MLS Week 7: Brek Shea Wins It For FC Dallas With Wondergoal

As has become the custom here, I’ve turned over further explanation to our various SB Nation soccer editors:

Despite not amazing anyone over the weekend with another onslaught of goals against Sporting Kansas City, the New York Red Bulls still got a win and more importantly, it was a clean sheet. For me, that entrenches New York firmly in the top tier of the power rankings. We’ve seen what their offense can do and on Saturday they showed us they can win a different way, with a solid defensive performance. Yes, Sporting KC isn’t that good at the moment, but a clean sheet, even against a weaker opponent, is still a nice accomplishment. With RSL clearly punch drunk from their Champions League defeat, I think it’s fair to say that the Red Bulls might be the best team in MLS right now and while it’s really no fun having to type that sentence, I can’t deny the truth.

Still, with a 0-0 scoreline something has to change for both sides.

LaBrocca got things started early in the 22nd minute after he headed home a nice cross from Ben Zamenski. Mondaini got the play started as he handed off a short ball to Zamenski who sent in perfect cross that split two defenders to find LaBrocca.

Just before halftime, Chivas was at it yet again, this time with Mondaini. Moreno sent in a cross that found Mondaini, who did an acrobatic kick to hammer home the goal. It was easily one of the best goals I’ve ever seen a Chivas USA player score and possibly the goal of the week.

Despite several good chances for Salt Lake, there were unable to break through against the Timbers who looked like an entirely new club on the defensive end.

After all the defensive struggles and giving up the second most goals in MLS so far this season, a clean sheet against anyone would be a tremendous feet. To shutout arguably the league’s best club, even at home, is one hell of a performance from this new iteration of the Timbers.

The mental lapse by the Revolution have happened left and right in this game and are a good reason why Chivas USA is up 3-0 here. Steve Nicol’s side has put a couple more chances on Dan Kennedy’s goal so far in this second half but it’s his defense that has caused the damage here so far tonight.

You have to give Chivas plenty of credit for staying hungry here as Moreno and Mondaini have been a thorn in the Revolution side tonight.

That scoreless tie would only last until the 22nd minute when a quik restart from Marquez and flick on by Henry played De Rosario in ont he right. He crossed for Rodgers, who calmly finished into the empty net, but the Sporting players were left standing with their hands up in the air. They wanted Rodgers to be called offside, but they did not get it and the replays showed it to be extremely close without any definitive answer as to whether or not he was offside.

Last week’s predictions: 3 of 8 correct

The Dynamo are one of three MLS teams currently riding five-match unbeaten streaks, claiming nine points and scoring seven goals in that time. They haven’t been dominant, but they have quietly posted a league-leading 96 shots and appear to be hitting their stride despite having some injuries to key players. Facing teams of similar stock as United in their past two games at Robertson Stadium, they outscored their opponents 4-1 and out shot them 47-16 while claiming all six points. United has been on a bit of a roller-coaster. In their two wins, they’ve outscored their opponents 6-1, but in their three losses, they’ve been outscored 10-2. Predicting how they’ll perform on any given week seems a total crap shoot. Prediction: Dynamo 2-1.