavily favored Houston in the first round before upsetting Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium to reach MLS Cup. However, the club’s miracle run ended there as the Columbus Crew beat them in the final, which was played at the Home Depot Center. While the Galaxy have has a slew of goals before this point – winning the Supporters’ Shield, advancing out of CONCACAF Champions League group play – New York are determined for just one thing, and that will make the club a more difficult foe. "History has shown that the teams that the teams who squeak in do very well," Magee said. "I think New York in particular, they’re desperate for an MLS Cup. I know that organization and I know this is all they’re playing for." While both New York and the Galaxy have high salaries and world-renowned stars, the similarities end there. The Red Bulls tied half of their games and needed a win in the final match of the season to reach the playoffs. The Galaxy went 19-5-10 and cruised to the top spot in the Western Conference table. But if the Galaxy view the Red Bulls as anything but a worthy and difficult opponent, they will be in trouble, Magee said. "It’s a game where we can’t see them as a No. 10 seed," he said. "They’re going to come out and they’re going to play without as much pressure as us and a lot more freely. If we let our guards down, they’ll beat us."

Dynamo Notes: Players positive after recalling point at PPL

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo's 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union on  Aug. 6 could be a much-needed rallying point for visitors as they return again to face the Union in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2/Deportes). "It’s obviously something that, as a team, we can pull from," Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat said. "We were disappointed we [didn’t win] that game because we played well but gave up an early goal." Houston dominated possession on the night, controlling the ball for 58 percent of the match, while also outshooting the Union 16-8. Despite the offensive control, however, they still needed an 85th-minute Geoff Cameron strike to pull out a draw. That positive result sparked a two-and-a-half-month run that saw the Dynamo climb to their final spot of second in the Eastern Conference. That success and production can now serve as motivation heading into a hostile playoff environment. "One hundred percent," Cameron said when asked if can they pull from their August draw. "We had a good result the last time we played them there. Saying that, it’s a different environment now in the playoffs with more at stake. We’re going to go in there to get a point or three points." Le Toux factor It is no secret who has been the hottest Union player the last third of the season. After scoring one goal in the first five months of the season, Sébastien Le Toux rediscovered his form to the tune of 10 of his club's 17 goals since Aug. 13. Le Toux’s renaissance has corresponded with a move to a more forward position. As the Frenchman has transitioned from a role as facilitator – he notched nine assists on the year – to goal scorer, opposing defenses now have to know his whereabouts at all times. "When he’s making his runs, communication is a key thing," Cameron said. "If he’s making a run through you have to let the other guys know when he is coming through and know what to do." Health finally a positive It seems rare in 2011 that the term "happy" has been used in regards to the Dynamo’s health, but going into the playoffs that's exactly how the team is feeling. When the team trained Friday morning it was nearly all hands on deck, with the only missing head being Cam Weaver, who is out for the season due to a hip injury. "To come out and be able to go through things and count 20-plus players, it’s nice to have a healthy squad going into this important part of the season," head coach Dominic Kinnear said.

DeMerit documentary gets November theatrical release

Ever since its trailer began grabbing attention on blogs and Twitter feeds this spring,

Union Notebook: Paunović a question for Houston series

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union will take the field for their first-ever MLS playoff game on Sunday at PPL Park. Union midfielder Veljko Paunović may not be as fortunate. Paunović, a longtime pro but a first-year MLS player, could be sidelined for the Union’s playoff opener against Houston in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals (4 pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The 34-year-old Serbian is currently listed as doubtful on the club’s injury report with a right hamstring strain. "As of now, Veljko is training with us but not in full capacity," Union manager Peter Nowak said Wednesday from his weekly press conference. "With those kinds of injuries, you never know how it plays out. I don’t think it’s major enough to say he’s out the whole series." Before being sidelined for the Union’s loss in last Thursday’s regular-season finale to the Red Bulls, Paunović had started 12 of the club’s last 13 games, playing mainly as a withdrawn forward behind Sébastien Le Toux. If Paunović can’t go on Sunday, the Union could start the game with a five-man midfield like they did against New York last week, or partner Danny Mwanga – who is recovering from an injury himself – up top with Le Toux. Either way, Nowak believes Paunović’s absence would hurt the club. "In the stretch where we were playing good, he was an integral part of that," Nowak said. "So it’s definitely a loss in this capacity. He’s an experienced guy." The only other key player listed on the injury report for Philly is midfielder Justin Mapp (left quad strain), but Nowak said he should be fine for Sunday’s game. Mondragón feeling fine Since goalkeeper Faryd Mondragón returned to the lineup, the Union have yet to win and Mondragón has yet to record a shutout. But heading into the playoffs, Nowak is not the least bit worried about his club’s 40-year-old captain, despite the last two results of the regular season – a 1-1 tie to Toronto and a 1-0 loss to New York. "Faryd is an experienced guy," Nowak said. "The injury was just unfortunate. It’s not like he was sitting in front of the TV with a remote control and trying to flip channels [while he was hurt]. He was around us. He was part of the team, whatever we did." Nowak was also quick to point out the goals surrendered in each of the Union’s last two games were not a result of his injury or because the team had become more accustomed to rookie Zac MacMath, who had started the previous seven games in net. "I don’t think we had any problems with communication," the Union manager said. "I think he was very confident in those two games. The two goals, we should do better defensively not to put him in that position. I’m not worried." Nowak also isn’t worried how Mondragón will handle his first MLS Cup playoff contest, considering the veteran Colombian has played in numerous pressure-packed games during a two-decade career in South America and Europe. "This kind of stuff for him is not new," Nowak said.

Ralston says no contact with Revs over coach vacancy

HOUSTON – With Monday's stunning development that the New England Revolution and Steve Nicol had parted ways, talk immediately began of who would replace the iconic head coach. Not surprisingly, one of Nicol's longtime charges was one of the first names floated. But Steve Ralston shot down any rumors of first contact with his old team on Tuesday, adding that the reports and rumor-mongering are the extent of the Dynamo assistant coach’s knowledge of the subject. "When I came in this morning, some of the guys asked about it, but I just read it this morning and that’s all I know about it," Ralston told the media after training Tuesday. "I played there for eight years and I enjoyed my time there. But my job right now is to help this team prepare for the playoffs. "I just feel really bad for [Nicol] and that’s all I’m thinking about it right now. He’s a good man and good coach and I feel for him." The former Revolution stalwart is a logical candidate for the position. Ralston was a beloved member of the team and soccer community in New England, and a big reason they made it to four MLS Cup finals during his eight seasons with the Revolution. After retiring in 2010, Ralston replaced Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer on Houston’s staff. Since then, Ralston has worked with Dynamo head man Dominic Kinnear to not only improve the Dynamo, but work on Ralston’s nascent coaching skills. "He’s more comfortable talking with the guys one on one and on the field," Kinnear said. "Another good thing is the reserve league that gives these guys a chance to make decisions, and that’s been helpful. I think he feels more comfortable being a coach." Kinnear echoed Ralston sentiments Tuesday saying he was sad to see Nicol’s tenure end, and confirmed that New England has not contacted the club for permission to speak with Ralston, who is under contract. However, as we saw with Spencer last season, Kinnear and the Dynamo are not likely to stand in the way of a coach wanting to seek out a head coaching position. "If they were to ask us to talk to Steve, I don’t see us standing in the way," Kinnear said. Still, Ralston is focused on helping the Dynamo prepare for a run to the MLS Cup and, hopefully, a victory – something that eluded him during his playing days. So while the rumor mill has already started, Ralston is content to leave any talk of his Houston departure right there. "I loved my time [in New England] and I love being here," Ralston said. "That was my past but this is my job now, to do whatever I can to help these guys. I would like to win the MLS Cup and that’s my job here."

Jewsbury honored by 'mates as Player of the Year

PORTLAND, Ore. — Jack Jewsbury has become an instant fan favorite in the Rose City, and on Sunday, his teammates officially agreed. A day after the Timbers finished their inaugural MLS season with a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake, "Captain Jack" was honored at the team's end-of-season banquet as Portland's player of the year as voted upon by his teammates. Jewsbury praised the support of the club and his fellow players in his acceptance speech. "First, I want to say thank you to all of my teammates," said Jewsbury. "To be given this from them is truly something special. Obviously we fell short of some of our goals, but I think at the end of the day, this group has something truly to be proud of and something that we're looking forward to the future with this club." In helping the Timbers stay in the thick of the playoff race until the final game of the season, Jewsbury posted career highs in points (22), goals (seven) and assists (eight). He was the only player in MLS this season to post multiple four-game streaks of earning points in consecutive games. The nine-year veteran, who was acquired from Sporting Kansas City in an offseason trade, earned his first MLS All-Star selection and was one of the top vote getters by fans at the midfield position. "When I first got traded here, I'll be honest, I was a little nervous," Jewsbury said. "I had been somewhere for eight years in Kansas City, and it felt comfortable. And to be somewhere different for me and my family was hard. They made everything as easy as could be for us and a smooth transition and I truly appreciate that and I'm sure my wife would say the same." Also receiving team awards on Sunday were forward Kenny Cooper (Golden Boot), goalkeeper Troy Perkins (Supporters' Player of the Year), midfielder Kalif Alhassan (Young Player of the Year) and reserve goalkeeper Jake Gleeson (MLS W.O.R.K.S./Timbers Humanitarian of the Year). Cooper, the team's signature preseason signing after two seasons in Germany's Bundesliga, and four with FC Dallas, led the Timbers with eight goals on the season. Perkins, who spent his previous five seasons with D.C. United, recorded a career-high nine shutouts. "It's a wall of energy behind you that you can really feed on," Perkins said of playing in front of the infamous Timbers Army. "I love playing at home and getting the other goalkeeper in there first because dealing with that Timbers Army is probably the most imposing thing in the league. To have them on your side, it just builds your confidence. When they applaud you for the effort and the work, it really makes you feel special." Among other awards, rookie midfielder/forward Darlington Nagbe's juggling goal Jul. 2 against Kansas City was voted as the team's best Play of the Year.

Same old mistakes haunt Chivas USA in season finale

CARSON, Calif. — The first year of Robin Fraser's building project at Chivas USA came to an end on Saturday night as the Rojiblancos fell 3-1 to the Seattle Sounders in the home finale. WATCH: Full Match Highlights As has been the case throughout the season, Chivas began the match strong with several early chances. But in the end, it was once again defensive miscues at important times that cost the club a result. For a team that ended the season with one win in their last 11 matches, it was disappointing way to close the year. "We possessed the ball great in the first half, but we weren't too dangerous with it," said goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. "Come the second half, we made two changes to the lineup and in a ten minute span... there were two poor turnovers and a lack of urgency to react to those turnovers. And a team like Seattle, with the weapons that they have, will bury them "Going into tonight, the focus was a little bit of pride and to give the supporters something to cheer about, so it's disappointing." Although the Rojiblancos finish the year at just 8-14-12, they also hold the distinction of having been in nearly all their games. The defeat to Seattle marked just the second time all season that they had been defeated by a margin greater than one goal. The match itself was not without positives as the Rojiblancos look ahead to greater things in 2012. One such highlight was Victor Estupiñán scoring the lone Chivas goal, the first of his fledgling career. The Ecuadorian has been in and out of the game day roster throughout the season, but after coming on for Juan Pablo Ángel in the second half, he had an immediate impact and offered hope for more production next season. "I thought his energy was good," said Fraser after the match. "He made a lot of good runs out of midfield and he gets on the end of a service and creates a goal. I thought for him, it was certainly a bright spot. Victor has worked extremely hard especially at the last stage of the season. "He's really turned the corner in terms of maturing as a young professional. He still has a long way to go, but his attitude has gone a long way in terms of getting into the 18, getting into the game and making the most of his opportunity."

Spencer: Timbers must collect every last point we can

While the Portland Timbers’ playoff hopes may have come crashing down with New York’s 1-0 victory Thursday over Philadelphia, head coach John Spencer still insists the motivation for his team’s season finale against Real Salt Lake on Saturday (9 pm ET; watch LIVE online) remains the same. "We felt that Philly had a good chance to get a win against the Red Bulls, but it wasn’t to be," Spencer said in a Friday morning conference call. "I think for a first season, for us, it’s been a good season. We’ve got one more game against Real Salt Lake and we want to go out and get a win and end the season with as many points as we possibly can get." The Timbers needed New York to lose or draw against Philadelphia for their match at RSL to have postseason meaning. But by the time the Timbers landed in Salt Lake City – having followed the game online as they traveled from Washington, D.C., where they tied Wednesday against D.C. United – the Timbers knew their chance to become only the second MLS expansion team since 1998 to qualify for the playoffs was over. "You can’t fault our effort," Spencer said. "You can’t fault our effort throughout the season. For a first-year team to get 41 points with a possibility to get 44, I think has been a good season. A little bit [short] of a great season, not getting into the playoffs." Spencer said the team still practiced Friday morning as if it were just another game, a brand of professionalism the first-time head coach has preached all season. "We could look at the last game as, ‘You know what? It’s our last game. There’s nothing riding on it,’" he said. "But there is. It’s three points riding on it. For us, we’re going to go out and try to win the game. We’ll be putting the strongest 11 that I feel that is capable of winning the game." Portland will be missing forward Darlington Nagbe, who also missed the game against United with a calf injury, as well as midfielder Sal Zizzo, who injured his knee in the Timbers’ 2-0 loss Oct. 14 to Houston. There will be a lot on the line for Real Salt Lake, as well. A win will ensure they retain the third position in the Western Conference, which guarantees them a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League tournament if RSL, the LA Galaxy or the Seattle Sounders advance to the MLS Cup final. But the seeming disparity in the stakes for the two sides won’t deter Spencer. "You put on a Timbers uniform, you go out and you try to win the game," Spencer said.

DC want to extend De Rosario's contract

WASHINGTON – While one game remains in D.C. United's 2011 campaign, big decisions lay ahead for the franchise's looming offseason. The future of midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and forward Charlie Davies are two of the biggest decisions confronting D.C.'s front office. De Rosario has one year left – a club-held option – on his current contract, although United plan on trying to offer him a longer deal. "We'll sit down in the coming weeks with Dwayne and his representative and our goal is to negotiate an extension," general manager Dave Kasper told reporters at training on Friday. Since joining D.C. at the end of June, De Rosario has scored 13 goals and added seven assists. The Canadian international remains focused on Saturday's final game against Sporting Kansas City, but admitted to the importance of securing something more permanent. "It's huge," De Rosario said. "That's what I always wanted, especially as a family guy, I have to do what's right not only for me, but for my family as well. When you talk about contract negotiations, all of these things you have to take and bear in mind. The main focus right now is finishing the season out on a good note and then we'll deal with all that stuff after." D.C. also plan on making a decision about Davies. His loan from French club Sochaux expires at the end of the calendar year, and the club has an option to purchase the contract for a fee reported to be somewhere north of $1 million. United can also try to negotiate a lower fee or another year-long loan. Davies has 11 goals in 28 appearances on the year. "We need to sit down internally, and with Charlie and discuss his future," Kasper said.

De Rosario: Missing playoffs again "tough to swallow"

WASHINGTON — For most of the second half, it was quite clear that D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario wasn’t operating at 100 percent. With pain in his right shin, he labored through the final 45 but still managed to score in D.C.’s 1-1 draw with Portland. "I’ve actually been kicked in the same spot about three games in a row now, and at halftime I didn’t think I would be able to make it," he said after the game. "Sometimes you just have to suck it up and play for your team and that’s what I tried to do." But it wasn’t enough. The result eliminated United from playoff contention, and De Rosario took that consequence personally. "Another year for me that I’m not going to make the playoffs," he said. "It’s tough to swallow, to be honest." The Canadian international has won four MLS Cups in his career: two with San Jose in 2001 and 2003, and two with Houston in 2006 and 2007. But he has now missed out on the postseason three years in a row. He spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with Toronto FC, both years failing to reach the postseason. He started this season again with Toronto then was traded to New York in April before being acquired by D.C. in June. "It was disheartening," De Rosario, whose career-high 15th goal pushed him into the lead in the Golden Boot race. "But it isn’t [disheartening] in the sense that we showed some fight. It was another learning opportunity for a lot of us. We’re happy that the supporters stuck with us through the whole game, which means a lot to us as players." Kitchen at D-mid Right back, center back, holding midfield. For Perry Kitchen, it doesn’t matter where he plays, just as long as he’s on the field. On Wednesday night, with the club in a do-or-die situation, head coach Ben Olsen entrusted the 19-year-old with the starting spot at defensive midfield in place of Clyde Simms. "I think I was put in there to just try to keep the game connected, I know it got a little crazy at the end with everybody pushing numbers forward," Kitchen said after the game. His performance drew rave reviews from Olsen. "It’s exciting to have him in this organization," he said. "He’s a big-time player and he’s got a huge heart. It’s really nice to see him play."

DC need to bounce back after painful Chicago collapse

WASHINGTON – Very little has gone right for D.C. United in the month of October. Including Saturday’s last-minute defeat at the hands of the Chicago Fire, United have lost all three games this month and four straight overall. The slump has them firmly on the outside looking in on the MLS Cup playoff picture. Despite all that, D.C. remain alive and upbeat. They are quickly putting the Chicago game out of sight and out of mind as they prepare for a must-win match on Wednesday against Portland (8 pm ET, watch LIVE online). WATCH: D.C. 1, CHI 2 "We had to get over [the Chicago loss] pretty quickly because we have an important game," midfielder Clyde Simms told MLSsoccer.com. "There’s nothing you can do about that now. It’s in the past. We’re just looking forward to tomorrow night, taking care of business against Portland." Added head coach Ben Olsen: "We’re fine. [The players] have short memories." During the recent stretch, D.C. have kept games close and haven’t been shut out. And while they haven’t had too much trouble hitting the back of the net, there wasn’t one particular issue causing losses. "I think we’ve had different problems in different games," Simms said. "In Philadelphia it was the ball over the top. In Vancouver it wasn’t getting pressure out wide to crosses. It’s been various things and we’ve had a little bit of bad luck." "We’ve just got to look forward," he said. "We feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of learning from mistakes this season. We’ve just got to keep pushing." Regardless of the performances in October up to this point, D.C. remain confident. They would still qualify for the playoffs with two wins this week combined with a New York loss to Philadelphia on Thursday, provided Portland cooperates by losing one of their two games or drawing both. And for the time being, looking forward to that is what fuels United. That's more productive than dwelling on the struggles of the recent past. "We have some very experienced players on this team and guys that have gotten a lot of time this season," Simms said. "We’re definitely confident as a team and we know we can do it."

Vote for AT&T Goal of the Week, Wk. 31

Cast your ballot today for your favorite goal of Week 31! The winner is determined by the total number of votes cast online and via text and is announced on Fridays. Vote online or text goal code to 22442. Voting runs from noon ET on Mondays until 11:59 pm PT on Thursdays.

Recap: 64K watch Keller shine in storybook Sounders win

SEATTLE — On a night in desperate need of a storybook ending, the Seattle Sounders were more than happy to oblige. A massive crowd of 64,140 — the third largest standalone crowd in MLS history — at CenturyLink Field came to pay tribute to the Sounders’ retiring goalkeeper Kasey Keller and were treated to a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Seattle 2, San Jose 1 The home side overcame a plucky San Jose side and a 24th-minute strike from Chris Wondolowski, getting goals Sammy Ochoa and Fredy Montero in the 82nd minute and 87th minute, respectively. With his 15th goal on the season, Wondolowski, the 2010 Golden Boot winner, drew level with D.C. United’s Dwayne De Rosario for the lead in this year’s scoring race. As if following a script, the comeback would not have been possible if not for the heroics of Keller. The 41-year-old goalkeeper made seven saves, none of which were bigger than a multi-save sequence in the 65th minute. Early on, though, it seemed as if it would be a bittersweet evening for the Sounders and their fans. The Quakes, eliminated from playoff contention several weeks ago, pushed the tempo and created several chances for themselves. Wondolowski gave the Earthquakes the lead in the 24th minute when he ran in alone, collecting Rafael Baca’s perfect through pass and beating Keller with a well-placed shot in the lower left corner. After the goal, the Quakes continued to push for more, only to be thwarted by Keller. The Sounders keeper dove to his right to deny Wondolowski on a low skillful header in the 43rd minute. And Wondolowski looked to have a second on a freekick in the 61st minute, but the goal was called back for the freekick’s being taken too quickly. Meanwhile, the Sounders still could not find the energy needed to get back in the game. They failed to create many full chances or even half chances until a few events saw the momentum shift. First, talismanic midfielder Mauro Rosales came on in the 64th minute to make his first appearance in nearly a month, and then Keller pulled off his series of acrobatic saves in the 65th. After Patrick Ianni’s poor pass, Keller was forced to come well off his line in order to beat the Quakes’ Khari Stephenson to the ball. Wondolowski then pounced on the loose ball and fired a shot from the left side which Keller staved off with a diving save. He then made a final block on Simon Dawkins’ follow-up before the defense finally cleared the danger. WATCH: Keller postmatch ceremonies The Sounders took advantage of their sudden ascendency and hit paydirt in the 82nd minute when Rosales, who suffered a sprained MCL against D.C. United on Sept. 17, found substitute Sammy Ochoa with a long through ball. The summer acquisition forward beat Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch to record his first goal since joining the Sounders. Five minutes later, when most expected the match to end in a draw, the Sounders snagged the lead through Fredy Montero’s 12th goal of the season. Lamar Neagle found Montero, who barely beat the offside trap, and Colombian attacker calmly beat the defenseless Busch. The result does nothing to change the standings, as Seattle remain in second place in the Western Conference, four points behind LA. They host Monterrey on Oct. 18 in CONCACAF Champions League action. San Jose welcome Dallas on Oct. 22 in their final match of the season.   Scoring Summary: SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 15 (Rafael Baca 3) 24 SEA -- Sammy Ochoa 1 (Mauro Rosales 13) 82 SEA -- Fredy Montero 12 (Lamar Neagle 2, Brad Evans 4) 87 Lineups: San Jose Earthquakes -- Jon Busch, Steven Beitashour, Bobby Burling, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow, Simon Dawkins, Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Rafael Baca, Chris Wondolowski, Khari Stephenson.

Recap: Houston take a big step with 2-0 win at Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Houston Dynamo climbed a rung up the playoff ladder with a rough and tumble 2-0 road win Friday against the Portland Timbers. In the process, they dealt a major blow to Portland, who had been nipping at Houston’s heels in the postseason race. The Dynamo jumped over New York, Columbus and Sporting KC into the second place in the East with 46 points from 33 games. Portland, meanwhile, remain on the outside looking in with 40 points from their 32 contests. With rain falling throughout the Timbers’ home finale in front of 20,323 fans at JELD-WEN Field, there was clearly no love lost between the two teams as they combined for 30 fouls and two yellow cards. After a back-and-forth first half hour, Houston got on the board first in the 36th minute. A Lovel Palmer tackle on Carlo Costly at the right corner of the penalty area gave the Dynamo a free kick, and as they have all season, the men in orange were able to capitalize. Defender Andre Hainault got a touch on Brad Davis’ service, nodding past Portland goalkeeper Troy Perkins. The Timbers cried foul, as midfielder Sal Zizzo – who had been dispossessed in the lead-up to Palmer’s foul – was off receiving treatment when the goal was scored. The raw play continued in the second half as Houston midfielder Danny Cruz went hard into Timbers defender Mike Chabala, sending him sprawling to the turf. The play drew a yellow and Chabala had to gather himself on the sidelines briefly before coming back in. Houston put home the capper in the 59th minute in spectacular fashion when Cruz drove a left-footed blast from 30-yards out into the top corner of the goal. Portland’s desperate attempts to claw back into it went by the board when a Palmer cross to Eric Brunner deflected off Costly and nearly trickeled in before it was secured by a diving Tally Hall in the 64th minute. Minutes later, a clean Kenny Cooper header was pushed wide. Then, at the death, a David Horst header banged off the goalpost right before the final whistle blew. Portland (11-14-7) do possess a game in hand over Houston and Colorado. They’ll play at D.C. United on October 19 before concluding the season at Real Salt Lake on October 22. Houston (11-9-13) wrap up their season on October 23 at home against the LA Galaxy. Scoring Summary: HOU -- Andre Hainault 1 (Brad Davis 15) 36 HOU -- Danny Cruz 2 (Luiz Camargo 2) 59  Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe, Danny Cruz, Adam Moffat, Luiz Camargo (Je-Vaughn Watson 77), Brad Davis (Colin Clark 74), Calen Carr (Will Bruin 81), Carlo Costly.

Goalkeeping spot still a question for Philadelphia

CHESTER, Pa. – The Philadelphia Union can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a draw vs. Toronto FC on Saturday at PPL Park (4 pm ET, TSN, MatchDay Live). That much they know. Who will be in goal still seems to be a mystery. During a conference call on Friday, Union manager Peter Nowak dodged questions about who his starting goalkeeper would be for Saturday’s regular-season home finale. Captain Faryd Mondragón started the first 25 games of the season before breaking his finger, opening the door for rookie Zac MacMath, who’s been unbeaten in seven starts to help Philadelphia (11-7-14, 47 points) climb into first place in the Eastern Conference. Nowak said Mondragón has been training all week and is 100 percent healthy but would not commit to the 40-year-old all star, perhaps in part because of how well MacMath has performed since being called into duty. "There are a lot of factors," Nowak said. "The most important thing for me is we bring the same kind of motivation, concentration and energy to the game like we have the past several weeks. And if not, we’ll have a difficult time." No matter who patrols the net, Nowak seemed wary about a Toronto squad that will come into PPL Park looking to play the role of spoiler. For the Union manager, it hardly mattered that the Reds (6-13-13) have long been eliminated from the playoff race and that the last time these two teams met – in Toronto – the Union coasted to a 6-2 victory. "I think they are much better," Nowak said. "Defensively, they are very sound. They basically play with three center backs and five across the line in the backline. And they have very dangerous strikers, as well. "They have nothing to lose. Teams that don’t have anything to lose are the most dangerous. So we have to be really careful." The Union may still have a chance to earn a playoff berth over the weekend regardless of their result against TFC. If there is a winner between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo and the New York Red Bulls lose to Sporting KC, Philadelphia are in. But for their final regular-season game at PPL Park, the Union would naturally prefer to keep their unbeaten streak alive and secure a spot in the postseason with their home fans looking on. "We want to give our fans a great show in the last regular-season home game," Union midfielder Brian Carroll said. "If we do that and are concentrated and focused, then hopefully we can get the maximum points. That’s our number one goal going into this game. "We want to take care of our own destiny and keep everything in our own control."

Dynamo ready for rough reception in Portland crunch clash

HOUSTON – Friday night’s match against the Portland Timbers could be the one that rubber-stamps Houston into the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fifth time in six years (10:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online). With a Dynamo win and a D.C. United draw or loss against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, the Orange men will move one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. To do that, Houston will have to beat a Timbers team they know a lot about after playing twice already – in preseason and on Aug. 14 in a 2-1 Houston home victory – with familiar faces on both sides. But there is one unfamiliar factor to deal with: the effects of Portland’s JELD-WEN Field that offers a raucous crowd and a small field prone to set-piece glory. "We haven’t been there, but from what everyone says, it’s better than most, if not the best, in the league," said head coach Dominic Kinnear. "I always say that’s the type of environment players want to play in ... it motivates you whether you’re home or away." The smaller field puts set-piece execution, both offensively and defensively, at a premium. Portland are exceptionally dangerous from set pieces and pose a number of problems with their service and tall targets; something they have in common with Houston. The Dynamo have one of the best ball strikers in MLS with Brad Davis and a number of tall targets of their own to take advantage of a field small enough that most set pieces are a potential scoring opportunity. "They score a lot of goals off set pieces," Davis said, "and knowing [Portland coach John] Spencer, he’s going to be aware of the guys we have on set pieces and he’ll go over them and put an emphasis on not giving those up and we’ll be aware of it for the same reasons. I think there’s going to be a few chances in that area and hopefully it’s us that are going to get on the end of them." With the chance to take a firm grip on a potential playoff spot, the only wild card thrown into the equation for Houston is the hostile settings of JELD-WEN Field. "As a player, these are the games you live for," Davis said. "It’s going to be loud, there’s a lot of emotion ... because the season rides on [this game] for both sides. It’ll be a playoff atmosphere, and if you can’t get up for this, I don’t think you should be in this sport."

On-the-mend Mwanga nearly back for surging Union

CHESTER, Pa. – In their past four games, the Philadelphia Union have earned eight points, scored seven goals and climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference table. Perhaps even more impressive, they’ve managed to do so without the services of one of their top offensive weapons – Danny Mwanga. Mwanga, a dynamic second-year striker, hasn’t played since Sept. 17 because of a right hip flexor strain. WATCH: Mwanga has a go "Obviously I’m glad the team is doing well but, at the same time, it’s tough because you want to be out there," Mwanga told MLSsoccer.com. "You want to be a part of it. But I know I still have a couple of games and then we’ll hopefully make the playoffs. So I’m working hard to be fit by then and be able to help my team." Mwanga, the top overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, said he pulled his hip flexor in practice a couple of days after playing 27 minutes as a second-half sub in the Union’s 1-0 win over Columbus on Sept. 17. He then didn’t make the 18-man roster in games against Sporting Kansas City (Sept. 23), D.C. United (Sept. 29) and Chivas USA (Oct. 2). Against Seattle this past Saturday, the striker was included on the travel roster but didn’t get into the game in Philly’s pivotal 2-0 win. There is good news for Union fans, though: this week and last, Mwanga says he’s been training at close to full strength. "It’s finally getting better," he said. "I’m almost at 100 percent." Mwanga has battled a few minor injuries throughout his two-year career but he’s never been out of commission for this long. And even though the Union (11-7-14) have been proficient in the offensive third in recent weeks – with the red-hot Sébastien Le Toux leading the charge – they could certainly use Mwanga’s goal-scoring abilities as they look to clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto FC at PPL Park on Saturday (4 pm ET, watch LIVE online). And, of course, Mwanga – who’s scored five goals this season but has none since June 25 – hopes to be back on the field for what he expects to be a memorable day in Chester. "I think it’s going to be wonderful," he said. "It’s our last game at home and I think the environment will be really nice. Toronto made a few changes on their team and they’re going to come out trying to prove something against us. I think it’s going to be a really good game."

Dynamo's mission simple as they know they're in control

HOUSTON – The Houston Dynamo’s path to the playoffs is clear: Win and get in. Heading into the final weeks of the season, the Orange know a points total of 49 assures them of a playoff spot. To get there, Houston – who currently sit on 43 points and 10th in the current playoff standings – their fate is in their own hands. "I think it’s good," said midfielder Brad Davis of Houston's position. "When stuff’s out of your hands, it’s unsettling. If we go out and perform or don’t perform, we know it’s on us." Those two wins will have to come against a team right behind them in the standings, the Portland Timbers, and the Supporters’ Shield-winning LA Galaxy. Houston beat the Timbers 2-1 at home Aug. 14, but it will be a different Portland team this time out. John Spencer’s side is 4-2-2 since that loss and has proved a tough team to deal with at JELD-WEN Field. "We have a game in Portland that will be a playoff atmosphere," Davis said. "I think our playoffs start then in an amazing atmosphere on the road. I think we’re going to see what our team is made of. Then we have a game with LA where we don’t know what’s going to happen ... but that really doesn’t matter because we need to get maximum points out of these games to put ourselves in a good spot." While the Dynamo control their own fate, they will have an eye on the teams around them. With three teams — D.C. United, Portland and Chicago – having games in hand on Houston, the Dynamo know what happens around them will affect them. Not just in regards to making the playoffs but where they are seeded. "It’s always tough when you watch a game like Philly play Seattle and we don’t need [the Union] to get a result," said defender Bobby Boswell. "You watch to know what happens, but six points in these next two games will be huge. If you don’t get results, then you’re going to be a team that’s watching and depending on other teams." Their attention will surely be on what teams around them are doing, but, Houston know their first order of business is to win games. Without winning their remaining fixtures, the fate of their season will uncomfortably be left up to what other teams are doing. "We are where we are and we have the chance to get six points and get into the playoffs," Davis said. "That’s what we’re working for these past weeks and the training sessions have been some of the most intense that we’ve had since I’ve been around. I’d rather know it’s in our hands and that we have that chance."

Referee Week: Revisiting Davies' drawn penalty vs. LA

Recap: Philadelphia blow past Seattle for big 2-0 win

A strong second-half performance and goals from Freddy Adu and Brian Carroll pushed the Philadelphia Union past the Seattle Sounders for a 2-0 win at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Saturday night. The Union won for the second time in the past three games thanks largely to a defense that stifled the potent Seattle attack and some opportunistic finishing. It marks Philly's third win in their last five games and pushed them to the top of the Eastern Conference with two games left in the season. The night started slow, with both teams looking sloppy in midfield and largely unable to generate quality chances. The best look of the first half fell to Sounders midfielder Brad Evans in the 35th minute after he latched onto a pull-back from Lamar Neagle, but Evans skied his shot over Zac MacMath's net. Things opened up in the second half, however, with both sides threatening to score early. The best chance again came through Evans, who found room at the top of the box and tried a cheeky chip of MacMath. The 'keeper was beaten, but the woodwork came to the rescue and kept it scoreless. Philly came right back down the other end of the field and conjured up a great chance thank to some clever work from Justin Mapp. The erstwhile winger found himself central, spun away from a defender and charged in on Kasey Keller's net. Mapp laid it off to Sébastien Le Toux, in the area, but the Frenchman scuffed his shot making for an easy save by Keller. Minutes later, however, Philly would finally find the opener courtesy of the mercurial Adu. The play started with a quick switch from Sheanon Williams, who found Gabriel Farfan in acres of space down the left-hand side. The winger managed to beat defender James Riley along the endline, then pulled it back to Adu, who was waiting at the corner of the six-yard box. Adu made no mistake, smashing a left-footed blast into the roof of the net past a helpless Keller. 10 minutes later the Union were at it again. After enduring wave after wave of Sounders attacks, Le Toux got loose on a counter and was off to the races. Carroll went with him, and was rewarded for his hustle when Le Toux slipped a pass through the retreating Seattle defense to put the d-mid in on Keller. Carroll finished clinically, firing low and hard to the back post for his first goal of the season. The Sounders, who were playing without a host of attackers including MVP candidates Fredy Montero (yellow-card accumulation) and Mauro Rosales (injury), were further hamstrung when stalwart defender Jeff Parke went off with a concussion at halftime. Though the effort was there throughout the squad, the legs largely weren't from the side that won the US Open Cup earlier in the week. Philly (11-7-14, 47 points) move two points above Sporting KC into the Eastern Conference driver's seat. They next take the field on Saturday, Oct 15, when they host Toronto FC. Seattle (16-7-9, 57 points) stay second in the West, but are eliminated from the Supporters' Shield race. With the result, the LA Galaxy clinched their second straight Shield. The Sounders are next in action on Oct. 15 when they host San Jose. A win or a draw will clinch second place in the West. Scoring Summary: PHI -- Freddy Adu 2 (Gabriel Farfan 2) 60 PHI -- Brian Carroll 1 (Sebastien Le Toux 9) 70 Misconduct Summary: SEA -- Lamar Neagle (caution; Reckless Foul) 63 Lineup: Philadelphia Union -- Zac MacMath, Sheanon Williams, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Brian Carroll, Justin Mapp (Jack McInerney 86), Freddy Adu (Amobi Okugo 75), Sebastien Le Toux, Veljko Paunovic (Stefani Miglioranzi 89).

Júnior Lopes making the adjustment to life at Chivas USA

CARSON, Calif. – Since joining Chivas USA from Romanian club FC Universitatea Craiova on Aug. 12, center back David Júnior Lopes has become a staple in the Goats defense. Five of his first six appearances have been starts. But that’s not to say that there haven’t been bumps along the road as the 6-foot-4 Júnior Lopes has adjusted to life in MLS. "I knew it'd be a complicated transition from Europe, but it's been easier than I expected and overall, I'm very happy and I hope that I can stay for a while," he told MLSsoccer.com. "The first three games were very important for me because I had a lot of doubts and I questioned my soccer and what I could do. Those two games were important for me in defining what kind of player that I wanted to be." What Júnior Lopes has become is a hard-nosed defender, using his imposing size to overpower opponents. But his penchant for physical play has gotten him into some trouble during his short time with Chivas USA. In his first appearance, the 29-year-old was lucky not to surrender a penalty kick after appearing to bring down a Sounders player late in the match. Two matches later, the Brazilian was red-carded for a tackle on Chris Pontius that left the D.C. United winger with a broken right leg. Since returning from his suspension, however, Júnior Lopes has shown signs of quality. "It's a matter of him getting fit and his legs under him and certainly integrating him into back four and he's been very proactive about that," Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser said of the 29-year-old Brazilian Júnior Lopes admits that returning to match fitness has been the biggest issue since arriving at Chivas. After Universitatea Craiova were excluded from the Romanian top flight due to a legal dispute in July, he returned home. "I had been off for a while on vacation in Brazil, so it took me awhile to get into game shape and out of the funk that I was in," said Júnior Lopes. "I had those negative moments, but working out those kinks was important because I had so much time off." Now at full match fitness and with Chivas out of postseason contention, Júnior Lopes has set his sights on locking down a spot for 2012. "I hope to come back," he added. "I want to finish my career in MLS. I feel like I have a lot of good years left and I feel like I can help Chivas USA."

On playoff threshold, Union look to step over vs. Seattle

CHESTER, Pa. – The last time the Philadelphia Union played in Seattle, they were an expansion team looking for their first win in franchise history. More than a year-and-a-half later, the Union will make their second trip to Seattle with another achievement in plain sight: making the playoffs for the first time. "We’re standing in front of the door," Union manager Peter Nowak said. "The door is open. We just need to make the necessary step to walk through the door." The Union (10-7-14, 44 points) cannot officially a clinch a playoff berth when they play the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field on Saturday (10 pm ET, watch LIVE online), but a win would vault them ahead of Sporting Kansas City and into first in the Eastern Conference. Even a tie would leave the second-place Union in very good playoff position, since none of their other East rivals will be in action Saturday. Of course, getting a result on the road against one of the league’s premier teams will not be easy – even if the Sounders (16-6-9, 57 points) have already clinched a playoff berth and are coming off the emotional high of winning the US Open Cup on Tuesday. "It’s going to be a challenging game; it always is over there," Nowak said. "And they still have a chance to win the Supporters’ Shield." Seattle will be without their leading scorer Freddy Montero (16 goals across all competitions), who is suspended for the game due to yellow card accumulation. Philadelphia, meanwhile, come into the game with their leading scorer – Sébastien Le Toux – playing at his absolute best. And Le Toux, who was named the MLS Player of the Month for September after scoring seven goals in six games, is excited to return to Seattle, where he spent three years before the Union scooped him up in the 2009 Expansion Draft. "It’s always special for me go back there," the Frenchman said. "I have lots of good memories there. I’m glad about where they are right now and I wish them the best." But, of course, Le Toux wants to leave his old stomping grounds with a victory. And, he says, he and his teammates are ready to deal with the noise at CenturyLink, which typically gives the Sounders a tremendous homefield advantage. "When you speak, you have to be very close to each other to understand and hear each other," Le Toux said. "It’s a great place to play, even for the opposing team. I just want to play well and do my best on the field." Nowak didn’t seem too concerned about playing at such a hostile road venue, either. "We were there last year, so it’s nothing different," the Union manager said. "Most of the stadiums this time before the playoffs are all packed with people yelling and screaming. It’s not going to chance our approach to Seattle, regardless of the 30,000 fans. It’s good to play in this kind of environment at this stage."

Schellas XI: Recent woes frustrating for FC Dallas

FRISCO, Texas – In our weekly series featuring Schellas Hyndman, the FC Dallas head coach addresses 11 topics in brevity, including the team’s current losing streak, the departure of Brek Shea and Marvin Chávez for the FIFA international dates and the successes from earlier in 2011. I-II. First, just days after the team’s fourth straight shutout loss, the FCD manager addressed the team’s current state of mind. "I think the team is just anxious and I think they’re frustrated. The results haven’t gone our way and [the players are] disappointed, but that’s what we would expect. I would be really concerned if they were just happy-go-lucky right now." III. The team held its first full training session this week since before ex-Toronto FC forward Maicon Santos arrived two months ago, giving the Brazilian the opportunity to better mesh with teammates. "In his mind, he has been doing the things that we want him to do. So we’re just [giving him] a little bit of clarity right now and then coordinating him with the other players." IV-V. Missing from the training equation, however, were US international Brek Shea and Honduras’ Chávez, who are in Miami ahead of the international friendly between the two national teams on Oct. 8. Hyndman expected their return to FC Dallas before Wednesday’s Oct. 12 game at the Chicago Fire. "We understand that they both will be [unavailable], but there are always potential glitches in the plan depending on the injuries in the first game and how the coach will have to make some adjustments." VI-VII. While Shea and Chávez train with their respective national teams, FC Dallas have a four-day break to get their minds away from the game. "We hope that they can just relax, spend time with their family, get away from soccer, and get their energy back – that’s why we’re giving them the time off. "This time off will give some the opportunity to get their legs back and recover a little bit from their injuries." VIII-IX. Even with the four-game losing streak, FC Dallas can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a win at Toyota Park next week. "We’ve done very well to put ourselves in the position we are, but we don’t want give teams the chance to catch us or bypass us, so we have to be focused on winning and getting points." X. Given all of the team’s success earlier in the season, when FCD were the first to reach 10 wins, their recent struggles haven’t been lethal to their priority of reaching the playoffs. "The reality is we are where we are because we’ve had a fantastic training in preparation and results to give us the 46 points." XI. With three games remaining to try and clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive year, the FCD coaching staff does not want to overwhelm the players. "The thing we have to be concerned with is putting so much pressure on the players so that they don’t perform. We need to finish the season off on a good note and compete for that playoff spot and then feel good about being in the playoffs."

Umaña's switch on back line feels right for Chivas USA

CARSON, Calif. – Michael Umaña has been the consummate professional for Chivas USA this season, playing every role that has been asked of him. Now with the Rojiblancos' season nearing an end, he's been asked to play another.  Umaña has moved to right back as the club deals with inconsistent play along that flank. The move was a new challenge for Umaña, who had played the position only sparingly during his career, but one in which he's been able to excel. "It's not my natural position being on the right side, but it's a technical decision and I need to play that role," he said. "I've been there a few times this year and although it's new, I'm always trying to do my best." The defender's consistent play has led to his continued inclusion in Costa Rica's national team. After being a squad regular under former coaches Ricardo La Volpe and Ronald González, new manager Jorge Luis Pinto called up Umaña for the Ticos' high profile match against Brazil on Oct. 7. Umaña is not the only member of Chivas USA heading on international duty as Alejandro Moreno (Venezuela) and Ante Jazic (Canada) will each be playing in World Cup qualifiers for their respective nations. Although all three are veterans of the international game, Umaña admits that the transition from club to country is a challenging one. "It's hard especially when you have to travel and switch from one coach to another, but the adjustment to different ideas is part of the process," Umaña said. After Umaña returns from his time with

This or That: Beckham's free kick or Henry's golazo?

DC Notebook: Two straight road defeats rare

WASHINGTON – For the first time since March, D.C. United finished two consecutive road games with nothing to show for it. After losing 3-2 at Philadelphia on Thursday, D.C. couldn’t hold a 1-0 halftime lead against the Columbus Crew on Sunday, coughing up two second half goals to lose a second straight on the road. "It’s definitely a tough situation for us to handle, but since the games are so important, one after another, you kind of have to forget about it and move onto the next," forward Charlie Davies said after the match. Strong road form had been a common trait all season for DC, as every previous two-game swing had yielded a point – at the very least. The similarities between these two losses stung a bit as well. "The feeling’s not too much different than Thursday," head coach Ben Olsen said. "It’s not fun to lose these games. I thought overall it was a good effort, but we took those two plays off and you can’t do that down the stretch." Moving on from the loss, D.C. will be under pressure to come away with maximum points from their remaining four games. The final three are all at home, and D.C.’s playoff fate will be determined by that stretch. But with a week and a half before the next game, this loss might linger for a bit longer than usual. "We have a little while till Vancouver so we’re probably going to sulk for a little while, but we need to regroup and erase this stuff from our memories and get ready for Vancouver," Davies said. De Rosario, Hamid depart for international duty While most of the team will get the next couple of days off, D.C. will send Dwayne De Rosario and Bill Hamid off on international duty this week. De Rosario is taking part in Canada’s World Cup qualification effort, with a game on Friday and Tuesday, while Hamid received his third call up with the US team for a pair of friendlies during that same stretch. However, both could be with their respective national teams the night before United play at Vancouver on Wednesday, October 12. Olsen was cautiously optimistic about Hamid returning in time for United's tilt with the 'Caps. "[US coach] Jürgen [Klinsmann] has been very cooperative with our needs while still balancing what he needs," he said last week. "We’ll talk with him and I’m sure something will be figured out." But while Hamid could be back to face the Whitecaps, De Rosario likely wouldn’t be available because Canada plays in Toronto on Tuesday. "If that plays out, that’s pretty much a long shot," Olsen said of De Rosario’s chances to play. "Especially if he sees minutes in [the Tuesday] game, that’s just setting him up for injury. It’s a long way away and we’ve had some talks with him and the federation and we’ll do what’s best for Dwayne."

Recap: Sporting rescue big point in 1-1 tie at San Jose

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Chris Wondolowski and Teal Bunbury provided late fireworks Saturday night as the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City fought to a 1-1 draw. Wondolowski broke open what had been a dreary match in the 85th minute by burying a left-footed volley at the far post off a long cross from Steven Beitashour. Bunbury responded in the 86th minute for Kansas City, running onto a bouncing lead pass from C.J. Sapong and hammering it past San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch. Kansas City (11-9-12) moved two points clear of second-place Philadelphia in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, although the Union have four games remaining to Kansas City’s two. San Jose (6-11-14) failed to win for the 17th time in 18 matches and fell near mathematic elimination from the 10-team playoff chase. Wondolowski, the leading scorer in MLS last season, now has 12 goals on the year, two behind league leader Dwayne De Rosario of D.C. United. Wondolowski also moved past former Quakes star Landon Donovan into sole possession of second place on the club’s all-time goal-scoring list with 33. Bunbury now has eight goals for Kansas City, and Sapong five assists. San Jose held the majority of possession on the evening, especially in the first half, but didn’t record a shot on goal until the 67th minute. Wondolowski’s strike came as a bit of a happy surprise for the capacity Buck Shaw Stadium crowd of 10,525 — a fifth straight sellout for San Jose — which had seen Sporting Kansas City increase their pressure after intermission. It was a team-high sixth assist for Beitashour. But Sapong took a quick restart, held off one San Jose defender and dribbled past two others to create space, then fed the ball to Bunbury, who went far post from eight yards for the equalizer. The Quakes were credited with 15 first-half shots, but not one forced a save from Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Kansas City’s defenders, content to sit behind the ball, blocked eight long-range attempts by the Quakes. Meanwhile, Sporting came alive at the half-hour mark and had almost all of the best scoring chances after that point. Omar Bravo, set free by Jeferson’s through ball in the 30th minute, chipped skillfully over the charging Busch, only to see Beitashour swoop into the box to make a leaping goal-line clearance with his right foot. Four minutes later, ex-Quake Kei Kamara fed a low cross to Bravo at the near post, but the Designated Player couldn’t get a touch on the ball, which skittered across the goalmouth. A glorious chance fell to Kansas City in the 58th minute. The Quakes couldn’t clear effectively after Beitashour blocked Bravo’s initial shot, and the ball fell to Bravo just eight yards from goal, but he pushed it wide to the far post. Bunbury nearly cashed in after San Jose allowed a Nielsen kick to bound through their back line in the 62nd minute. Busch dropped low to make his toughest save of the night. Kamara’s 71st-minute free header off a Sporting corner trickled wide of the back post. Sporting captain Davy Arnaud set a new franchise record by making his 238th regular-season appearance for the club, breaking a tie with current Kansas City assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin. Jeferson, Kansas City’s mid-season Designated Player addition, returned to the starting lineup, replacing Graham Zusi, who came in on the brink of suspension for yellow-card accumulation with a critical Eastern Conference clash against New York coming up next for Sporting. Bunbury also started up top over rookie Sapong. For the Quakes, center back Jason Hernandez was brought on after missing three games due to a left quadriceps strain, and Sam Cronin was inserted at central midfield, pushing Rafael Baca wide right. Sporting's newest signing, Peterson Joseph, made his MLS debut as an 82nd-minute substitute. San Jose return to action next weekend at New England, while Sporting get two weeks off before hosting the Red Bulls on Oct. 15. Scoring Summary: SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 12 (Steven Beitashour 6, Simon Dawkins 2) 85 KC -- Teal Bunbury 8 (C.J. Sapong 5) 86 Misconduct Summary: KC -- Omar Bravo (caution; Reckless Foul) 24 SJ -- Khari Stephenson (caution; Reckless Foul) 28 Lineups: Sporting KC -- Jimmy Nielsen, Chance Myers, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, Seth Sinovic, Kei Kamara (C.J. Sapong 72), Davy Arnaud, Jeferson (Graham Zusi 87), Julio Cesar, Omar Bravo (Peterson Joseph 82), Teal Bunbury.

Whitecaps get first training session in at BC Place

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Whitecaps got a taste of their new home Friday, as they practiced under the roof at the new BC Place Stadium for the first time. "First impressions, when you go up to the stadium, it’s amazing to look at," captain Jay DeMerit told MLSsoccer.com. "When you get inside the stadium, it looks like it will be an up close, personal atmosphere, which you need for a good soccer game. "You can see the screen, the technology – it's state of the art." The practice was a chance to get a feel for the much-vaunted Polytan turf, which is meant to more closely imitate real grass, and it seems the verdict has been positive from the players so far. "My knees feel a little better today, so I’m pretty excited about that," goalkeeper Joe Cannon said. "As far as the diving goes, I think it’s new turf, so you’re going to have to wait a couple of days to see what the real differences are and how it’s going to settle. "It did [feel softer], so I was pretty happy about that," the 36-year-old continued. "The ball was sticking a little bit, which is very common with brand new turf." Initially, interim head coach Tom Soehn had told reporters that the team wouldn’t have a chance to get a practice session in before the game, but players were relieved to get some time on the field before a competitive match. "It gets us a feel for the turf and the stadium, where we’re going to change," Soehn said. "Just having a pre-run of what we’re going to go through as we get ready for a game." The stadium is designed to capture the sound of fans, and the retractable roof means fans get the benefit of protection on soggy days but the opportunity to experience outdoor matches at the height of summer. Fans will also be treated to the second-largest video board in any stadium in the world. Goalkeepers Cannon and Jay Nolly actually attempted to hit the board at practice today to see whether that would be a problem, but Nolly was the only one who managed to do it, smacking the ball off the screen. The Whitecaps have a history at BC Place, having played part of the final season of the original North American Soccer League there when the previous incarnation of the stadium opened in 1983. "Twenty eight years ago, we were opening up BC Place against the Seattle Sounders in front of 60,000-plus people," club president Bob Lenarduzzi said by phone on Friday. "If someone had suggested to me that we would be re-opening BC Place 20 years later, I might have suggested that would be farfetched. But to actually be a part of opening a new state-of-the-art building when I was a part of it as a player in ’83, it’s very special."