Midweek MLS rarely disappoints. It’s seldom gorgeous, but it’s usually fun. Week 22 held true to history.
Here are four takeaways from the Wednesday and Thursday games:
1. “What were these growing pains you spoke of?”
Both the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC changed coaches last month. An adjustment period might have been expected, but one never came. Both teams won tough midweek games on the road, Red Bulls defeating D.C. United 1-0 and NYCFC winning 2-0 at Orlando City SC.
It’s now 11 wins in their last 13 games for New York teams; three in a row from Red Bulls and four in a row from NYC.
It was tough to take much analysis from either game. Red Bulls played in a storm in D.C. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 100th career MLS goal early in the game (and threw an homage to his dad with his celebration). The game had the “get the points and run” feel. The questions about potential adjustments under Chris Armas became a moot point in the conditions.
NYCFC, meanwhile, won easily in Orlando and appeared to dominate the game, but…
NYCFC had a stupid fluky goal and Orlando hit the crossbar four times. So I’m not sure what to take from the performance. Probably just that Maxi Moralez is awesome; Alex Ring is back to his elite 2017 form; and Ebenezer Ofori has improved every week. And I feel bad for Orlando fans right now.
2. LAFC, wyd?
As Ola Kamara tapped in the qualizer in the 86th minute, ESPN announcer Adrian Healey shouted into the mic what everyone was thinking...“It happened again!”
LAFC stormed out ahead, again. Carlos Vela and Lee Nguyen put the hosts in front in the first 20. Then the LA Galaxy fought back, again. Romain Alessandrini and Kamara got the goals for the LA originals. Kamara’s game-tying goal came off a bad turnover from LAFC newcomer Andre Horta. The Galaxy might have won if Tyler Miller hadn’t made one of the wildest saves you’ll see all year.
The big question coming out of their second match-up of the year is, “well, who’s better?” And the only legitimate answer is, “well, depends the time of the day.” LAFC is certainly the more buttoned-up team; they have a clear style and predictable patterns. The Galaxy are the more erratic team, capable of comical mishaps and also outrageous quality. Sometimes the unpredictability comes out in the form of Jorgen Skjelvik letting the ball float right over his head for Vela to head home, and sometimes in comes in the form of Alessandrini bombing forward for a goal from wingback.
If the Galaxy can find a way to gain some stability, they will be very, very good. If not, they will have a lot more games like these LA matches. And their games will pretty much depend on whether their offense is more good than the defense is bad that day.
3. Kaye goes down injured
Mark-Anthony Kaye turned his ankle on Thursday in the 20th minute on a missed tackle by Galaxy’s Perry Kitchen. The replays on Kaye’s ankle weren’t pretty. Kaye left the game and couldn’t put any weight on his left leg as he left the field.
It was a sad moment for one of MLS’s best storylines in 2018. Kaye was plucked from USL by LAFC head coach Bob Bradley and the young Canadian has had a standout season. He’s combined composure on the ball, smart positioning, and graceful movement to be LAFC’s best player at times this year. He seemed to be a crucial component of Bradley’s unorthodox plans in center midfield.
LAFC may have to rethink their plans. More so, it was a bummer to see a player coming into his own have to leave injured.
4. Philly inch above the playoff line (on PPG)
Toronto FC, Orlando, and DC have garnered most of the attention in the East in terms of the last playoff spot, all for different and equally deserving reasons. The Philadelphia Union, however, are the ones actually in the top six in the conference, at least by one key metric. With their win in Houston on Wednesday, Philly passed the Montreal Impact on points per game.
Borek Dockal got two more assists, bringing his total to nine on the season; Alejandro Bedoya continued his strong claim as the best box to box midfielder in the league; and the two teenage centerbacks held one of the best offenses to a single goal (although Houston, once again, missed a few big chances).
D.C., Toronto, and Orlando all have the firepower to go on a ridiculous run and power themselves into the playoffs. The Union probably couldn’t hit the same type of hot streak. But if none of the teams below them go on a crazy run, Philadelphia will likely chug along and snag one of the playoff spots.
