WEEK 12 NOTES:

• Danny Califf is back in the lineup for Los Angeles this week. He got burned on the first Metrostars goal, but having said that, most of LA’s defense this year has consisted of scoring in bunches and having Kevin Hartman in goal, so this is can only be a good thing in the long run.

• It was a much maligned young American player who got the ball rolling for Metrostars today, though; Kenny Arena (yes, he is related) scored his first MLS goal, while essentially being mugged by Califf. Good stepping-up for Arena on a team that was missing nine players from their normal roster today.

• Another young American futurestar headed in the winner at the 90 minute mark: Mike Magee. So Bob Bradley got a good scrappy win today from the youngest lineup ever put on the field in MLS history.

• DC’s first goal this weekend was their first in 272 minutes. Ouch. I’m not sure what Peter Nowak said to them this week in training, but they came out playing as if their lives depended on it today against Columbus.

• Alecko Eskandarian’s goal in the 33rd minute of that match showed why he deserves to start over Freddy Adu right now. The ability to play intelligently off the ball, and, for now, more efficient finishing. His second goal was just beautiful.

• New England are turning into the Badluck Schleprock of MLS. Beat to death by injuries to begin with, they had two goals snatched from them in the second half against Kansas City. One by the linesman, and one by the post. They finally found a late lifeline in the irrepressible Clint Dempsey.

• Dempsey’s goal set up a barnburner of a final 15 minutes in a game that hadn’t been all that exciting up until then. Matt Taylor finished his brace in injury time to put New England away. Taylor’s two goals for the Wizards were his first as a pro, by the way. Not a bad start for the rookie from UCLA.

• Chris Henderson became the all-time leading scorer in Rapids history recently, and this week he becomes the all-time leader in minutes played for the club, overtaking Marcelo Balboa. Congratulations to one of my favorite players.

• Kyle Beckerman is a hugely talented player, but has been an underperformer in MLS. I’d like to see him live up to his potential and become a star.

• Colorado picked up Joey Digiamarino this week. Digi, who has been with the team for before, was waived by Metrostars earlier in the season.

• Chicago, tied with Metrostars for the Decimation award, missing Armas, Beasley, Joseph, Williams, and Selolwane, still almost pulled off a miracle win against San Jose, thanks to up-and-coming futurestar Nate Jaqua. Nate scored Chicago’s first goal, but the Fire were doused (sorry) after Razov was stoned on the potential winning PK by Pat Onstad. The PK call was verrrrry questionable in any event; Jeff Agoos was so upset he got two yellows for dissent in the space of a minute and was sent off. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

• Notice I said Jaqua’s was Chicago’s first goal in a 1-1 game. The Fire’s second came when poor Evan Whitfield scored an own goal to keep the Quakes in the match.

• Oh yeah, San Jose were missing some kid named Donavan. He’s like, German of something, I think; you hardly ever hear anything about him.

• You understand of course, that only a year ago, Ronnie O’Brien nearly had his legged snapped off, right? Ok, keep that in mind next time you see him play, as he jets past any defender he chooses with impunity.

• Memo to Dave Sarachan: enjoy, no, savor the WCQ game against Grenada. Your fortnight of darkness is over.