Total-MLS Weekly Review – June 7

Fit to be tied? Twelve MLS teams were this week as we saw six draws in league action this past week. Dallas and Real Salt Lake got wins to prove they are two of the best teams in league and San Jose and Chivas won to show that they aren’t going to be bottom of the table for long. Let’s take a look at the weekly review.

Team of the Week: San Jose Earthquakes

If you have been a consistent follower of my column and hate redundancy, I suggest you look away. After yet another big win for San Jose I find myself reiterating that the Earthquakes are the most dangerous team in the MLS. Not because of their talent or their stadium (which fits less people than a high school cafeteria), but because of their current label as “irrelevant” by the majority of MLS teams. Every week top clubs take the trip down to San Jose and expect to come home with a trio of points and every week they leave Santa Clara disappointed. Even without Wondo, the Quakes still have the X-Factor that makes them so fantastically deceptive against bigger budget teams. If any DC United fan is reading this, I suggest you email it to Ben Olsen before the game and maybe someone will finally get the memo.

Player of the Week: Danny Mwanga

After getting his feet wet last week against TFC, Danny Mwanga finally dove into the ocean of stardom that we all expected him to on Saturday. The Philadelphia Forward came off the bench yet again and proved he was worthy to be in the first XI after he netted a brilliant game-tying strike from outside the box. The former first round pick is really taking advantage of Ruiz’s absence and if his play continues, could see himself playing alongside the Guatemalan after the Gold Cup. Needless to say, I would buy a Union jersey right now if it weren’t for their silly little sponsor.

Goal of the Week: Danny Mwanga

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There were a lot of great goals this week, but none were more emphatically important than Mwanga’s game tying blast.

What to Watch For

With some exciting entrees coming in the next week, here are the events that should put your butt on the couch and hand in the chips.

USA vs Canada, Gold Cup – The 2007 Gold Cup semifinal rematch will take place Tuesday at Ford Field in what will be a pivotal group play game. Canada will try to reassert itself as a favorite in this tournament while Bradley and the boys will be looking to shake off a harsh exhibition loss to Spain. The game can be seen at 8:00 PM eastern on FSC.

Sporting Kansas City vs Chicago Fire – Has it really only been 10 games? SKC has finally returned home and will open up their new park Thursday night on ESPN. As Peter Vermes tries to stay off the coaching hot seat, Frank Klopas will be looking for his first win as interim skipper for the Fire.

New York vs New England – The Big Apple club has had a big win drought and will try to pick up three points against the Revolution on Soccer Night in America. After last week’s heartbreaking tie, nothing less than a win will be greeted with open arms by the Red Bull faithfuls.

(image courtesy of sjearthquakes.com)