Catching up on MLS Round 9: Donovan, Danso and more

You can find the full report on everything you need to know about MLS Week 9 later today when the men behind the big computers at SI.com central work-up and pretty-up my weekly Five Things You Need to Know recap. (Update: find it here now) Until then, here’s your super-fast weekend report:

TRENDING UP

Chivas USA: Robin Fraser is doing it with duct tape and safety pins. Lord knows how? But he’s making the magic happen for the Goats, who refused to sit back passively at New York and emerged with a stunning 3-2 upset. I wrote a lot about that one for the SI.com report.

Justin Braun: He was the hat trick hero of Sunday’s win for Chivas, even if one was the simplest of goal-line tap-ins. About the time I was telling everyone that this kid can really be something special (possibly even in a U.S. shirt) he got hurt. Now he’s back and, while Braun is not where he was about this time last year, he could still have something to say about the national team forward situation.

Landon Donovan: The Galaxy’s old man – Don’t forget, he recently told us that he’s no longer a goal scorer, presumably ready to settle into the comfy rocking chair of playmaking duty – has hit for seven of the Galaxy’s last nine goals. What, was he playing possum on us? Donovan scored his team’s only goal in a midweek draw in Philly, then hit for two in the 4-1 weekend win over Spork. (That’s Sporting Kansas City to you.)

The Cascadia Cup: The trophy that will go to the top team in the Pacific Northwest had its first MLS set-to on Saturday, as Portland visited Seattle. In a development as predictable as the nightly news, Qwest Field was rocking. About 500 members of the Timbers Army made the bus trip north. Who’s in for a road trip when the same teams meet down in the Rose City?

Mamadou Danso: Portland’s heroic center back hit for another goal this week. He’s been massive on set-piece plays for John Spencer’s team, in addition to great work in the back.

TRENDING DOWN

Charlie Davies: The comeback kid’s in-person audition for U.S. coach Bob Bradley didn’t go so swimmingly. Davies left with a hamstring strain after 34 minutes. Did he do enough to intrigue Bradley in that time? Nah. Not really. Look, it’s a great story and all, his comeback, that is. But “great story” won’t be among the considerations when Bradley names the Gold Cup roster next week. (It’ll be May 24, I’m told.) (Late-breaking update ... probably May 23 at the latest.)

Carlos de los Cobos: A draw in Toronto isn’t the absolute worst thing for Chicago’s coach. Still, this was surely the Fire’s best chance this year at a road win. If you rank the league’s coaches in “squirm factor,” de los Cobos has to be at the top. It’s not quite firing time around MLS; that’s usually closer to July and August. Still, the noose is surely tightening at Toyota Park.

Real Salt Lake offense: Jason Kreis’ men suffered predictably without their creator, the injured Javier Morales. But they won’t have Moreno for some time, and it’s on the men of Utah to find a way. Coach Jason Kreis will have to keep tinkering after a scoreless draw against Houston.

Local TV broadcasts in MLS: I’ll have more on this one later. Lordy, will I have more.