By IVES GALARCEP

FC Dallas Stadium has been a fortress of sorts for the top team in MLS this season, with only the Portland Timbers succeeding in escaping Frisco, Texas with so much as a point.

The San Jose Earthquakes came into Saturday night’s match still looking for their first road win of the season, and while they pushed FC Dallas for most of the night, they never could find a way to beat Peruvian goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.

The FC Dallas goalkeeper made six saves, including some important stops late in the match, to help Dallas hold on for a 1-0 victory over the Earthquakes.

Fabian Castillo provided the game’s only goal in the 33rd minute when he bent a left-footed finish past Jon Busch after David Ferreira found him with the incisive pass after a speedy FC Dallas counterattack.

Castillo’s goal was one of the few moments of skillful brilliance on a night where there were far more ugly and physical clashes. From Victor Bernardez inadvertently kicking Kenny Cooper in the head and forcing him out of the match, to George John bloodying Steven Lenhart’s nose with raised arm as both went up for a ball in the penalty area, there was plenty of rough stuff to keep the referee busy.

Fernandez was the star of the show for FC Dallas, saving his best save for late in the match, when he denied Chris Wondolowski from close range.

The victory improved FC Dallas to 8-2-3, keeping them five points ahead of the Timbers for first place in the Western Conference. The loss dropped San Jose to 3-5-6, with just one victory in their past 10 matches.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the match? Impressed with Fernandez’s performance? Surprised by how badly the Earthquakes have struggled?

Share your thoughts below.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

BY TYLER GRAY

SANDY, Utah- The Chicago Fire had one solid opportunity on goal all night and did not waste it.

In a match that saw RSL dominate possession and chances, the Fire were able to capitalize on their one good chance on goal to level the match 1-1 and escape Rio Tinto Stadium with a valuable road point.

Quincy Amarikwa provided the equalizer, connecting on a flying kick from close range in the 84th minute to spoil the night for the home fans.

RSL were unable to score all game thanks to the heroics of Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson who made eight saves in a Man of the Match performance, with only an Alvaro Saborio header beating him on a night when Real Salt Lake created a bulk of the chances.

Johnson downplayed his role in Chicago Fire’s first road point of the season.  “The backline was great.  I was able to make a couple of saves and keep us in it.”

Real Salt Lake peppered Johnson’s goal for the better part of the match to no avail until finally in the 78th minute a familiar face was able to break the deadlock.

RSL midfielder Ned Grabavoy swung a cross into the box where Saborio rose up and smashed it into the back of the net.  It was Saborio’s first match since April 20th after missing the last five matches due to a quad strain.

Unfortunately for Real Salt Lake it looks like the star striker might have re-injured that same left quad during the match attempting to loft a shot over Fire GK Johnson.  Saborio will be evaluated in the coming week.

Chicago were able to fight back and just six minutes later they scored off a long throw-in from Jalil Anibaba.

Anibaba hurled the ball into the 18-yard box and Austin Berry headed it on to Quincy Amarikwa who side-volleyed the ball into the back of the net, silencing the home crowd.

The goal rubbed  RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis the wrong way.

“For me, that’s a foul throw.  I’ve been saying that for the past two years.  A lot of these long throw-ins that we’re seeing now are frankly just foul in my eyes.  I ask the referees about it and don’t get much of a response to it.  I grew up you had to throw the ball with two hands, not one.”

Whether it was sour grapes or a valid point, it didn’t matter to the Chicago Fire who came in and got the point that they needed.

With the recent acquisition of Mike Magee and defender Bakary Soumare, who made his debut tonight, things are looking up.

“Being back here is fantastic with old teammates and a locker room I’m familiar with,” Soumare remarked.  “I was on the opposite side with Philly in Chicago.  They had three or four good chances that changed the game.

“That’s how it is in soccer sometimes, you want the wheel to spin the right way,” Soumare said. “Maybe this is the beginning of something new.  Maybe this is the beginning of a new chapter, a new season for us.”

Here are the match highlights:

By THOMAS FLOYD

WASHINGTON — There have been changes in personnel. Tweaks to the formation. Adjustments in philosophy. But away from home, there is one constant for the Portland Timbers: results.

As the Timbers continue to rack up points on the road, coach Caleb Porter feels his side is sending a message to the rest of MLS: Portland is no “one-trick pony.”

“We’re very multidimensional. We can adapt,” Porter said. “Yet we have a very, very clear structure and identity that we work from.”

For as much as the Timbers’ “Porterball” style is associated with a fluid, possession-driven 4-3-3 approach, Portland knows certain situations call for modifications.

In a 2-0 win at D.C. United (1-9-2) on Saturday, the Timbers (5-1-7) offered a different look. With playmaker Diego Valeri sidelined by a hamstring ailment, veteran striker Frederic Piquionne took his place, shifting Portland into a 4-4-2 formation. And Pa Modou Kah, acquired just week, stepped in at centerback for the suspended Mamadou Danso.

But thanks to goals from Rodney Wallace and Darlington Nagbe, as well as a clean sheet courtesy of that retooled back line, the Timbers triumphed all the same. In the process, they improved to 2-0-5 away from Jeld-Wen Field this season after going 3-21-10 on the road the past two campaigns.

“It just shows that everybody is ready,” Wallace said. “We have a good group of guys that anytime can come in and make an effect.”

With Valeri sidelined, Porter understood the designated player’s attacking flair couldn’t be replicated — so the Timbers didn’t try. By deploying a pair of target forwards in Piquionne (who assisted Wallace’s opener) and typical lone striker Ryan Johnson, Portland went more direct.

Although they entered the match averaging 57.9 percent possession, the Timbers saw just 47.8 percent of the ball Saturday. Yet their control of the game never felt threatened.

“[Valeri] is kind of the straw that stirs the drink for us,” Porter said. “We knew with him out we weren’t going to have as much creativity and possession, so we decided to go in a different route.”

While United produced plenty of pressure, Kah held his own in central defense alongside 20-year-old Andrew Jean-Baptiste. For a team that already has lost centerbacks David Horst (broken leg) and Mikael Silvestre (torn ACL) to long-term injuries, the 32-year-old’s quick integration into Portland’s scheme offers optimism.

“Football is a universal language, the way you play,” Kah said. “Caleb is a coach who wants to play international football, and you see that. … Football is a team sport, so you just have to take your time to learn the system and do what you’ve got to do.”

Even though the Timbers went into Saturday’s tilt with a distinct game plan, there’s always room for improvisation. Looking to get Nagbe more involved, Porter decided to move the player up top early in the second half, swapping him with Johnson.

Moments later, Nagbe ran onto a Johnson chip before slotting home Portland’s insurance goal.

“The system and identity,” Nagbe concluded, “is working.”

With Portland’s unbeaten run overall now at 11 games, that much is readily apparent. And the Timbers’ ability to add variables to their winning formula makes them all the more imposing going forward — though Porter isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“In the locker room, we’re very humble,” Porter said. “It’s not like the guys are doing cartwheels in there. We’re happy, but we’ll move on.”

By PABLO MAURER

WASHINGTON – Saturday evening’s matchup between D.C. United and the Portland Timbers was a tale of two teams headed in very, very different directions. United entered the game with only four points to their name. Portland, on the other hand, entered the match riding a 10-match unbeaten streak.

The script played out as expected. The Timbers looked organized and efficient, creating chances and finishing them. D.C. United looked disjointed and never really threatened on their way to a 2-0 loss to the Timbers at RFK Stadium.

Goals from Rodney Wallace and Darlington Nagbe provided the difference to help the Timbers push their unbeaten streak to 11 matches, the longest such streak in the league. D.C. United also continued a league-leading streak, going their 10th straight match without a win (nine of those results being losses).

Both of Portland’s goals were the result of poor marking and communication by United’s back line. Former United midfielder Rodney Wallace found himself with time and space in the 21st minute and made no mistake, drilling home a left-footed shot from some 14 yards out.

Nagbe finished the game off in the 57th minute, out-muscling D.C. centerback Brandon McDonald before collecting Ryan Johnson’s pass and firing a shot past United keeper Bill Hamid. The goal, which came against the run of play, was a back-breaker, and D.C. United seemed hapless to mount any sort of a comeback.

It was a lack of effort not lost on Head Coach Ben Olsen.

“It’s embarrassing how soft we are,” a clearly agitated D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen said after the match. “On every part of the field. The lack of anger that a few of our guys play with, the lack of a chip on some of our guys’ shoulders. It’s mind boggling to me.”

While D.C. struggled, the Timbers received some quality performances from newcomers to the starting lineup. Freddie Piquionne and newly-acquired centerback Pa Modou Kah both played well, with Kah looking like a comfortable fit playing in place of suspended starter Mamadou Danso.

More surprising than the final result were some of Olsen’s lineup choices,  most notably the omission of Dwayne De Rosario from the starting lineup, and the inclusion of Carlos Ruiz.

It was Ruiz who earlier in the week went public with his complaints about playing time. Olsen responded by handing him a start, and benching former MLS MVP Dwayne DeRosario in the process.

If Olsen’s mood was dark, the angst in the locker room after the match was other-worldly. De Rosario, who entered the match mid-way through the second half, voiced his disapproval with his role as a second half sub.

“[Olsen] doesn’t think that me and Carlos can play on the same field together, so that’s the way it is. I’m not happy about that,” said DeRosario, who cracked a smile when asked whether he believed that he’d pair up well with Ruiz.

“I think if you look at our track record as goal scorers, as creators, that’s not a bad problem to have to try once.”

Ruiz, for his part, was appreciative of the opportunity he was given. When asked by the assembled media whether he thought a partnership with De Rosario could work well, he was more reserved.

“It depends what Ben wants. We aren’t young like we were a couple of years ago – so if he wants us to run up and down, up and down, it’s going to be a little bit difficult.”

Despite Olsen’s harsh words, there were certainly positives for United. They out-possessed what’s perhaps the most possession-oriented team in MLS and certainly created their share of chances. Ruiz showed a few brief flashes of creativity and fire up top; Perry Kitchen was a rock in the center of the park, as he has been all year. At the end of the day, though, the result was the same – just a third of the way through the season, United continue to watch their already slim playoff hopes rapidly disappear over the horizon.

This 2013 D.C. United team isn’t just bad – they are on pace for a historically awful season. At 1-9-1, they’re averaging a scant 0.42 points per game, well below the previous MLS record of 0.52 set by the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001. Even worse, their offensive futility – D.C. averages just half a goal a game – would shatter the previous MLS all-time low of 0.70 goals per game set by D.C. United during their nightmarish 2010 campaign.

If D.C. United are to right the ship in any way,  they will get their chance in the next month. After an opening 10 games that saw them face some of the toughest opposition in MLS- they’ll next face Chicago, Toronto and New England, who Olsen described as more “realistic” competition.

As for tonight, a disillusioned Olsen seemed eager to write the loss off. When asked “What now?” during his post-game press conference, he looked blankly off into the distance and offered a simple response.

“Go home. Hug my kids if they’re still up.”

Here are the match highlights:

By JOEL HOOVER

Goals seemed inevitable from the start in a game that featured two of MLS’ most in-form strikers in Golden Boot leader Jack McInerney from Philadelphia and Marco Di Vaio of Montreal.

By the end of the night, there were much more than just two players on the scoresheet, but it was DiVaio who stood out above the rest.

The Italian striker struck a hat-trick just over 30 minutes into the first half and Andrew Wenger nodded home what proved to be the winner as the Montreal Impact held on for a wild 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Union. Blake Smith tallied in stoppage time for the Impact, while McInerney, Antoine Hoppenot, and Sebastien Le Toux all scored for the Union.

Montreal (7-2-2; 23 points) pushed their unbeaten run to three matches with the victory. The loss means the Union (5-5-3; 18 points) have lost all three matches this season against teams in the top half of the Eastern Conference. The five goals conceded was also the worst defensive performance in a game in franchise history for Philadelphia.

Di Vaio quickly opened the scoring in just the 2nd minute, as a low cross from Andrew Wenger on the right found the Italian on the edge of the box. His first-time volley on the left foot found the far corner past Zac MacMath with just 1:19 elapsed in the match.

Moments later, Di Vaio would have an opportunity to double his tally, but his near post effort was tipped over the crossbar by MacMatch.

McInerney quickly responded with leveler in the 5th minute. Sheanon Williams’ cross from the right was only partially cleared to Michael Farfan on the edge of the penalty area, and his slotted pass found McInerney for a sliding turn and finish past Troy Perkins. The goal was McInerney’s 9th of the season and his 6th road goal of the year.

Both teams found plenty of space in the midfield throughout the game, leading to chances at both ends midway through the first half for McInerney and Felipe Martins that just missed, as well as a close effort for Michael Farfan.

Montreal surged back in front in the 28th minute, and it was Di Vaio who was yet again on hand to finish after a perfectly floated ball from former Union midfielder Justin Mapp. Di Vaio was able to beat the Union backline on the offside trap, then chipped deftly past MacMath to restore the lead for the home side.

He would complete his hat-trick just four minutes later after Andres Romero shifted past Sheanon Williams to serve a cross from the end line. Ghosting in unmarked at the back post, Di Vaio expertly volleyed in to complete his treble. His first MLS hat-trick also brought him level with McInerney for the lead in MLS’ Golden Boot race with nine.

The second-year Italian DP had an opportunity just a few minutes after to plunder a fourth goal, but he uncharacteristically fired a volley over in the box. It made little difference though as his side comfortably carried their 3-1 lead into the half, with the Union finding little way of stopping Mapp and Romero attacking incisively down the wings.

Philadelphia pressed to little effect out of the gate to start the second half, as a low strike from Le Toux tipped wide by Perkins was their lone good chance in the early moments. The introductions of Conor Casey and Antonie Hoppenot pressed the issue further as the Union tried to offset their defensive woes with attacking play in the second half.

The Union did pull one back in the 69th minute in fortuitous circumstances, as Antoine Hoppenot’s mis-hit cross from the right found its way over Perkins and into the net to reduce the gap to 3-2. It was Hoppenot’s first goal of the season and gave the Union brief hope of finding an equalizer.

Their push for one more goal led to waves of Montreal attacks as time wound down, and Andrew Wenger profited in the 74th with what proved to ultimately be the match-winner. The 2012 Number 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft headed home Martins’ corner kick at the near post to double the lead once again for the Impact. It was Wenger’s first goal of the season, and further compounded the Union’s marking woes at the back that plagued them throughout the match.

Philadelphia managed to reduce the deficit again in the 85th minute through Sebastien Le Toux’s first goal since the opening day of the season. A long throw from Williams into the box was half-cleared again by the Impact, and Le Toux was able to settle and fire home on his left foot to once again give the Union a chance at an unlikely equalizer.

The pressing for an equalizer once again left the Union prone to counterattacks, through which Montreal were finally able to round off the scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Patrice Bernier made a quick flick over the top of the Union’s high defensive line, and Blake Smith was able to race in and slot past MacMath for his first goal in MLS and the eighth goal of the match.

Montreal vault to second in the Eastern Conference with the win, just one point behind the New York Red Bulls and with three games in hand. The Impact return to action on Wednesday at Vancouver in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. Their next league match is June 1 at Sporting Kansas City.

Philadelphia retain the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference, and will host the Ocean City Nor’Easters the the third round of the US Open Cup Tuesday night at PPL Park. The Union will return to Canada on June 1 for a league match against Toronto FC.

Here are the match highlights:

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

The New England Revolution are winners of back-to-back matches for the first time in 2013, and they owe both victories to their two bright young forwards.

After scoring in last week’s 2-0 win over Houston, Diego Fagundez and Juan Agudelo got on the scoreboard again on Saturday night as New England defeated struggling Toronto FC 2-0.

Saturday night’s win at a rain-soaked Gillette Stadium was only the second home win of the season for the Revolution, whose last set of back-to-back wins came in the final two matches of 2012. Toronto, on the other hand, have now lost five straight games in league play.

Fagundez, who has now scored in three straight games, opened the scoring for New England in the 23rd minute with an unstoppable volley from a well-placed Chris Tierney cross. The 18-year-old academy product caused headaches all night for the Toronto defense, getting two more chances on goal before the halftime whistle.

The Toronto offense struggled to create quality chances as the New England defense kept most of the visitors’ efforts from reaching Bobby Shuttleworth. Saturday night’s win was New England’s seventh shutout in 12 games—remarkable improvement from a side that only had nine shutouts in 2012.

The Revolution looked closer to a goal throughout the second half than their opponents. Lee Nguyen was inches away from a Goal of the Year candidate as his 40-yard effort cracked the bottom side of the crossbar at the hour mark. Tierney then fired a rebound effort, but Joe Bednik was able to keep Toronto alive.

New England finally found an insurance goal in stoppage time as substitute striker Saer Sene slipped through the Toronto defense with some fancy footwork, and cut the ball back to Agudelo, who finished near post with a first-time strike.

Toronto pushed for a late consolation goal, but the Revolution kept their clean sheet as Jeremy Hall’s effort flew wide of Shuttleworth’s goal.

New England (4-4-4) will look to continue their modest winning streak next Sunday when they host defending MLS Cup champions Los Angeles. Toronto (1-7-4) returns to BMO Field in a week to face Eastern Conference foe Philadelphia.

Here are the match highlights:

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By IVES GALARCEP

Brazilian superstar Neymar had suspense building over his decision on which European powerhouse he would leave Santos for, and as of Friday evening, he had settled on two final options.

He revealed his decision on Saturday, informing fans (and the world) via Instagram that he will be signing with Barcelona (which confirmed the news on Saturday night as well):

“It’s not going to hold out until Monday … My family and friends already know my decision. Monday sign a contract with Barcelona.

“I want to thank the fans of Santos by these incredible nine years. My feeling for the club and the fans will never change. It is eternal! Only a club like Santos FC could give me everything I have lived on and off the field. I thank the wonderful fans who supported me fish even in the most difficult moments. Titles, goals, dribbling, celebrations and songs that fans created for me will be forever in my heart … I made sure to play the match tomorrow in Brasilia. I want to have the opportunity to once again take the field with the “mantle” and hear the crowd scream my name … as the hymn says, “it is an honor that not everyone can have …” It is a different time for me, sad (farewell) and cheerful (new challenge). May God bless me in my choices … And I’m always in Santos!

Neymar chose Barcelona over Real Madrid after taking the two offers and considering them both overnight on Friday. He ultimately chose to play for Barcelona, where he will now partner with Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in a team that is revamping the squad this off-season, with a goalkeeper and central defense help still on the shopping list.

What do you think of this development? Excited to see Neymar play alongside Neymar? Disappointed he didn’t choose Real Madrid or Chelsea or some other club? How do you think he will do in Europe?

Share your thoughts below.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

BRONX, N.Y. – For the final time in the 2012-2013 season, Chelsea and Manchester City took the field, putting on an eight-goal thriller in the Bronx.

City finished off their post-season tour of the U.S. with their second win in as many games, beating Chelsea 5-3 in front of 39,462 fans on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium. City midfielder Samir Nasri and Chelsea midfielder Ramires each had a brace as the clubs head back to England for the offseason.

City got off to a quick start in the third minute thanks to a lackadaisical pass by Chelsea midfielder Oscar, which went straight to City forward Sergio Aguero. The Argentine’s shot was stopped by Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario, but the rebound went straight to midfielder Gareth Barry, who passed into the open net.

After a couple of near misses by Chelsea forwards Demba Ba and Fernando Torres, City struck again on the counter attack in the 29th minute. David Silva cleverly played Nasri through, who chipped the ball over Hilario and in the net to make it 2-0.

Just seconds after the second half began, Chelsea sprung into action, as David Luiz played Ramires into space, allowing the Brazilian to round substitute goalkeeper Richard Wright and cut the deficit in half.

One of City’s many second-half substitutes, James Milner, restored the two-goal cushion with a powerful strike in the box into the far post in the 55th minute. Though Ramires would score again in the 69th minute from close range, Nasri was up to his old tricks again in the 74th, chipping Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and making it a 4-2 scoreline.

Chelsea midfield maestro Juan Mata hit a perfect free kick off the crossbar and across the line in the 82nd minute, but City forward Edin Dzeko struck right back, blasting a shot from 35 yards out past the diving Cech to make it 5-3 in the 84th.

After the final whistle, both teams spent time to applaud the fans before heading off the Yankee Stadium field.

If Joe Gyau is to build on the first-team minutes he received this past season and continue his development, he will not be doing so with St Pauli.

Gyau’s time with St Pauli has come to an end after the 2. Bundesliga club decided not to extend his loan for another season. The 20-year-old Gyau will now return to Hoffenheim, who loaned him out last August and are currently fighting to remain in Germany’s top tier.

Gyau made 16 appearances across all competitions for St Pauli during the recently-concluded campaign and 15 of those came in 2. Bundesliga play. The former U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team winger started five of those 16 matches.

Surprised St Pauli did not extend Gyau’s loan? Should he try and break into Hoffenheim’s lineup or look for a move elsewhere this offseason?

Share your thoughts below.

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

After their first loss in more than two months, FC Dallas are back home this weekend as they look to bounce back and maintain the league’s best overall record.

Dallas’s opponents tonight are the San Jose Earthquakes, who pulled off some more second-half heroics last weekend to tie the Colorado Rapids. It will be the first meeting of the season between last year’s Supporters Shield winners and this season’s early leaders.

Across the border in Montreal, the Impact look to continue their hot start with a win over visiting Philadelphia. The Union bounced back from a 4-1 loss to Los Angeles with a 1-0 win over Chicago last weekend, and they have a great chance to get their first big win of the season.

Here is a rundown of tonight’s MLS action:

7pm- D.C. United vs. Portland Timbers

7 pm- Montreal Impact vs. Philadelphia Union

7:30pm- New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC

8:30pm- FC Dallas vs. San Jose Earthquakes

9pm- Colorado Rapids vs. Chivas USA

9pm- Real Salt Lake vs. Chicago Fire

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If you will be watching today’s MLS action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.