In the two 2008 meetings of state rivals Houston and FC Dallas there have been 10 goals scored (including two stoppage-time equalizers), 49 fouls committed, and two players ejected.

Fans in Chicago, Columbus and New England should be warned. Their teams are playing with fire, and no pun is intended.

This may or may not be the make-or-break match for D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn when he sends out the worst team in MLS, by virtue of its 2-7-0 record, against Toronto FC Saturday night at RFK. United lost, 1-0, at BMO Field Wednesday night despite an improved performance in several areas. If Fred puts away a perfect cross from Marcelo Gallardo, either on the first attempt or the rebound of a point-blank header he aimed right at keeper Greg Sutton, maybe a 1-1 tie buys the team some confidence and …

This isn't yet another diatribe in what is fast becoming a weekly recurrence: to dump on D.C. United. But in yet two more ways D.C. deflated its fans and embarrassed its crest yet again last Saturday by squandering a 1-0 lead and losing, 3-1, to Chivas USA at Home Depot Center.

When the USL Montreal Impact opens its new stadium Monday night, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and President Mark Abbott will be in attendance. Has Montreal lapped its rivals in the MLS expansion race?

Brian Carroll won't take any credit for the Crew's 6-1 start to the MLS season. There's no need; his teammates and coach are happy to supply the platitudes.

D.C. United is haunted; not by the dearly departed, but by those whose recent departures have left great voids in a once-great team floundering and flailing in search of points and answers.

On a night San Jose christened its temporary home in an environment that buzzed despite a lack of goals, MLS commissioner Don Garber answered questions about the team the new Quakes replaced and its struggles to find a new home.

Fortunately, both Vancouver and Portland are in the running for MLS expansion slots as we gaze at the horizon beyond 2009 entrant Seattle and 2010 rookie Philadelphia.