MLS, Week 10: Red Bulls and RSL win, Quakes salvage draw with Impact

At the time, it was fair to wonder if MLS simply hadn’t figured him out. He wasn’t a big guy -- he’s listed as 5-foot-3 -- and didn’t seem to be much more than an energy player that you could insert into games.

Maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise, but he’s making a lot of people rethink their assumptions this year. Plata picked up a pair of assists on Saturday to lead RSL to a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. In the process, he moved into the MLS lead with four assists. He’s managed to do all this while playing just about 430 minutes, meaning he’s averaging .83 assists per 90 minutes. That’s a big number, in case you’re wondering.

And therein lines the difference between last year’s Quakes and this year’s team. A year ago, their dramatic comebacks were earning them wins, but not they need to score late just to manage draws, which is why it is no surprised to see them outside of a playoff spot right now.

MLS has done you a favor by scheduling the two best matches of the week on Cinco de Mayo. Now you get to prove your commitment to the league by staying sober enough to analyze the match like a pro. That’s what true fans do.

Are you a true fan?

The shutout was the first time the Timbers had failed to score this season, but the point was enough to move them into a tie for second place in the Western Conference. The Revolution remained in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.