Who says you can’t go home?
Manassas, VA native C.J. Sapong headed a corner kick into the net in the 93rd minute to help Sporting Kansas City notch a 1-0 road victory over DC United. &nbsp;While KC had a majority of the possession and at times looked ready to take the lead throughout, this game seemed headed to a scoreless draw before the late goal. &nbsp;Despite the one goal, this was a game that had some excellent chances and if not for DC keeper Bill Hamid and some careless DC passing, this could have been a much higher scoring game.
The strategy going into the game by Sporting Kansas City was to attack the right wing. &nbsp;Playing the usual 4-3-3, Kei Kamara was constantly attacking DC left back Daniel Woolard and, for the most part, failed to create many quality chances. &nbsp;With the DC left consisting of a recovering from injury Chris Pontius and less experienced Woolard, this may have looked like the smart strategy. &nbsp;However, Kansas City’s best chance to score was late in the first half when Roger Espinoza fed a pass from the left wing to Kamara who skied over Woolard in front of the net to head a ball towards goal. &nbsp;Somehow DC keeper Bill Hamid was able to deflect it with his shoe top to keep the game scoreless.
The KC pressure got to the DC defense in the second half and multiple times the back four had top scramble to clear the visitor’s chances. &nbsp;However, starting forward Teal Bunbury himself failed to convert two good chances in the early second half and KC failed to crack Hamid. &nbsp;In the 75th minute head coach Peter Vermes swapped Bunbury for Sapong, who instantly made an impact and had a better presence than Bunbury. &nbsp;While Kansas City didn’t look like world beaters on the night, they didn’t need to in order to secure all three points. &nbsp;Their pressure offense created chances and their goal was the result of an opportunity created by their aggressive play – specifically Sapong forcing Brandon McDonald to drag him down just outside the box in the 91st minute. &nbsp;This free kick was deflected out which led to the corner. &nbsp;Sporting KC now travels home to face the Revolution and have a chance to grab some wins early while building their points total.
As for DC United, these statistics tell the tale: one shot on target, 65% passing accuracy, and 43.4% of the possession. &nbsp;The DC midfield struggled mightily against the KC defense to string together passes, and the result was a punchless DC attack that left reigning MVP Dwayne De Rosario silent for most of the night. &nbsp;Second half substitutions seemed to spark DC especially in the 88th minute when sub Maicon Santos skied an open shot after a great pass from De Rosario. &nbsp;However, these chances were few and far between and Jimmy Nielsen wasn’t forced to make a save until late in the second half. &nbsp;The best weapon for DC on the night was Andy Najar on the wing, who could use his speed and ball handling to create a little space for himself. &nbsp;However, his crosses once he found that space in the visitor’s end were poor and too often he tried to take on the defenders by himself.
On the night DC certainly looked like a squad integrating some new players. &nbsp;Coach Ben Olsen after the games noted that his team was rusty, both physically and mentally but fought through the fatigue. &nbsp;The DC schedule doesn’t get any easier with the team’s next game at Los Angeles, and the Black and Red could be facing an early hole. &nbsp;Certainly their midfield needs to protect possession more and create scoring opportunities for the forwards. &nbsp;The defense, while almost getting the clean sheet, cannot rely on Bill Hamid too much to keep providing cover for their mental errors. &nbsp;After fighting for a draw for most of the game, old ghosts haunted DC and cost them a point.

Sapong Late Goal Gives KC 1-0 Win Over DC

Sapong Late Goal Gives KC 1-0 Win Over DC - World Soccer Talk

A report out of Toronto indicates that MLS fans had better get their overcoats ready for First Kick 2012.
Duane Rollins <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?2261-MLS-to-break-for-WCQ" target="_blank">reports</a> that Toronto FC executives told a fan gathering that they expect the MLS season to begin Saturday, March 10, with the First Game logically falling on March 8. &nbsp;The start, which would be the earliest in MLS history, would be earlier than usual because the league would incorporate the three World Cup qualifying periods into the schedule. &nbsp;The executives also confirmed that the league would be keeping the 34 game schedule which, with the addition of Montreal, would necessitate unbalanced scheduling.
The Toronto FC executives confirm what many season ticket holders knew and subsequent league sources have confirmed, that the league would keep its 34 game schedule for now. &nbsp;How the unbalanced schedule will shake out is unknown, although the league executives did meet two weekends ago to discuss next year’s schedule.
While the new schedule will allow players to participate in World Cup qualifiers, the earlier schedule will conflict with the CONCACAF Champions League. &nbsp;The quarterfinals<a href="http://www.concacaf.com/staticFiles/37/7d/0,,12813~163127,00.pdf" target="_blank"> are scheduled to take place March 6-8 and 13-15</a>, meaning some MLS teams could miss the beginning of the season and First Kick would be hosted somewhere besides Seattle for the first time in four years. &nbsp;Some teams may also start the season on the road as the weather may prevent hospitable home openers; Rollins notes that Toronto would likely play at Rogers Center to begin the season.
So assuming the five teams currently in the CCL are not eligible to host First Kick due to continuing in the competition, where is the logical place to hold First Kick 2012? &nbsp;It would have to be somewhere that could guarantee a huge crowd, TV viewers, and not be too cold. &nbsp;My guesses for hosting would be Portland (crowd guarantee) and New York Red Bulls (big names, good crowd) with the MLS Cup winner (assuming it isn’t one of those teams) paying a visit.
What do you think of the early start to the season? &nbsp;What is your prediction for the First Kick match-up?

Report: MLS 2012 Season to Start Week of March 4

Report: MLS 2012 Season to Start Week of March 4 - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a title="Flying V by Mafue, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mafue/5541928196/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5541928196_e56c0e70a5.jpg" alt="Flying V" width="500" height="375"></figure></div></a>Photo by Mafue</div>
MLS could not have asked for a better opening weekend of soccer than this weekend. &nbsp;After a somewhat pedestrian first match between the Galaxy and Sounders, there were a ton of story lines to follow in this weekend’s games. &nbsp;While it may be a lot to ask for every weekend to be this exciting (although we can hope) there is no doubt that this season is looking like a great one.
Just like Don Garber planned it.
Vancouver 4, Toronto 2
What a tale of two cities. &nbsp;Expansion Vancouver certainly kicked off their first first-division season in style. &nbsp;The fans were decked out in white as part of the “White Out”, celebrity fan Steve Nash sat among the masses and led the cheering, and the action on the pitch could not have been better for the home team. &nbsp;Eric Hassli started the scoring in the 15th minute and, after Dwayne De Rosario equalized, it was all Whitecaps. &nbsp;The Toronto defense was exposed and the Reds looked pretty bad; it may be worst case scenario for them at least in the near future.
For more weekend reviews…..
Colorado 3, Portland 1
I was intrigued by this match because I wanted to see how Colorado looked in their first match that counted after their MLS Cup win, as well as see how our other newest club looked. &nbsp;Kenny Cooper contributed a goal (and points for my MLS fantasy team) but otherwise it was all Colorado. &nbsp;The Cummings/Casey duo again looked dangerous in front of the goal, a must for the Rapids, and it was last year’s key pickup Jeff Larentowicz who got the scoring started for Colorado. &nbsp;A tough first match for Portland, but their next three matches are very winnable: at Toronto, at New England, versus Chicago.
Dallas 1, Chicago 1
If you stepped away to the fridge for a beer, you missed the scoring in this one. &nbsp;Milton Rodriguez for Dallas and Diego Chaves for Chicago scored within two minutes of each other, and defense carried the game. &nbsp;Hats off to Dallas for selling out their stadium, after receiving so much criticism for their poor draws last year. &nbsp;Let’s hope that they are building a tradition of being a tough ticket to get. &nbsp;Kevin Hartman picked up where he left off last season, facing 12 shots (5 on goal) and conceding one goal.
D.C. United 3, Columbus 1
I did a story for the site on this match, but I want to make a few follow-up points. &nbsp;Can any Crew fan fill me in on Robbie Rogers absence for most of the match? &nbsp;He had a&nbsp;discernible&nbsp;and positive impact when he was subbed on in the 65th minute, and he may have made a difference playing the full 90. &nbsp;Charlie Davies is getting the attention from this one, but the DC backline (which was horrendous last year) played very well in this match. &nbsp;But with Perry Kitchen called up to the U-20s and Jed Zayner picking up an injury, their depth may be tested (<a href="http://www.blackandredunited.com/2011/3/21/2063523/dc-united-roster-depth-defense" target="_blank">find more&nbsp;information&nbsp;here</a>).
New York 1, Seattle 0
Daniel did <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/new-york-1-0-seattle-sounders-agudelo-scores/12049" target="_blank">an excellent job covering this match for MLS Talk, so I will refer you to his analysis</a>. &nbsp;But allow me to continue heaping praise on Juan Agudelo. &nbsp;The guy will be something special if he is allowed to grow properly both in a playing sense and media sense. &nbsp;I also hope the European clubs dismiss him as an overrated American so he plays in MLS for a while longer. &nbsp;I’d like to hear from Sounders’ fans – what can your team do to generate some goals? &nbsp;Goalless now in two matches.
Real Salt Lake 1, San Jose 0
RSL is a very efficient team. &nbsp;They manage only two shots on goal and that’s all they need for Kyle Beckerman to find the winner. &nbsp;It was a good win in bad weather and there was nothing in this match that doesn’t make you think RSL may be the best team already. &nbsp;For San Jose, they are in a tough spot like we expected. &nbsp;They need to win home games against the favorites in the West to be considered playoff contenders; this match will do nothing to make anyone think that they are one of the better Western Conference teams.
Sporting KC 3, Chivas 2
Newcomers shined for Kansas City in this quality away win. &nbsp;James Madison University rookie C.J. Sapong scored the first goal in the second minute and newcomer Omar Bravo added two more in this match. &nbsp;Both teams should be very concerned about their defense, however. &nbsp;Sporting KC allowed two goals on only four shots on goal, while Chivas obviously had some defensive lapses. &nbsp;Does this match assert the Eastern Conference’s dominance over the Western Conference? &nbsp;Probably not, but it is a good win for a potential playoff contender.
Philadelphia 1, Houston 0
Another match where if you turned your head you missed the goal, as Danny Califf scores off a long throw-in. &nbsp;Kudos to Houston for another good crowd of almost 20,000 to begin the season, but a disappointing offensive output. &nbsp;They needed some points from this match, as their next two (at Sounders, at Red Bulls) could see them trailing early in the season, never a good place to be. &nbsp;The Union also needed this one, as five of their next six matches are against 2010 playoff teams and the sixth is against Vancouver.
Los Angeles 1, New England 1
Paging Mr. Angel, please pick up the white courtesy phone. &nbsp;The Galaxy need him healthy or need other players in their midfield to step up if they want to create more scoring chances. &nbsp;Again it was Juninho who salvaged the point for LA, and the good news for their supporters is that they have taken the early lead in the Supporters Shield race. &nbsp;It is good that New England salvaged a point from this match, but they showed some concerning tendencies in the match. &nbsp;Joseph’s third minute goal was their only shot on goal. &nbsp;Their home opener is DC United, so that will be a good test of where they stand.

MLS First Kick '11 is as Good as Advertised

MLS First Kick '11 is as Good as Advertised - World Soccer Talk

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MLS First Kick '11 is as Good as Advertised