MLS week 3 in review: a tale of 20 players

After three games, the Impact remains among the dark horses not only in race for the top of the Eastern Conference standings but also for the Supporters’ Shield, Let’s look at how the weekend went.

Orlando City SC 1 - 0 NYCFC

I can't wait for New York to have their own soccer-specific stadium. Watching matches at Yankee Stadium in painful.

Cyle Larin continues to be a one-man wrecking crew and to score for the Lions ...bound of Europe sooner than later.

Despite the loss, Andrea Pirlo pulled the strings in NYCFC’s midfield. He needs support on the defensive side though.

Chicago Fire 0 - 0 Columbus Crew

Brandon Vincent looks like a sure bet to turn into a solid MLS player for the Fire.Columbus’ attack stalled a bit, forcing Federico Higuain to come deeper and force the play up. He did well despite the lack of opportunities.

New York Red Bulls 4 - 3 Houston Dynamo : What a crazy game!

And it was fun to watch. When Felipe plays with determination (and anger ?), he can help turn a game around and that’s how the Red Bulls’ win can be explained.

I have always loved Will Bruin. He’s underrated, streaky finisher who is hot at the moment. Gives hope to the Dynamo.

FC Dallas 2 - 0 Impact : A tough road game for the Impact

- Against a very good team bouncing back from a very bad game.

- Mauro Diaz: pure class … exactly the type of young players who’ll make the MLS a top league.

- Not much to say about the Impact except that Laurent Ciman was great again anchoring the defensive line.

Vancouver WhiteCaps  2 - 1 Seattle Sounders

- A tough start for the Sounders who did not get any help from poor refereeing.

- The Whitecaps have the front-runner for "signing of the year" with Christian Bolanos who played very well again.

- Ozzie Alonso is keeping up there with the best midfielders in MLS and gives Seattle a chance to compete in most games.

Portland Timbers 2 - 2 Real Salt Lake: Another great Western Conference battle

- Fanendo Adi’s Nigeria call up is not surprising. He’s been a clean finisher for the Timbers.

- Another entry in the "signing of the year" category is Yura Movsisyan who adds skill and power to Real’s attack.

LA Galaxy 3 - 0 San Jose Earthquakes : Gerrard-less

- Could it be that the Galaxy are better without Gerrard? Sadly, it might be the case.

- Gyasi Zardes has more than justified his inclusion on the US national team. He’s getting better.

- For the Earthquakes, there’s Wondo and all the others. Wondolowski might very well surpass Landon Donovan’s record as the MLS’ top goal scorer.

Philadephia Union 3 - 0 New England Revolution

- The Union could make the fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference a real tough one..

- CJ Sapong’s renaissance in Philadelphia could be a mainstay of their collective renewal.
- Without Bobby Shuttleworth’s heroic performance in goal, the Revolution would have been blasted out of the park.

D.C. United 1 - 1 Colorado Rapids

- The Rapids look like a brand new team … a strong one.
- There are worst player to bring off the bench late to get a goal than Fabian Espindola. He got the goal for United ...job done!

- When Marco Pappa is given freedom to play where he sees fit, he can lead the transition in the attacking zone as well as anyone in MLS. Great pick up by Colorado.

Sporting Kansas City C 1 - 0 Toronto FC

- Kansas City’s win was helped along by some dubious calls by the referee.
- Despite the winning goal by Brad Davis, Matt Besler played very solidly at the back for SKC and proved again he belongs in the rearguard elite in MLS.

- For Toronto, Giovinco did his thing again but the emergence of rookie Tsubasa Endoh gives hope to TFC fans everywhere.