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ATLANTA — Julian Gressel scored from close range in the second half to seal an Atlanta United win over the Colorado Rapids 1-0 Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was Atlanta’s first home win of the 2019 Major League Soccer season.

Atlanta (2-3-2, 8 points) struggled in attack for much of the game. The team went into halftime with just one shot on goal, a 35-yard effort from centerback Leandro González-Pírez. Players were visibly frustrated with Gressel and forward Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez exchanging heated words before walking off the field.

After the game, manager Frank de Boer was surprised to be asked if the offensive performance was concerning. De Boer blamed the lack of attacking fireworks on Colorado’s defensive strategy. He accused the Rapids of parking not one, but two busses.

“You always need two teams to try to play football,” de Boer said in his postgame press conference. “And we had only one team trying to win the game. So, that’s hard. In international football, and also here, when teams play like this, you know, you have to have a fantastic day. Even the big teams in Europe have problems with this  kind of system if they park two busses in front of their own goal.

“The second half was much better, but it’s very difficult to play against this type of system. … If you score an early goal, they have to come out and then it’s an open game. But now, they still have the belief, they’re coming for the result, for one point, and maybe with a little bit of luck, three points. That’s why I think this victory tastes very sweet, because I think the team who deserved to win got the three points. Sometimes it’s not always the case.”

In the 75th minute, Colorado attempted to play the ball out of its defensive third. Nagbe stepped up to intercept a pass 35 yards from goal and dribbled through traffic into the penalty area. The chance was nearly lost due to a heavy touch, but Nagbe raced to the end line and fizzed a low pass across the face of goal. Gressel beat goalkeeper Tim Howard to the ball and scored from two yards.

Gressel’s goal came four minutes after Atlanta made a double substitution: Martínez vacated for Héctor “Tito” Villalba, and midfielder Eric Remedi subbed on for left fullback Brek Shea. Atlanta immediately looked more dangerous after the change. Nagbe moved into Shea’s position on left flank. He and Villalba provided more dynamic play on the wing, which allowed the Five Stripes to break through.

“Play a little bit more attacking,” Nagbe said of his adjusted role after the game. “Essentially, provide support on the ball, but if I can get isolated, if Tito can get isolated, then for us to go on the attack.”

De Boer remained calm during his halftime talk, despite the difficult first 45 minutes.

“He said that when he played with Barcelona that [he played these types of games],” González-Pírez told reporters.  “He said we have to keep patience, and do it and try and try and try, and we will find the scores. Finally we can find it.”

It was another tough night for Martínez, Atlanta’s blockbuster signing from River Plate. He took Atlanta’s first shot of the game, striking from distance and connecting with fans in the fifth row. The Argentine’s passes routinely missed their targets, and he still does not appear to be on the same page with his new teammates. The Five Stripes looked much better after Martínez’s exit, but that is in part due to the quality coming off the bench. 

“Everybody brings different characteristics, for sure,” midfielder Jeff Larentowicz said. “Tito’s different from [Ezequiel Barco], Pity’s different from Julian. It’s something else, especially if you’re a defender and you’ve been playing for 75 minutes against a guy that does one thing and then you bring another guy on that does something else, that’s both dangerous.

“If I’m worrying about covering Barco with the ball at his feet and closing him down for 75 minutes, and then you bring Tito on and he runs behind me, that’s going to be tough.”

Martínez joined Atlanta after a short offseason, and he sustained a hamstring injury in March. De Boer explained his playmaker still is not fully fit.

“I think he has to get stronger, physically stronger, and then he can [improve],” the manager said. “He’s still, in my point of view, not 100 percent. That’s why I let him play, like, 66 minutes. He will come to that, and it takes time. But I’m convinced if he gets to 100 percent, we’re going to have a lot of fun with him.”

Colorado (0-7-2, 2 points) hardly threatened until Atlanta scored. After Gressel beat Howard, the soon-to-retire goalkeeping icon, the Rapids pushed forward. But aside from an 88th-minute free header from substitute Nicolás Mezquida, which was saved by Brad Guzan, they did not stress Atlanta.

“We know it wasn’t pretty,” Guzan said of the victory. “At the end of the day, nobody’s going to remember whether it was a pretty game. One-nil, 10-nil, a win’s a win.”

The post Atlanta United tops Colorado Rapids 1-0 for much-needed home win appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

In a clash of conference bottom dwellers Saturday evening, Atlanta United hosted the Colorado Rapids. After going scoreless for the first half, the hosts finally broke through, with Darlington Nagbe dribbling and setting up the cross for Julian Gressel, who put Atlanta on the board in the 74th minute. Atlanta doubled their lead in extra time, but closed out the match with a 1-0 win, handing Colorado its sixth defeat in a row.

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado Rapids’ 1-0 loss to Atlanta:

Slow the bleeding

Anthony Hudson and the Rapids did their part to try to put an end to the defensive woes that have plagued them all season. Colorado adjusted by coming out in a 5-4-1 formation with converted centerback Danny Wilson playing as a defensive midfielder to replace the suspended Jack Price.

Conceding just a goal to an Atlanta team that has proven to be potent (although less so this season) was a marked improvement over the past five matches in which the Rapids have conceded at least three.

“I don’t think there was any danger,” Hudson said of the formation adjustment. “Coming into halftime, there was no danger. I didn’t feel there wasn’t any real scary moments in terms of what they created. I think we defended a lot better. Individually, they defended a lot better, and as a group, they defended a lot better. So coming into halftime, it was a case of us staying in the game as long as possible. There were a couple of situations where we felt we could create some chances ourselves. I think there was that spell in the second half right before the goal where we were pinned back a little bit too much, but look, defensively, I thought we were a lot better.”

Homegrown Debut

Colorado Rapids Homegrown Sebastian Anderson made his first career professional start Saturday, featuring at right back while Keegan Rosenberry moved more centrally in the 5-4-1.

Despite being only 16-years-old, and having just signed a professional contract weeks ago, Anderson fared well. Defensively, he managed an interception, six clearances and eight ball recoveries in 80 minutes of action.

“Definitely for the first five minutes it was kind of, ‘just do the right thing, be super aware of everything.’ Then once the game kind of settled in it was more of like, ‘I’m playing around with some of the guys I watched on TV, this is crazy.’ But I have a job to do and I know what I need to do to help the team,” Anderson said of his first competitive minutes with the first team.

Anderson joins teammate Sam Vines as the second Homegrown to get their first career start this season.

The Bad and the Ugly

The Rapids formation adjustment was needed, and Anderson’s debut was a positive for the club, not just in the short term but for the future of the club. But it’s impossible to sugar coat how bad Colorado has been this season, having secured just two points in nine matches.

Hudson tried to deflect criticism following the team’s latest loss – the sixth in a row – by pointing to the team’s budget and roster building compared to other sides in MLS.

“I think this is another game where I hear a lot of people around the place and media and these types of things talk about where we’re at,” Hudson said postgame. “It’s almost like people see us at the same level as Atlanta or as on the same level as Orlando or DC, but the reality is, I think, every game we’ve played in, it’s been the DPs (designated players), big money players up front that are making the difference.

“Every game that we’ve played in, people think we have those players and we don’t. Today was just another example of the real gulf in class. I think every single game we’re playing against teams and their DPs are making a difference. People think we are on the same level, we’re not. We’ve compromised our attack slightly today because we had to come here today and get a result. The approach was right. I think the approach worked, and in the end, we were unfortunate.”

Despite promising playoffs to the fanbase for two consecutive seasons, Colorado is actually worse than it was under previous head coach Pablo Mastroeni, who was fired for not performing to standard. Under Hudson, Colorado now has three separate winless streaks of eight games or more during his 17-month tenure.

The post The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Takeaways from the Colorado Rapids’ 1-0 loss to Atlanta United appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

ATLANTA — Atlanta United won on Saturday, but grumblings from fans and media about the team’s attacking struggles continue.

Seventy-four minutes passed before Julian Gressel scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Five Stripes put a single shot on target in the first half, a long-range effort from centerback Leandro González-Pírez, and home supporters booed when referee Alan Kelly blew his halftime whistle. Colorado entered the game with Major League Soccer’s worst defensive record, having allowed 23 goals in its first eight games.

In his postgame press conference, the first question manager Frank de Boer received was whether he was concerned with the performance. De Boer was taken aback. The team had won, and the manager seemingly expected a more upbeat chat with reporters. Games against defensive-minded teams that “park two busses in front of their own goal,” as Colorado did, are difficult. De Boer was proud of his team for finding a way to take all three points.

It is true, as de Boer argued, that even the best attacking teams can struggle against opponents who bunker. (Remember Atlanta’s 1-1 draw against Seattle last season, or its three losses to lowly D.C. United in 2017?) The bigger issue for the Five Stripes right now is the lack of production from Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez, who still has not adapted to his new country, league and team, and who, according to de Boer, still is not fully match fit after a short offseason and an injury layoff last month.

De Boer and his players who speak with media often take questions about Martínez. The answers are always the same: He needs more time, and when he is comfortable, they are confident Martínez will show the skills that made him a superstar in Argentina. That may be true, but until then, Atlanta will struggle with Martínez in the lineup. He is meant to be the playmaker in the center of the field, and right now, he is not making plays. Martínez took one shot against Colorado. It landed in the stands. He completed 63 percent of his passes, the lowest percentage among the starting 11.

Replacing the production of Miguel Almirón, perhaps the most electric player in MLS history, was always going to be difficult. It is impossible to do that with a player who is in a poor run of form.

With El Pity scuffling and frustrated, his teammates appear unsure of themselves. It looks as though no one knows when or where Martínez will play the ball. Atlanta won against Colorado, but it looked more dangerous in the 2-1 loss to a defensive FC Dallas side the week prior. Martínez did not start that game, nor Atlanta’s 2-0 win over the New England Revolution.

Pity Martinez after being subbed off for Tito Villalba…

Source: C.R. Cope via https://t.co/VDKC8WDbPG pic.twitter.com/nxCPWJZYI0

— JayRiddle (@jay_riddle) April 28, 2019

There is no easy solution for the Five Stripes. Sitting Martínez would do nothing to help his confidence and would only slow his assimilation into the team. De Boer must count on Martínez, and thus his team, improving each week.

“Every time I get the ball, I’m looking for him,” midfielder Darlington Nagbe said after the Colorado game. “Obviously we want to get out talented guys and our playmaker, our No. 10, on the ball.

“We know what he can do. We’ve seen him in training, and we’ve seen him at River [Plate], and I think he’s just getting started here. So, I’m confident in him and giving him the ball every single time. It’s just a matter of time until everyone sees what he can do.”

Before the season began, de Boer said that while he has a specific philosophy regarding how his team should play, he would always prioritize results over style. Atlanta looked good in the loss to Dallas, but it won ugly against Colorado. The manager will take the latter outcome every time, and until Martínez is able to showcase his skills, supporters should forget about beautiful soccer and enjoy the victories when they come.

Tito Villalba, super sub

Héctor “Tito” Villalba believes he is a starting-11 player, but he is a great weapon off the bench for de Boer. Tired defenders face a tall task in keeping up with the winger’s pace and shifty dribbling. Villalba’s substitute appearances were vital for the Five Stripes during their playoff run last season. Saturday night against Colorado was no different.

With just 17 touches, Villalba created two chances and hit a shot off the post. Atlanta came to life when he entered the game in the 71st minute.

Going for broke pays off

Another issue Atlanta has faced this season is a lack of attacking influence from its fullbacks as injuries have ravaged the depth chart. The Five Stripes were reliant on dynamic wing play in 2018, but that has been mostly non-existent this year.

The problem continued against Colorado until de Boer made a double substitution in the 71st minute. Villalba and Eric Remedi entered for Martínez and Brek Shea, respectively. The changes allowed Ezequiel Barco to slide into the role of center attacking midfielder, where he has excelled this season. Remedi filled Darlington Nagbe’s holding midfielder position, and Nagbe replaced Shea as an advanced left back.

In the first half, Shea and right back Franco Escobar were in line with Nagbe and Jeff Larentowicz, alternately joining the attack. The formation looked like of 2-4-4 in possession that was well suited to prevent counter attacks from Colorado. De Boer went for the win late, pushing both fullbacks high up the field in sort of a 2-2-6.

Quality pressure up front to open the score @darlingtonnagbe @JulianGressel pic.twitter.com/3FcT4D5EGB

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 27, 2019

The decisive goal came when Nagbe won the ball back in Colorado’s defensive third, went on a direct run into the penalty area and played a good ball to Julian Gressel. It was a decisive, aggressive action, the kind of move Atlanta had been lacking. Sending a player of Nagbe’s quality out on the wing to close the game was the winning adjustment.

The post Atlanta United attack scuffles with Pity Martínez struggling to assimilate appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

If you missed out on Week 9 action in Major League Soccer and did a quick glance over the scores, one stands out immediately. Sporting Kansas City and the New England Revolution played to a 4-4 draw Saturday in the craziest game of the season to date.

The clash at Children’s Mercy Park was the type of match that comes out of nowhere in MLS a few times per season. The path taken to the final score made absolutely no sense, and it included a series of events rarely seen over a stretch of games, yet alone in a single contest. 

The match was odd enough at the point where the Revs took a 3-1 lead into halftime. The first-half performance was a perfect encapsulation of the topsy-turvy nature of the league. Brad Friedel’s side came off a brutal home loss Wednesday and all of a sudden turned into an offensive juggernaut. 

Then all hell broke loose in the second half. 

In the span of 35 minutes, the Revolution had two players sent off and Sporting KC outscored the visitors 3-1 to earn a draw and leave everyone speechless. 

The game is one that you can’t make any significant observations from, but it could go on to have a lingering effect on both franchises in the coming weeks. 

What a wild rollercoaster of a match.#SKCvNE highlights pic.twitter.com/6SAjdXNQeU

— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) April 28, 2019

Peter Vermes’ side needed an emotional boost after falling 4-1 in San Jose last week, and although SKC didn’t win at home, it still earned a jolt from that comeback going into back-to-back games against Atlanta United and D.C. United. 

On the other hand, the Revs have one win in their last five games and will be without Brandon Bye and Jalil Anibaba for their Saturday road trip to Philadelphia.

The 4-4 draw was by far the most exciting game of the weekend slate, but there were plenty of other things that caught our attention. 

Goals of the Week 

Connor Lade, New York Red Bulls

This remarkable team goal from the New York Red Bulls was finished off by a thunderous hit from Connor Lade. 

BOOM!

Connor Lade with a stunner. #RBNYvCIN https://t.co/GeYj7CmMHT

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 27, 2019

Tomas Martinez, Houston Dynamo

If you vote for Goal of the Week based off level of difficulty, this is one of your two potential picks. Tomas Martinez hit this strike on the run, on the volley and with a small margin of error in the middle of the box. 

https://t.co/SaRxbkCyTr

— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) April 28, 2019

Bill Tuiloma, Portland Timbers

A defender scoring off a corner in spectacular fashion is as rare as it gets in MLS.

Bill Tuiloma with a STUNNER for his first goal of the season.#RCTID | #TORvPOR pic.twitter.com/afxWIl6spP

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 27, 2019

Panic Button Update

Atlanta United: The good news for Atlanta United is they won Saturday. The bad news is it was a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids at home. Work still has to be done under Frank de Boer, but the results are starting to come. 

Columbus Crew: Welcome to the panic button update, Columbus. Four losses in a row will put you in that category, especially after failing to score over 180 minutes in Week 9. The schedule doesn’t get easier for the Crew, with D.C. and both Los Angeles teams upcoming in the next three games. 

New York Red Bulls and New York City FC: What a difference a week makes for both New York teams. New York City FC picked up four points this week to move into the top seven of the Eastern Conference, while the New York Red Bulls erased a five-game winless run by beating FC Cincinnati. 

Hot Seat Rankings

After last week was filled with false Thierry Henry-to-MLS coaching rumors, it got us thinking about which manager will be the first to go in 2019.

Colorado’s Anthony Hudson is the leading candidate since his team hasn’t won in nine games. The Rapids only have two points to their name and they’ve buried themselves in a hole with a -12 goal differential. 

Losses to Vancouver and Real Salt Lake at home in the next two weeks might put the pressure on the Rapids to make an important decision.

Brad Friedel has been teetering on the hot seat most of the season, and it doesn’t help that his team lost at home to Montreal on Wednesday and then blew a lead on the road against Sporting KC. 

If the next three games go south for the Revs, then we might have to seriously discuss a change in direction, but for now, it appears the former U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper has a chance to let his long-term vision play out.

The First ‘Wonderwall’

Minnesota United fans got the opportunity to sing Oasis’ “Wonderwall” after a win for the first time at Allianz Field.

The moment was nothing short of awesome to watch.

BECAUSE MAYBEEEEEEEEEE

YOU’RE GONNA BE THE ONE THAT SAVES MEEEEEEEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/JnyiwP8Bda

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) April 28, 2019

He Scores When He Wants

Nani has done nothing but score since his arrival in MLS, and he added to his tally once again Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

@OrlandoCitySC have themselves a man on fire in @luisnani pic.twitter.com/2K94XKFH8f

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 27, 2019

If you haven’t been paying attention, the Portuguese winger is now fifth in the Golden Boot race with five goals. 

Los Angeles FC’s Carlos Vela and LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued their scoring ways in Week 9, and at this point we just assume both of them will score each week. 

Zlatan criticism

Ibrahimovic didn’t paint himself in the best light Sunday night. The Swedish forward dragged down Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuoha in the 60th minute, which led to a yellow card. 

Then Ibrahimovic stared down the defender after scoring the game-winning goal in the 78th minute. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic went into the locker room apparently to apologize to Nedum Onuoha for fouling and taunting him during the game. Nedum wanted no part of his apology. #mls #RSL #rsltid pic.twitter.com/F2zcmPTbC2

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 29, 2019

Ibrahimovic then tried to go to RSL locker room to apologize for his actions, but Onuoha was having none of it. 

Whatever Ibrahimovic wanted to achieve appeared to work. He got under the skin of a defender, fired up his Galaxy teammates, scored the game-winner and left the field with three points. 

Nedum Onuoha explains to @syarock what happened when Zlatan came into the @realsaltlake locker room and why he didn't accept Zlatan's apology. #RSL #mls #rsltid pic.twitter.com/RNH36Olpv7

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 29, 2019

The post MLS Week 9 Rewind: 8-goal thriller, Wonderwall and thriving Nani appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Consistency is key to remain near the top of the Pro Soccer USA MLS Player Rankings. 

To say the players in the top five have been consistent is a bit of understatement. They’ve been fantastic through two months of the Major League Soccer season.  

Since the best players the league has to offer are performing at an incredibly high level, there isn’t much change in the top five this week.

However, there is plenty of fluctuation in the bottom half, where seven players have entered the top 20 after strong showings in Week 9, which was the first double match week for many stars. 

Our MLS Player Rankings take into account the form over the last four games of each player, with the most recent performance carrying a bit more weight than the others. 

20. Jack Elliott, D, Philadelphia Union

Previous Ranking: 14

Apr 27, 2019; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Philadelphia Union defender Jack Elliott (3) challenges Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert (31) during the first half at BC Place. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Ahead of a six-game slate in May, Jack Elliott and the Philadelphia Union worked hard to take a point out of a lengthy trip to Vancouver. 

In the 1-1 draw at BC Place, Elliott made four tackles, three clearances and two interceptions, while allowing six shots on goal.

It wasn’t the best defensive performance from the Union, but it still was enough to pick up a road point. 

19. Romain Metanire, D, Minnesota United

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Mar 9, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Minnesota United defender Romain Metanire (19) kicks the ball against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Avaya Stadium. (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)

Romain Metanire has quietly turned himself into one of the top fullbacks in the league in two months with Minnesota United. 

The 29-year-old helped the Loons earn a pair of clean sheets in Week 9 against the LA Galaxy and D.C. United. 

In Sunday’s win over D.C., Metanire chipped in on the offensive end with an assist on one of his three key passes. 

18. Heber, F, New York City FC 

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked 

In the three games Heber has started for New York City FC, the club has earned seven out of a possible nine points. 

The 27-year-old Brazilian added to his totals in Week 9 with a goal against Orlando City and an assist on the lone strike against the Chicago Fire. 

My first goal in the BX #ForTheCity @NYCFC pic.twitter.com/rZHVlRpEZK

— Heber dos Santos (@Heber__Araujo) April 28, 2019

No one is going to be able to replace the all-around impact of David Villa in the NYCFC squad, but it appears the club found a solid goal-scorer who will at least help replace the Spaniard’s impact on the field. 

17. Jonathan Dos Santos, M, LA Galaxy

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Apr 24, 2019; Saint Paul, MN, USA; LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos (8) looks on during the second half against Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field. (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)

Jonathan Dos Santos had a monster week in the middle of the park for the LA Galaxy, and it led to him receiving some Player of the Week nominations. 

In the scoreless draw at Minnesota United on Wednesday, the 29-year-old Mexican made 115 touches and completed 92.4 percent of his 79 passes. 

Dos Santos followed that up with another strong showing on Sunday in a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake by completing 94.3 percent of his 53 passes, and he handed out a pair of key passes. 

16. James Sands, D, New York City FC 

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Apr 6, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC midfielder James Sands (16) plays the ball against the Montreal Impact during the first half at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

James Sands has been one of the top young players and overall defenders in MLS through two months. 

The U.S. Under-20 National Team candidate has played well above his age in the New York City FC back line, and he’s making a case to be included in Tab Ramos’ U-20 World Cup squad. 

In Saturday’s draw with Orlando City, Sands was a part of a back line that conceded three shots and two shots on goal. 

15. Nicolas Lodeiro, M, Seattle Sounders

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Apr 24, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) dribbles against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at CenturyLink Field. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

One week after leaving the top 20, Nicolas Lodeiro is back in. 

Lodeiro dished out a pair of assists to help the Seattle Sounders come from behind and earn a 2-2 draw at home against San Jose on Wednesday. 

The 30-year-old Uruguayan has two goals and six assists in nine games for Brian Schmetzer’s team.

14. Johnny Russell, M, Sporting Kansas City 

Previous Ranking: 20 

Apr 20, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell (7) controls the ball ahead of San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill (14) during the first half at Avaya Stadium. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

We’re still trying to figure out what exactly happened at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday night. 

Johnny Russell didn’t score in Sporting Kansas City’s 4-4 draw with New England, but he was an active part of the club’s attack. 

The Scotsman handed out four key passes and racked up his third assist of the campaign in the wild affair in which Peter Vermes’ side erased a 3-1 deficit. 

13. Shea Salinas, D, San Jose Earthquakes

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

The unlikeliest volume scorer of the 2019 MLS season shattered his career high for goals in a single season before the end of April. 

Shea Salinas followed up his Week 8 strike against Sporting KC with a brace in the Earthquakes’ midweek draw with the Sounders. 

THIS MAN IS ON FIRE!

Shea Salinas with his third goal of the season! #SEAvSJ | #VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/qyUSNS9d78

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 25, 2019

Salinas, who has four goals in seven games, had a previous career high of three goals in a single season, which was set back in 2015. 

12. Evan Bush, GK, Montreal Impact

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Apr 28, 2019; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush (1) throws the ball during the first half at against Chicago Fire Stade Saputo. (Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports)

Evan Bush added two clean sheets to his season total of five in Week 9. 

Bush and the Montreal Impact cleaned the floor with the Revolution in a 3-0 win on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium and finished up the week with a 1-0 home win on Sunday over Chicago.

In his last five games, Bush has four clean sheets. The lone exception was the three goals he conceded in Week 8 against Philadelphia. 

11. Kei Kamara, F, Colorado Rapids

Previous Ranking: 6

Apr 27, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara (23) is defended by Atlanta United midfielder Darlington Nagbe (6) and defender Julian Gressel (24) in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Kei Kamara’s four-game scoring streak came to an end in a 1-0 loss to the Atlanta United on Saturday. 

The play of the Sierra Leone international has been one of the few bright spots to the Colorado Rapids season. 

The Rapids head into May as the only team in MLS without a victory. 

10. Mark-Anthony Kaye, M, Los Angeles FC 

Previous Ranking: 10 

Apr 28, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles FC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye (left) goes for a header with Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) during the second half at CenturyLink Field. (Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports)

Mark-Anthony Kaye tried to follow up on his three-assist performance from Week 8 with another handout against Seattle, but he couldn’t do so with one of his three key passes. 

Kaye also made a pair of clearances and tackles in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders. 

The Canadian was one of many Los Angeles FC players active on the ball. Kaye made 91 touches, which was the third-best total on his team. 

9. Jesse Gonzalez, GK, FC Dallas

Previous Ranking: 13

Apr 20, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez (1) celebrates after his team scores against Atlanta United in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

Jesse Gonzalez picked up his second clean sheet of 2019 in FC Dallas’ 0-0 draw with San Jose on Saturday. 

Over the last three games, Gonzalez has turned away 14 of the 16 shots sent in his direction by the attacks of Portland, Atlanta United and San Jose. 

If he continues to play at this level, Gonzalez might be able to earn a spot on the USMNT’s Concacaf Gold Cup squad. 

8. Diego Rossi, F, Los Angeles FC

Previous Ranking: 9 

Apr 13, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi (9) moves the ball down the field past FC Cincinnati midfielder Allan Cruz (15) during the first half at Banc of California Stadium. (Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Diego Rossi boosted himself up a spot after picking up his second assist of the season on Sunday at CenturyLink Field.

Sunday’s assist ended a three-game drought for the LAFC forward without a goal or an assist, which seems like an unusual run given how well he’s played in the final third for Bob Bradley’s side. 

Rossi should have plenty of opportunities to get back on the score sheet in Week 10 with LAFC hosting the Chicago Fire. 

7. Krisztian Nemeth, F, Sporting Kansas City

Previous Ranking: 19 

Krisztian Nemeth produced his second multiple-goal performance of the season in the wild eight-goal thriller at Children’s Mercy Park. 

Nemeth bagged a pair of goals to help Sporting KC come back from an awful first half in which it allowed three goals to the Revolution. 

LEVEL! #SKCvNE 4-4 // #ForGloryForCity pic.twitter.com/gz5zI8FeX5

— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) April 28, 2019

In eight games, seven of which he has started, Nemeth has six goals and an assist. 

6. Eduard Atuesta, M, Los Angeles FC 

Previous Ranking: 7 

Apr 21, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles FC midfielder Eduard Atuesta (20) celebrates his goal during the first half against the Seattle Sounders FC at Banc of California Stadium. (Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Once again, Eduard Atuesta bossed the middle of the park for the best team in MLS. 

Atuesta was the most active player on the ball in MLS in Week 9 by making 133 touches on Sunday against Seattle. 

Atuesta added three aerial wins, four interceptions, three tackles, two clearances and a shot on target to his all-around performance in midfield. 

5. Alberth Elis, F, Houston Dynamo

Previous Ranking: 4

Apr 27, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) attempts to advance the ball as Columbus Crew defender Waylon Francis (14) defends during the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Alberth Elis once again proved how dynamic of a force he can be on the right wing in Houston’s 2-0 win over Columbus. 

Although his four-game scoring streak ended, Elis set up one of the two Dynamo goals. 

In his last five games, Elis has four goals and four assists. 

4. Alejandro Pozuelo, M, Toronto FC

Previous Ranking: 2

Apr 6, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo (10) runs with the ball in the second half against Chicago Fire at BMO Field. Toronto FC tied Chicago Fire 2-2. (Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Alejandro Pozuelo put two shots on target and handed out three key passes on Saturday, but he was unable to directly contribute to a Toronto FC goal in a 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers.

Saturday marked the first time in five games with the Reds in which Pozuelo didn’t play a role in a strike. 

Part of that is because of the injury absence of Jozy Altidore, who partnered well with the Spaniard for the last month before going down in Week 8.

3. Nani, M, Orlando City

Previous Ranking: 5 

All Nani has done since entering the Orlando City lineup is find the back of the net. 

The Portuguese winger added to his scoring haul in Saturday’s draw at Yankee Stadium with NYCFC. 

.@luisnani is off to a start. #FaceOfCity pic.twitter.com/5Sl5m5vsXv

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2019

Nani enters May with a scoring streak of four games and he has played a role in a strike in each of the last five games. 

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, F, LA Galaxy

Previous Ranking: 3

Zlatan Ibrahimovic moves back up to No. 2 this week after scoring one of the Galaxy’s two goals against Real Salt Lake. 

Can't tame this lion.@alcatelmobileus Moment of the Match @Ibra_official pic.twitter.com/PriZSzoe8X

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 29, 2019

The game-winning goal to close out the MLS weekend was the 30th of Ibrahimovic’s MLS career. 

In his last six games, Ibrahimovic has found the back of the net on seven occasions on nine shots on target. 

1. Carlos Vela, F, Los Angeles FC

Previous Ranking: 1

LAFC didn’t earn the result it wanted in Seattle on Sunday, but it was able to take a draw away from CenturyLink Field thanks to Carlos Vela’s 11th strike of the season. 

Carlos Vela is BALLING pic.twitter.com/EtuuOyKNjh

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 28, 2019

Vela also reached a milestone in Week 9 by scoring his 25th goal since joining the league last year. 

The Mexican is already one-third of the way to Josef Martinez’s single-season scoring record, and unless he experiences a scoring drought, he’ll likely come close to tying or breaking that mark. 

The post MLS Week 9 Player Rankings: Carlos Vela on top, Nani rises into top three appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

A few weeks ago, we marveled at the Western Conference dominance atop the Pro Soccer USA power rankings. And while that hasn’t really changed — the top five teams in Week 9 are from the West — its the City of Angels that finds itself front and center this week.

Los Angeles Football Club held on to its top spot following a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, while the LA Galaxy moved up a spot with their sixth win in seven unbeaten games after knocking off Real Salt Lake, 2-1.

Minnesota United moved into the top 10 following a 1-0 win over D.C. United, their first at Allianz Field and the New York Red Bulls advanced three spots after a much-needed win over FC Cincinnati.

The Major League Soccer Power Rankings are created by averaging the rankings submitted by a committee of Pro Soccer USA’s editor and writers.

Pro Soccer USA writers Dylan Butler and Robert Jonas contributed to this report.

The post MLS Power Rankings Week 9: We love LA appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

The Colorado Rapids fired head coach Anthony Hudson.

Assistant Conor Casey will take over as interim coach while the club searches for a permanent replacement, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Rapids.

“We appreciate Anthony’s commitment to the Rapids organization during his time with the club,” Pádraig Smith, executive vice president and general manager, said in the statement. “This is a pivotal period in the development of our team and it’s in the club’s best interest to make a change now. We still have a lot of season left and we look forward to getting back on track.”

Smith will meet with reporters after the team’s Wednesday’s training session.

Hudson’s firing comes after a 0-7-2 start to the 2019 season that put the Rapids last in the league with two points — four points behind the second-to-last Vancouver Whitecaps. Hudson’s overall MLS coaching record since joining the team in November, 2017, was 8-26-9.

Casey played for the Rapids from 2007-12 and helped them win the MLS Cup in 2010. He was named the Most Valuable Player of that final. He also played for multiple clubs overseas during his career and for Toronto FC, the Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew SC in MLS. Casey returned to the Rapids as an assistant coach at the beginning of 2017.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The post Colorado Rapids coach Anthony Hudson fired appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Saturday’s match between the Colorado Rapids and Orlando City was an exciting and high-scoring affair for spectators with seven combined goals in what ended a 4-3 victory for Orlando. After Kei Kamara opened the scoring to move into sole possession of 5th place on the MLS all-time scoring list, Orlando saw goals from Nani, who scored his first in MLS, and Tesho Akindele to give the Lions a 2-1 lead at the half.

Following a lengthy rain delay, Colorado came back to score two unanswered goals from Nicolas Mezquida and Cole Bassett to take a 3-2 lead, but a late goal from Chris Mueller and a PK from Nani (conceded by Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg) helped the Lions to the comeback win. 

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado Rapids’ 4-3 loss to Orlando City SC:

Deteriorating defense

Not even three full seasons removed from possessing a defense that cemented itself in MLS history books, the Colorado Rapids now have one of the worst defenses statistically in the league. Through six matches, the Rapids conceded an average of 2.67 goals per game. Their 16 goals conceded also ranks as the worst in the league.

Of those 16 goals, 18.75 percent have been own goals. Rapids centerback Deklan Wynne leads the way with 0.33 own goals per 90 minutes. That’s not good.

Mismatches, lack of communication and mental lapses were a common theme for the Rapids last season, and those same issues reared their ugly heads in this one. After a brutal outing last week against the Houston Dynamo, converted left back Dillon Serna bounced back with an assist on the Rapids’ opening goal. But on defense, Serna again struggled mightily against a bigger, more physical threat in Orlando midfielder Nani.

As Rapids head coach Anthony Hudson looked to tighten up that side of the field, Serna was subbed off and Axel Sjoberg made an appearance at halftime. Sjoberg likewise continued his early-season struggles, conceding the game-winning penalty with a handball offense in the 89th minute.

“Well we have to not give away soft goals like we did,” Hudson said postgame. “We give really not good mistakes.

“All the goals were really good football. Kei’s [Kamara] goal, Cole’s [Bassett] goal, there some of the runs, and movement, and passing. The cross from Cole, Niko’s header, the goals were brilliant. We have to work for it. But then we make mistakes and individual errors, and we gift teams goals. And then, once again, I have to talk about it because it happens every game.”

The good news? There are still 28 games remaining for Colorado to correct these issues.

Bassett hounds the competition

Despite the Rapids’ deficiencies, and the limelight casted on Nani opening his account in MLS, 17-year-old homegrown Cole Bassett once again shined for Colorado.

His goal in the 71st minute put the Rapids ahead briefly – and it was a world class strike.

COLE. BASSETT.

Chop it back + clinical finish with the left foot.

LET'S FINISH THIS! pic.twitter.com/gOQLKFMXOP

— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) April 7, 2019

Perhaps more impressive was his continued ability to take responsibility following losses when speaking to the media — in contrast to blaming refs, the other team, and other factors outside his control.

“I had a rough first half personally, but the second half I tried to step it up a bit. But the team played a lot better offensively, and scoring three goals on the road is definitely an improvement from where we came from,” Bassett said following the loss. “But at the end of the day, we can’t be giving up four goals when we’ve scored three away. So we need to get a result. When we score three goals away on the road, we should be getting at least a draw or should be getting a win.”

Nani issue

Rapids fans and those within the locker room felt hard done by this one: what looked like a headbutt from Orlando’s designated player, Nani, to Kellyn Acosta in the 74th minute.

It prompted a rebuke from Hudson in his postgame comments.

“At 3-2, if we do what Nani does to us — I’ve stood here asking questions, why we can’t keep our discipline and we are down to 10 men,” he said. “And it seems to be every week, and it seems to be where it’s easy for them to, you know, for that to happen against us. My guarantee is you’d be asking me about our discipline if we do what Nani does. We’d be 10 men. So we’re 3-2, they should be down to 10 men, and we can’t ask anymore of the players.”

Acosta also took to social media to vent on the issue.

Comical a dive and 2 headbutts… #nocard & I get told to shut the f*** before I get carded. Something has to change… #WheresMyProtection ? https://t.co/0MqsTsQS2O

— Kellyn Acosta (@KellynAcosta) April 7, 2019

Nani went on to win the game with his PK effort just under 15 minutes later.

The MLS disciplinary committee may review this, but in a sad twist of irony, Nani’s absence would only aid Rocky Mountain Cup rival Real Salt Lake, which faces Orlando next Saturday.

The post Colorado’s dreadful defense and other takeaways from 4-3 loss to Orlando appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City winger Nani had a brief confrontation with Colorado Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta, and both Acosta and Colorado coach Anthony Hudson took issue with the fact referee Jair Marrufo didn’t send Nani off for a head-butt. 

Nani went down in the penalty area with the Lions down 3-2 in the 74th minute of Saturday’s match and came up looking for a penalty call. While Marrufo was talking to Rapids centerback Kofi Opare, Acosta and Nani got into an argument. Nani appeared to head-butt Acosta twice before the two were separated by Orlando City striker Dom Dwyer and Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard. 

Nani wasn’t disciplined during the match, other than a brief talking-to from Marrufo. That doesn’t mean he’s in the clear. The MLS Disciplinary Committee can announce fines and suspensions in the days after a match. Decisions are usually announced in the second half of the week. 

Orlando City eventually won the match 4-3 thanks to a penalty kick in the 89th minute, which was converted by Nani. 

“At 3-2, if we do what Nani does to us, I’m stood here asking questions why we can’t keep our discipline and we are down to 10 men,” Hudson told reporters after the match. “And it seems to be every week and it seems to be where it’s easy for them to, you know, for that to happen against us. My guarantee is you’d be asking me about our discipline if we do what Nani does, we’d be 10 men. So we’re 3-2, they should be down to 10 men, and we can’t ask anymore of the players.”

He added, “It’s disheartening and it’s tough when we make the mistakes we’ve made and every week we have decisions like this. Every week.”

After a pause, Hudson said, “Every game, every week, and I don’t want to sound like I’m blaming other things, but that’s the bottom line. If anyone looks at it, the guy had three attempts to head-butt Kellyn. I think, listen in think the bottom line is I probably wish some of our players were a little bit … probably Kellyn should dive. Probably Kellyn should fall over and pretend like he’s been hit in the head. Maybe that would have done the job, but I don’t know.” 

Acosta called the situation “comical” in a tweet and shared video of the altercation. 

Comical a dive and 2 headbutts… #nocard & I get told to shut the f*** before I get carded. Something has to change… #WheresMyProtection ? https://t.co/0MqsTsQS2O

— Kellyn Acosta (@KellynAcosta) April 7, 2019

Orlando City faces Real Salt Lake on the road on Saturday, while Colorado faces the Seattle Sounders at home on Wednesday. 

The post Orlando City winger Nani draws ire of Colorado Rapids’ coach, midfielder Kellyn Acosta appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Los Angeles Football Club is not only the top team in Major League Soccer, it has been the dominant force in the weekly Pro Soccer USA Player Rankings. 

In six weeks, six different LAFC players have graced the ranking of the league’s top 20 in-form players. 

Bob Bradley’s side is again represented by the most players in the list, as four LAFC players made the rankings. 

Most of the players near the top of the rankings have been there all season, while at the bottom half, a handful of newcomers are making noise. 

Our weekly player rankings are based off form over a four-game span, with the most-recent performance carrying an extra bit of weight. 

20. Kai Wagner, D, Philadelphia Union

Previous Ranking: 19 

Apr 6, 2019; Philadelphia, PA; FC Dallas midfielder Michael Barrios (21) heads the ball against Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) during the first half at Talen Energy Stadium. (Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Philadelphia’s shutout streak ended at 210 minutes on Saturday night, but Kai Wagner and his teammates still produced a solid performance over 90 minutes. 

Outside of Reto Ziegler’s free kick goal, the Union held firm to earn a 2-1 win against an FC Dallas side looking to punch fast on the counter. 

In the last three games, Wagner and his defensive teammates have allowed 13 shots, but that will be tested in Week 7 by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy.

19. Saphir Taider, M, Montreal Impact

Previous Ranking: 9 

Apr 6, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Montreal Impact midfielder Saphir Taider (8) plays the ball against New York City FC midfielder Alexander Ring (8) during the second half at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Saphir Taider’s slide down the rankings has to do with Montreal struggling in the attacking third without Ignacio Piatti. 

In the scoreless draw against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium, Taider’s creativity was limited to one key pass and he made three clearances while completing 82.5 percent of his passes. 

18. Latif Blessing, M, Los Angeles FC 

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Mar 30, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles FC forward Latif Blessing (7) kicks the ball against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at Avaya Stadium. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Latif Blessing is the unheralded hero of the LAFC attack. 

Blessing didn’t pick up a goal or assist in the 4-0 win over D.C. United, but was all over the final third setting up attacks or creating space inside the D.C. defense with his pace.

The former Sporting Kansas City man ended the match with three key passes and the most touches of any LAFC attacker with 73. 

17. C.J. Sapong, F, Chicago Fire

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

HT: Classy stoppage time goal courtesy of @BigAfrika88! https://t.co/g5Q6XFrGLx

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 6, 2019

Just like Blessing, C.J. Sapong returns to the player rankings after a short absence. 

The Chicago Fire forward notched his third tally of the season after he used a superb first touch to set himself up on the left side of the box in a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC. 

Sapong scored his third goal of the season at Toronto. Alex Bono put himself in no man’s land on the play, but Sapong now has three goals and an assist in five games.

— Pro  Soccer USA’s Dan Santaromita

16. Cristian Espinoza, M, San Jose Earthquakes

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked 

The first San Jose Earthquakes player to appear in the player rankings is more than deserving of his spot after his Week 6 performance. 

Cristian Espinoza picked up his second goal and first assist of the season in the 3-0 win over Portland.

And Cristian Espinoza adds a third right off the kickoff! #SJvPOR https://t.co/Pv8t7Lt0XT

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 7, 2019

What makes the 24-year-old’s performance even more impressive is he handed out seven key passes on 68 touches. 

15. Bill Hamid, GK. D.C. United

Mar 10, 2019; New York, NY, USA; D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid (24) sets up for a shot during the first half against the New York City at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 7

Bill Hamid experiences a significant drop in the rankings after conceding on four occasions to LAFC on Saturday. 

Week 6 marked the first time the Black-and-Red produced a disappointing defensive performance, but luckily for them, they get to bounce right back on Tuesday against Montreal at Audi Field. 

14. Krisztian Nemeth, F, Sporting Kansas City

Mar 14, 2019; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Krisztian Nemeth (9) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates Felipe Gutierrez (21) and Johnny Russell (7) during the second half against Independiente at Children’s Mercy Park. (Peter G. Aiken/USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 10 

With Sporting Kansas City focused on preparing for a monumental task in the Concacaf Champions League on Thursday, Krisztian Nemeth was one of a few regulars taken out of the starting lineup by manager Peter Vermes. 

Nemeth made a 20-minute cameo for the Western Conference side in 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati, but he wasn’t able to follow up on his Week 5 hat trick with a goal. 

13. Ike Opara, D, Minnesota United

Mar 30, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Minnesota United defender Ike Opara (3) during the first half against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked 

Nemeth’s former Sporting Kansas City teammate Ike Opara is quietly putting together an impressive start in the Minnesota United back line. 

The 30-year-old center back made eight clearances and won three aerial duels in the Loons’ surprising 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. 

In Minnesota’s three victories, Opara and the defense have held opponents to three goals. 

12. Nicolas Lodeiro, M, Seattle Sounders

Previous Ranking: 20 

Nicolas Lodeiro was the only Seattle Sounders player to strike the back of the net in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake. 

The Uruguayan midfielder produced one of the best goals of Week 6, one-timing a cross with his left foot into the left side of the net. 

.@NicolasLodeiro with a beauty! #SEAvRSL
https://t.co/KnlSEcuX5U

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 7, 2019

The 30-year-old playmaker has two goals and three assists in 2019, with goals coming in the last three games. 

11. Eduard Atuesta, M, Los Angeles FC 

Mar 30, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles FC midfielder Eduard Atuesta (20) controls the ball against San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas (6) at Avaya Stadium. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 12 

One of the most consistent players in MLS through six weeks continued to thrive in the middle of the park for the best team in the league. 

Eduard Atuesta completed 85.1 percent of his 67 passes and helped the LAFC defense hold D.C. United to four shots on target in a dominant road performance. 

10. David Accam, F, Philadelphia Union

Mar 23, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union forward David Accam (7) plays the ball past Columbus Crew defender Harrison Afful (25) during the second half at Talen Energy Stadium. (Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 6 

David Accam’s scoring streak ended at two games on Saturday night. 

The Ghanaian forward was taken off in the 68th minute while the Union were still looking for a way to break down FC Dallas’ defense. 

Although he didn’t score in Week 6, Accam has forced his way into Jim Curtin’s starting XI, which is a massive upgrade from an injury-laden 2018 campaign. 

9. Paxton Pomykal, M, FC Dallas

Mar 30, 2019; Sandy, UT, USA; FC Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal (19) and midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (12) celebrate after Pomykal scores a goal against the Real Salt Lake during the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. (Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 5

Paxton Pomykal’s ability to influence the FC Dallas attack was taken away by a shift to bunker in after an early goal and a depleted forward line. 

The FC Dallas Homegrown Player was limited to one key pass by the Union defense in his least impactful performance of the season to date. 

8. Alejandro Pozuelo, M, Toronto FC 

Apr 6, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo (10) runs with the ball in the second half against Chicago Fire at BMO Field. Toronto FC tied Chicago Fire 2-2. (Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 11

Alejandro Pozuelo didn’t dominate the spotlight in Week 6, like he did in Week 5, but he still made a difference in the Toronto FC attack. 

Pozuelo recorded his second assist in a Toronto FC uniform on Jozy Altidore’s opening goal in the 31st minute. 

The Spaniard dished out a pair of key passes and was one of four Toronto FC players to record over 100 touches. 

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, F, LA Galaxy

Previous Ranking: 15

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued to force his way up the rankings by adding a goal and an assist to his season haul against Vancouver on Friday night. 

The 37-year-old Swede has scored three of his four goals in the last two weeks, and his assist on Daniel Steres’ goal was his first of the season. 

Just what the sell-out crowd came to see…

@Ibra_official pic.twitter.com/YdjTn6nK5K

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 6, 2019

Since joining MLS, Ibrahimovic has recorded 26 goals and 11 assists. 

6. Wayne Rooney, F, D.C. United

Apr 6, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (9) dribbles the ball as Los Angeles FC defender Eddie Segura (4) defends at Audi Field. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 2

Wayne Rooney didn’t score for the third straight game because of LAFC’s stingy defense and an early exit from a red card. 

Rooney will serve the one-game suspension on Tuesday, when D.C. plays host to Montreal, but he should be back on the field for another showdown of world-class stars on Saturday, when the Black and Red visit Tim Howard and the Colorado Rapids. 

5. Zack Steffen, GK, Columbus Crew SC

Previous Ranking: 17

The first-choice goalkeeper for the U.S. Men’s National Team picked up his fourth clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 win on Saturday against the New England Revolution.

With the future Manchester City player in net, the Crew have conceded one goal in five games, while letting up three without him in goal against Philadelphia. 

Zack Steffen recorded his 23rd regular season shutout tonight and he credits it to the #Crew96 defense. pic.twitter.com/e6WTXR21ok

— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) April 7, 2019

Zack Steffen’s shutout streak is now at 444 minutes, second all time in Crew history. First place? Zack Steffen, at 525 minutes last season. Another shutout will break that record, and if he goes over 500 minutes scoreless, he’ll have a second streak in the all-time MLS top 10, becoming just the third player to achieve that feat twice.

— Pro Soccer USA’s Ben Ferree

4. Memo Rodriguez, M, Houston Dynamo

Mar 30, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Memo Rodriguez (8) drives the ball away from Colorado Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry (2) in the first half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Previous Ranking: 4

 Memo Rodriguez remains at No. 4 after a week off for the Houston Dynamo. 

The Homegrown midfielder has four goals in his last three games, and he’ll look to keep that streak alive when the Dynamo return to the field against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

3. Alberth Elis, F, Houston Dynamo

Previous Ranking: 3

Mar 30, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) chases down a loose ball in the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

 What we said about Rodriguez can be applied to Alberth Elis as well. 

The Honduran forward, who has played a major role in Rodriguez’s success, comes into Week 7 with two goals and three assists in his last two games. 

Although San Jose won in Week 6, the Dynamo attack should still be champing at the bit to get after a Quakes back line that’s conceded on 14 occasions.

2. Diego Rossi, F, Los Angeles FC 

Previous Ranking: 14

The only reason Diego Rossi didn’t claim the top spot after Week 6 is his teammate is ahead of him in the Golden Boot race.

The Uruguayan one-upped Carlos Vela in the scoring column on Saturday with a hat trick that accounted for the final three LAFC goals. 

Add Goal of the Week nominee to the list.

Vote for Diego Rossi's curler against D.C.

https://t.co/jBckS6tiSG pic.twitter.com/fYIYTeVynA

— LAFC (@LAFC) April 8, 2019

Five of Rossi’s six strikes have come in the last three weeks.

1. Carlos Vela, M, Los Angeles FC 

Previous Ranking: 1

The king of the MLS Player Rankings has occupied the top spot for a month.

Even though Rossi got most of the praise for his performance against D.C., Vela produced a goal and an assist to boost his totals to seven goals and four assists in six games. 

The Mexican international was rightfully selected as MLS Player of the Month for his fantastic start. 

HE WON'T BE DENIED!

Vela fires LAFC ahead with his 7th goal of the season in just 6 games. #DCvLA pic.twitter.com/vY0VuoPsUi

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 6, 2019

 

The post Week 6 MLS Player Rankings: Vela, Rossi lead LAFC dominance appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Los Angeles Football Club remains the No. 1 team in the Pro Soccer USA MLS power rankings after a decisive 4-0 win over host D.C. United at Audi Field.

The result also juggled things a bit in the top five, with the Black-and-Red falling to No. 4, Seattle Sounders FC moving up to No. 2 and the Columbus Crew SC cracking the top three for the first time this season.

While No. 1 remains unchanged, there’s a new team at the bottom this week with the San Jose Earthquakes moving up four spots after their first win of the year, a 3-0 triumph over the Portland Timbers.

The Major League Soccer Power Rankings are created by averaging the rankings submitted by a committee of Pro Soccer USA’s editor and writers.

Pro Soccer USA writers Dylan Butler and Robert Jonas contributed to this report.

The post MLS Power Rankings Week 6: Columbus Crew SC, San Jose Earthquakes move up appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

There is no greater illustration of a soccer team’s identity than its badge. More than anything else — more than the name, the manager, even the players on the pitch — it represents the principles and values of the club as a whole. And in Major League Soccer, the subject of badge design is discussed more than is generally common in other leagues around the soccer world.

This, of course, is down to the still fledgling nature of North America’s top flight. While other divisions, such as England’s Premier League or Germany’s Bundesliga, have their roots in decades, centuries even, of history, leaving room for evolution, but not revolution, MLS is still growing at a grassroots level, with new franchises being added almost every season. And with every new franchise comes a new badge.

Just in the last year alone, Austin FC, Inter Miami and Nashville released crests. Going a little further back, Atlanta United, Minnesota United, Los Angeles FC and FC Cincinnati, as expansion teams, also all carried new designs into MLS with varying degrees of success. 

Some have been better than others. While LAFC’s badge has become an instant icon, potentially as recognizable in MLS circles as the New York Yankees’ world famous logo in baseball, Nashville’s badge, released last month, has been widely panned. So what makes a good soccer badge?

“I think a good badge design is not just a good design, it’s so much more,” said Nathen McVittie of the soccer design studio Where is Football. “It’s so nuanced compared to other types of design. You can’t just brand a football team like you would a supermarket or a clothing company. I think the best designs are the ones that have the best context and the best research.”

According to David Bruce, vice president of brand at MLS, “it’s all about the story.” It’s not just about designing a stylish badge to be stamped on the chest of a group of soccer players, it’s about conveying the character of a city, of a community, of the history of that team. But in many cases, MLS teams, especially expansion teams, don’t have a history.

So what happens then?

“It can be brilliant if you’ve got a really defined city identity or if you’ve got a rich, vibrant creative context to pull from,” McVittie said. “I think it can afford you a really nice blank slate, as long as you’re not being tone deaf to the city and the community as a whole.”

Future MLS expansion sides Austin FC and Inter Miami have used that blank slate to great effect, coming up with distinct identities before even taking to a soccer field.

Jan 15, 2019; Austin, TX, USA: Austin Anthem fan support crew join mayor Steve Adler, Don Garber, Major League Soccer commissioner and Anthony Precourt, Chairman and CEO of Austin FC after announcing Austin FC as the newest MLS team at the Rustic Tap. (Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports)

“This town has a bit of a reputation for being eco-minded and being a place where the quality of life is deeply informed by the outdoors,” explained Adam Butler of The Butler Bros. agency, which designed Austin FC’s badge. “So, to have a green tree as a symbol was an interesting place to go.”

Nashville’s new badge, however, wasn’t received so positively when it was released in preparation for the franchise’s expansion season in 2020. Designed to evoke the sound and vibrations of the city’s famed music scene, it sparked widespread confusion among fans.

“I don’t understand it,” says McVittie. “I think any time you look at a badge or a crest and you don’t initially understand it, that’s a problem.”

Nashville SC official crest. (Photo Credit: Nashville SC)

Unlike Austin FC and Inter Miami, Nashville already has history as a second-tier USL team. FC Cincinnati, Minnesota United and Orlando City were all in the same situation when they entered MLS.

Does the league’s central office demand that existing teams rebrand before joining the top flight?

“We definitely want [expansion] teams to step up their game, so we will look under the hood and understand what’s going on,” Bruce said, before adding that rebrands are considered on a case-by-case basis. “Orlando City came in fairly recently and there was a need for them to step up their game, and they recognized that straight away. There’s also a need to distinguish when moving from one league to another, and one of the big signals of that is a rebrand.”

MLS is somewhat unique in its makeup, in its centralization and single-entity business structure. While clubs in most other worldwide leagues would have complete autonomy to design or rebrand their badge as they please, it’s a slightly different scenario for those in North America’s top flight.

“We don’t force anything on anyone, we don’t do that,” Bruce said. “But we want to make sure they are fit for purpose and ready to enter into MLS.”

New badges undergo a series of tests before being signed off by the league. One of those tests is with adidas, which evaluates its suitability on jerseys and merchandise. Another test concerns digital suitability.

“Something we thought about was, ‘Could this fit in the ESPN mobile app where your badge gets reduced to the size of a pea?’” Butler said. “And then how would it look on the side on a building?”

So if these are the parameters, which are the good badges in MLS?

LAFC supporter Cecilia Portillo feels that her new club captures more of the “heart of LA” than the Galaxy ever did. (Julia Poe, Pro Soccer USA)

“I think LAFC’s badge design felt like a bit of a watershed moment,” McVittie said. “It’s quite minimal, but they’ve owned that identity as a whole, . . .  not just the logo, but the black and gold, the wings, the art deco. It’s really captured that city and offers a point of difference to the Galaxy, which is a big thing in a multi-team market.”

McVittie picked out the Portland Timbers’ badge as another shining example of strong design in the division.

“I don’t think it gets brought enough because it’s part of the older guard,” he said, drawing a comparison with Cascadia rival the Seattle Sounders, whose badge he labeled “quite generic.” The Timbers’, in contrast, is “just iconic. Portland don’t even have their name on their logo.”

May 5, 2018; San Jose, CA, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder Lawrence Olum (13) before the match against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

And which are the bad badges in MLS?

The New England Revolution’s, left unchanged since the division’s establishment 24 years ago, is painfully dated, evoking the spirit of the first phase of MLS and not the modern, progressive nature of the league today.

“I would never say Atlanta United’s logo is bad, but I still feel underwhelmed by it a couple years later,” McVittie said. “It serves a purpose, but to me Atlanta is more about the black and red than they are about the logo.”

In many cases, MLS, as a case study in badge design, suffers from what is known as skeuomorphism. This is where an object in design mimics its real world counterpart. See how the Chicago Fire’s badge imitates that of a fire department? There is also a certain Clip Art quality to many of the badges designed during the second phase of MLS history, between David Beckham’s arrival and the expansion of New York City FC and Orlando. The Houston Dynamo, the Montreal Impact and Sporting KC all fall into this category. 

Orlando City’s new 2019 #BringTheNoise kit. (Photo courtesy of Mark Thor/Orlando City SC)

Of course, MLS itself has gone through a rebrand in recent years, ditching the soccer ball-dominated logo of 20 years ago for a much bolder, abstract crest. There is no soccer ball in sight.

“You look at modern brands, you don’t literally need to say what you do because they’re never really seen out of context,” Bruce said. “A great example of this is Apple. If you looked at their logo and didn’t know anything about that company, you would literally take that logo to be a fruit monger’s.”

A culture of creativity, when it comes to badge design, is also being harnessed below MLS level. Look at third-tier USL League One side Forward Madison FC’s audacious design around a pink, plastic lawn flamingo, playfully named the “Official Bird of Madison.” Or the colorful tree design, which has the distinct look of a lifestyle brand, of the Oakland Roots in the National Premier Soccer League. It’s not just in MLS where ideas are being pushed.

Some may denounce such creativity as little more than just superficiality. After all, a badge does nothing to help a team win games. However, a badge says a lot about a team, a league and a community. And as North American soccer continues to find its identity, it’s encouraging that this is being reflected in the crests and shields on the chests of players and fans alike. It’s about much more than just green trees and pink flamingos. 

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DENVER – The Colorado Rapids announced another homegrown signing Wednesday, unveiling Sebastian Anderson as the team’s newest member.

“We have been very impressed by Seb’s work ethic and willingness to learn,” Rapids executive vice president and general manager Pádraig Smith said in a club statement. “He took full advantage of the opportunity he was given in preseason and showed a lot of people that he’s a smart defender who likes to press up the pitch.”

The 16-year-old is the third homegrown player the Rapids have signed this year, joining Sam Raben and Matt Hundley. The addition also marks the 11th homegrown signing in club history and makes Anderson the youngest professional athlete in the Denver sports market.

As a member of the Rapids Academy, Anderson was called into the U.S. national team’s under-17 camps as a defender. Anderson spent a good portion of his development as a midfielder, but per the Rapids is expected to play as a right back.

Previously committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Anderson will forgo collegiate soccer for time spent in the pros.

Anderson was added to the Rapids supplemental roster on a five-year deal with a club option for 2024.

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MLS announced today that its Generation adidas Cup, taking place at the Toyota Soccer Center at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas from April 13-20, will feature U-15 and U-17 academy teams from 14 different nations.

The competition includes 36 U-17 squads, organized in two separate divisions pitting top MLS academy sides against 15 international clubs, as well as a U-15 tournament with a quartet of MLS teams against four Liga MX counterparts. 

The tournament has featured up-and-coming young players including Djordje Mihailović (a Chicago Fire academy player finding his way into the Fire first team lineup as well as the U.S. Men’s National Team), Paxton Pomykal (an FC Dallas academy player who just scored his first goals for the tournament hosts this past weekend, and Efrain Álvarez (an LA Galaxy academy player who premiered in style in an MLS match  earlier this month). Weston McKennie, another FC Dallas Academy player now with Bundesliga side Schalke 04, also appeared in the youth tournament. 

The U-17 Champions Division is organized into four four-team groups: 

Group A

FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls, West Ham United, Club America

Group B

LA Galaxy, Toronto FC, CA Peñarol, Dinamo Zagreb

Group C

NYCFC, Real Salt Lake, Olympique Lyonnais, River Plate

Group D

Montreal Impact, Seattle Sounders FC, Flamengo, Valencia CF

The U-17 Premier Division is organized into four five-team groups: 

Group A

Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, D.C. United, San Jose Earthquakes, Club Tijuana

Group B

Houston Dynamo, Orlando City SC, Portland Timbers, FC Midtylland, Ulsan Hyundai FC

Group C

Columbus Crew SC, Sporting KC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, CF Monterrey, UMF Fjölnir

Group D

Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, Mount Pleasant FA, Toluca

The U-15 tournament pits the four MLS teams (LAFC, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, and Toronto FC) against each of four Liga MX teams (Club Leon, Cruz Azul, CD Guadalajara, and CD Monterrey). 

Complete information is available on the MLS site’s Generation adidas Cup section. 

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There were only two unanimous votes in Week 5 of the Pro Soccer USA Major League Soccer Power Rankings — for the No. 1 team and the No. 24 team.

Ironically, both played each other Saturday. Los Angeles Football Club, who jumped over Seattle Sounders FC into the top spot, crushed the winless San Jose Earthquakes 5-0 at Avaya Stadium.

The biggest movers were a pair of Eastern Conference foes with the Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire each going plus-five in Week 5.

The Major League Soccer Power Rankings are created by averaging the rankings submitted by a committee of Pro Soccer USA’s editor and writers.

Pro Soccer USA writers Dylan Butler, Julian Cardillo, Robert Jonas, Emily Olsen, Ashley Scoby and Joe Tansey contributed to this report.

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Week 5 was the most lopsided of the Major League Soccer season by far, and it was also one of the more lopsided weekends in recent memory. 

All you have to do is look at the scoring disparity to understand how dominant a three-day span it was for the victorious sides. 

But the significant margins of victory taught us more about the have nots in MLS than the known quantities who curbstomped through Week 5. 

We know Sporting Kansas City is one of the best teams, and whatever concerns there were about its forward line have been erased. 

LAFC has looked like the class of the league since the start of the season, and we expected Toronto FC’s high-priced new acquisition to make a significant impact on the team.

Houston doesn’t get much shine in the national conversation, but if you’ve watched the team even once in the last 12 months, it was no surprise Alberth Elis took over the final third once again.

Mar 16, 2019; Vancouver Whitecaps defender Derek Cornelius (13) battles for the ball with Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) at BBVA Compass Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

So that leaves us with the clubs that left the field feeling all sorts of embarrassment, and unfortunately there were many of them. 

Sure, Matias Almeyda has a long-term plan in place with the San Jose Earthquakes, but what exactly has changed in a month to convince us there are positives to build on? 

The Quakes haven’t shown any defensive improvement. They’ve given up a league-high 14 goals in four games. FOURTEEN GOALS IN FOUR GAMES. That’s not just bad, that’s get-a-manager-fired-in-one-month level horrendous. Luckily for Almeyda, he appears to have a long leash and a summer transfer window to make improvements. 

The Colorado Rapids are only one rung above San Jose in the Western Conference only because they’ve earned a point at home compared to San Jose’s zero. 

At least there was clear roster improvement in Colorado during the offseason. A handful of MLS veterans like Benny Feilhaber, Kei Kamara, Diego Rubio and Keegan Rosenberry were added, but red cards and poor play have kept Anthony Hudson’s side from improving on the field. 

Mar 30, 2019; Commerce City, CO, USA; Colorado Rapids fan cheers for this team during the second half against the Houston Dynamo at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Then there’s New York City FC, which has experienced a significant drop since former coach Patrick Vieira returned to manage in Europe. 

NYCFC has two regular-season wins, both from October, since Aug. 18, and it doesn’t help that the model of consistency in the Eastern Conference lies just across the Hudson River. 

Montreal’s loss may be the least concerning of the teams on the wrong end of blowouts since it was missing Ignacio Piatti, but it does beg the question of capable the Impact are without the league’s most underappreciated star on the pitch. 

The blowouts across MLS handed us some memorable moments from the weekend, but there were also plenty of other standout moments from Week 5 in the games with tighter margins of victory. 

Goals of the Week 

Carlos Vela, F, LAFC

I’m not sure how you vote against this for Goal of the Week. 

Carlos Vela.
Left foot.
Curler.

You KNOW how this one ends. pic.twitter.com/ECjHOx8tDS

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2019

Wayne Rooney, D.C. United

This is the only reason why you should vote against Vela’s golazo for Goal of the Week.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME WAYNE ROONEY?!

He scores his 4th goal of the year and puts D.C. United up by 2 against Orlando. pic.twitter.com/rV8ESb55Ga

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2019

Dueling Panenkas

Alejandro Pozuelo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic book ended the Week 5 schedule with Panenkas from the spot. 

Pozuelo with the Panenka! What a way to score a debut goal!#TORvNYC https://t.co/lQk24djLyr

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 30, 2019

Always putting on a show, that @Ibra_official pic.twitter.com/Mr092DL0l2

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 1, 2019

Almost Goal of the Week

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first-half attempt on Sunday night would’ve been a Goal of the Year nominee if it went in. 

UHHHHHH this is outrageous from @Ibra_official pic.twitter.com/s68In4b3gU

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) April 1, 2019

Controversy of the Week 

Dom Dwyer and Wayne Rooney are likely both at fault for this incident Sunday night between D.C. United and Orlando City.

Dwyer was whistled for a foul due to violent conduct and Rooney took advantage of it by scoring the eventual game-winning goal.

We won’t be surprised if the debate surrounding this play rages on for weeks. 

pic.twitter.com/1CuW4Gi9d0

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 31, 2019

Atlanta United Panic Button Update

On a scale from 1 to 10, Atlanta United fans are at 100 with the glass in front of the break-in-case-of-emergency hammer shattered. 

It doesn’t help that the 2-0 loss to Columbus played in poor conditions (we’ll get to that in a second) came right before a bye week. 

But as hard as it to say right now, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Five Stripes, with New England and Colorado on the schedule in April.

If Atlanta leaves the month of April with less than two wins, then you’re more than welcome to smash the panic button and overreact to a rough start. 

Ohio Is For Rainstorms

Both Ohio teams hosted games in treacherous conditions Saturday, and while FC Cincinnati got through 90 minutes against Philadelphia without little issue, Columbus’ home clash with Atlanta was disrupted by way too many puddles caused by downpours. 

This looks absolutely disgusting to play in for Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United #crew96 #ATLUTD #CLBvATL pic.twitter.com/Hi3GSv0m97

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 31, 2019

Pro Soccer USA’s own Ben Ferree did some great work getting details on the madness that ensued on the field after a lengthy weather suspension. 

Rocky Mountain Reds

Colorado and Real Salt Lake are fighting neck-and-neck for the most red cards in MLS. 

The Rapids have had three different players sent off in their first three home games, with Tommy Smith being the latest culprit against Houston on Saturday. 

RSL upped the ante Saturday, when Damir Kreilach was handed the club’s fourth red card of 2019 against FC Dallas. 

In fact, four of RSL’s five games have featured a red card. The Claret and Cobalt earned four in the last three games, and Houston went down to 10 men in the season opener. 

Trust the Celebration

Let’s end with the best celebration of the short season. 

Noted NBA fan Marco Fabian celebrated his goal against FC Cincinnati with a dribble drive and slam dunk into the arms of Alejandro Bedoya. 

We’ll ignore the fact that Fabian traveled a few times and needs to work on his left hand in order to keep defenders guessing.

Hey @sixers, what you think about my boy @MarcoFabian_10 slam dunk celebration!?
Disregard his Mexican version of the Euro step. #MarchMadness #NBA #Philly @PhilaUnion pic.twitter.com/ASGzd4urSf

— Alejandro Bedoya (@AleBedoya17) March 31, 2019

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Three Houston Dynamo goals in the first half, including two own goals – all propelled by Alberth Elis passing – gave the visitors an early 3-0 lead over the Colorado Rapids Saturday night. Elis bagged one of his own to open the second half and extend the lead to 4-0 before Kei Kamara pulled one back in a 4-1 loss for the Rapids at home.

Here are three takeaways from the Colorado Rapids’ 4-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo:

Left on an island

Dillon Serna had a bright start to the 2019 season, embracing and solidifying the left back role for Colorado. But following an average performance in last week’s 2-1 loss at FC Dallas, the 25-year-old seemed to regress further, unable to hand the larger, more physical Elis.

It prompted Rapids head coach Anthony Hudson to pull Serna from the match in the 57th minute, opting for Kellyn Acosta.

Time will tell whether the move will be long term for Colorado, but Hudson saw improvement with Acosta in that role Saturday.

“Kellyn did well. His first couple of defensive situations he had to deal with, I think he dealt with well,” Hudson said postgame. “It’s obviously a position he’s played in the past. He hasn’t played there for a while, but we know the qualities that he has. He’s just an athlete and he can get up and down the line, and he’s very good in wide areas, and we know at that stage in the game he would give us a threat going forward. I thought he did well. I thought he was very positive. I thought he was bright.”

Cobra Kei

Lost in an embarrassing home loss for Colorado was a big individual achievement for Colorado Rapids striker Kei Kamara. With his converted penalty kick in the 81st minute, Kamara moved into a tie with Ante Razov for fifth all-time in number of MLS goals scored (114).

Perhaps more impressive about Kamara’s number is that he’s continued to produce in stops at eight different MLS teams, with a short stint in Europe sandwiched in-between.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” Hudson said of Kamara’s accomplishment. “We’re incredibly pleased and proud for him. But he’s more disappointed in the performance, which tells what type of person he is. We need to keep getting him into position to score so I was pleased he got a goal tonight.”

A House Doesn’t Make a Home

The Rapids’ home form has been abysmal thus far to open the season, with just two points from three home matches. In a league where travel and away games can be brutal, it’s critical for any MLS team with playoff aspirations to win home games. The Rapids just aren’t doing that.

Colorado could try to recoup points on the road, but that’s a tall order as well given the Rapids only earned seven points from road games last season

Adding to their woes is that in each of those three home matches, Colorado has gone down a man with a red card.

The 4-1 loss was Colorado’s most embarrassing performance thus far in 2019 and Rapids midfielder Cole Bassett said it best.

“We cannot let a team come into our house and do what [Houston] did today.”

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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Seeking their first win of the season, the Colorado Rapids instead lost their second consecutive game following Saturday night’s 4-1 home loss against the Houston Dynamo.

Propelled by the standout play of midfielder Alberth Elis, the Dynamo got an early head start on the Rapids with four straight goals to start the match, including three in the first half.

“The biggest problem for us is the start of the game again,” Rapids head coach Anthony Hudson said. “We didn’t deal with their dangerous player, Elis.”

The visitors scored early with Elis sending in a key ball on the counterattack to Memo Rodríguez, who buried the effort to give Houston a 1-0 lead in the 4th minute.

Houston doubled the lead in the 15th minute as Elis sent in another dangerous ball, crossing the face of Colorado’s goal and deflecting off Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg to put the score at 2-0.

The Dynamo weren’t finished, adding a third goal in the 34th on another Elis cross, which was knocked in for another own goal, this time by Rapids defender Keegan Rosenberry. Despite being outshot 8-3 and outpossessed by Colorado, Houston took its 3-0 lead into the half.

With the Rapids leaking goals on the left side, Hudson made the decision to swap out Dillon Serna at left back for Kellyn Acosta off the bench.

“Kellyn did well,” Hudson said of the move. “His first couple of defensive situations, he played in well. He’s just an athlete and can get up and down the line. He took a bit of a knock at the end, which affected the rest of his game.”

But Elis continued to dominate the match, adding a fourth goal for Houston in the 67th minute on a through ball from Mauro Manotas and extending the lead to 4-0.

Colorado pulled a goal back when a former Rapid, Maynor Figueroa, was called for a handball in Houston’s box in the 80th minute. Kei Kamara converted the penalty for the Rapids, moving into a tie for 5th all-time for career MLS goals (114) and making the score 4-1.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” Hudson said of the accomplishment. “We’re incredibly pleased and proud for him. But he’s more disappointed in the performance, which tells what type of person he is. We need to keep getting him into position to score so I was pleased he got a goal tonight.”

Eight minutes later, the Rapids went down a man when Tommy Smith was issued a red card for violent conduct. It marked the third straight match in which the Rapids have gone down to 10-men.

“We definitely need to figure it out,” Hudson said of the Rapids’ disciplinary issues. “We’ve been in some situations where we’ve seen other players getting different outcomes. On our side, irrespective of what other teams get away with, we still can’t do what we’ve done.”

With the win, Houston remains undefeated on the season through four matches. Colorado has yet to secure a win in as many games.

The Dynamo will return to action April 13th at home against San Jose, while Colorado travels to Orlando April 6th .

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DENVER – English Premier League club Arsenal will face the Colorado Rapids on July 15 (7 p.m. MDT) in a summer friendly at Dick’s Sporting Good Park, the two clubs jointly announced Thursday afternoon.

“We are excited to be hosting one of Europe’s most iconic teams in Arsenal,” said Rapids executive vice president and general manager Pádraig Smith in a team release. “They are one of the top clubs in the world and we’re looking forward to testing ourselves against them on the field and providing sports fans in Colorado with the opportunity to be part of this outstanding matchup.”

The Gunners’ last U.S. tour took place in 2016 which included a 3-1 win over Chivas Guadalajara in Carson, Calif. and a 2-1 win over the MLS All-Stars in the MLS All-Star game. This summer’s match with Colorado kicks off a multi-city and team tour for Arsenal which will include International Champions Cup matches against Bayern Munich, AS Roma and Real Madrid, which are taking place in Los Angeles, Charlotte and Washington D.C. respectively.

“The match against Colorado Rapids in Commerce City is a great way to kick off our summer tour to the United States. We of course have very close links to the Rapids through our mutual ownership and we are looking forward to playing each other in a match which will provide both teams with a competitive challenge, in front of many American Arsenal supporters,” said Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham.

For Colorado, it will mark the second consecutive season with a scheduled international friendly, having won 5-4 on penalties over South American side Boca Juniors last July.

Both the Rapids and Arsenal share ownership under American businessman and billionaire Stan Kroenke, but this summer’s match will mark the first meeting between the two clubs.

Despite no prior meetings between the two clubs, two of the Rapids’ veterans have played against the English giants – Kei Kamara played against Arsenal as a starter for Norwich City in 2013, while Rapids captain Tim Howard faced the North London club numerous times during his time in the EPL (2003-16) playing for both Manchester United and Everton.

Arsenal’s visit marks the first trip to Colorado in the club’s 133-year history.

“We are obviously overjoyed Arsenal has elected to include Denver in their summer preseason plans,” said Drew Wiltjer, president of Arsenal America Denver Chapter, the Denver Gooners. “There is a fantastic soccer community here in Denver and we relish the chance to showcase that on an international stage. To our friends and family from all over the world who will be making the trip in July, we are eager to share the character and beauty of Colorado with you.”

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It was an abbreviated schedule in Week 4 with only 10 of Major League Soccer’s 24 teams competing during the FIFA international window. But there was still plenty of movement in the Pro Soccer USA Power Rankings.

The biggest movers in Week 4 were FC Cincinnati, which jumped five spots after extending an unbeaten streak to three games with their first MLS road, a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution. The Philadelphia Union made a plus-four jump after a convincing 3-0 win over Columbus Crew SC.

The Major League Soccer Power Rankings are created by averaging the rankings submitted by a committee of Pro Soccer USA’s editor and writers.

Pro Soccer USA’s writers Dylan Butler, Robert Jonas and Joe Tansey contributed to this report

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