New England 2 -DC United 1

If week 1 was about terrible defence then week 2 was about awful referring in the New England-DC United match. Though New England controlled the game in the first half both their goals were awarded due to questionable calls. The first came on a blantant handball by Zack Schilawski before he poked it home for the first New England goal. Referee Baldomero Toledo, like he normal does, influenced this match and it's outcome. Funnily enough, in Europe and Asia most people would think he is in on the fix. Honestly, with people outside of America able to bet on MLS matches I don't see why that would be inconceivable.

New England would get their second goal following another bad call by Mr. Toledo. As the ball dropped to Dax McCarty in the 18-yard box he readied himself to clear it. But as he did Rev player Pat Phelan came running in and jumped into McCarty. Normally this would be a foul on Phelan for jumping into McCarty, but not to Mr. Toledo. An immediate penalty was given and converted by Shalrie Joesph, 2-0 Revs.

DC United finally got into the game in the second half and their two liveliest players were Chris Pontius and Fred. Both combining on a few occasions, but in the end shooting over the bar. Late in the match it would be DC's turn for a questionable call. A free kick outside of the box was given to United. As the ball was played in a New England defender and DC United player came together with hands on each and feet tangled up. As soon as both players went down the whistle was blown and Mr. Toledo again pointed to the spot; where Charlie Davies would convert and score his third goal in two. But Mr. Toledo wasn't done there. As the game winded through stoppage-time an incident between Dejan Jakovic, Matt Reis and Ryan Cochrane ended with Jakovic seeing red. This was a ridiculous way to end a ridiculously refereed match. This was all handbags and nothing malicious. Just some frustration boiling over.

In the end Mr. Toledo did his usual take charge decide the outcome-I'm the most important one here job. The true is this match should have ended 0-0 with neither team doing much as all three goals came from bad officiating. Because of the officiating this game didn't look like top-flight football, rather it looked like something you'd see in the high school game.

Seattle v. Houston

If last week's theme was bad defending this game's theme was bad bounces. Both goals in the 1-1 draw came from fortunate bounces in front of goal. Both teams got their first goal of the season and first point of the year as well.

Seattle was the better team throughout the game and held most of the possession in the second half. But much like their two previous matches they couldn't do anything in the final third. Through out much of the match Seattle's game plan was to hoof the ball down field from the back or the midfield for Fredy Montero or O'Brian White to chase. Neither player has the ability in the air or hold up play ability for this strategy, and Houston's defence routinely cleared any danger that might have come from it. True to form Montero slipped in and out of the match. White on the other hand was never in the match and added nothing to the Sounders attack. The Houston defence did a fantastic job on the night and kept Seattle from shooting inside the 18-yard box which has to worry Seattle. The Sounders took too many shots outside of the area and only once looked dangerous on such a shot. Goalkeeper Tally Hall wasn't bothered on the night and only had his goal threatened on the Sounders one goal.

Seattle did create a lot of crosses from the wings. Steve Zakuani and Erik Friberg were regularly able to put crosses of varying degrees into the box. But the problem was the lack of Seattle attackers in the box and the lack of height to get to the cross. Only once was Montero near a cross and he headed well over the bar. White never even got near a cross and was lifted on 60 minutes. Nate Jaqua's 6ft 3in frame should have been able to convert a cross, however, when Jaqua came on Seattle went from playing on the wing and crossing the ball to playing down the middle with the ball on the floor. A point shared was the correct result in this one.

Three things stood out in my mind in this match. First, both teams played at a very high pace in this match. It was up and down and the ball was being moved around very quickly; especially by Houston when they got position. Secondly, Seattle's midfield looked good, and could be the best midfield in the league. Mauro Rosales, Alvaro Fernandez, Osvaldo Alonso, Steve Zakuani and Erik Friberg is a midfield that should control every game. Unfortunately, Seattle just doesn't have the quality at the striker position. We've learned that Montero needs someone to play with just behind him. Freddie Ljundberg was that man in year one and last season Blaise N'Kufo took the pressure off Montero in the second half of the season. Friberg was excellent combining with Montero against New York in week 1, and Seattle needs more of that. Third, Seattle hasn't gotten that much better since their opening MLS campaign. The back four doesn't strike fear into the heart of opposing attacks, and the Seattle attack has gone backwards since Sebastion Le Toux was allowed to leave and with N'Kofu's release/retirement this season. Seattle will need their midfield to play well if they're going to do anything this season.

Still more.

ESPN, has a lovely photo of Dwayne De Rosario and Freddie Ljunberg attending last night's Celtic match. There's also a little snippet of info from manager Neil Lennon regarding DeRo.