MLS WEEKEND WRAPUP: Twellman strikes again; L.A. wins 'Clasico'

• by Soccer America , Apr 30, 2007

By Ridge Mahoney

The Crew is still unbeaten, D.C. United is still pointless, and Toronto FC is still goalless after the fourth weekend of MLS play. (Colorado and Real Salt Lake play a rare Monday night match.) Taylor Twellman scored again and defending champion Houston again was shut out.

Chris Rolfe scored on the hour as the Fire (3-0-1) downed the Dynamo, 1-0, to join the New York Red Bulls atop the Eastern Conference. Houston (1-2-1) hit the crossbar twice (Brian Ching, Brad Davis) while being blanked for the third time this season.

After a listless, even first half, Chicago started the quicker of the two teams and scored in the 60th minute when Rolfe took a long, cross-field pass from Gonzalo Segares and cut inside Wade Barrett to score his second goal of the season. Houston put just three shots on goal and one forced a great reaction save by Matt Pickens to deflect Ching's sharply bouncing header.

New England (3-1-0) won at Pizza Hut Park for the first time, downing FC Dallas, 1-0, on Taylor Twellman's fourth goal of the season. Twellman volleyed in a chip from Steve Ralston in the 13th minute, and lost another goal served up by Ralston when incorrectly ruled offside while executing another sublime first-time shot.
The Revs lost the past two MLS Cups at PHP and were smoked there last May, 4-0.

FC Dallas (2-3-1) lost at home for the second straight time despite launching 19 shots, five each by Ramon Nunez and Kenny Cooper. Revs keeper Matt Reis needed to make just two saves.

SuperClasico Version 07.1 drew a sellout crowd to Home Depot Center and the home team rocked, scoring twice in the first 17 minutes. Landon Donovan scored a goal and set up two as the Galaxy (1-1-1) prevailed, 3-1.

Donovan tapped a loose ball into an empty net after defender Claudio Suarez and keeper Brad Guzan collided, then worked a one-two with midfielder Kevin Harmse that the young Canadian polished off with a crisp, low shot. Suarez scored in the 63rd minute during a goalmouth melee after Harmse whiffed on an attempted clearance, but Donovan raced upfield on a counter to square a ball that substitute Cobi Jones swept into the net.

D.C. fans can be convinced that when things go bad, they really go bad. Columbus (1-0-3) beat D.C., 1-0, on a goal by Ezra Hendrickson. Of the six MLS teams Hendrickson has played for, he's not scored a goal for only two of them -- the MetroStars and D.C.

Luciano Emilio, deprived of service for most of the match, punched a ball into the net with his fist in frustration and was cautioned. United (0-3-0) fell to its third straight defeat despite Coach Tom Soehn shaking up his starting lineup, using Devon McTavish in defense instead of Facundo Erpen. Fred got his first start and tested Andy Gruenebaum with a hard shot that the Crew keeper kicked away. Gruenebaum also saved a swerving Christian Gomez free kick while earning his third shutout in four league games.

The teams waited out a 22-minute weather delay with six minutes remaining in regulation but not wind nor rain nor lightning nor the United attack could counter Hendrickson's goal. He lashed home the rebound of his own shot in the 28th minute as the Crew posted its first win of the season after opening with three ties.

A packed house of 20,148 fans attending the unveiling of BMO Field provided a raucous, colorful backdrop that failed to rouse Toronto FC (0-4-0) into scoring a goal. Kansas City (3-1-0), which beat the Canadians at home, 3-0, Wednesday, topped them again, 1-0, by the margin of an Eddie Johnson goal in the 81st minute. Johnson cut inside rookie defender Andrew Boyens and drilled a low shot that took a slight deflection and snuck between keeper Greg Sutton's left glove and the base of the goalpost.

Masses of fans clad in red, white, and grey kept up a din of cheers, chants, and occasional whistles during the match. English League veteran Danny Dichio made his MLS debut, but TFC struggled to create chances and managed just three shots on goal, none in the second half.

GAME RESULTS
April 28 in Toronto
Toronto FC 0 Kansas City 1.
Goal: Johnson (Harrington) 81.
Att.: 20,148.

April 28 in Columbus
Columbus 1 D.C. United 0.
Goal: Hendrickson 28.
Att.: 13,572.

April 28 in Carson, Calif.
Los Angeles 3 Chivas USA 1.
Goals: Donovan 8, Harmse (Donovan) 17, Jones (Donovan) 78; Suarez (Marsch, Mendoza) 63.
Att.: 27,000.

April 29 in Frisco, Texas
FC Dallas 0 New England 1.
Goal: Twellman (Ralston) 13.
Att.: 9,165.

April 29 in Houston
Houston 0 Chicago 1.
Goal: Rolfe (Segares) 60.
Att.: 13,392.