Local broadcaster Wes Burdine (@MnNiceFC) stops by to review last week in the MLS, and look forward to the week ahead. Can he cure your springtime depression? Why not stick around and find out?
1. Seattle Sounders 1, Columbus Crew 2
This season's Sounders have a conundrum. Their best moments on Saturday came when they pressured the Crew into coughing up the ball, and then pounced with a counter-attack - but when you're the team with the most imposing home-field advantage int he league, you can't really sit back and play as a counter-attacking squad.
The Sounders struck first with Franken(Kenny)Cooper scoring on a counter attack. The Crew had a chance to even the score, but hit the post - and the rebound, falling to Bernardo Anor with no keeper in the net, was headed wide. I have a feeling Anor has spent the past few days making header movements involuntarily as he relives that moment.
The game turned when Sounders center back Djimi Traore fouled Dominic Oduro in the box, earning himself a red card and giving the Crew a penalty, which was converted by Frederico Higuaín. From there, the Sounders coped well and denied the Crew a chance to get the winner for almost all of the second half. But in the fourth minnute of stoppage time, the Crew caught the Sounders unaware with a short corner and Justin Meram put a beautiful shot into the back of the net. Heartbreaking stuff for the latte-sippers.
Short Version: The Sounders fell apart at home yet again.
Highlights: Justin Meram's ball is wonderfully curled into the back of the net from distance.
1. Colorado Rapids 2, Sporting Kansas City 3
The first half was a pretty tepid affair, the second half had a red card and five goals, but unfortunately, this game might be most notable for the referee's role. The Rapids earned two penalties this match, which makes five for Colorado in three matches. It also means that newcomer Vicente Sanchez has four goals in three matches. The first penalty was a little questionable; the second, no question, and the same goes for the sending off of Marvell Wynne. With five minutes left in the match, Wynne made a needless tackle on Zusi to earn a yellow card and leave his teammates in the lurch.