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The League's Lowdown: August 29th - September 4th

A summary of the games going on inside MLS and any major news that impact MLS and the Houston Dynamo.

By Dynamo_Defender
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

What a busy week with good teams struggling and bad teams strengthening, the playoff race is tighter than ever and this week's results don't show any sign that it will change. Let's get into it with all the MLS games this past week.

Game Recaps:

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo (1-3 Dynamo)

What a game for the Dynamo with goals by Will Bruin, David Horst and Ricardo Clark but the bigger news points in this game came later this week when Tally Hall was declared out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Will Bruin also left the game injured but is expected to be OK.

Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids (1-0 Sounders)

Both teams appeared to park the bus in front of the goal in this match with the real battle occurring in the midfield. Seattle did however break through the Colorado Defense with a Clint Dempsey goal in the 52'.

Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution (0-3 Revs)

The Revolution have not looked good in awhile but this game was a lot like the Dynamo game in that it was a do or die game for the Revolution who look to make a playoff push. Goals by Lee Nguyen 2', Kelyn Rowe 21' and Teal Bunbury 58'.

Montreal Impact vs. Columbus Crew (2-0 Impact)

With these 2 teams I can never really tell who is good and who is bad. The Columbus Crew can win by 4 in one game and then turn off completely and lose by 4. Montreal looked dominant in a game they had no business in and got a brace from Ignacio Piatti in the 40' and 95'.

Chicago Fire vs. FC Dallas (1-0 Fire)

Every week I like to designate one game of the week known as the "Nap Game". This was the one of the week as both teams combined for a grand total of 6 shots on target. However, it was the new signing Robert Earnshaw who broke through the snooze and scored in the 83'.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers (0-3 Timbers)

This game was the proof that the Timbers simply had a blimp in their talent during the Seattle game as they dismantled the struggling Whitecaps in the Cascadia Cup. Goals for the Timbers came from Alvas Powell 51', Maximiliano Urruti 75' and finally Rodney Wallace 79'.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake (1-1)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd first like to point out that this was the only tie game of the week which made it difficult  for the Dynamo to catchup to anyone in the points race this week. As for the game itself, this recap could be a little more exciting than the action in the game. Goals came from Sam Cronin 14' for SJ and Javier Morales 36' for RSL.

DC United vs. New York Red Bulls (2-0 DC)

DC United looked like the team at the top of the table while the energy drinks could have used some energy drinks themselves. It seemed every red bull wanted to take a shot at goal but no one could get it on target. Goals for DC came from Luis Silva 57' and Eddie Johnson 91'.

Chivas USA vs. LA Galaxy (0-3 LA)

When it comes to Chivas USA I can't tell if they either are pushing for first place in the standings or first place in the draft race. Landon Donovan also looked dominant as he supplied 2 assists. Goals for the Galaxy came from Gyasi Zardes 41' & 71', and Robbie Keane 68'.

Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC (1-0 Union)

What a game for the Union who seem to be the major opponent against the Dynamo for a playoff push. Then again who isn't an enemy at this point. For Toronto it was new day, old story as the big money signings did nothing and the club looks doomed. The lone goal came from Conor Casey in the 55'.

New England Revolution vs. Sporting Kansas City (3-1 Revs)

Well I think Sporting has sprung a leak in their cauldron. Right now it seems that every team can score goals against them and the yellow card accumulations hurt them leaving the team without many attacking options. Jermaine Jones also made his debut and earned himself an assist. Goals for Revs by Teal Bunbury 45', Lee Nguyen 48' & 94'. Goals for KC by Soony Saad 9'.

Other Major News of the Week

San Antonio Plans Ahead

San Antonio announced their plans to adapt Toyota Field and build around it to house 10,000 new seats as they prepare for the push towards MLS. This was met with rather good applause around the soccer circles and surprisingly from the Dynamo faithful.

Dynamo announce Playoff Push Slogan

It was bound to happen sooner or later, but after pestering the front office enough it finally occurred and the Dynamo have a new playoff push. Everyone remembers Dream Scream Believe but this year it will be #OurTime.

Toronto FC stands for Toronto Fires Coaches..

Another one bites the dust as Toronto FC fired head coach Ryan Nelsen which in my opinion proof that a front office can hurt a team more than it can help. To me the time to fire a head coach is not during a playoff push, if this were true the Dynamo would have fired Dom a long time ago. Just goes to show faith can really bring fortune.

Toronto has more problems...

Good gracious Toronto has coaching problems, a crazy mayor, and now it appears that Jermaine Defoe is not happy at Toronto. With many clubs wanting the striker and record deals coming in Toronto FC declined all deals which will only result in an unhappy player with a lack of motivation. Again the Toronto front office needs to be fired, not the coaches.

Youngsters Bring the Energy

The United States Mens National Team faced off against the Czech Republic Wednesday and left with a 1-0 score line which showed promise for the future. A team made up mostly of young players did well, and looked calm and collected most of the game.

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