Total-MLS Weekly Review – June 14

It was a great week in Major League soccer with the opening of beautiful Livestrong Sporting Park and some amazing goals from Eric Hassli, Graham Zusi, Brek Shea, and Alan Gordon. With the disappointment of the U.S. national team losing to Panama, MLS was left to entertain soccer fans in America and it delivered. Let’s take a look at the weekly review.

Team of the Week: Sporting Kansas City

Four points, four goals, and one stadium later, Kansas City fans finally have something to cheer about. LIVESTRONG (And yes I mean all caps) Park opened last Thursday to 19,000 strong and an ESPN television audience. Although the game was no more than 90 minutes of kicks and giggles, it must feel great for the fans, players, and ownership to finally have a home to call their own. Plus with 16 of their final 23 games at the high-tech palace, maybe the club can make a late playoff push and end their postseason drought this fall. However, possibly an even more impressive achievement by the club this past week was the discovery of their new offensive weapon, Graham Zuzi. “Zeus” established himself as a key contributor to the SKC offense this past week and proved he was worthy of public recognition. The Maryland product scored two distance goals against Chicago, one of which would have certainly have been a GOW winner if it weren’t for a certain goal…

Goal of the Week: Eric Hassli

http://youtube.com/watch?v=
w8Vfdx7LEh4[/youtube]

Scratch that, goal of the Year. Scratch that, goal of the century! I am truly thinking about naming my first child Hassli Harwood in honor of this man’s inspiring strike. Shame on all the Europeans who thought the MLS could never produce greatness.

Player of the Week: Graham Zusi

If this were a normal site, the award would undoubtedly be given to Hassli the Hero or Graham “Zeus” Zusi. But here at Total MLS, we discourage mediocrity and look to analyze the fine from outside the lines in the league. This week’s award goes to motivated Left Back Brek Shea. The American international was left off the USMNT’s Gold Cup roster last month and has been making Bob Bradley pay with his recent play. Shea has been a primary reason why FC Dallas currently finds itself second in the Supporters Shield race heading into the halfway mark. His Messi-esque goal from on Saturday accurately displayed what he is capable of and why he is earning big money now in big D.

Home, Sweet Home

In honor of the opening of LIVESTRONG Park, I decided to do a quick study on the impact of new stadiums.

Last Five MLS Clubs to open their own soccer specific parks: (W-L-D)

Philadelphia Union – PPL Park

Record Before Opening: 2-6-2

Record Since Opening: 12-12-9

New York Red Bulls – Red Bull Arena

Season Before Opening: 5-19-6

Season After Opening: 15-9-6

Real Salt Lake – Rio Tinto Stadium

Before Opening: 29-59-30

Since Opening: 34-20-24

Colorado Rapids – Dicks Sporting Goods Park

Season Before Opening Park: 11-13-8

Season After Opening Park: 9-13-8

Chicago Fire – Toyota Park

Season Before Opening: 15-13-4

Season After Opening: 13-11-8

(image courtesy of sportingkc.com)