MLS NOTES: WEEK 6

• Injuries seem to be the story for Metrostars this weekend. Djorkaeff, Agoos, and Wolyniec all out of the starting lineup. Gaven is playing, but his broken finger is never going to heal the way he keeps hitting the ground. I’m sure a few goals would help relieve the pain a bit.
  

• John Doyle did the coaching duties for San Jose against Metros, as Dominic Kinnear was dealing with a family emergency of some sort. Best wishes to Dom and family. John Doyle is destined to be a head coach in this league someday anyway, so you can’t say the Quakes weren’t in good hands.
  

• 8,000 at Giants Stadium. Ouch. That hurts worse than the 1-0 scoreline. That’s awful.

• Josh Wolff cut up the Dallas defense like they were the Sunday coupon page, yet despite being down 3-1 deep into the second half, the Football Club made an amazing comeback to get one of those draws that feels like a win, 3-3. Ronnie O’Brien took over with about 15 minutes to go, getting a goal and an assist. Ruiz got the tying goal in typical, “beat-three-guys-and-pop-it-in-left-footed” Ruiz style.

• Poor Bo Oshoniyi. I hate to say it as a Dallas fan, but it needs to be said, the man deserved a win. He robbed Dallas blind three times in the second half, but Ronnie and Ruiz overcame him in the end. Some great work from Bo Knows Soccer.
  

• PREKI SIGHTING! Even though it scared every Dallas fan to death, we all have to be glad to see the Great One back on the field. He saw about seven minutes of action, introduced a couple newcomers to the PPC (patented Preki cutback), but wasn’t able to get a winner. Still, the guys going to be 42 in June, had his leg broken in two places, and he can still strike fear into the hearts of his opponents. I love that man.
  

• Josh Gros put on his Clint Dempsey shoes and got the sweet diving header goal for DCU tonight. I think I’ve developed a condition where I can’t refer to a diving header without prefacing it with ‘sweet’.
  

• Freddy Adu played what I believe to be his most mature game as a professional against this weekend. He had a hand in both first-half goals, played terrific defensively, and kept his cool at all times. His goal, of course, was pure Freddy. Taking on players, making moves and finishing. Beauty. The transition from always being “the man” as an amateur to being a role player as a pro, let’s face it, has been tough on the kid, but tonight he showed he can do it.
  

• I also thought Nick Rimando was especially good in this game. I can’t remember seeing him in such unquestionable command of his 18. He’s shown his natural ability ever since he’s been in the league, but now he’s coming into his own as a complete keeper. He deserved a shutout.
  

• Unfortunately, the DC victory was marred by the return of Dema Kovalenko. He did, however, manage to play all of his three minutes without breaking anyone’s leg. Good for you, Dema.
  

• I looked forward all week to the Newbie Derby. White Bread v Tortillas. I love it.
  
  

• Apparently, I was looking forward to it much more than the people of Los Angeles, as Chivas were again unable to get a good crowd at Estadio Home Depot. ¿Cuál es el problema, Señor Vergara?
  

• The handball call against RSL looked both unintentional and outside the box. But hey, I wasn’t there.
  

• DJ Coutess gets points for bravery. He got whacked by either Mendoza or Eddie Pope and was on the ground writhing in pain, but still got up to stop the bicycle kick followup. He had to go off, and it looked like an injury to the shoulder. Whatever his faults may be as a keeper, He’s a tough kid.
  

• The really bad part of that for ReAL was that they’d already used three subs. Brian Kamler had to cowboy up, put on the black shirt, and play goal. I’m sure that was pleasant for him. But hey, he got the clean sheet. That’s gotta look good on the resumé.
  

• Speaking of going off, what was the deal with Mathis going off in the 30th minute? He didn’t look injured . . . is he out of shape, or what?
  

• Brad Guzan continues to make a case to keep his starting job once Martin Zuniga is healthy. The kid’s got game. There’s no way around it.
  

• Chicago was unlucky to get shut out by the Red Hot Revs, 2-0. On the other hand, the Revs were unlucky not to score four.
  

• The Galaxy-Rapids match played out as if it were Talent v Guts. Not that Colorado has no talent, or even that the Galaxy have no guts; it just seemed for 90 minutes like the mismatch was staved off by sheer force of will. And by Joe Cannon.
  

• Three PK’s in three minutes of the LA/COL game. I’ve never seen that before, have you? The first two were solid calls, the third was a bit suspect. The Rapids deserved a draw out of this game. Maybe the third call was the right call, I couldn’t really tell; if there was any justice in the world, however, the Raps would’ve gotten a point out of that game.
  

• Joseph Ngwenya missed this match due to a death in his family. He is currently in Zimbabwe tending to more important matters than soccer. Best wishes and prayers for Joseph and family.
  

• Kyle Beckerman has all the talent in the world and still hasn’t been able to break big in MLS. I can’t wait to see it. Maybe he needs a change of scenery or something. He should be a star, and he isn’t. Yet.