Someone nearly pulled the plug on my soccer coverage in week 6, but my radar picked up a thing or two. FC Dallas started the action in Friday night’s nationally televised showdown vs. Colorado Rapids. Unbeaten at home and facing a win-less, goal-less Colorado side, FC Dallas looked like a sure thing for the three points. Unfortunately, the boys just weren’t into it on the night, giving up the game winner in the second minute on their way to an embarrassing 4-0 loss. FC Dallas are now scoreless in their last two home matches and these are dark times for Hoops fans that have seen their club drop 8 of the last 9 points on offer. However, it remains true whether a team is in form or in a rut, the MLS season is an incredibly long one, and 3 to 4 week stretches mean little in the grand scheme (see the 2014 New England Revolution).

With dark clouds fixated over FC Dallas, Soccer Therapy turned to the lovable USL and gave the Austin Aztex a few looks. I am now a season ticket holder and have so far enjoyed watching Austin’s home matches during their inaugural USL campaign. Unfortunately, the ATX brought me no more joy than FC Dallas, as they too have gone the last 180 minutes at home without a goal. The soccer offered little to enjoy on Saturday night as Arizona United defeated the Aztex 1-0 at House Park. By the second half, the guys and I were simply asking for a decent string three or four passes… for either team! To be fair though, USL is third division soccer, the match was played on an artificial surface, and it was a filthy muggy night night in Central Texas. We’ll let the boys off this time because, prior to this match, the Aztex have been very positive in front of the home crowd.

In soccer as in life, there are always brighter and happier places to turn. This week I am thrilled to have the opportunity to see the Stars and Stripes in person for the first time. I’ll be taking the trip to San Antonio to watch the U.S. take on Mexico at the Alamodome in what should be a remarkable spectacle. I’ll be sure to get some pictures for the blog.

These Two Guys: We were all so intrigued by the signings of Jozy Altidore, Giovinco, Kaka, David Villa and Stevie Gerard. But this past Wednesday I took notice to a pair of amazing additions to MLS that aren’t getting quite the same pub as some of the other newcomers. Midweek action saw Vancouver host Columbus in MLS play and Montreal travel to Costa Rica for the CCL semis against Alajuelense. Octavio Rivero, the Uruguayan striker who signed for Vancouver this winter now tops the MLS scoring charts with 5 goals in just 7 matches for his new club. Watching him up top against the Crew on Wednesday, he stood out as is more than a great finisher or opportunistic forward, he looked to me like one of 10 or 15 players in MLS – check out his highlight video. The other remarkable addition to MLS has been Montreal’s Ignacio Piatti, the Argentine playmaker who is an absolute joy to watch for the Impact. He was a true leader on the field in Costa Rica on Wednesday and showed off some world class ability at the same time. Rivero and Piatti both represented big time coups for MLS and their signings were significant at the time. The point I am trying to make is that while Frank Lampard, Kaka and David Villa get all the headlines, these two South Americnas are making all the difference on the pitch up in Canada.

FC Dallas. Duh.

Surprise of the Week:
2 Big Upsets:
DAL 0 – 4 COL
POR 0 – 2 ORL

Both of these teams were massive home favorites (POR -$130, FCD -$165) but both failed to score a goal or even challenge for the win. One begins to questions if Portland’s supposedly meaningful 3-1 home win over FC Dallas meant much at all given the results in week 6. Meanwhile, Orlando City continue to look like the real deal in the first two thirds of the pitch, and if they can figure it out in the final third, they will be dangerous and darn fun to watch. If the club could bring in Chicharito as some rumors are suggesting, look out.

GOTW

Colorado scored a bunch of really good goals against FC Dallas. So there is that.

TOTW Winner: @thegoalkeeper
In keeping with the spirit of the week and this blog post, this seems like a good winner.

It bears mentioning in this conclusion that Montreal have advanced to the CCL finals. While this is a monumental achievement (and the ride has been just as incredible as the destination), the Impact will have their work cut out for them in the final. They’ll play a home and home with Liga MX’s Club America to decide who will represent CONCACAF at the next FIFA Cub World Cup, but America have shown they can be ruthless in this competition. Unfortunately, there will not be a week 7 post as I am dedicating the weekend to a charitable cause, the MS150.