Major League Soccer: 5 takeaways from week 14 action

Jun 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The New York City FC players celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The New York City FC players celebrate after defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the dust setting on another week of Major League Soccer, Chris Wimmer reviews the action…

Reals Salt Lake & Colorado far from their best

Well, not exactly something we as MLS fans learned so much as reinforcing what was already known. Both RSL and Colorado are terrible! The bottom two MLS Western Conference clubs battled to a boring scoreless draw. Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers actually had the opportunity to get his club three easy points but couldn’t even get his late game penalty kick on frame…seriously, nothing else needs to be said.

Real Salt Lake 0-0 Colorado

Orlando City Games Continue to Provide Late Game Drama

How many times this season have Orlando City SC games provided late game drama? Enough times to not surprise fans this past weekend when the Lions rookie sensation and MLS Rookie of the Year candidate Cyle Larin leveled the match with his 5th goal of the season in the 82nd minute. Adding to the excitement four minutes later Orlando City would go on to secure all three points on the road from an own goal by Chicago. Here is a tip for anyone tuning in to watch an OCSC match, DO NOT change the channel until the final whistle has blown or you are sure to miss some late minute drama.

Chicago Fire 2-3 Orlando City

Sebastian Giovinco is Downright Electrifying

Diminutive Italian forward, Sebastian Giovinco has been an amazing Designated Player signing for Toronto FC this season. Giovinco led his Toronto side to an important road victory over first place D.C. United by scoring a brace, his 6th and 7th goals of the season. As the popular Bruno Mars song states, don’t believe me just watch…these:

DC United 1-2 Toronto FC

LA Galaxy Need Steven Gerrard ASAP

The LA Galaxy are currently only a single point ahead of Houston in sixth place, the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Their scoreless home loss this past weekend to Vancouver didn’t help much either. Even with 2014 MLS MPV Robbie Keane back in action following injuries the Galaxy could not find the back of the net. LA fans are surely anxious to see what type of impact former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will make. Will Keane return to form and team up with Gerrard to lead the Galaxy to the playoffs and lead the five time MLS champs back to the MLS Cup to defend their title?

LA Galaxy Designated Player Steven Gerrard
LA Galaxy Designated Player Steven Gerrard /

LA Galaxy 0-1 Whitecaps FC

C.J. Sapong Was a Great Pick Up for the Union

The former Sporting KC forward was traded to the Philadelphia Union this past off season and the move is looking like a brilliant one so far. C.J. Sapong scored his 4th goal of the season in a loss to New York City FC but seems to have regained his scoring form and may be on track to finally reach double digit goals for the first time in his MLS career. His career high was 9 goals during his second season with SKC. If the former MLS Rookie of the Year is able to continue this level of play he may just help the Union, currently one point behind Columbus, take the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia Union 1-2 NYCFC

In other matches…

Houston Dynamo 4 – 2 New York RB
Columbus Crew 1 – 2 Montreal
Sporting KC 1 – 0 Seattle Sounders
Portland Timbers 2 – 0 New England
SJ Earthquakes 0 – 0 Dallas